Russia's 'Blackjacks' fly again

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...

What they do have in common is a design requirement from high
command.
Get up there quick, kill something fast, then return to base.

The surprising thing about the Mig-25 is its long range. Yes,
_long_.

Interceptors are designed for defensive, not offensive, work. The
Mig-25 was designed to defend the Soviet Union from mach 3 atomic
bombers. The Soviet Union was _big_, really big. Hence the long
range of the Mig-25.

The WWII Spitfire/Hurricanes were also interceptors, but Great Britain
is a tiny country. Hence their short legs.

Form follows function. Have you ever noticed that despite the
superficial similarity of the Mig-25 to the later F-15, that the
Mig-25 is a much larger aircraft?

Felger Carbon wrote:

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...

What they do have in common is a design requirement from high
command.
Get up there quick, kill something fast, then return to base.

The surprising thing about the Mig-25 is its long range. Yes,
_long_.

Interceptors are designed for defensive, not offensive, work. The
Mig-25 was designed to defend the Soviet Union from mach 3 atomic
bombers. The Soviet Union was _big_, really big. Hence the long
range of the Mig-25.

The WWII Spitfire/Hurricanes were also interceptors, but Great Britain
is a tiny country. Hence their short legs.

Form follows function. Have you ever noticed that despite the
superficial similarity of the Mig-25 to the later F-15, that the
Mig-25 is a much larger aircraft?

Needed it to stuff in the fuel and engines for the performance.