Variants

MiG-25 RB

Single seat high-altitude reconnaissance-bomber, derived from Ye-155R-1 prototype; production began as MiG-25R (Type 02), for reconnaissance only, in 1969; bombing capability added to redesignated RB in 1970; no guns or air-to-air missiles; R-15BD-300 turbojets; any one of three interchangeable photographic/elint modules, with five camera windows and flush dielectric panels, carried aft of small dielectric nosecap, instead of interceptor’s Smertch radar; slightly reduced wing span; wing leading-edge sweep constant 41° from root to tip; first aircraft produced in former USSR with INS updated by Doppler; specially developed automatic bombing system makes possible all-weather day/night precision attacks at supersonic speed from heights above 20,000 m (65,600 ft) against targets with known geographic co-ordinates, carrying 2,000 to 5,000 kg (4,410 to 11,020 lb) of 500 kg bombs under wings and fuselage, depending on aircraft series; SRS-4B elint equipment; fuel tank in each fin, providing additional 700 litres (185 US gallons; 154 Imp gallons) capacity; provision for 5,300 litre (1,400 US gallon; 1,165 Imp gallon) underbelly tank; able to fly long distances at cruising speed of Mach 2.35, maximum speed of Mach 2.83 with full bomb load.

As MiG-25RB, with different equipment, including SRS-9 elint on RBV (V for Virazh SLAR) and Tangazh elint on RBT. Produced 1978-82.

Training version of original MiG-25P interceptor; redesigned nose section containing separate cockpit with individual canopy for instructor, forward of standard cockpit and at lower level; no armament; weapon release simulation standard; some systems modified and updated, permitting simulation of failures; no radar in nose; first roll-out 1968; maximum speed limited to Mach 2.65.

Training version of MiG-25R; identical to MiG-25PU except for absence of combat simulation system; no reconnaissance sensors; first roll-out 1972.

Produced simultaneously with RB series in 1971-80; reconnaissance modules contain different elint (K of designation for Kub SLAR) and other avionics and no cameras; modified cockpit, electrical and air conditioning systems; bombing capability retained.

As MiG-25RBK but with Sabla SLAR; in production 1971-77; all RBSs upgraded to MiG-25RBSh (Type 02SH) with Shompol SLAR during servicing from 1981.

Updated MiG-25RB; conversions from 1981. Generally to MiG-25RBK standard, but with Shar elint instead of Kub.

Defence suppression aircraft derived from MiG-25RB; development started 1972; produced 1982-85; ECM in place of reconnaissance module in 0.72 m (2 ft 4{1/4} in) longer nose, with dielectric panel each side; small blister each side at rear of radome; dielectric panel at front of each outboard weapon pylon; underbelly auxiliary fuel tank as MiG-25R series; four Kh-58 (AS-11 ‘Kilter’) anti-radiation missiles underwing to attack surface-to-air missile radars over standoff ranges. Weights and performance almost identical to RB.