The
MiG-23 is a third generation multi-purpose supersonic fighter.
Designed in the early 1960s, the MiG-23 was the replacement for
the MiG-21 fighter, and was
the first Soviet aircraft to feature a variable-geometry wing
system. The maiden flight of the MiG-23 prototype took place
on June 10, 1967 and entered service as the MiG-23M 'Flogger-B'
in 1973. The Mikoyan MiG-23 'Flogger' is and was the most numerous
air defense interceptor. Serving both the armies of the communist
Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The MiG-23 is built around a TRDDR-35F-300 Afterburing Turbofan,
this engine provides lots of power at a low fuel consumption.
As with all interceptors the MiG-23 job is to engage and shoot
down incoming strategic bomber in a one on one dog-fight against
an air superiority fighter the MiG-23 would probably not survive
the encounter. The 'Flogger' is capable of speed in excess of
Mach 2. The MiG-23 was eventually succeeded by the incredibly
fast MiG-25 'Foxbat'. Thought
still in service up to this day the MiG-23 has received constant
upgrades. The ground attack version is designated MiG-27
'Flogger D'. The 'Flogger-G' features a digital auto-pilot,
improved avionics, and a lighter, more improved engine over earlier
variants. The MiG-23 was built in very large numbers up to the
late 1980s, and is still in use by many countries.
Prime contractor: Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
Nation of origin: Soviet Union
Function: Attack/fighter
Crew: 1
Year: 1967
In-service year: 1973
Wing span:
Fully spread - 13.97m / 45ft 10in
Fully swept - 7.78m / 26ft 7in
Length: 16.71m / 54ft 10in
Height: 4.82m / 15ft 10in
Weight: 32,405lb empty / 39,250lb max. take off
Take-off distance: 500m
Landing distance: 750m
Engine: One Khachaturov/Tumansky R-35-300 afterburning turbojet,
28,660 lb thrust
Speed: 2,500km/h / 1,553mph at high altitude
Range: 1,300km / 813miles
Ceiling: 60,700 ft
Time-to climb: 240 m/sec
Armament: One GSh-23L 23mm two-barrel cannon with 200 rounds,
plus 6,614 lb including bombs, missiles, dispenser weapons, and
ECM pods
