MiG-25 Foxbat
Click on the photo to hear the wav sound.
Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Thrust:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Missiles:
Cannons:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Red Line Speed:
Max. Speed:
Red Line Climb:
Max. Climb:
Red Line Ceiling:
Max. Ceiling:
Range:
Year Deployed:
interceptor/recon.
one
Tumansky R-15B-300
2 x 24,700 lbs. ea.
44,080 lbs.
80,950 lbs.
4 - long range
none
78' 2"
45' 9"
560 mph
2,115 mph
2,485 mph
41,000 fpm
55,000 fpm
68,000 feet
90,000 feet
750 miles
1969
MiG-25 Foxbat aircraft were developed for both interceptor and reconnaissance missions. On March 6, 1964 a MiG-25 Foxbat prototype first took to the
sky. In 1969 a reconnaissance MiG-25 Foxbat became operational, with the interceptor following in 1972.
On Aug. 31, 1977 a MiG-25 Foxbat model E piloted by Alexander
Fedotov set a "zoom" absolute altitude record by pushing the plane to maximum
speed, then climbing, trading speed for altitude. After the engines flamed-out
the plane continued in a sort of ballistic trajectory to an altitude of
123,523.58 feet. The aircraft then dropped to a lower altitude where the engines were restarted.
Although capable of high speeds and altitudes, the MiG-25 Foxbat is limited by its short range with lack of in-air refueling and a lack of
maneuverability in close combat. The red-line speed of the MiG-25 Foxbat is limited to less than maximum to prevent engine overheating.
MiG-25 Foxbat
J.D. Enterprise MiG-25 Foxbat.
Pictured above is a MiG-25 Foxbat from J. D. Enterprise. The kit is of all fiberglass construction for
.65 - .91 DF engines. Length is 85" with a wingspan of 55". It has weight of about 17.5 lbs.
The MiG-25 Foxbat saw combat during the Gulf War where it scored the
only Iraqi air combat victory of the war. It shot down a F/A-18 Hornet
on the first night of the war and fired missiles at other aircraft.
Another MiG-25 Foxbat fired 3 missiles at EF-111 electronics warfare
aircraft forcing them to abort their mission. Two other MiG-25 Foxbat
aircraft attacked two American F-15 Eagles. F15's, the fastest U.S
aircraft, evaded the MiG's missiles and then gave chase. They were
joined by two additional Eagles and fired a total of ten missiles at the
MiG-25 25 Foxbat aircraft. All of the missiles fired by the Eagles missed.
MiG-25 Foxbat
The MiG-25 Foxbat from Parkjets plans.
If you would like plans to build a MiG-25 Foxbat from foam, you can find them at Parkjets. com. The pusher prop radio
control airplane pictured above has a 32" wingspan.
Among the most distinguishable features of the MiG-25 Foxbat are large engine exhausts of
almost 5' diameter. The fuselage is over 78 feet long, almost 14 feet longer than the F-15.
To improve low speed handling, two "fences" run the top of each MiG-25 Foxbat wing surface.
The
MiG-25 Foxbat carries its fuel in a total of 8 tanks that occupy about
3/4 of the interior room of the aircraft. Internal fuel is about 32,000
lbs. with about an additional 9,575 lbs.
carried externally.
Various versions of the MiG-25 Foxbat have advanced, side looking radar and can be equipped with
up to four anti radiation missiles. Latest versions carry look-down shoot down radar, and an infrared search and track system.
Rather than solid-state electronics, vacuum tubes power the MiG-25 Foxbat
avionics. In extreme temperatures and nuclear radiation, these
vacuum tubes have actually been proven superior to solid state technology.
The vacuum tube driven radar of the MiG-25 Foxbat has been able to penetrate even modern electronic counter measure systems.
The MiG-25 Foxbat remains in limited service in Russia, India and the air forces of several other nations.
A total of about 1,190 MiG-25 Foxbat aircraft were built until production ended in 1984.
MiG-25 Foxbat
A MiG-25 Foxbat by Matt of RC Groups.
The MiG-25 Foxbat built from Depron foam by Matt of RC Groups has a wingspan of 20" and a length of 29". Matt powers it with a single 5,800 kV Feigao motor.
Belenko Defection:
On September 6, 1976 Russian Lt. Viktor Belenko landed his MiG-25 Boxbat in Japan, defecting to the West.
The aircraft was analyzed by the best technicians of the West. It was returned to Russia after 67 days.
Analysis
of the MiG-25 Foxbat showed that although some rivet heads of the
aircraft were left exposed, they were in places not affecting
performance.
Rather than titanium being used as the primary building material, it was nickel steel alloy.
However, titanium was employed on the leading edges and other heat sensitive areas of the MiG-25 Foxbat.
The MiG-25 Foxbat is redlined at Mach 2.8. Maximum G rating is limited to
4.5 G's although aircraft engineers believe a number closer to 6.0
G's is more realistic. Maximum range of the MiG-25 Foxbat on internal fuel is about 750 miles.
MiG-25 Foxbat
Tony Nijhuis Design MiG-25 Foxbat.
The MiG-25 Foxbat pusher prop rc
airplane built from Tony Nijhuis Design plans has a wingspan of 24" and length of 32 1/2".
Construction is all balsa. All up weight is about 1 1/2 lbs.
The Electric Jet Factory has a MiG-25 Foxbat. It has a 35" wingspan and is of balsa and foam construction. You will need a motor and 90 mm EDF unit for power.
Dick Terry of Tuscon, AZ writes: "The MiG-25 Foxbat from Parkjets.com is really nice to build and fly. The
plans and instructions were easy to follow, the MiG-25 Foxbat builds
quickly and easily, and flies wonderfully. It can be flown with any number of electric motors. It lands slowly and it will perform
just about any scale like maneuver in fine fashion. I think that the it will be very popular and expect to see quite a few of
them around. I will be flying mine too!"
If anyone would like to recommend their favorite Mig-25 rc airplane, please email us.
Mikoyan MiG-25
