Well, the MiG-25 were also a bitch to tackle, and the Iranians needed some
time to learn how to do the job.

The first problem was the lack of proper EW-radar support: Iraqis have got
the blueprints of the Iranian radar net and were using gaps in this net
extensivelly to penetrate into the enemy airspace (IRIAF F-14s were
forbidden to fly into Iraq). In the cases where a Foxbat was detected in
time there was always a question of the F-14 being in a proper position to
attempt an intercept - or not. Then, the Foxbat had a very good RWR (this
contrary to even to late-mark Mirage F.1EQs), sensitive enough to detect
AWG-9 emissions (if the radar was working in specific modes) from really
some very long ranges. Finally, Iraqi, Soviet and East German MiG-25 (and
other) pilots (there was even a single Belgian who was permitted to fly the
type) were advised to avoid engagements with F-14s at any price.

So, there was a highly elusive target, operating at extreme speeds and
levels: MiG-25RBs were usually flying at Mach 2.1-2.3 and levels between
65.000 and 70.000ft. MiG-25PD(export)s would often come down low, but on the
first sign of Iranian Tomcats anywhere nearby they would turn around and
accelerate away. When Iranians started using their F-4Es (with radar off,
and closing solely on the basis of Combat Tree data), the Iraqis reacted by
adding MiG-25PD-escorts, so such engagements usually ended with each side
firing SARH AAMs - and no kills, as everybody had to evade.

Eventually, it was a matter of much good luck to catch one of them: a total
of at least 12 Foxbats were splashed by Iranians during the war - at least
eight of these by F-14s, one by F-5Es, and one is shared by these two types
(damaged by AIM-54A then finished off by Sidewinders from a Tiger). The rest
was chopped out of the skies by MIM-23B I-HAWKs, further uprated by Iranians
to reach higher levels (approx 65.000ft). A (preliminary) list of air-to-air
confirmed so far on basis of cross-examining independent evidence can be
found he
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_210.shtml

Tom Cooper
Freelance Aviation Journalist & Historian
Vienna, Austria

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Author:
Iran-Iraq War in the Air, 1980-1988:
http://www.acig.org/pg1/content.php

Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/titl...hp/title=S6585

African MiGs
http://www.acig.org/afmig/

Arab MiG-19 & MiG-21 Units in Combat
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/titl...=S6550~ser=COM

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