Foxbat: the MiG-25 at War

[Matt Wiser]

The Soviet High Flier: interceptor, reconnaissance aircraft, even "Wild Weasel". The MiG-25 Foxbat:

The MiG-25 Foxbat in World War III



The MiG-25 (NATO Codename Foxbat) was the fastest interceptor in the world when the Third World War began in 1985, and was still in front-line service with the Voyska PVO (Soviet Air Defense Force). The aircraft was also in VVS (Soviet Air Force) service as a reconnaissance and SEAD aircraft, as well as in service with a number of Soviet allies and client states in both interceptor and reconnaissance roles. This work will examine those Foxbat variants that saw service in the war and after.


MiG-25P (Foxbat-A): Interceptor version designed to counter the B-70 Valkyrie bomber that never entered service. Four AA-6 Acrid AAMs (two radar-guided, two IR), RP-25 Smerch (Fox Fire) radar. Voyska PVO service only.

MiG-25R (Foxbat-B): High-altitude Reconnaissance version with cameras and ELINT equipment. Flown by SAF and several export customers.

MiG-25RB (Foxbat-B): Reconnaissance-bomber version of R, with capability to carry eight 1100 pound bombs on wing pylons.

MiG-25RBV (Foxbat-B): Modernized RB with new ELINT equipment.

MiG-25RBT (Foxbat-B): RBV from 1980s onward with new ELINT suite.

MiG-25RBN (Foxbat-B): Night photo-reconnaissance version with ten photoflash bombs on underwing pylons. Single prototype only.

MiG-25RR (Foxbat-B): Eight converted from R standard for high-altitude radiation sampling mission. Used to monitor Chinese nuclear tests initially, later used to monitor target areas in China post-nuclear strike.

MiG-25RBK (Foxbat-D): Dedicated ELINT aircraft. Cameras deleted but bombing capability retained.

MiG-25RBF (Foxbat-D)): Modernized RBK with new ELINT equipment.

MiG-25RBS (Foxbat-D): Dedicated radar reconnaissance platform with SLAR. Bombing capability retained.

MiG-25RBSh (Foxbat-D) RBS with new SLAR.

MiG-25PD (Foxbat-E): Improved P with RP-25M radar with limited look-down/shootdown capability. R-60 (AA-8) Aphid AAMs on outer pylons in place of Heat-seeking AA-6).

MiG-25PDS (Foxbat-E): P airframes upgraded to PD standard.

MiG-25BM (Foxbat-F): Defense-suppression aircraft with AS-11 or AS-17 ARMs. First Soviet “Wild Weasel” platform.


MiG-25PU (Foxbat-C): Two-seat conversion trainer for P interceptors. No radar or combat capability.

MiG-25RU (Foxbat-C): Two-seat conversion trainer for R variants. Fitted with MiG-25R nav system.


Users:

Soviet Air Force: User of MiG-25R and BM versions in North America. Primary SAF strategic and theater-level reconnaissance aircraft in North America and Far East. BM served in both theaters as “Wild Weasel platform.

Soviet Air Defense Forces: P and PD versions served as main high-altitude interceptor for Voyska PVO. Defended against SAC and RAF bombing raids into Russia with mixed results. Some sent to North America for rear-area air defense duties.

Libya: Defended against strikes by both the U.S. Sixth Fleet and by Egypt. Some Libyan MiG-25PD versions in North America.

Mexico: A number of PD and PDS versions were left behind in Mexico at the end of the war. None believed flyable during the 2010 Baja War, and most (if not all) destroyed on the ground. None believed currently flyable in Mexico.

Post-Soviet users:

Russian Republic: Several regiments from both the Voyska PVO and SAF fought on the rebel side during the Second Russian Civil War. A limited number of reconnaissance aircraft remain in Russian Republic service.

Far East Republic: Both Voyska PVO and SAF regiments served in the FER Air Force during the Civil War and after. All now out of service.

Rump USSR: In service during Civil War and after. All destroyed or captured during fall of Rump USSR.

Ukraine: Both interceptor and reconnaissance versions in Ukrainian AF service during the Civil War. All out of service prior to 2010.

Other republics: Several airframes in limited service with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan during breakup of USSR. All believed to be out of service.

Captured Examples:

Several specimens were delivered to the USAF and RAF during the war by defectors, or were found on Soviet airfields during ground operations. USAF evaluation at Edwards AFB, while at least two MiG-25RB versions known to have been flown to Great Britain from East Germany. One on display at RAF Museum. Several on display at various museums in the U.S.

[James1978]

The Soviet High Flier: interceptor, reconnaissance aircraft, even "Wild Weasel". The MiG-25 Foxbat:

The MiG-25 Foxbat in World War III

MiG-25RR (Foxbat-B): Eight converted from R standard for high-altitude radiation sampling mission. Used to monitor Chinese nuclear tests initially, later used to monitor target areas in China post-nuclear strike.

OOC: In @, these were all scrapped after the final PRC atmospheric test in 1980.

[Matt Wiser]

OOC: I assumed that they were put into storage, and after the nuclear attacks on China, the VVS reactivated them for missions into targeted areas.

[James1978]

OOC: My understanding is that they were scrapped due to contamination.
Having said that, I think the air frame was in production for the Foxbat-F into 1985 in @, so I see no reason the Soviet's couldn't have ordered a new batch given what they were planning.