SR-71 pilot recalls the mission where a Soviet MiG-25 fired a missile at his Blackbird

Key Points:

• The Soviet MiG-25 "Foxbat," introduced in 1970, was a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft capable of reaching Mach 2.83, designed to counter threats like the American SR-71 Blackbird during the Cold War.
• The aircraft was discovered by the West only in 1976 when pilot Viktor Belenko defected to Japan, revealing its simple yet effective design featuring vacuum-tube electronics and powerful turbojet engines.
• Armed with R-40 missiles, the MiG-25 could reach altitudes up to 78,000 feet, but its radar and fire control systems were not advanced enough for effective head-on interceptions of the faster SR-71, which cruised above Mach 3 at over 80,000 feet.
• Former SR-71 pilot Col. Darrel Cobb recounted an incident where a MiG-25 fired a missile at his Blackbird, but the SR-71's defensive electronic systems successfully evaded the threat, likely due to the missile's inability to lock on or keep pace with the faster aircraft.
• Despite its speed and capabilities, the MiG-25 was unable to effectively intercept the SR-71, highlighting the technological and tactical challenges of Cold War aerial reconnaissance and interception missions.