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MIKOYAN MiG-25
Design started 1959 as Ye-155P supersonic high-altitude interceptor to counter all potential threats, from cruise missiles to A-11 (SR-71A reconnaissance aircraft) under US development; programme launched officially February 1962; Ye-155R reconnaissance version designed and built 1961-62; Ye-155R-1 first to fly 6 March 1964; Ye-155P-1 interceptor prototype flew 9 September 1964; the two Ye-155s had R-15B-2-300 engines; Type 99 (Ye-155M) experimental aircraft had D-30F6 turbofans; early history in previous editions of Jane's; production, as MiG-25/25R series, completed mid-1980s. Interceptor versions replaced by MiG-31s in Russian Air Force. VARIANTS: (Russian air forces): MiG-25RB (Mikoyan Type 02B; `Foxbat-B'): Single-seat high-altitude reconnaissance-bomber, derived from Ye-155R-1 prototype; production began as MiG-25R (Type 02), for reconnaissance only, in 1969; bombing capability added to redesignated RB in 1970; no guns or air-to-air missiles; R-15BD-300 turbojets; any one of three interchangeable photographic/elint modules, with five camera windows and flush dielectric panels, carried aft of small dielectric nosecap, instead of interceptor's Smertch radar; slightly reduced wing span; wing leading-edge sweep constant 41° from root to tip; first aircraft produced in former USSR with INS updated by Doppler; specially developed automatic bombing system makes possible all-weather day/night precision attacks at supersonic speed from heights above 20,000 m (65,600 ft) against targets with known geographic co-ordinates, carrying 2,000 to 5,000 kg (4,410 to 11,020 lb) of 500 kg bombs under wings and fuselage, depending on aircraft series; SRS-4B elint equipment; fuel tank in each fin, providing additional 700 litres (185 US gallons; 154 Imp gallons) capacity; provision for 5,300 litre (1,400 US gallon; 1,165 Imp gallon) underbelly tank; able to fly long distances at cruising speed of Mach 2.35, maximum speed of Mach 2.83 with full bomb load. MiG-25RBV (Type 02B) and RBT (Type 02T) (`Foxbat-B'): As MiG-25RB, with different equipment, including SRS-9 elint on RBV (V for Virazh SLAR) and Tangazh elint on RBT. Produced 1978-82. MiG-25PU (Type 39; `Foxbat-C'): Training version of original MiG-25P interceptor; redesigned nose section containing separate cockpit with individual canopy for instructor, forward of standard cockpit and at lower level; no armament; weapon release simulation standard; some systems modified and updated, permitting simulation of failures; no radar in nose; first roll-out 1968; maximum speed limited to Mach 2.65. MiG-25RU (Type 22; `Foxbat-C'): Training version of MiG-25R; identical to MiG-25PU except for absence of combat simulation system; no reconnaissance sensors; first roll-out 1972. MiG-25RBK (Type 02K; `Foxbat-D'): Produced simultaneously with RB series in 1971-80; reconnaissance modules contain different elint (K of designation for Kub SLAR) and other avionics and no cameras; modified cockpit, electrical and air conditioning systems; bombing capability retained. MiG-25RBS (Type 02S; `Foxbat-D'): As MiG-25RBK but with Sabla SLAR; in production 1971-77; all RBSs upgraded to MiG-25RBSh (Type 02SH) with Shompol SLAR during servicing from 1981. MiG-25RBF (Type 02F; `Foxbat-D'): Updated MiG-25RB; conversions from 1981. Generally to MiG-25RBK standard, but with Shar elint instead of Kub. MiG-25BM (Type 02M; `Foxbat-F'): Defence suppression aircraft derived from MiG-25RB; development started 1972; produced 1982-85; ECM in place of reconnaissance module in 0.72 m (2 ft 4{1/4} in) longer nose, with dielectric panel each side; small blister each side at rear of radome; dielectric panel at front of each outboard weapon pylon; underbelly auxiliary fuel tank as MiG-25R series; four Kh-58 (AS-11 `Kilter') anti-radiation missiles underwing to attack surface-to-air missile radars over standoff ranges. Weights and performance almost identical to RB. CUSTOMERS: Russia retains 40 for reconnaissance and ECM; Algeria (`Foxbat-A/B'); India (`Foxbat-B/C'); Iraq (`Foxbat-A'); Libya (`Foxbat-A/B/E'); Syria (`Foxbat-A/B'). Abbreviated description follows; full details of MiG-25 series in 1995-96 Jane's. POWER PLANT: Two Soyuz/Tumansky R-15BD-300 turbojets, each rated at 86.30 kN (19,400 lb st) dry, 109.75 kN (24,675 lb st) with afterburning. Fuel in two welded structural tanks occupying 70 per cent of volume of fuselage, between cockpit and engine bay, in saddle tanks around intake ducts, and in integral tank in each wing, filling almost entire volume inboard of outer fence; total capacity 17,660 litres (4,665 US gallons; 3,885 Imp gallons); single-point fuelling; provision for 5,300 litre (1,400 US gallon; 1,165 Imp gallon) underbelly tank. ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only, on KM-1 zero-height/70 to 675 knots (130 to 1,250 km/h; 80 to 775 mph) ejection seat. Canopy hinged to open sideways, to starboard. DIMENSIONS:
(source: Jane's)
Powerplants: MiG-25PDS — Two 109.8kN (24,6901b) with afterburning Tumansky (now Soyuz) R-1 5BD-300 turbojets. Performance: MiG-25PDS — Max speed Mach 2.8 or 3000km/h (1 620kt), max speed at sea level 1200km/h (647kt). Time to 65,615ff 8mm 55sec. Service ceiling 67,915ff. Range with internal fuel 1730km (933nm). Endurance 2hr 5mm. Weights: MiG-25PDS — Normal takeoff with four R-40 AAMs and max internal fuel 36,720kg (80,950lb). Dimensions: MiG-25PDS — Wing span 14.02m (46ff 0in), length 23.82m (78ff 2in), height 6.10m (20ff 0in). Wing area 61.4m2 (660.9sq ft). Accommodation: Pilot only, or two in separate cockpits in MiG-25PU. Armament: Four underwing hardpoints can carry a total ordnance load of 4000kg (9635lb). Typical interceptor configuration of two R-40 (AA-6 ‘Acrid’) and four R-60 (AA-8 ‘Aphid’) AAMs, or alternatively can carry four R-40s, or two R-23s (AA-7 ‘Apex’) and four R-73A (AA-11 ‘Archer’) AAMs. MiG-25BM can carry for Kh-58 (AS-11 ‘Kilter’) anti radiation missiles. Operators: Algeria, India, Iraq, Libya, Russia, Syria. History: The MiG-25 high altitude, high speed interceptor was initially developed to counter the Mach 3 XB-70 Valkyrie bomber under development in the US in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Although the XB-70 as a bomber was cancelled in 1961, work on the new high speed interceptor and reconnaissance platform continued. The two main design considerations for the new aircraft were speed and high altitude performance, something that was attained at the expense of maneuverability. Design of the MiG-25 was also a remarkable feat, given that it had to withstand the high temperatures of high speed flight. The airframe is made mainly of nickel steel, with some titanium used in areas such as leading edges. The first MiG-25 prototype to fly was the Ye-155R-1 reconnaissance prototype and it flew for the first time on March 6 1964. The interceptor Ye-166P-1 had its first flight that September. Under the designation Ye-266 and Ye-266M, two MiG-25s have set a range of speed and altitude records, many of which remain unbroken. Initial ‘Foxbat’ production was of the MiG-25P interceptor. Service entry was in 1973. Subsequent MiG-25 interceptors were the new build MiG-25PD ‘Foxbat-E’ with new look down shoot down radar, more powerful engines and an IRST, and the similar MiG-25PDS to which standard MiG-25Ps were rebuilt from 1979. The MiG-25PU ‘Foxbat-C’ two seat conversion trainer has stepped separate cockpits. Initial reconnaissance variant production was of the MiG-25R, which was soon replaced by the MiG-25RB ‘Foxbat-B’, which also had a ground attack capability. Variants with different equipment were the MiG-25RBS, BSh and RBV. The MiG-25RBK is fitted with SLAR rather than optical cameras, as is the MiG-25RBF. The MiG-25RU is a two seater. Finally the MiG-25BM (‘Foxbat-F’) is a dedicated defence suppression platform that carries up to four Kh-58 (AS-11 ‘Kilter’) anti radiation missiles. " (source: Text and/or technical data from The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 1996/97, by Gerard Frawley and Jim Thorn. Published by Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd.)
Mikoyan MiG-25 A direct response to the B-70
Service debut The MiG-25 "Foxbat-A" entered service in 1970. The new inteceptor was made largely of steel and titanium to withstand the effect of kinetic heating, and sported an old-fashioned but very powerful radar as well as four examples of the largest air-to-air missile yet deployed. Total production was in the order of 600 aircraft in several variants, and the type has seen limited service in the Middle East. Versions: MiG-25 "Foxbat-A" (high-altitude interceptor), MiG25R "Foxbat-B" (reconnaissance version with cameras and a side-looking airborne radar), MiG- 25U "Foxbat-C" (two-seat trainer), MiG-25R "Foxbat-D" (reconnaissance version with a larger SLAR but no cameras), MiG-25M "Foxbat-E" (conversion of the "Foxbat-A" with a more modern radar/missile combination and more powerful R- 31F engines for better performance at lower altitude in the "lookdown/shoot- down" role), and MiG-25 "Foxbat-F" (conversion of older aircraft with AS-11 "Kilter" missiles for the anti-radar role). Operators: Algeria, India, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and USSR. TECHNICAL DATA Type: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
"Foxbat-A" single-seat interceptor. (source: Edito-Service SA, Geneva, 1988) |
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