After the success of my previous aircraft, the MiG-25R reconnaissance aircraft, i decided to make this. This is another MiG-25, but this time it's the MiG-25P interceptor version (codenamed "Foxbat A" by NATO). It looks a little different from the recon variant, most notably the large radome, and four large R-40 missiles (the largest air to air missiles in history). These missiles are guided by the Smerch-A interception radar in the nose. The radar, as well as most of the avionics systems, used older vacuum tube technology, which was used because vacuum tubes were more resistant to temperature changes at high speeds than transistors. They were also impervious to the effects of an EMP generated by a nuclear explosion, which would damage or destroy transistor based technology. This aircraft has the number 31, which is the number given to the MiG-25 flown by Viktor Belenko, who used his aircraft to defect to Japan in 1976. This was the first time that western experts had been able to study the plane in detail. The examination revealed many secrets and unexpected surprises. The MiG-25 was not the highly maneuverable Soviet super fighter like previously thought. It was heavy, being made primarily of nickel steel, and it was not agile, with a max G loading of 4.5G when unloaded. Welding was done by hand, and non flush rivet heads were used if it would not result in adverse drag. It was quickly realised that the MiG-25 was purely an interceptor aircraft, built to go very fast in a straight line, and little else. This replica is armed with four missiles. They are very large, and not very agile. They are best used against large, unmaneuverable targets, like strategic bombers, and are almost entirely useless in a dogfight scenario. The afterburners are activated by AG1, and the drogue chute is deployed by AG2. Ideal cruising speed and altitude is about 2000mph at 65,000ft. Please let me know if you encounter any issues. I hope you enjoy!
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Predecessor MiG-25P Foxbat A
- Created On iOS
- Wingspan 46.8ft (14.3m)
- Length 76.2ft (23.2m)
- Height 19.5ft (5.9m)
- Empty Weight 44,110lbs (20,008kg)
- Loaded Weight 66,567lbs (30,194kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 2.025
- Wing Loading 78.1lbs/ft2 (381.6kg/m2)
- Wing Area 851.8ft2 (79.1m2)
- Drag Points 9784
Parts
- Number of Parts 177
- Control Surfaces 6
- Performance Cost 838
I think I read that article already. I think that the Foxbat was quite an impressive aircraft, especially when you consider the fact that it wasn't built with much care, and that it had to operate reliably in some pretty harsh conditions and remote locations. @F104Deathtrap
@SajabAerospace Yeah, it doesn't really seem right to compare the Blackbird to this thing. Lockheed only made a handful of Sr-71's, the pilots were super-duper special picked for the job and they operated with a TON of support. Foxbats were mass produced and even exported, operated under desolate, primative conditions, and the pilots they flew them were picked from the regular pool of available jocks. This Jalopnik article is old, but I really enjoyed it, maybe you will too http://jalopnik.com/a-requiem-for-the-original-soviet-rat-rod-1534150327
Yeah, at least the vacuum tube technology was rugged. That was its main advantage compared to transistor technology, and in the Soviet Union, ruggedness and durability took priority. @F104Deathtrap
@SajabAerospace I always felt bad for interceptor pilots from this time period. So much extra work trying to fiddle with all this analog radar gear and fly a jet at the same time!
The Smerch was an enormously powerful radar. About 600 kilowatts of power. @F104Deathtrap
I think I read somewhere that the "Smerch" was so powerful that activating it close to the ground was illegal, it was actually hazardous to people and animals. Unfortunately, it wasn't very sophisticated, and had trouble targeting anything below the horizon at any altitude. Nice build here, good attention to detail!
Yep, pretty much. I'm also going to upload a trainer version later today. I'm working on it now. I need to redesign the entire nose, and put a second cockpit in. Once that's uploaded I'll start work on a Panavia Tornado or a MiG-31. @WEAPONSMITH
Thanks for the upvote @TTHHSSSS @SarcasticCommander
No problem @SajabAerospace great job!
Thanks for the upvote @Tang0five
Thanks for the upvote @SemedianIndustries