F-4 will unlikely face the Mig-31 even if the soviets do develop one as in the OTL
as its role was strictly interception of bombers not air superority
and in BVR combat, even the F-15 would have a hard time killing the foxhound
Did the Mig-25 ever shoot down an F-4 in combat ? I'm not sure
Looks like the Iraqi MiG-25 shoot down two recce F-4s, but no fighter versions.
No worries for the MiG-31, it will get developed, B1 and cruise missiles are still there. Let's not be convinced that Soviets will not throw MiG 31s in Europe, need-be.
As for the MiG-29 - once F-16 is a known variable in the East, the MiG company will make a new, shiny lightweight fighter to balance the situation.
Sukhoi company will also make a new-gen fighter, priced in-between the expensive MiG-25/31 and 'lightweight MiG' so they have something good and numerous to throw against the Western AF's that have F-16s, much improved F-4s, Mirage 2000 and Tornado, plus F-111s and Mirage IVs.
F-14 seems more useful than F-15 though
in the 80s , the F-15 carried only SARH missiles so it can hit only one target at a time right ?
but the F-14 has ARH missiles and can deal with multiple threats at once ?
Basically, yes.
As a missile-thrower, F-14 was superior, not just because of ARH missiles, but due to the radar and RIO behind the pilot.
Note that SARH missiles can also be used against multiple targets from single fighter, provided the radar is capable to do it.
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