The former Soviet Union's MiG-25, NATO codename "Foxbat", is the world's only Mach-3 class fighter, made famous by Lieutenant Belenko's defection. The MiG-31 "Foxhound" is an improved version of the MiG-25. The only similarity is the external shape of the aircraft, but changing times and tactics have altered the requirements for the MiG-25, from intercepting enemy aircraft flying in at supersonic speeds of more than Mach 2 at an altitude of 20000 m, to penetrating ground-based radar nets at very low altitudes.
The basic design of the MiG-31 remained unchanged, but the materials used to build the aircraft, the engine, the on-board radar and avionics, the dual-seat configuration and the placement of a radar operator in the rear seat were revised. The resulting MiG-31 resembled the MiG-25 in appearance, but was otherwise an almost entirely different aircraft.
Group
Books (first-hand)
Title
Air Model Special. Band 37: MiG-25 Foxbat, MiG-31 Foxhound
Details
Japanese text, paperback, very many colour photos.
