The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Foxbat was specially developed to give the Soviets a fighter that was capable to intercept the USAF's North America B-70 'Valkyrie' Mach 3 'high altitude' strategic bomber.

When the B-70 was taken out of service the soviets continued to develop this state of the art interceptor-fighter witch flew for the first time in 1964 as the Ye-266. The type is manly build of rust free steel with titanium wing-edges witch are capable to withstand the high temperatures that come up when flying at mach 3 and faster, maneuvering at those speeds is almost out of the question.

The MiG-25 came in use in 1970 including 'valve technology' radar witch did not have the refinement of western technology but was very powerful. With this radar the aircraft could 'burn' itself thru the defenses that was created by electronic counter measures of the enemy.

Current versions of the MiG-25 are:

MiG-25 Foxbat-A:    Interceptor-fighter with four air to air missiles

MiG-25 Foxbat-B:    Operational reconnaissance aircraft.

MiG-25 Foxbat-C:    two seated conversion / trainer

MiG-25 Foxbat-D:    Improved reconnaissance aircraft.

The MiG-25 as interceptor is no longer needed, but old airframes are being used as more effective fighters that were produced as two converted types: The Foxbat-E is the Foxbat-A modified for attacking penetration-bombers and cruise-missiles, and the Foxbat-F is a similar version only prepared for attacking air-defenses with a specialized radar-warning system and AS-11 'Kilter' anti-radar missiles.

The MiG-31 Foxhound came in use in the mid-eighties and was developed from the MiG-25 with more Power and a combination of 'pulse-Doppler look-down/shoot-down' radar and modern missiles intended for destroying low flying attackers. Maximum speed of this type is "just" Mach 2,4