Aircraft comparison
MiG-25 Foxbat vs SR-71 Blackbird
A Soviet high-speed interceptor against the American reconnaissance aircraft that held the speed record. Compared on speed, altitude, design and service.
Updated October 2026 · 2 minute read
Is the MiG-25 faster than the SR-71?
No. The National Museum of the US Air Force gives the MiG-25 a top speed of Mach 2.83 and the SR-71 a maximum of Mach 3+, with a record of 3,530 km/h (2,193.167 mph) set in 1976. They were built for different jobs. The MiG-25 was a Soviet interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that could carry up to four air-to-air missiles. The SR-71 was an American strategic reconnaissance aircraft.
MiG-25 Foxbat
Armament · Export reach
SR-71 Blackbird
Top speed · Altitude
MiG-25 vs SR-71 specifications
Both sets of figures are from the National Museum of the US Air Force. Higher MiG-25 speeds are quoted elsewhere; they could not be verified for this page.
MiG-25 Foxbat
SR-71 Blackbird
Advantage
Role
MiG-25 Foxbat
Interceptor
SR-71 Blackbird
Strategic reconnaissance
Advantage
Different by design
First flight
MiG-25 Foxbat
1964
SR-71 Blackbird
1964
Advantage
—
In service
MiG-25 Foxbat
1970
SR-71 Blackbird
1966
Advantage
—
Top speed
MiG-25 Foxbat
Mach 2.83
SR-71 Blackbird
Mach 3+ (record 3,530 km/h)
Advantage
SR-71
Supercruise
MiG-25 Foxbat
None
SR-71 Blackbird
No, but cruises at Mach 3.2
Advantage
—
Service ceiling
MiG-25 Foxbat
20,700 m
SR-71 Blackbird
25,929 m (record)
Advantage
SR-71
Combat radius
MiG-25 Foxbat
300 km
SR-71 Blackbird
4,667 km+ (range)
Advantage
SR-71
Engines
MiG-25 Foxbat
2 × Tumansky R-15B-300
SR-71 Blackbird
2 × Pratt & Whitney J58
Advantage
—
Thrust vectoring
MiG-25 Foxbat
No
SR-71 Blackbird
No
Advantage
—
Radar cross-section
MiG-25 Foxbat
Conventional
SR-71 Blackbird
Reduced (early shaping)
Advantage
SR-71
Sensor fusion
MiG-25 Foxbat
Analogue
SR-71 Blackbird
Analogue, reconnaissance sensors
Advantage
—
Air-to-ground
MiG-25 Foxbat
Limited (MiG-25RB bomber variant)
SR-71 Blackbird
None
Advantage
MiG-25
Carrier capable
MiG-25 Foxbat
No
SR-71 Blackbird
No
Advantage
—
Short take-off
MiG-25 Foxbat
No
SR-71 Blackbird
No
Advantage
—
Cost per unit
MiG-25 Foxbat
$60 million
SR-71 Blackbird
$33 million
Advantage
SR-71
Number built
MiG-25 Foxbat
1,190
SR-71 Blackbird
32
Advantage
MiG-25
Exportable
MiG-25 Foxbat
Yes (Algeria, Syria, Libya)
SR-71 Blackbird
No
Advantage
MiG-25
Combat record
MiG-25 Foxbat
Iran–Iraq war, Gulf War (Iraq)
SR-71 Blackbird
Never lost to enemy action
Advantage
—
Speed
The MiG-25's top speed is given as Mach 2.83.
The SR-71 was faster still. Its maximum speed is listed as Mach 3+, or over 2,000 mph, and on 28 July 1976 an SR-71 set an absolute speed record of 3,530 km/h (2,193.167 mph). The museum says it remained the world's fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft throughout a career of nearly 24 years.
Winner
Altitude and reach
On the same day in 1976 an SR-71 set an absolute altitude record of 25,929 m (85,068.997 feet). From 24,384 m (80,000 feet) it could survey 100,000 square miles of the Earth's surface per hour, and its range was more than 4,667 km (2,900 statute miles).
The museum gives no ceiling or range for the MiG-25, so none is quoted here.
Winner
Design and engines
The MiG-25 has two Tumansky R-15B-300 turbojets of approximately 22,500 lbs thrust each with afterburner. Western analysis found a simple yet functional design, with vacuum-tube electronics and only sparing use of advanced materials such as titanium.
The SR-71 was developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A. It has two Pratt & Whitney J58 engines of 32,500 lbs thrust each with afterburner.
Winner
Service
The MiG-25 entered service in 1970 and was widely exported by the Soviet Union.
The SR-71 first flew on 22 December 1964, and the first entered service in January 1966. The US Air Force retired its SR-71 fleet on 26 January 1990, citing a decreasing defence budget and high operating costs.
Winner
What the West learned in 1976
The Belenko defection
The MiG-25’s capabilities were not discovered until 1976, when Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko defected to Japan in one.
What analysts found
The analysis that followed revealed vacuum-tube electronics, two massive turbojet engines and little titanium: a simple design that did its job.
The same year, a record
On 28 July 1976 an SR-71 set the absolute speed and altitude records for its class.
Can a civilian fly either aircraft?
No. The US Air Force retired its SR-71s in 1990, and Jetify does not offer flights in a MiG-25.
Jetify's flights use ex-military jets instead. See the fighter jet flights page for the aircraft and locations currently listed.
MiG-25 vs SR-71 questions
Is the MiG-25 Foxbat faster than the SR-71 Blackbird?
No, the MiG-25 Foxbat is not faster than the SR-71 Blackbird. The National Museum of the US Air Force gives the MiG-25 a top speed of Mach 2.83. The SR-71’s maximum speed is listed as Mach 3+, and in 1976 one set an absolute speed record of 3,530 km/h (2,193.167 mph).
How high could the SR-71 Blackbird fly?
The SR-71 Blackbird could fly to at least 25,929 m (85,068.997 feet), the height at which an SR-71 set an absolute altitude record on 28 July 1976.
What was the MiG-25 Foxbat built for?
The MiG-25 Foxbat was built as a Soviet interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. It entered service in 1970 and could carry up to four air-to-air missiles.
How did the West learn about the MiG-25 Foxbat?
The West learned about the MiG-25 Foxbat in 1976, when Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko defected to Japan in one. Analysis of the aircraft found vacuum-tube electronics, two very large turbojet engines and only sparing use of titanium.
When was the SR-71 Blackbird retired?
The SR-71 Blackbird was retired on 26 January 1990, when the US Air Force withdrew its fleet, citing a decreasing defence budget and high operating costs.
Can a civilian fly in a MiG-25 or SR-71?
No, a civilian cannot fly in a MiG-25 or an SR-71. The SR-71 is retired and Jetify does not offer flights in a MiG-25. Jetify’s passenger flights use ex-military jets instead, such as the L-39 Albatros and the MiG-15 Fagot.
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