Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-150 family
| Industry | Aerospace, defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1939 |
| Headquarters | Soviet Union |
| Products | Military aircraft, including Ye-150 series prototype interceptors |
The Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-150 series comprised a set of prototype interceptor aircraft conceived and constructed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union beginning in 1955.
Design and development
In response to the Protivo-Vozdushnaya Oborona (Air Defence Forces, PVO) demand for a robust interceptor capable of conducting automated interceptions, the Mikoyan design bureau pursued development of several large fighter models. This effort commenced with the swept-wing Mikoyan-Gurevich I-3 variants (including I-380, I-410, and I-420), followed by the I-7 and subsequently the Mikoyan-Gurevich I-75. The specifications for supersonic interception velocity and integration of substantial avionics systems necessitated a larger airframe: for comparison, the contemporaneous Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F—similar in configuration—weighed 4,819 kg (10,624 lb) and measured 15.76 m (51 ft 8½ in) in length, whereas the Ye-150 had a weight of 12,345 kg (27,215 lb) and was 18.14 m (59 ft 6 in) long.
The Ministry of Aviation Industry (Ministerstvo Aviatsionnoy Promyshlennosti, MAP) commissioned Mikoyan OKB to produce prototypes of this new interceptor. Armament options included guided missiles such as the Grushin K-6, Toropov K-7, K-8, and K-9, as well as unguided rockets or a twin-cannon system capable of aiming. The interception process was to be facilitated by the Uragan-5 (Hurricane-5) integrated weapons control system providing automatic guidance to the target point.
Ye-150
The Ye-150 marked the first missile-equipped variant and completed its maiden flight on 8 July 1960, following thorough ground system evaluations and delays due to the late arrival of a flight-capable engine.[1] Flight trials advanced at a slow pace, hindered by the extremely limited operational lifespan of the R-15 engine, which barely lasted through pre-flight ground tests and a single sortie. Additional difficulties included aileron buffeting, failure of the braking parachute, and catastrophic failure of the engine accessory gearbox. Over 42 manufacturer-conducted flights demonstrated exceptionally rapid climb rates, a remarkable top speed reaching Mach 2.65 at approximately 19,100 m (62,700 ft) while using less than full engine power, and an extraordinary service ceiling exceeding 21,000 m (69,000 ft).[1]
Although weapons systems were never installed on the Ye-150, and it was not approved for mass production, development efforts proceeded with subsequent models Ye-151 and Ye-152.[1]
Ye-151
Developed concurrently with the Ye-150, the Ye-151 was intended to be armed with cannons but never advanced to physical construction. The planned armament comprised twin TKB-495 or Makarov TKB-539 cannons,[2] each capable of firing at 2,000 rounds per minute. These were to be mounted on a rotating ring with tilting mounts allowing ±30° movement; the ring itself could rotate a full 360°, providing a firing arc of 60° around the ring’s central axis. To accommodate this turret system, the air inlet duct was extended so that the rotating ring formed its lip. Wind tunnel tests confirmed that this elongated duct enhanced aerodynamic efficiency and inlet performance; this design feature was retained in all later Ye-150 series aircraft even without cannon installation. However, further wind tunnel analysis showed that when the cannons were deflected, destabilizing forces occurred, rendering precise aiming impractical and halting further development. Alternative configurations placing the cannon mount behind the cockpit were explored under the designation Ye-151-2, but no physical prototypes emerged.[1]
Ye-152
Two single-engine Ye-152 prototypes were completed with upgraded R-15-300 engines as Ye-152-1 and Ye-152-2 models. Despite these improvements, engine reliability issues persisted, limiting their use primarily to developmental flights, weapons testing, and record-setting missions. The program ended following persistent engine problems and cancellation of the planned K-9 / Uragan-5B missile system.[1][3] These variants featured cropped delta wings with increased surface area to support large wingtip-mounted missiles such as the K-80 or K-9.
The initial prototype Ye-152-1 conducted multiple world record flights in 1961 and 1962 under the registration Ye-166 by the FAI.[1]
The second prototype, Ye-152-2, was returned to Mikoyan for modification into the Ye-152M configuration. This version incorporated an axisymmetric convergent-divergent exhaust nozzle and added canards beside the forward fuselage—features that were soon removed. The Ye-152M was eventually placed on display at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino, incorrectly labeled as Ye-166; this designation actually belonged to the unmodified Ye-152-1.[1]
Ye-152A
The Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-152A represented a twin-engine adaptation of the Ye-152, maintaining a similar overall design but equipped with two Tumansky R-11 afterburning turbojets installed side by side in a redesigned rear fuselage. This engine substitution, driven by the highly unreliable R-15 powerplants, resulted in a broader aft fuselage featuring prominent ventral fins. Most of the structure mirrored that of the Ye-152, including the elongated air intake and fuselage modifications that proved beneficial during trials for the intended Ye-151 cannon-equipped variant of the Ye-150. Thanks to the deployment of mature and dependable R-11 engines, the Ye-152A achieved its maiden flight in July 1959 and continued undergoing test operations at the Mikoyan-Gurevich facility until its loss in a 1965 accident.
Its planned armament consisted of two K-9 air-to-air missiles integrated within the Ye-152-9-V weapons suite, coordinated by the TsKB Almaz TsP-1 fire control radar.
Following a flypast at the 1961 Aviation Day event held at Tushino, NATO assigned this aircraft the reporting name Flipper. It was also mistakenly identified as a MiG-23 by some observers.
Ye-152P
This variant was proposed to be powered by the more dependable R-15-300 engine and equipped with the Uragan-5B weapons control system, carrying the substantial K-80 long-range air-to-air missile.
Ye-152M
The Ye-152-2 airframe was returned to Mikoyan for conversion into the Ye-152M model, which featured small canard surfaces mounted on each side of the forward fuselage and an R-15-300 engine fitted with an axisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzle. This configuration eliminated the need for an ejector ring around the rear fuselage. After initial flight evaluations, the canards were removed though their mounting points remained visible. The aircraft continued to serve as a platform for further testing of both the R-15 engine and Uragan weapon systems. Eventually, it was retired to the Central Air Force Museum in Monino, incorrectly labeled as Ye-166 and adorned with three red stars symbolizing world records set by its sister aircraft, the Ye-152-1.
Ye-166
This designation was fictitious and applied to the Ye-152-1 when registering world records with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The same label was also used on the Ye-152M displayed at Monino as part of an intelligence deception strategy.
MiG-23
Western intelligence mistakenly assigned this designation to the Ye-152A following its appearance at Tushino in 1961.
Uragan-5
The Uragan-5 automatic weapons system development commenced in 1955 under directive from the Council of Ministers. Its purpose was to intercept supersonic bombers operating at altitudes between 10–25,000 m (33–82,021 ft) and speeds ranging from 1,600–2,000 km/h (990–1,240 mph; 860–1,080 kn) within a radius of 100–120 km (62–75 mi) from interceptor bases, assuming adequate early warning. This system combined ground-based radar guidance to direct interceptors toward targets with onboard radar and weapon aiming technology to complete engagements. Key components included:
- A high-resolution ground radar providing precise positional and altitude data up to 345 km (214 mi; 186 nmi) range
- Active interrogation equipment (SAZO)
- Automatic guidance mechanisms
- Digital control computing units
- Command data link (SPK)
- Interceptor aircraft equipped with airborne radar capable of minimum detection range around 25 km (16 mi; 13 nmi), autopilot functionality, and weapon aiming computers (SRP)
Aircraft involved in this system comprised:
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-150
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-151
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-152
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-152A
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-150P
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-150M
Available armament configurations featured:
- Two 30 mm autocannons mounted on a tiltable rotating platform
- Unguided rockets
- Two K-6 air-to-air missiles
- Two K-7 air-to-air missiles
- Two K-8 air-to-air missiles
- Two K-9 air-to-air missiles
Delays in developing electronic components and missile systems, combined with ongoing reliability issues of Tumansky R-15 engines within aircraft variants, ultimately led to cancellation of the Uragan-5 system as applied to Ye-150 derivatives in 1962.
Specifications (Ye-152-1)
Additional resources
- Nemecek, Vaclav. The History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918. London: Willow Books, 1986. ISBN 0-00-218033-2.
- Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995. London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 9781841760964.
- Gordon, Yefim. Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons. Hinkley: Midland, 2004. ISBN 978-1-85780-188-0.
- Gordon, Yefim; Komissarov, Dmitry. OKB Mikoyan. Hinkley: Midland, 2009. ISBN 9781857803075.
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