The Foxbat was manufactured with nickel steel to resist the high temperatures of Mach 3 flight. Titanium alloys could have done the job with much less weight but was not considered for cost reasons. When western intelligence saw the Foxbat it was assumed to be made of lightweight alloys and it’s enormous wing and engines suggested it was an air superiority fighter designed for energy maneuverability. This turned out to be wrong when a Soviet pilot defected with his jet in the early 80s.
So what if intelligence was correct. The MiG-25 is substantially lighter. And while not as maneuverable as the F-15, could out turn the latest F-4, and use boom-and-zoom with it’s Mach 3 speed advantage against the Eagle.
So what if intelligence was correct. The MiG-25 is substantially lighter. And while not as maneuverable as the F-15, could out turn the latest F-4, and use boom-and-zoom with it’s Mach 3 speed advantage against the Eagle.
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