I know this much.
The Mig-25 set an absolute world altitude record of 123,524 ft. The Mig-25 WAS NOT a fighter, it was an Interceptor (just like the Tomcat). The Mig-25 had two Tumansky 11,000kg/24,250lb afterburning thrust R-31 turbojet engines (i.e. NOT a Ramjet, like previously emplored by someone in the thread). The range of the Mig-25 was around 700miles.
Originally posted by Roscoroo
" I think some of the guys are thinking about the YE- 155 / 266 (whatever it was called) which was like a Mig-25 and it did set alot of alt and speed records in its time. "
I think the following wil clear this up for all:
On July 25, 1973, a Ye-266, using the same airframe as the MiG-25 but equipped with more powerful engines, set the world's absolute altitude record for a ground-launched air-breathing aircraft, reaching 118,867 ft. (36,230 m). On August 31, 1977, the record was broken by a modified MiG-25 (E-266M) and taken to 123,524 ft. (37,650 m).
As for the F-15. Everyone has skipped over the F-15A "Streak Eagle" which broke eight time-to-climb world records between Jan. 16 and Feb. 1, 1975. In setting the last of the eight records, it reached an altitude of 98,425 ft. just 3 minutes 27.8 seconds from brake release at takeoff and "coasted to nearly 103,000 ft. before descending".
The Mig-25 is surely an incredible aircraft in terms of performance and it's ability to outclimb all takers, but every other category is sorely lacking, when looking at an "overall type picture".
When I think of sweet Soviet Aircraft I think of the Sukhoi-Su-37. It is without a doubt the most manueverable aircraft in the World, save it is still not in production.
On 10 March 1987 and 23 March 1988, an Su-27 (designated P-42), flown by Sukhoi test pilots Viktor Pugachev, Nikolai Sadovnikov, Evgeny Frolov (who brought the Su-37 to Farnborough) and Oleg Tsoi. Together they established 27 new world time-to-height/climb records which were formally held by the McAir "Streak Eagle" F-15 on 16 January 1975 flown by Majors Roger Smith and Willard MacFarlane. The new records included:
ˆ 25.373 seconds to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet)
ˆ 36.050 seconds to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet)
ˆ 44.176 seconds to 9,000 meters (29,527 feet)
ˆ 55.542 seconds to 12,000 meters (39,370 feet)
ˆ 70.329 seconds to 15,000 meters (49,213 feet)
AS for an F-15 vs Mig-25 meeting:
In one incident, an Iraqi Foxbat-E eluded eight American F-15's, firing three missiles at EF-111 electronic warfare aircraft and forcing them to abort their mission. In another incident, two MiG-25's approached a pair of F-15 Eagles, fired missiles (which were evaded by the F-15's), and then outran the American fighters. Two more F-15's joined the pursuit, and
a total of ten air-to-air missiles were fired at the Foxbats, none could reach them. Well, I am tired, and probably offended someone with these facts. I really don't care either, Good night.
Karaya
PS - The A-10 is STILL my fav. current ride in the air.
