OVERVIEW: The MiG-25PDS Foxbat E is a single seat, single engine, all-weather, supersonic 3rd generation interceptor. 

DETAILS:   The MiG-25PDS and MiG-25PD were a significantly improved version of the MiG-23P, and were developed after the defection  of Viktor Belenko along with his Foxbat A  to Japan and the United States in September 1976. The MiG-25PDS and MiG-25PD are identical, except the PDS version is a field retrofitted MiG-25P, and unlike the factory built MiG-25PD, lacks the ability to carry drop tanks.  Like the Foxbat A, the MiG-25PDS was designed to be a very high-speed interceptor, but with new avionics and radars. 

To ease production and save money, the MiG-25 was largely (80%) constructed using nickel-steel alloy.   Despite being designed for high speed flight, only 9% of the airframe was made out of titanium, which was in employed in the areas of the airframe subjected to high heat stress. The steel components were formed by a combination of spot welding, automatic machine welding, and hand welding. 

The MiG-25PD was equipped with the new Sapfir-25 (N005) radar, giving it a "Look down/Shoot Down" (LD/SD) capability.  It also had the 26Sh-1 IRST, which gave the Foxbat E the capability of near-silent attacks with its R-40T infrared missiles.

The aircraft was powered by two R-15BD-300 turbojet engines, each producing  24,780 lb of thrust.  In addition to being more reliable, these more powerful engines gave the Foxbat E increased rate of climb and a higher ceiling over the Foxbat A.  Although theoretically capable of reaching Mach 3.2, the aircraft was limited to Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/hr) for a maximum of 5 minutes to avoid damaging the engines and/or overheating the airframe and fuel. The design cruising speed is Mach 2.35.  The Foxbat has high fuel consumption while sub-sonic.  It is not capable of in-flight refueling.  Unlike the MiG-23PD, the MiG-25PDS does not have the capability to use a drop tank.  

The MiG-25PD was a poor dogfighter.  It's maximum g-load was a mere 2.2 g  with full fuel tanks, and had an absolute limit of only 4.5 g.  

NOTES: IOC June 1978. Between 1979 and 1982 all existing MiG-23Ps were upgraded to the -25PD standard, except for the capability to use drop tanks. The MiG-23PD is distinguished from the MiG-23PD by its lengthened nose. The Foxbat continues to hold the record for the fastest operational fighter aircraft.


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 3817-85, 3873; (Charles), JetWhiz. "Global Aircraft -- MiG-25 Foxbat." Accessed December 22, 2021. https://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/mig-25_foxbat.pl. ;"MiG-25 FOXBAT (MIKOYAN-GUREVICH)." Nuclear Resources. Accessed December 22, 2021. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/russia/airdef/mig-25.htm. ;"MiG-25P Foxbat Interceptor." Airforce Technology. Last modified September 7, 2020. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mig25/.

