Description:
Mig-23, NATO nicknamed this aircraft as Flogger, is a family of tactical fighter aircraft developed in the Soviet Union to perform primarily air defense missions. It was cleared for operational use in 1971 replacing Mig-21 as front-line fighter in the Soviet Air Force. Mig-27 is a dedicated attack aircraft derived from Mig-23 and cleared for service by 1973. Both aircraft are powered by a single R-35/R-29 (Mig-23/27) turbofan engine each rated at 28,600-/25,000-lb of thrust with afterburner. It was equipped with a 23mm internal cannon and can utilize bombs, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
In addition to the basic Mig-23 interceptor, the Soviet Union developed a variety of variants combining air defense with ground attack capabilities. For example the Mig-23BN. The Soviet Union exported the Mig-23/27 to its Warsaw Pact allies and non-European customers with more than 4,000 aircraft built. Mig-27 was produced under license in India under Bahadur designation, also referred to as the Mig-27M or Mig-27L. Mig-24 was a designation for export models. In the 1980s Mig-23 was the backbone of the Warsaw Pact Air Forces.
Currently, Mig-23 and Mig-27 aircraft are obsolete and have been scheduled for withdrawal in the Russian and ex-Warsaw Pact Air Forces. Several Mig-27 aircraft were modified by Russia to perform high altitude reconnaissance flights. India remains one of the largest Mig-23/27 operator with 150+ aircraft in service as of 2005.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 1
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 23 mm
Dimensions: Length 6.6 m, Wingspan 14.3 m
Weights: Payload 2,000 kg (4,409 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 28,600 lb (12,973 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 18,000 m (59,055 ft), Max Range 1,800 km (972 nm), Top Speed 698 mps (Mach 2.10)
Other: Number of Engines 1
Related Equipment Air-to-Air Missiles:R-23(2), R-60(2)
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Belarus
Bulgaria
Cuba
Czech Republic
Ethiopia
Germany
Hungary
India
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Libya
North Korea
Poland
Romania
Russia
Sudan
Syria
Ukraine
Vietnam
Yemen