Neither the Blackbird nor the MiG-25 propulsion systems are useful at subsonic to transonic speeds and by that useless in a serious fighter role.
That applies to Blackbirds propulsion system, as it used mixed compression which suffers from unstarts, by its nature.
As for Mig-25, it is maneuverable at subsonic speeds also. You may note that it has variable geometry lower intake lip. It is used to control airstreem at lower speeds, at higher angle of attacks. It is very complex system used also to control intake airspeed at higher speeds.
That was not found in any west fighter.
It has special vanes which control airstreem in the middle of airduct, also not found in any west aircraft.
Because of that, it do not suffer from unstarts.
When you combine that with transsonic compresor, with no western equivalent (as has been noted in International Defense Review after Mig examination in Japan 1976), you will get the picture about Mig-25s propulsion system.
It is one incredible solution. A propulsion system capable of Mach 3 and in the same time capable of all normal fighter maneuvers: loops, rolls,split-s, zoom climbs, etc.
That is something not found in any western Mach 3 aircraft, whether in service or experimental.
[/QUOTE]Since the 90s high resolution pics can be bought for the fraction of cost by a manned system.[/QUOTE]
The satelites can not possibly replace tactical maned reconn a/c. They are too inflexible, can not be returned to the same spot fast, have no such short alert time, etc,etc.
Sign In
