"David Bromage" wrote in message
.. .
While the Soviets claimed that they did not have intercontinental range,
this was a moot point. If carrying the Kh-55SM they only needed to get
within 1300nm of their targets. That puts almost any fixed target in the
western USA within range of an unrefuelled Backfire.

Unfortunately the US Navy might have something to say about that. SM-2's
would eat Backfires.