MiG-25

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (Russian: МиГ-25) (NATO reporting name "Foxbat") is a high-supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance/bomber aircraft designed by the Soviet

Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau. First flown as a prototype in 1964, it entered service in 1970. With a top speed of Mach 3.2, a powerful radar and four air-to-air missiles, the

MiG-25 worried Western observers and prompted development of the F-15 Eagle.
The aircraft's true capabilities were not revealed to the west until 1976 when Viktor Belenko, a Soviet MiG-25 pilot, defected to the United States via Japan. Subsequent

analysis revealed a simple-yet-functional design with vacuum-tube electronics, two massive turbojet engines, and sparing use of advanced materials such as titanium. The

MiG-25 series had a production run of 1,190 aircraft.[1] The MiG-25 flew with a number of Soviet allies and former Soviet republics and it remains in limited service in Russia

and several other nations.
Overflights by American U-2s in the late 1950s revealed a need for higher altitude interceptor aircraft.[2] In 1960, Soviet intelligence learned of the US's development of the

high altitude, Mach 3 A-12 reconnaissance aircraft.[3] A high altitude interceptor with high speed would also be needed to defend against the Mach 3 B-70 bomber then under

development.[4][5] A variety of roles were considered for the prospective aircraft, including cruise missile carriers and even a small five to seven-passenger supersonic

transport, but the main objective was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and heavy interceptor. The Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB accepted the assignment effective 10 March

1961, carrying the bureau designation "Ye-155" (or "Е-155").