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MiG-25PD Foxbat-E
Introduction
The MiG-25 stands as one of the most iconic aircraft of the Cold War, embodying a pivotal evolution in the Soviet Union’s air defense philosophy. MiG-25PD is not just a simple upgrade of the original MiG-25P, it was a decisive and necessary response to emerging threats that the Soviet military could not afford to ignore. With its extensive service history across multiple nations and proven real-world combat experience, the MiG-25PD is not just a symbol of Cold War aviation but a formidable machine in its own right, and it unquestionably deserves a place in War Thunder.
History
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When the original MiG-25P entered service in the late 1960s, it was designed to intercept high-flying reconnaissance aircraft, ballistic missiles, and high-speed bombers such as the planned XB-70 Valkyrie. Although many of these American projects never reached operational service, the MiG-25P still found important roles within Soviet air defense strategy. It caused panic among Western analysts who feared it could outperform even the most advanced American aircraft, including the SR-71 Blackbird.
However, the defection of Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko to Japan in 1976 exposed several shortcomings. The MiG-25P’s radar was increasingly ineffective against low-flying targets and vulnerable to electronic countermeasures, and its R-40 missiles were unreliable at short range or in cluttered environments. They also discovered that the aircraft was not constructed entirely from titanium, which the Soviets deemed prohibitively expensive and difficult to work with; instead, it relied heavily on 80% nickel-steel alloy, 11% aluminum and 8-9% titanium. As a result, it had a turn radius “the size of Texas”, though, in fairness, it was never intended to engage in traditional dogfighting.
By the mid-1970s, the Soviet Union faced a new generation of threats: low-flying strategic bombers like the American B-1 Lancer and emerging cruise missile technologies. The Soviet PVO (Air Defense Forces) needed an interceptor that could see and kill targets at long range, under all conditions, even when enemy aircraft employed electronic jamming and terrain masking. Thus, the MiG-25PD was developed.
The MiG-25PD introduced a brand new radar, the RP-25M “Saphir-25”, capable of engaging fast, low-altitude targets while offering better resistance to ECM. A small TP-26Sh infrared search and track (IRST) sensor was added below the nose, a critical edge in an era where radar jamming was becoming common. The engines were upgraded to the R-15BD-300 model, improving thrust and reliability. Missiles were also modernized: the R-40R and R-40T missiles received new versions, designated R-40RD and R-40TD, with greater resistance to countermeasures and improved engagement envelopes.
Officially entering service in 1978, the MiG-25PD restored the relevance of the Foxbat concept at a time when stealth, low-altitude penetration, and standoff cruise missiles threatened Soviet airspace dominance. Production continued until 1982, and a substantial number of older MiG-25Ps were rebuilt to PD standard, becoming MiG-25PDS aircraft.
Characteristics
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Structurally, the MiG-25PD retained the basic aerodynamic design of its predecessor. The aircraft still relied heavily on steel alloys rather than titanium, just like the MiG-25P, which provided excellent thermal resistance but came at the cost of considerable weight. At high altitudes, the MiG-25PD could reach speeds approaching Mach 2.83; however, operational constraints, particularly when carrying external weapons such as R-60 missiles, typically limited it to about Mach 2.5. In the bomber-reconnaissance variants, when equipped with bombs, maximum speed dropped further to around Mach 2.35. For missions demanding maximum interception speed, the MiG-25PD was limited to carrying just two R-40 missiles to minimize drag and structural stress. Aerodynamic refinements over the original P included improved stability at transonic speeds, small tweaks to intake geometry, and minor control surface upgrades.
Contrary to popular belief, flying at Mach 3 and above in the MiG-25 did NOT result in permanent or irreparable engine or airframe damage. Such extreme speeds primarily reduced the service life of the engines and certain airframe components, but did not destroy them outright. In 1971, it was reported that a MiG-25 conducting a reconnaissance mission over Israel operated at full throttle to escape an interception. Upon landing, the canopy sealant had melted from the extreme heat, and ground crews were forced to pry open the cockpit with a crowbar to extract the pilot. To generate such levels of thermal stress, the aircraft must have been flying at speeds estimated around Mach 3.6, approximately 4,445 km/h, surpassing even the operational speeds of the SR-71 Blackbird according to official statistics. If verified, this would represent one of the fastest manned aircraft flights in history.
The aircraft’s unique strength lay in its ability to ascend rapidly to altitudes over 20,000 meters, a domain where few enemy aircraft could challenge it directly. However, the MiG-25PD remained a poor dogfighter by any modern standard. Its heavy weight, high wing loading, and limited control authority at low speeds meant that its survivability in close combat depended entirely on avoiding it. Interception profiles were built around hit-and-run tactics, locate, fire, disengage.
The aircraft could be fitted with a massive external fuel tank that carried more fuel than the internal capacity of a MiG-23, significantly extending its operational range without severely compromising its high-speed performance.
Distinguishing Features
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Externally, distinguishing a MiG-25P from a MiG-25PD requires close attention to a few key features.
The most noticeable difference lies in the nose shape and air intakes. The original MiG-25P, equipped with the older RP-25 “Smerch-A” radar, had a slightly smaller and more sharply pointed nose, along with simpler variable air intake ramps. In contrast, the MiG-25PD, which housed the more powerful RP-25M “Saphir-25” or later N-005 “Smerch-2” radar, featured a larger and slightly more blunted nose cone. Its air intakes were often modified with additional vanes to better optimize airflow for high-altitude interception performance. At a glance, the PD’s nose appears noticeably thicker than the P’s.
Another clear visual cue is the presence of the infrared search and track (IRST) sensor. The MiG-25P lacked any such system, while the MiG-25PD added it below and behind the nose cone. This IRST, although small, is the single most reliable external identifier between the two variants.
A further difference lies in the arrangement of antennas and electronic countermeasure equipment. The MiG-25P was relatively clean, with minimal external antennas and almost no dedicated ECM fittings. In contrast, the MiG-25PD incorporated several additional small antennas to support updated datalink and ECM systems, and some later aircraft featured external RWR, chaff and flare dispensers.
Armament
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The MiG-25PD carried four primary missiles: two R-40RD semi-active radar homing missiles and two R-40TD infrared-guided missiles. These weapons were optimized for high-speed, high-altitude interceptions, yet unlike their earlier counterparts, they were also capable of engaging low-flying targets with greater effectiveness. Both variants were specifically hardened against countermeasures, a weakness that had plagued the original R-40s. In some later MiG-25PDs, mostly foreign-operated, additional short-range missiles like the R-60M were adapted for close-range defense. Importantly, the MiG-25PD had no internal gun and no provision for gun pods. It was entirely dependent on missile combat, embodying the principle that it would destroy its targets from extreme distance before ever entering a traditional turning fight.
The R-40RD and R-40TD missiles were designed primarily for intercepting large, high-speed, or high-altitude targets rather than maneuvering fighters. Their maximum effective target maneuvering limit was around 3 to 4 G maybe 8 G, making them suitable for engaging bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, or fighters in relatively straight flight paths. Structurally, the missiles themselves were capable of sustaining roughly 4 G during flight, but their large size and mass severely limited their agility compared to smaller missiles like the R-60. As a result, the R-40 series was not intended for dogfight scenarios; Soviet doctrine emphasized firing these weapons against targets making minimal evasive maneuvers. While powerful and possessing a long reach, the R-40RD and R-40TD were ultimately specialized tools for a specific interception mission profile rather than versatile air combat weapons.
Nevertheless, the R-40R was capable of detecting radar returns from approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) away. Its launch range varied depending on the engagement profile: up to 32 kilometers (20 miles) in pursuit mode and around 48 kilometers (30 miles) in a head-on engagement. The improved R-40RD variant extended the maximum launch range to approximately 77 kilometers (48 miles). The Smerch radar system featured a crucial advantage, it allowed missile launches without immediately alerting the target’s radar warning systems, meaning that by the time the enemy became aware of an incoming missile, it was often too late to react effectively.
The infrared-guided R-40T variant could track a bomber-sized target from about 29 kilometers (18 miles) away from the rear aspect and roughly 14 kilometers (9 miles) from the front. Its successor, the R-40TD, significantly improved on this performance, enabling rear-aspect engagements at distances of up to 48 kilometers (30 miles). Alongside range improvements, the R-40RD and R-40TD featured a 45% increase in warhead weight compared to the earlier versions. The original R-40 carried a warhead weighing approximately 38 kilograms (83.7 pounds), while the upgraded “D” models carried a 54-kilogram (120-pound) warhead, greatly enhancing their destructive power against large and resilient targets. Both radar and infrared versions of the R-40 family were capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 4.5, delivering between 22,700 to 27,200 kilograms-force (50,000 to 60,000 pounds-force) of thrust during powered flight.
Interestingly, the R-40R missiles could have their proximity fuses manually deactivated by the pilot, allowing them to be used in a direct-impact mode against large airborne targets or even ground-based installations, effectively turning them into massive, high-speed, direct-fire air-to-ground rockets under specific circumstances.
If Gaijin chooses to be flexible with loadouts, they could allow the MiG-25PD to carry FAB-250M-62T or FAB-500M-62T 500 kg bombs. The FAB bombs used by the MiG-25RB family were specifically engineered to withstand the extreme heat generated during high-speed, high-altitude flight. Their engineering choices allowed them to remain stable under the intense aerodynamic heating experienced at supersonic speeds. However, despite this, the safe operational bombing speed was still limited to Mach 2.35, as exceeding that could risk damaging bomb fuses or compromising structural integrity during release. The in-game MiG-25PD could be given the option to carry bombs on its wing pylons, similar to how this Libyan MiG-25 trainer was configured. However, it should not have access to the third-person bombing reticle assist, as this feature should remain exclusive to the RB family of MiG-25s, accurately reflecting the MiG-25PD’s lack of dedicated bombing sights or precision bombing equipment. It is also said that some RB bombers were equipped with S-24 unguided rockets, although there is no visual evidence of this, but it remains plausible.
The same philosophy could be applied to its air-to-air missiles. The aircraft could initially be equipped with the earlier R-40R and R-40T models, allowing players to research and unlock the improved R-40RD and R-40TD variants through progression. This would also give players a way to represent the earlier MiG-25P variant within the game, without needing to add a completely separate model.
Countermeasures
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Compared to the original MiG-25P, the MiG-25PD introduced basic but essential self-defense systems. Drawing lessons from operational use and modifications made by export customers, the PD incorporated radar warning receivers that provided pilots with alerts against enemy radar locks. Chaff and flare dispensers were fitted. The only confirmed chaff and flare dispensers ever equipped on MiG-25 variants were the BVP-50-60 pods, mounted over the wings. Each pod contained 30 KDS-155 cartridges. Existing images show them being equipped on top of the wings as wing fences. These countermeasures were modest by modern standards but vital in an era where radar-guided missiles were rapidly improving. Iraqi MiG-25PD pilots made aggressive use of these dispensers during the Gulf War, notably using chaff and flares to evade AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles during engagements with U.S. aircraft.
Although lacking integrated electronic warfare pods or advanced jamming equipment, MiG-25PD came with either SPO-10 or SPO-15 “Beryoza” Radar Warning Receiver. The MiG-25PD’s relatively high speed and altitude performance, combined with its basic countermeasures, offered pilots a fighting chance against modern missile threats.
Service and Combat History
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The MiG-25PD served primarily with the Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO), where it replaced and supplemented the earlier MiG-25P interceptors throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Designed to counter high-speed, high-altitude threats such as strategic bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, the MiG-25PD played a key role in the Soviet Union’s layered air defense network. Although American SR-71 Blackbirds were, on paper, somewhat superior in speed and altitude, they notably never crossed into actual Soviet airspace during their operational lifetime. This was largely due to the credible threat posed by the MiG-25 and its powerful R-40 missiles, forcing U.S. reconnaissance operations to remain just outside of the Soviet borders. In this regard, the MiG-25 succeeded fully in its primary mission, deterring intrusions into Soviet airspace without firing a shot.
Beyond the Soviet Union, the MiG-25PD was exported to several key allies, most notably Iraq and Libya, where the aircraft saw the most active and sustained combat service across a variety of operational environments.
Iraq
In Iraq, MiG-25PDs participated actively during the Iran-Iraq War, where they performed high-speed reconnaissance missions and limited air superiority tasks. Reportedly, a single IRIAF F-14 Tomcat was shot down by a MiG-25. Their most famous combat actions, however, occurred during the Gulf War. On the opening night of Operation Desert Storm, an Iraqi MiG-25PD achieved one of Iraq’s few confirmed air-to-air kills by shooting down U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Scott Speicher’s F/A-18C Hornet, using an R-40RD, a testament to the Foxbat’s enduring lethality even against modern fourth-generation fighters. Iraqi MiG-25s were also involved in other engagements during the conflict, including an incident where a MiG-25PD successfully intercepted and reportedly locked onto a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat. Although a missile launch did not occur during this encounter, it forced the American fighter to disengage, highlighting the MiG-25PD’s ability to threaten even advanced U.S. aircraft under the right circumstances. In another incident, a MiG-25PD successfully scored a hit on a U.S. F-15, causing damage to the fighter’s tail section. Despite the damage, the F-15 was able to maintain control and safely return to base. These combat examples demonstrated that, even by the early 1990s, a properly flown MiG-25PD could still pose a serious threat on the modern battlefield.
Libya
In Libya, MiG-25PDs were deployed as a critical component of the country’s air defense network, tasked with protecting Libyan airspace against repeated incursions by U.S. reconnaissance aircraft, notably the high-flying SR-71 Blackbird, and various regional threats. The Libyan Air Force acquired a small number of MiG-25PD interceptors in the late 1970s as part of Muammar Gaddafi’s efforts to modernize his military forces and project strength across North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Although the Libyan MiG-25s were less successful in achieving confirmed aerial kills compared to their counterparts in Iraq, they nonetheless played an important strategic role. Their mere presence forced NATO aircraft to exercise greater caution when operating near Libyan airspace. On several occasions, Libyan MiG-25s engaged or attempted to intercept American reconnaissance flights, prompting U.S. forces to adjust mission profiles and tactics to minimize the risk of confrontation. Even without achieving high kill counts, their psychological and strategic influence was considerable, and they remained a visible symbol of Libyan air power for decades.
Remarkably, some Libyan MiG-25s survived the collapse of Gaddafi’s regime and the outbreak of the Libyan Civil War. During the conflict, MiG-25s were reportedly operated by various warring factions, employed in both interception and ground-attack roles. Despite their age, these aircraft were brought back into limited service, a testament to the ruggedness and enduring capabilities of the Foxbat design. There are credible reports suggesting that a small number of MiG-25s may still be present in Libya today, though in unknown condition.
Throughout its service life, the MiG-25PD proved that high-speed, high-altitude interceptors still had a role to play, particularly when modernized with improved sensors and missiles.
Conclusion and Implementation
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The MiG-25PD stands as a symbol of the Cold War’s high-speed arms race, a machine built for one purpose: to intercept and destroy. Its addition to War Thunder would bring a uniquely demanding but highly rewarding style of gameplay, favoring pilots who master energy management, positioning, and long-range missile tactics rather than traditional close-quarters dogfighting. Fast, powerful, but vulnerable if mishandled, the MiG-25PD deserves a place alongside the game’s greatest interceptors at high tiers.
In War Thunder, the MiG-25PD could serve as the official representative of the entire MiG-25 family in the USSR tree, eliminating the need to introduce multiple Foxbat variants while still faithfully covering its historical role and capabilities. Its high speed, extreme altitude performance, and devastating missile loadout would allow it to counter aircraft like the F-14 Tomcat and operate competitively even in the upper reaches of top-tier battles. Although the MiG-31 would ultimately be a more natural fit for the Soviet tech-tree, the MiG-25PD could be introduced as a premium, event, or squadron vehicle, offering players a unique experience without disrupting the tech-tree. Such an implementation would honor the aircraft’s legacy and provide the community with one of the most iconic interceptors ever built.
Specifications
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Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 23.82 meters
Wingspan: 14.01 meters
Height: 6.10 meters
Empty Weight: Approximately 20,000 kilograms
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 36,720 kilograms
Engines: Two Tumansky R-15BD-300 turbojet engines
Thrust: 11,200 kilograms-force (kgf) each with afterburner
Maximum Speed at Altitude: Mach 2.83+ (approximately 3,000 km/h at 20,000 meters)
(In practice, limited to Mach 2.5–2.65 when carrying R-60 missiles or external loads.)
Maximum Speed at Sea Level: Approximately ~1300+ km/h (limited by dynamic pressure and airframe stress)
Climb Rate: Approximately 208–214 meters per second (about 41,000 feet per minute)
(Exceptional at altitude; the MiG-25PD could reach operational ceiling in under 5 minutes from sea level under ideal conditions.)
G-Limit: ~4.5 G safety overload. ~11 G structural overload.
Service Ceiling: 24,000 meters (approximately 78,700 feet)
(Some flights reportedly exceeded 24,500 meters in test conditions.)
Combat Radius: Approximately 1,600 kilometers at high speed, 1,860 kilometers at optimal cruise
Ferry Range: Up to 2,575 kilometers
Primary Air-to-Air Armament:
- 2 × R-40R/RD (semi-active radar homing missiles)
- 2 × R-40T/TD (infrared-guided missiles)
Optional Air-to-Air Armament:
- Up to 4 × R-60/R-60M short-range infrared-guided missiles
Optional Air-to-Ground Armament:
- 2 x R-40R/RD direct-fire air-to-ground rockets with direct-impact mode
- 2 or 4 × FAB-250M-62T or FAB-500M-62T 500 kg general-purpose bombs (carried on wing pylons(optional))
- S-24 rockets (Plausible(Unconfirmed))
Countermeasures:
- Chaff and flare dispensers
- SPO-10 or SPO-15 radar warning receiver
- Basic onboard ECM capability (limited to radar jamming alert and chaff release, no active jamming pods)
Approximate Sustained Turn Rate at Altitude: 7–9 degrees per second (very poor at combat speeds)
Roll Rate: Approximately 70–80 degrees per second at subsonic speeds (limited and sluggish at higher speeds due to heavy airframe and high wing loading)
P.S If Gaijin wish to enhance the MiG-25PD’s performance further, they could consider equipping it with the engines intended for the MiG-25M project, the R-15BF2-300 turbojets, each rated at approximately 13,000 kilograms-force of thrust with afterburner. Historically, a single MiG-25PD airframe was selected to serve as the prototype for MiG-25M testing, making this upgrade plausible from both a technical and historical standpoint. Implementing these engines would allow the MiG-25PD to achieve its maximum potential performance without requiring the addition of a separate MiG-25M variant to the game.
Videos
Sources
View
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 & MiG-31 Foxbat / Foxhound - History, Design, Performance & Dissection
Libyan MiG-25: New Evidence for Preparing Libya's Dawn to Build Your Aviation
Here are some Tips for building an Accurate Model of an Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat - The Aviation Geek Club
https://testpilot.ru/en/rossiya-e/mikoyan/
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Foxbat, and Hobbymaster Announcements.
