Part 7/9:
Belenko's insights revealed that the MiG-25 was far from the agile machine that was feared. Its heavy airframe restricted its maneuverability, and while it could reach incredible speeds, sustaining such rates led to engine problems. The misconceptions that had fueled Western dread began to dissipate.
The Aftermath of Revelation
With the MiG-25 now thoroughly examined, the United States swiftly re-evaluated its strategy regarding air superiority. The revelation that the MiG-25 was not the advanced fighter many had anticipated led to a shift in U.S. military planning. American tactics evolved to utilize low-altitude flying and stealth, countering the high-altitude interceptors the Soviets had created.