Part 4/9:
The urgency to create an interceptor capable of countering such a threat led the Soviets to design the MiG-25. With time running short and under pressure to deliver a game-changing aircraft, Soviet engineers made several compromises. The MiG-25 was built with powerful engines—borrowed from cruise missiles and reconnaissance drones—that could not sustain high speeds without damage. The resulting aircraft was not the nimble fighter expected, but rather a brute-force interceptor designed to excel in straightforward engagements.