Not waiting finalization of Ye-150’s trials, the OKB-156 (Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau) had started its work on Ye-152 and Ye-152A modifications, which were very similar and differed only in the rear fuselage section. On March 16, 1961 the initial flight-trials of Ye-152-1 (first Ye-152 prototype) begun. According to the technical specification, this heavy fighter had to be able to intercept and destroy air targets, flying at a speed of 2,500 km/h at an altitude of 20,000 m. The aircraft wing area was increased to 40 m2, the leading edge sweep was decreased to 47 °, wing tips had pylons for K-9 missile suspension.The air intake design was similar to those of Ye-152A. On the cylindrical base of the cone, there was a perforated zone. The cone was static, having adjustable cowling in flight.

From April 21, 1961 to September 11, 1962 up to 67 flights were performed, 5 of them - with mock-ups of K-9 missiles. The maximum speed with missiles reached at an altitude of 16,200 m was 2,650 km/h. The aircraft power plant consisted of one enhanced R-15-300 jet engine.The Ye-152-1, registered with the FAI as Ye-166, set 3 world records for speed and flight altitude.