Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
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The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Russian: ) (NATO reporting name 'Flogger') is a variable geometry, swept-wing fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. Produced in large numbers, it remains in limited service with various export customers.
Development
The MiG-23's predecessor, the MiG-21 (NATO reporting name 'Fishbed'), was fast and agile, but very limited in its operational capabilities, with primitive radar, short range, and a limited weapons load (restricted in some aircraft to a pair of short-range air-to-air missiles). The MiG-23 was to be a heavier, more powerful machine designed to remedy these deficiencies, and, it was hoped, rival Western aircraft like the F-4 Phantom. The new fighter was to feature the totally new S-23 sensor and weapon system suite capable of firing BVR missiles.A major design consideration was take-off and landing performance. The Soviets' existing fast jets required very long runways, which, combined with their limited range, limited their tactical usefulness. The Soviet Air Force demanded that the new aircraft have a much shorter take-off run. Also, low-level speed and handling was to be improved over MiG-21. This led Mikoyan to consider two alternatives: lift jets to provide an additional lift component and variable-geometry wings which had been developed by TsAGI for both 'clean-sheet' aircraft designs and adaptations of existing designs. The first prototype was a tailed delta, similar to MiG-21 but with two lift jets in the fuselage, and it was called 23-01, also known as MiG-23PD. However, very early it became apparent that this configuration was unsatisfactory, as lift jets were useless dead weight once airborne. The second prototype, known as 23-11, featured variable-geometry wings which could be set to angles of 16, 45 and 72 degrees, and it was clearly more promising. The maiden flight of 23-11 took place on June 10 1967, and three more prototypes were prepared for further flight and system testing. All featured the Tumansky R-27-300 turbojet engine with thrust of 7850kp. The order to start series production of the MiG-23 was given in December 1967.
The F-111 and F-4 were the main Western influnces in the MiG-23, the Russians contrary to General Dynamics, wanted a fighter much much lighter than the F-111 and a single seat rather than a twin seat, the reason was to allow the MiG-23 to have better agility. Both the F-111 and the MiG-23 were designed as fighters but the heavy weight in the F-111 turned it into a long range interdictor and kept it out of the fighter role, the MiG-23 designers to the contrary kept the MiG-23 light enough to allow it to manoeuvre and fight enemy fighters
First generation MiG-23s
- MiG-23S (NATO codename 'Flogger-A') was initial preproduction variant. Only around 60 were built between 1969-70. These aircraft were used for both flight and operational testing. MiG-23S had improved R-27F2-300 turbojet engine with maximum thrust of 9980kp. As Sapfir-23 radar was delayed, aircraft were installed with S-21 weapons control system, with RP-22SM radar; it was basically same weapons system as in MiG-21MF/bis. Twin-barreled 23 mm GSh-23L gun with 200 rounds of ammunition was fitted under the fuselage. This variant suffered from various teething problems and was never fielded as an operational fighter.
- MiG-23SM was second pre-production variant, usually known as MiG-23 Type 1971. It was considerably modified compared to MiG-23S: it had full S-23 weapons suite, featuring Sapfir-23L radar and R-23R missiles. It also had furtherly improved R-27F2M-300 engine with maximum thrust of 12000kp (later redesignated R-29-300). Modified 'type 2' wing had increased wing area with 'dog tooth' leading edge. Slats were deleted and wing sweep was increased by 2.5 degrees; wing positions were changed to 18.5, 47.5 and 74.5 degrees respectively. Tail fin was moved aft, and an extra fuel tank was added to rear fuselage, as in twin-seater variant (see below). Around 80 examples were manufactured. Overall reliability was increased over previous variant, but Sapfir radar proved to be still immature.
- MiG-23M ('Flogger-B'). This variant first flew at June 1972. It was the first truly mass-produced version of MiG-23, and the first VVS fighter to feature look down/shoot down capabilities (although this capability was initially very limited). Wing was modified again and now featured leading-edge slats. R-29-300 engine was now rated for 12500kp. It finally had the definitive sensor suite: improved Sapfir-23D (NATO codename 'High Lark') radar, TP-23 IRST sensor and ASP-23D gunsight. The radar had a detection range of some 45 km against a high-flying fighter-sized target. It was not a true Doppler radar, but instead utilised less effective 'envelope detection' technique, similar to some 1960s Western fighter radars. The infrared system had detection range of around 30 km against high-flying bombers, less for fighter-sized targets. The aircraft was also equipped with Lasur-SMA -datalink. Standard armament consisted of two radar- or infrared guided R-23 (NATO codename: AA-7 'Apex') BVR missiles and two R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') short-ranged infrared missiles. From 1974 onwards, double pylons were installed for R-60s, enabling up to four missiles carried. Bombs, rockets and missiles could be carried for ground attack. Later, capability for radio-guided Kh-23 ground attack missile was added. Most Soviet MiGs were also wired to carry tactical nuclear weapons. Some 1300 MiG-23M's were produced for VVS and PVO between 1972-78. It was the most important Soviet fighter type from mid-to-late 1970s.
- MiG-23UB ('Flogger-C'). A twin-seated training variant. It was based on MiG-23S, but featured second cockpit behind the first. One forward fuel tank was removed to accommodate extra seat, this was compensated by adding a new fuel tank in rear fuselage. It had S-21 weapon system, though radar was later mostly removed. During its production run, both wings and engine were improved to MiG-23M standard. The production began at Irkutsk in 1971 and continued until 1985 (export variant). Total of 769 examples were built.
- MiG-23MS ('Flogger-E'). This was an export variant as in the '70s MiG-23M was considered too advanced to be exported to Third World countries. It was otherwise similar to MiG-23M, but it had S-21 standard weapon system, with RP-22SM ('Jay Bird') radar in a smaller radome. IRST was removed. Obviously, this variant had no BVR capability, as it was capable of using only R-3S and R-3R (AA-2 'Atoll') and R-60 missiles. Avionics suite was very basic. This variant was produced between 1973-78 and exported to North Africa and Middle East.
- MiG-23MF ('Flogger-B'). This was another export derivative of MiG-23M, intended to be exported to Warsaw Pact countries but it was also sold to many other allies and clients, as most export customers were dissatisfied with rather primitive MiG-23MS. It actually came in two versions: first one was sold to Warsaw Pact allies, and it was essentially identical to Soviet MiG-23M, with small changes in IFF and communications equipment. Second variant was sold outside Eastern Europe and it had different IFF and communications suite (with datalink usually removed) and downgraded radar, which lacked the anti-ECM features and modes of the baseline 'High Lark'. This variant was more popular abroad than MiG-23MS and considerable numbers were exported especially to Middle East.
Second generation MiG-23s
- MiG-23ML ('Flogger-G'). The early Flogger variants were intended to be used in high-speed missile attacks, but it was soon noticed that very often fighters had to engage in more stressful close-in combat. Early production aircraft had actually suffered cracks in the fuselage during their service career. Maneuverability of the aircraft was also criticized. A considerable redesign of the airframe was performed, resulting in MiG-23ML (L - lightweight) which was in some ways a new aircraft. Empty weight was reduced by 1250 kg, partly achieved by removing rear fuselage fuel tank. Aerodynamics were refined for less drag. Dorsal fin extension was removed. Undercarriage was redesigned, resulting to lowered nose attitude on the ground. Airframe was now rated for g-limit of 8.5g , compared to 8g for early generation MiG-23M/MF Flogger B. A new engine model R-35F-300 now had a maximum dry thrust of 8550kp, and 13000kp with afterburner. This led to considerable improvement in maneuverability and thrust-to-weight ratio.
- MiG-23P ('Flogger-G'). This was a specialized interceptor variant developed to Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO). It had same airframe and powerplant as MiG-23ML, but its avionics suite was improved to meet PVO requirements and mission profiles. Radar was improved Sapfir-23P which could be used in conjuction with IRST and gunsight for better look down/shoot down capability, to counter increasing low-level threats like cruise missiles. Autopilot included a new digital computer and it was linked with Lasur-M datalink, which enabled CGI ground station to steer the aircraft towards the target - in such intercept, all the pilot had to do was control the engine and use weapons. MiG-23P was the most numerous PVO interceptor in the 1980's. Around 500 aircraft were manufactured between 1978-81. MiG-23P served only within PVO, and was never exported.
- MiG-23MLD ('Flogger-K') was the ultimate fighter variant of MiG-23. The main concern of the upgrade was to improve maneuverability, especially high angles of attack. Pitot boom was equipped with vortex generators. Wings' notched leading edge roots were 'saw-toothed' to act as vortex generators as well. Flight-control system was modified to improve handling and safety in high AoA maneuvers. Signifant improvements were made in avionics and survivability: Sapfir-23MLA-II featured improved modes for look down/shoot down and close-in fighting. A new SPO-15L radar warning receiver was installed, along with chaff/flare dispensers. New and very effective R-73 (AA-11 'Archer') short-range air-to-air missile was added to inventory. No new-built MLD aircraft were delivered to VVS, as more advanced MiG-29 was about to enter production. Instead, all Soviet MLD's were former ML/MLA aircraft modified to MLD standard. Some 560 aircraft were upgraded between 1982-85. As with earlier MiG-23 versions, two distinct export variants were offered. Unlike Soviet examples, these were new-built aircraft, though they lacked aerodynamic refinements of Soviet MLD's. 16 examples were delivered to Bulgaria, and 50 to Syria. These were the last single-seat MiG-23 fighters made: last example rolled off the production line in December 1984.
Ground attack variants
- MiG-23B ('Flogger-F'). Requirement for new fighter-bomber had became obvious in the late 1960s, and MiG-23 appeared to be suitable asset for such conversion. First prototype of the project 32-34 flew first time on August 20, 1970. It was otherwise similar to MiG-23S, but it had redesigned forward fuselage. Pilot seat was raised to improve visibility. Windscreen was armored. Nose was flat-bottomed and tapered down. There was no radar, instead it had Sokol-23 ground attack sight system, which included analog computer, laser rangefinder and PBK-3 bomb sight. Navigation suite and autopilot were improved to provide more bombing accurate. Maximum warload was increased to 3000 kg by strengthening the pylons. GSh-23L gun was retained. Survivability was improved by EW suite and inert gas system in fuel tanks to prevent fire. First prototype had MiG-23S type wing, but subsesquent examples had larger 'type 2' wing. Most importantly, instead of R-29 -variant, aircraft was powered by AL-21F-3 turbofan with maximum thrust of 11 500kp. The production of this variant was limited, however. Supply of AL-21 -engines was needed for Su-17 and Su-24 production lines. In addition this engine was not cleared for export. Only three prototypes and 24 production aircraft were made in 1971-72.
- MiG-23BN ('Flogger-H') was the definitive fighter-bomber variant. It was otherwise same as MiG-23B, but had R-29-300 engine, same as contemporary fighter Floggers. They were also fitted with 'type 3' wings. There were other minor changes in electronics and equipment, and some changes were made during its long production run. This variant proved to be fairly popular and effective and it was extensively exported. As usual, downgraded version was sold to Third World customers. Serial production began in 1973 and lasted until 1985, with at least 500 examples built. Most of them went to export, as Soviets always viewed it as an interim type and only small number served in Frontal Aviation regiments.
- MiG-23BM ('Flogger-D'). MiG-23BN had too much "fighter heritance" for an attack aircraft and new design with more radical changes was developed. This was eventually renamed as MiG-27 and is described in that entry.
Proposed variants and upgrades
MiG-23R was a proposed reconnaissance variant. Project was never finished. The MiG-23MLGD, MLG and MLS were further fighter upgrades with new radar and EW equipment, partly same as in MiG-29, these variants had a Helmet Mounted Sight and were basicly MiG-23MLD subvariants however these were abandoned in favour of the then ongoing MiG-29 program. MiG-23K was a carrier-borne fighter variant based on MiG-23ML, and MiG-23A was a multirole-variant from K, the MiG-23A was going to be developed into three subvariants, the MiG-23AI was the dedicated fighter, the MiG-23AB was to be the attack dedicated variant and the MiG-23AR the dedicated reconnaissance variant. However, cancellation and subsesquent redesign of Soviet aircraft carrier project also caused cancellation of these variants. There were other MiG-23 variants such as the MiG-23MLK powered by two new R-33 engines or one R-100, the MiG-23MD that was basicly a MiG-23M fitted with a Saphir-23MLA-2. The MiG-23ML-1 was a variant powered by one R-100 or one R-69F engines or two R-33 engines and armed with the new air to air missile R-146.
In the late '90s, the Mikoyan Design Bureau, following their successful MiG-21 upgrade projects, offered a MiG-23-98 upgrade which featured a new radar, new self-defence suite, new avionics, improved cockpit ergonomy, helmet-mounted sight and capability to fire R-27 and R-77 missiles. Projected cost was around $1 million USD per aircraft. Smaller upgrades were also offered, which consisted of only improving existing Sapfir-23 to employ newer missiles and upgrade of other avionics. Airframe life extension is offered as well. However, so far these upgrades have been met with little interest but Angola has taken in 2005 an upgrade of the Saphir radar fitted to it`s MiG-23ML to allow new weapons to be fired by it which seems to be the MiG-23-98-2 upgrade.
Total production of MiG-23 fighter, attack and trainer versions was over 5000 aircraft (not including MiG-27), of which 3630 were fighter variants.
Service career
The first MiG-23s to see combat were export variants with many limitations. For example, MiG-23MS lacked such a basic system as radar warning receiver. In addition, compared to MiG-21, the aircraft was mechanically complex and expensive. Early export variants also lacked many "war reserve modes" in their radars, making them vulnerable against ECM, in which Israeli were especially proficient. The MiG-23MS/MF took part in the Syrian-Israeli conflict over Lebanon, according to Israeli-Western reports its performance was poor but it was judged satisfactory according to Russian ones, the reason is while the Israeli claim there were no MiG-23MF`s victories, Russian reports claim these aircraft managed to shot down at least seven Israeli aircraft of the forth generation, (five F-16s and two F-15s) while lossing only six MiG-23MFs in the process nevertheless the Russians admit that the Syrians did not possess an extensive GCI system, Syria, like most other Soviet export customers, lacked extensive GCI networks that the aircraft was intended to operate with. On the positive side, the MiG-23's excellent acceleration often enabled it to escape disadvantageous situations besides the fact it could use an IRST system that allow it to operate even despite the Israeli jamming.
The Russians claim the MiG-23MF`s AA-8 Aphid was a decisive weapon in the Bekka Valley, because it can be cued by the MiG-23`s IRST system, in the West, the ground-attack variant MiG-23BN was considered quite effective and the same can be said about the Russian side, that also reports good combat performance, in fact these reports claim Syrian MiG-23BN were able to destroy around 80 Israeli tanks in 1982, despite sixteen MiG-23BN were shot down by Israeli F-16s . In the 1980s, an improved MiG-23ML was widely exported, which performed better and was met with more enthusiasm by its users, according to Russian historical accounts about the MiG-23ML combat record in the middle east, during December 1982,Syrian MiG-23MLs shot down three Israeli F-15s and one F-4 Phantom without MiG-23ML losses, however Israeli sources claim on December 1982 Syria lost two MiG-23MLs shot down by Israeli F-15s without Israeli losses contradicting the Russian-Syrian claims.
According to different Arab, Cuban, and Russian reports, the MiG-23 achieved victories over F-4 Phantoms, Mirage F1s, F-5 Freedom Fighters, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and A-4 Skyhawks in different wars throughout the Middle East and Africa. However, in most cases western experts have been reluctant to accept or unable to verify these victories; nevertheless Russian books and sources accept them as valid and even go as far as to claim that some F-15s and a Panavia Tornado fell prey to Syrian and Iraqi MiG-23s. However, the true kills and losses are difficult to establish as most Middle-Eastern air forces are not particularly forthcoming about their losses, while Western and Russian experts usually have some degree of disagreement due to the bias they practice for their own respective national aircraft industries. It is known that some number of air victories were scored by MiG-23s in the Iran-Iraq War. Cuban MiG-23MLs and South African Mirage F.1s had several encounters during Angolan War, one of which resulted in a Mirage being damaged by an R-60 missile, forcing the pilot to crash land and writing off the Mirage F1. Soviet MiG-23MLDs and Pakistani F-16s clashed a few times during Afghan-Soviet War; one F-16 was reportedly lost in a friendly fire incident (according to the Pakistanis), but Russian reports claim the F-16 was shot down by a MiG-23MLD.
It is important to say that the main MiG-23 version that was mostly shot down and represent the vast majority of MiG-23s losses during those wars and military conflicts was the MiG-23BN, many can not distinguish the different capabilities that the dedicated fighter MiG-23 versions have with respect the MiG-23BN, the MiG-23BN is basicly a MiG-27 with just a ranging radar and no BVR missiles designed as an attack aircraft much more in the class of the Sepecat Jaguar while the dedicated fighter versions such as the MiG-23MS, MiG-23MF, MiG-23ML, MiG-23MLA, MiG-23P and MiG-23MLD are rated as true fighters in the class of the F-4E, Mirage F1 or JA-37 Viggen
Few pictures or footage have been released of MiG-23 air-to-air combat losses, except a picture of the wreckage of a Syrian MiG-23 shot down by Israeli forces and the US Navy film footage of the shooting of two Libyan MiG-23MS by a pair of US Navy F-14s.
By 1990, over 1500 MiG-23s of different models were in service within VVS and PVO. With the dissolution of Soviet Union, the Russian Air Force began to cut back its fighter force, and it was decided that MiG-23 and MiG-27 were among the types which were to be retired to operational storage. The last model to serve was the MiG-23P, which was retired in 1998. Several hundred airframes in operational storage, are in questionable conditions, though some MiG-23s look relatively well on pictures from several Russian websites. Amongst foreign users, most countries have experienced severe economical difficulties since dissolution of Soviet Union. Relatively complex MiG-23's were often retired in favor of simpler types like MiG-21. Despite this, several hundred MiG-23's remain in service, mostly variants ML and BN. Current and former users include Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Libya, North Korea, Poland, Russia, South Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Vietnam.
Western pilots who flew the MiG-23 said its handling was similar to something between the F-4E and the Panavia Tornado in some parts of the flight envelope, and more like the F-105 in others. Soviet manuals considered that the MiG-23MLD's performance and handling was superior to that of the F-4E and, according to even western pilots who flew F-16s such as the Dutch pilot Leon Van Maurer who had more than 1200 hrs flying F-16s and flew against MiG-23ML Flogger Gs from air bases in Germany and the state of Nevada, in the United States as part of NATO`s aerial mock combat training with Soviet equipment; claimed the MiG-23 had superiority on the vertical plain over the F-16, and horizontaly is just slightly inferior to the F-16, he also said the MiG-23ML had better BVR capabilities than the early F-16 variants. The MiG-23 manual also claimed the MiG-23MLD was superior in what respects acceleration and speed and was slightly inferior in agility to the F-16 at low speeds and heights however at very high speeds and altitudes had better turning ability, but admitted that the F-15 has an overwhelming superiority over the MiG-23 family. The Israelis tested the MiG-23 and found that it had better acceleration than the F-16 and F-18. (It should be noted that different variants often had significant differences in their handling qualities.) Overall, the MiG-23 represents the final incarnation of the late 1960s fighter technology which, despite being developed close to its full potential, was quickly overtaken by next generation fighters like F-16 and MiG-29 that employed more advanced doppler radars, new aerodynamic configurations, and more advanced engines. The MiG-23's closest contemporaries are perhaps the Mirage F1, F-4E and Saab Viggen, which ended up with fairly similar careers. The closest aircraft to the MiG-23 in what respects combat record is the F-4 Phantom II, while in the West the MiG-23 has been considered at least an unlucky design that faced more advanced F-15s and F-16s, was not more advanced than late F-4 Phantom II variants and had very few victories and a great number of losses, the Russian Historians see it as a relatively effective aircraft, and in fact despite the F-4 Phantom II achieved more victories also had much, much more losses, in general terms the MiG-23 can be judged as very close to the F-4 Phantom II in terms of performance, weaponry and up to a degree combat record and both aircraft were widely manufactured and are amongst the most widely built jet fighters of the 20th century
As the result of the high accident rate of early MiG-23s, the aircraft was nicknamed Cheburashka by some Soviet pilots after a clumsy cartoon character who often trips and falls.
The MiG-23 was the Soviet Air Force`s Top Gun equivalent aggressor from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. It proved to be a difficult opponent for early MiG-29 variants flown by inexperienced pilots. Exercises showed that when well flown, a MiG-23MLD could achieve favorable kill ratios against the MiG-29 in mock combat using hit and run tactics and not engaging the MiG-29s in close combat dogfights. Usually the aggressor MiG-23MLDs had a shark mouth painted on the nose just aft of the radome and many of these were piloted by Soviet-Afghan War veterans. In the late 1980s, these aggressor MiG-23s were replaced by MiG-29s that also wore shark mouths on their noses.
Specifications (MiG-23MLD Flogger-K)
The MiG-23's armament evolved as the MiG-23's avionics were been upgraded and new variants were deployed. First variants with MiG-21's fire control system were limited to variants of R-3 (AA-2 Atoll). The R-60 replaced R-3 during the '70s and from the MiG-23M onwards the R-23/R-24 AA-7 Apex was carried. third generation Floggers were capable of firing R-73 when it became available, but this missile was not exported until MiG-29 was released for export. The helmet mounted sight associated with the AA-11 Archer (R-73) was fitted on MiG-23MLD experimental subvariants that never entered production but were supposed to, the reason was the MiG-23MLDG and MiG-23MLS had less priority than the MiG-29 and the Mikoyan bureaux therefore decided to concentrate it`s efforts on the MiG-29 program rather than on the MiG-23MLDG and MiG-23MDL subvariants that were equipped with helmet mounted sights and halted further work on the the MiG-23MLDG and MiG-23MLS production nevertheless a helmet mounted sight is offered as part of the MiG-23-98 upgrade. There were reports about the MiG-23MLD being capable of firing the AA-10 Alamo beyond it`s firing experimental tests however it seems only Angola`s MiG-23-98 are capable of doing it. A MiG-23 was used to test and fire the AA-11, AA-10 and AA-12 air to air missiles during their early flight and firing trials. Ground attack armament included 57 mm rocket pods, general purpose bombs up to 500 kg in size, gun pods and Kh-23 ('AS-7 Kerry') radio guided missiles. Up to four external fuel tanks could be carried.
Trivia
- The MiG-23 served as the aircraft for Patrick Reed from Area 88.
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