[1][2][3][4][5] To fulfil the needs of the Protivo-Vozdushnaya Oborona (Air Defence Forces, PVO) for a heavy interceptor to carry out automatic interceptions, the MiG bureau had developed a range of large fighter aircraft starting with the swept-wing I-3 series (i.e., I-380, I-410 and I-420), followed by the I-7 and the I-75.

[1] The MAP (Ministerstvo Aviatsionnoy Promyshlennosti - Ministry of Aviation Industry) ordered the Mikoyan OKB to build prototypes of the new interceptor, to be armed with either K-6, K-7, K-8, K-9 missiles; unguided rockets; or an aimable twin-cannon installation.

The initial missile-armed version, designated Ye-150, flew for the first time on 8 July 1960, after extensive ground checks of systems and a delay in delivery of a flight-worthy engine.

[1] The two single-engined Ye-152's were completed with improved R-15-300 engines, as the Ye-152-1 and Ye-152-2, but reliability remained an issue, with only limited development flying, weapons system testing and world record flights carried out.

The change in engine type, necessitated by the extremely poor reliability of the R-15, led to a widened rear fuselage with large ventral fins.

Used for further testing of the R-15 engine and Uragan weapon systems, the Ye-152M was retired to the Central Air Force Museum at Monino bearing the erroneous identity Ye-166 and three red stars to signify the world records set by its sister ship, the Ye-152-1.

[1] Development of the Uragan-5 automatic weapons system was initiated by the Council of Ministers in 1955 to intercept supersonic bombers flying at 10–25,000 m (33–82,021 ft) altitude at 1,600–2,000 km/h (990–1,240 mph; 860–1,080 kn) up to 100–120 km (62–75 mi) from the interceptor base (with sufficient warning).