MiG-25 Foxbat Test and Development

The Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat derived from the E-66 experimental MiG to date is Russia's fastest and highest flying combat plane ever. Claimed to be capable of Mach 3.2 in a straight line invariably in operational service it never exceeds Mach 2.8. Its development and test flying claimed the lives of several Soviet test pilots, a number of them 'Heroes of the Soviet Union' as well as indirectly the lfe of Artem Mikoyan the OKBs chief designer and director. The problems were so acute that the Soviet Air Force absolutely refused to accept the Foxbat into front-line service until the cause of the crashes was found and the type was safe to operate by the PVO. At the cost of another 'Hero of the Soviet Union' pilot's life it's major problem was revealed as he plummeted to the ground and his death. Unlike the USAF's SR-71, today in the new millennium (2010) the RFAF retain's 39 MiG-25 Foxbat in front-line service.