 AIR 7-3 called specifically for a two crew, twin engine, aircraft with a range of ) for a normal low-speed mission, and for a high-speed interception mission.It also specified operation from a runway; a Mach 1.5 cruising speed at an altitude of ; and manoeuvrability for 2 "g" turns with no loss of speed or altitude at Mach 1.5 and .The specification required five minutes from starting the aircraft's engines to reaching altitude and Mach 1.5.