Soviet vs US Strategic Reconnaissance aircrafts

I would know if possible something about the soviet strategic recon airplanes. The USA had the U-2 and SR-71. The Soviet Union had the M-17 and, I suppose, the strategic recon versions of the Mig-25, Tu-95, Tu-16 and Tu-22/Tu-22M.
Do you have something about the recon versions of the Tu-22 and Tu-22M.
I'm interested mainly in the Tu-22 Blinder recon version.

The most commonly seen Soviet recon aircraft was the Tu-142... often mistakenly called a strategic bomber by the western media... especially when overflying western naval vessels.

I don't have much info about the Tu-22R... the MiG-25RB was more widely used.

Very interesting topic, unfortunately I can't be any asset but I am very keen to read about it so please share info guys

The A-12/SR-71

I was looking for, but I found little, I would like to open this new thread on these aircrafts.
For example:
1) Have they never flown over the Russian territory?
2) The Tu-128 with its radar and missiles K-80 could shot it down?
3) And the Mig-25?
4) Why the Blackbird was so fast? To avoid missiles? Or to cover a large portion of territory in a short time?

Giulio wrote:I was looking for, but I found little, I would like to open this new thread on these aircrafts.
For example:
1) Have they never flown over the Russian territory?
2) The Tu-128 with its radar and missiles K-80 could shot it down?
3) And the Mig-25?
4) Why the Blackbird was so fast? To avoid missiles? Or to cover a large portion of territory in a short time?

1)... No (afaik), and it would have in contravention of a signed agreement between the USA and USSR not to overfly each other's territory.

2)... No.

3)... Some people would like to think so, but not the slightest evidence to suggest it could do so. So - no.

4)... Yes, to avoid missiles and interception and indeed, perhaps to cover as much territory as possible?

The MiG-25 likely could intercept an SR-71... the R-40TD missile, upgraded after the original design was compromised is a greatly improved missile and the SR_71 is a huge IR target.

With plenty of warning of the incoming SR-71 (Radars could track them from takeoff in Turkey with no problems) a few MiG-25s could be positioned along a potential flight route and launch R-40TD missiles in a head on engagement attack profile... the MiG-25s IRST could reportedly detect the SR-71 at 120 miles... which was a greater range than its radar could detect the aircraft.

A head on shot of IR guided R-40TDs should have a rather good chance of getting a kill.

The later MiG-31 carried the R-40TDs for the same reason. Of course the R-33 could also be used to intercept the SR-71 too.

Thanks.
So, could it be said that the SR-71 was designed for avoid the Tu-128 K-80 missiles ? It seems to e that the SR-71 technical prescriptions are just made to stay out of a Tu-128 radar interception.
But not a Mig-25 interception. I also knew that the Mig-25 could hit the SR-71.
But: 120 miles with an IRST?? They are about 200-240 kM: isn't there the horizon curvature??
From the USSR, which kind of radar used they for the detection in Turkey? Over-the-horizon radar, or satellite?

Remember the MiG-25 was developed to intercept the Mach 3 US bomber valkyrie, and when that aircraft was cancelled it was adapted to the recon role and interception of other mach 3 types.

But: 120 miles with an IRST?? They are about 200-240 kM: isn't there the horizon curvature??

SR-71 can't fly very fast at low level and only ever flew operationally at altitudes above 15km altitude.

Apart from the sun there are few other IR emitting objects at such altitudes and the cold air and lack of moisture to absorb IR radiation means long detection ranges for hot objects.

From the USSR, which kind of radar used they for the detection in Turkey? Over-the-horizon radar, or satellite?

Can't say for sure, but both China and Vietnam were also able to detect and track the SR-71 soon after takeoff to landing... it has a steep climb and operates at a high altitude which makes its flight profile fairly distinctive.

1) Is it true that on the Mig-25 it was necessary to launch for the first the infrared P-40 missile, in order to prevent him to follow the radar guided P-40 missile exhaust in front of him?
2) I read of the "радиооптическим взрывателем «Бекас»", but I don't know what a "radiooptic fuse" is. It is on both P-40R and P-40T missiles.

AFAIK it was standard procedure, when firing an IR guided AND a SARH missile at one target to fire the IR guided missile first to prevent the chance of one missile chasing down the other.

AFAIK the IR guided missile was lighter but did not have an ideal nose shape and therefore higher drag, but would impact targets first so there would be no chance of the SARH missile shooting down the IR guided missile before it hit the target.

Quite often however targets were fired upon at max range which means the IR guided missiles could not be fired as the lock on range was much shorter than for the SARH missiles against most targets.

A retreating target is difficult for a radar to lock on to, yet presented the best view of the targets engines so IR missiles were often used against retreating targets, while the SARH against closing targets.

If the target was a B-52 or other high priority type that could not defend itself then they would close in and fire both types of missile to increase kill probability and make it harder for the target to defend itself. IR missile first as it would not give away the attack actively and also so there were less IR distractions for it. the R-40 has two side mounted rocket exhausts so two IR plumes per missile.

I have seen video footage of a MiG-25 firing off all 4 missiles at once...

Regarding the fuse... it has three fuses, a contact fuse for a direct hit, an active radio fuse (ie proximity fuse), and a passive optical fuse. (also a proximity fuse)

Do you know if the SR-71 had to slow down after a certain period at very high speed? How long could it fly at M3? All the way?
Do you have any links of stories by Russian pilots? Also in Russian language. I read once that the Swedes witnessed an almost perfect interception of an SR-71 carried on by a Mig-31 and a Mig-25 a, but I don't have any confirmations. The Mig-31s pushed the SR-71 towards in a zone where the Mig-25 was climbing: the Mig-25 reached the SR-71 altitude 2,9 kM behind the target, if he wanted to, he would have shot it down even blindfolded.

Do you know if the SR-71 had to slow down after a certain period at very high speed? How long could it fly at M3? All the way?

Its max speed was probably mach 3.5 and it could fly above mach 3 for pretty much all the flight.

When it took off it was cold and the outer skin would have gaps where fuel leaked out so the first thing it did was inflight refuelling and then rapid acceleration to mach 3... heat would expand the metal skin and seal up the skin.

When it was time to land however it often had to cool down so it would often fly several low speed circuits of the airfield so that it could cool down before landing. If it just landed then it surface would burn the ground crew if they touched it.