Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25R/RB “FOXBAT.B”

The Mig-25R reconnaissance aircraft began its career on March 6, 1964 as type “Ye-155R-1”, even before the interception version was ready. It was accepted for service in 1969 and in 1971 four aircraft under designation “X-500” were delivered to Egypt with a trial unit to carry out reconnaissance missions over Israel. These “X-500” flew missions at Mach 2.83, so they could not be intercepted by the Israelis fighters, and so they remained until their retirement in 1975. They could mount up to five cameras, although the usual were to mount three, one vertical, and two oblique with lenses of 300 and 600mm respectively. In 1970 its designation changed to Mig-25RB “Foxbat-B” and remained in production until 1982, being able to carry out high-altitude bombing missions. The later versions were the Mig-25RBS, RSh and RBV in addition to a pair of variants for electronic warfare, the Mig-25RBK and RBF “Foxbat-D”.

MiG-25R/RB gallery and more info