MiG25s

The MiG-25, known by its NATO reporting name "Foxbat," is a Soviet supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft developed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. It was designed in the 1960s primarily to counter threats from high-speed American bombers, such as the B-70 Valkyrie. The MiG-25 was notable for its high speed and altitude capabilities, reaching speeds exceeding Mach 3 and altitudes over 80,000 feet.

Its construction utilized a significant amount of stainless steel to withstand the extreme heat generated at high speeds, a departure from the more common aluminum alloys used in Western aircraft. The aircraft was powered by two large Tumansky R-15 turbojet engines, which provided immense thrust. While capable of impressive speeds, the MiG-25 was not particularly agile and was optimized for high-altitude, high-speed interception rather than dogfighting.

The existence of the MiG-25, particularly after the defection of Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko to Japan in 1976, caused significant concern in the West. The performance data revealed capabilities that were not previously anticipated, leading to a reassessment of Western air defense strategies. The MiG-25 served with the Soviet Air Force and later the Russian Air Force, as well as being exported to several allied nations. Various versions were developed, including dedicated reconnaissance variants. Its operational career spanned several decades before being gradually replaced by newer generation aircraft.