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Mikoyan MiG-23ML Flogger-G
Soviet single-engine single-seat swing-wing supersonic jet fighter
.jpg "Mikoyan MiG-23ML Flogger-G (MiG OKB drawing via ref. 3)")
Archive Photos 1
Mikoyan MiG-23ML Flogger-G (20+13) on display (8/21/2008) at the Förderverein des Luftwaffenmuseums der Bundeswehr e.V., Bundesgeschäftsstelle, Berlin, Germany (Photo by John Shupek copyright © 200x Skytamer Images)
Overview 2
The Mikoyan Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" (NATO reporting name: Flogger) is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the first attempt by the Soviet Union to design look-down/shoot-down radar and one of the first to be armed with beyond visual range missiles, and the first MiG production fighter aircraft to have intakes at the sides of the fuselage. Production started in 1970 and reached large numbers with over 5,000 aircraft built. Today the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" remains in limited service with various export customers.
Development 2
The MiG-23’s predecessor, the MiG-21 "Fishbed", was fast and agile, but limited in its operational capabilities by its primitive radar, short range, and limited weapons load (restricted in some aircraft to a pair of short-range R-3/K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll") air-to-air missiles). The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" "Flogger" was to be a heavier, more powerful machine designed to remedy these deficiencies, and match Western aircraft like the McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantom II". The new fighter was to feature a totally new S-23 sensor and weapon system capable of firing beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.
A major design consideration was take-off and landing performance. Existing Soviet fast jets required very long runways which, combined with their limited range, restricted their tactical usefulness. The VVS demanded the new aircraft have a much shorter take-off run. Low-level speed and handling was also to be improved over the MiG-21. This led Mikoyan to consider two options: 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, called "23-01" but also known as the MiG-23PD, was a tailed delta similar to the MiG-21 but with two lift jets in the fuselage. However, it became apparent very early that this configuration was unsatisfactory, as the lift jets became 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 10 June 1967, and three more prototypes were prepared for further flight and system testing. All featured the Tumansky R-27-300 turbojet engine with a thrust of 7850 kp. The order to start series production of the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" was given in December 1967.
The General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" and McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantom II" were the main Western influences on the MiG-23. The Soviets, however, wanted a much lighter, single-engine fighter to maximize agility. Both the F-111 "Aardvark" and the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" were designed as fighters, but the heavy weight and inherent stability of the F-111 "Aardvark" turned it into a long-range interdictor and kept it out of the fighter role. The MiG-23’s designers kept the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" light and agile enough to dogfight with enemy fighters.
Design 2
Armament
The MiG-23’s armament evolved as the type’s avionics were upgraded and new variants were deployed. The earliest versions, which were equipped with the MiG-21’s fire control system, were limited to firing variants of the R-3/K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll") missile. The R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid") replaced the R-3 during the 1970’s, and from the MiG-23M onwards the BVR R-23/R-24 (AA-7 "Apex") was carried. The MiG-23MLD is capable of firing the R-73 (AA-11 "Archer"), but this missile was not exported until the MiG-29 was released for export. The helmet-mounted sight associated with the R-73 missile was fitted on the MiG-23MLDG and other experimental MiG-23MLD subvariants that never entered production as had been originally planned. The reason was that these MiG-23MLD subvariants had less priority than the then ongoing MiG-29 program, and the Mikoyan bureau therefore decided to concentrate all their efforts on the MiG-29 program and halted further work on the MiG-23. Nevertheless, a helmet-mounted sight is now offered as part of the MiG-23-98 upgrade. There were reports of the MiG-23MLD being capable of firing the R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") beyond experimental tests; however, it seems only Angola’s MiG-23-98’s are capable of doing so. A Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" was used to test and fire the R-27, R-73, and R-77 (AA-12 "Adder") air-to-air missiles during their early flight and firing trials. Ground-attack armament includes 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.
Price
The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" had the advantage of being quite cheap in the early 1980’s. For example, the MiG-23MS was priced between US$3.6 million and US$6.6 million depending on the customer; on the other hand in 1980, the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was priced at US$14 million, and the Flogger’s closest Western competitor was the Israeli $4.5 million Kfir C2. This allowed the Soviets to mass-produce the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" in significant numbers in order to gain a significant quantitative advantage over NATO air forces, especially since the Western world was recoiling under the effects of the 1973 Oil Crisis.
Operational History 2
Western and Russian aviation historians usually differ in respect to the MiG-23’s combat record, in part due to the bias in favor of their respective national aircraft industries. They also usually accept claims going along with their respective political views since usually many conflicting and contradictory reports are written and accepted by their respective historians. Little pictorial evidence has been published confirming Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" air to air losses and victories, with the exception of a SAAF "Mirage" F-1CZ damaged by a Cuban MiG-23ML and subsequently written-off in a rough landing, the Libyan MiG-23’s shot down by U.S. Navy Grumman F-14 "Tomcats" and two pictures of Syrian MiG-23’s shot down in 1982 by Israeli forces.
Syria
The first downgraded export version, the MiG-23MS was first supplied to Syria on 14 October 1973, when two MiG-23MS and two MiG-23UB were shipped in crates, aboard An-12B "Cub "transports. By the time these planes could be assembled, flight-tested and their crews made combat ready, the war with Israel was over. During 1974 several Syrian MiG-23MS were lost in accidents. The process of making the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" operational was complex and difficult, and only eight were operational by 1974. The first MiG-23’s to see combat were export variants with many limitations. For example, the MiG-23MS lacked a radar warning receiver. In addition, compared to the MiG-21, the aircraft was mechanically complex and expensive, and also less agile. Early export variants also lacked many "war reserve modes" in their radars, making them vulnerable against electronic countermeasures (ECM), at which the Israelis were especially proficient.
On 13 April 1974, after almost 100 days of artillery exchanges and skirmishes along the Golan Heights, Syrian helicopters delivered commandos to attack the Israeli observation post at Jebel Sheikh. This provoked heavy clashes in the air and on the ground for almost a week. During these clashes Captain al-Masry flew his MIG-23MS on a weapons test to the northwest of Damascus when he saw a formation of seven to eight Israeli F-4E "Phantom II’s" ahead of his MiG and became the only Syrian pilot to have downed two Israeli aircraft in a single combat. Due to this success, an additional 24 MiG-23MS interceptors, as well as a similar number of MiG-23BN’s, a new strike version, were delivered to Syria during the following year. In 1978, deliveries of MiG-23MF’s started, equipping two squadrons.
The MiG-23MF, MiG-23MS and MiG-23BN were employed in combat by Syria over the Lebanon between 1981 and 1985. Israel claims that during the period of 1982-1985 no Israeli aircraft was lost to enemy aircraft and that Israel only lost five aircraft shot down by Syrian SAM’s.
During the Israeli Operation ’Peace for Galilee’ in 1982, Israeli aircraft struck Syrian SAM’s, resulting in the destruction of nineteen sites and the damaging of four. Israeli reports, unconfirmed by Syrian or Russian sources, but endorsed by the majority of Western historians, claim that during the period of intense fighting from 6-11 June 1982, 85 Syrian aircraft were shot down in air combat. At least 30 of these aircraft were reported by Israeli sources to be MiG-23’s, but mainly the radarless ’export’ MiG-23BN.
Russians and Syrian claim numerous successes for MiG-23’s, which are denied by Israeli and Western sources:
On 19 April 1974, a MiG-23MS flown by Maj. El al-Masry is reported to have shot down 2 IAF F-4E "Phantom II’s" during a mission over the Golan Heights against an Israeli offensive to destroy Syrian SAM’s. He was subsequently shot down by an Israeli air-to-air missile in conjunction with friendly fire from a SA-6 battery. Israeli sources state that only one "Phantom II" was lost on that day.
26 April 1981, two MiG-23MS, are said to have shot down two Douglas A-4 "Skyhawks".
Israeli McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagles" also downed two MiG-23ML’s in 1985. According to Soviet/Russian historians, the MiG-23MS also scored kills in this war. One of these victories was achieved on 11 June 1982, when a pair of MiG-23MS pilots, named Heyrat and Zabi, brought down an Israeli F-4 "Phantom II" with two R-3S missiles. Both MiG-23MS aircraft were then shot down.
This Soviet/Russian source also states the Syrians lost 24 MiG-23’s, including six MiG-23MF’s, four export MiG-23MS’s and 14 MiG-23BN ground-attack variants. At the same time, Syrian MiG-23’s managed to shoot down at least five General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons", two McDonnell Douglas F-4E "Phantom II’s", and a Ryan BQM-34 "Firebee" unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. These are some of the Syrian Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" kills as described in a Soviet/Russian source:
On 7 June 1982, three MiG-23MF’s (pilots Hallyak, Said, and Merza) attacked a group of General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon’s". Captain Merza detected the General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon’s" at a distance of 25 km and brought down two General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon’s" with R-23 missiles (one from 9 km and another within the distance of 7 or 8 km) before he himself was shot down.
On 8 June 1982, two MiG-23MF’s again met with General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons". Major Hau’s Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" detected an General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" at a distance of 21 km and shot it down with an R-23 from a distance of 7 km. Again, the Syrian pilot was himself shot down by an AIM-9 "Sidewinder" fired from another General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon".
On 9 June 1982, two MiG-23MF’s, piloted by Deeb and Said, attacked a group of General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons". Deeb brought down an General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" from a distance of 6 km with an R-23, but was then shot down, most likely by an AIM-9 "Sidewinder".
Soviet/Russian source further states that three Israeli General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons" and one McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantom II" were shot down in October 1983 by the newly delivered MiG-23ML’s, with no Syrian losses since. According to other Soviet/Russian sources, it happened in October 1982 or in December 1982.
Syrian Civil War
On 7 March 2012, Syrian rebels used a 9K115-2 Metis-M anti-tank guided missile to damage a Syrian Air Force MiG-23MS while parked at Abu-Dhahur air base. Syrian MiG-23BN’s bombed the city of Aleppo on 24 July 2012, the first use of fixed wing aircraft bombing in the Syrian Civil War.
On 13 August 2012, a Syrian MiG-23BN was reportedly shot down by rebel Free Syrian Army forces near Deir ez-Zor, although the government claimed it went down due to technical difficulties.
Iran-Iraq War
The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" took part in the Iran-Iraq War and was used in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. The reports about performance in air combat are mixed. Some authors claim that Iraqi MiG-23’s had some victories and several losses against Iranian Grumman F-14 "Tomcats" and McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantom II’s". For example it is said that Colonel Mohammed-Hashem All-e-Agha was shot down by an Iraqi Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" while flying his Grumman F-14 "Tomcat" on 11 August 1984. Furthermore, Capt. Bahram Ghaneii was shot down by a MiG-23ML on 17 January 1987. According to Iranian sources, four MiG-23’s were shot down by Grumman F-14 "Tomcats" on 29 October 1980.
Iranian Grumman F-14 "Tomcats" caused exceptionally heavy losses to the type Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" early in the war, much to the disappointment of Iraqi air force, which thought that the Soviet fighter would be a match for the Grumman F-14 "Tomcat". During the Iran-Iraq war at least 58 MiG-23’s were shot down by Grumman F-14 "Tomcats", confirmed by Iranian, western and Iraqi sources. Five of these 58 MiG-23’s were shot down by K. Sedghi. Also 20 MiG-23’s were shot down by McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantoms".
Angolan Civil War
Cuban MiG-23ML’s and South African Dassault "Mirage F1" pilots had several encounters during the Angolan Civil War, one of which resulted in a "Mirage" being lost.
On 27 September 1987, during Operation Modular, two Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" pilots surprised a pair of "Mirages" and fired missiles: Alberto Ley Rivas engaged a "Mirage" flown by Capt Arthur Piercey with a pair of R-23R’s (some sources say a R-60), while the other Cuban pilot fired a single R-60 at a "Mirage" flown by Captain Carlo Gagiano. Although the missiles homed on the "Mirages", only one R-23R exploded close enough to cause damage - to the landing hydraulics of Capt Piercey’s "Mirage" (and, according to some accounts, the aircraft’s drag chute). The damage likely contributed to the "Mirage" veering off the runway on landing, after which the nose gear collapsed. The nose hit the ground so hard that Piercey’s ejection seat fired. As a the result of this ground level ejection, Piercey was paralyzed. The aircraft was written off, but a large portion of the airframe and components were used to repair another damaged (accident) "Mirage F-1" and return it to service.
FAPLA MiG-23’s outclassed SAAF "Mirage F-1CZ" and "Mirage F-1AZ" fighters in terms of power/acceleration, radar/avionics capabilities, and air-to-air weapons. The MiG-23’s R-23 and R-60 missiles gave FAPLA pilots the ability to engage SAAF aircraft from most aspects. The SAAF, hobbled by an international arms embargo, was forced to carry an obsolescent version of the French Matra R.550 "Magic" missile or early-generation V-3 "Kukri" missiles, which had limited range and performance relative to the AA-8 and AA-7. Despite these limitations, SAAF pilots were able to vector within the firing envelope and fire AAM’s at MiG-23’s (gun camera shots evidence this.) The missiles either missed or exploded ineffectually behind in the tail plume rather than homing on the hot airframe.
UNITA rebels, opposing Cuban/MPLA forces, shot down a number of MiG-23’s with American-supplied FIM-92 "Stinger MANPAD" missiles. South African ground forces shot down a Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" during a raid on the Caleque Dam by using the Ystervark (porcupine) 20mm AA gun.
Soviet War in Afghanistan
Soviet MiG-23’s and Pakistani General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons" clashed a few times during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. One General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" was lost in 1987, Pakistan considers it a friendly fire incident, but the Soviet-Backed Afghan government of the time claimed that its soviet aircraft downed the Pakistani General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons" - a claim that The New York Times and the Washington Post also reported. According to a Russian version of the event, the General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" was shot down when Pakistani General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons" encountered Soviet MiG-23MLD’s. Soviet MiG-23MLD pilots, while on a bombing raid along the Pakistani-Afghan border, reported being attacked by General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons" and then seeing one General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" explode. It could have been downed by gunfire from a MiG whose pilot did not report the kill.
According to Pakistani sources, the General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" piloted by Flt.Lt. Shahid Sikander was shot down in a friendly fire incident, after he flew directly in front of his flight leader and was hit by an AIM-9 "Sidewinder" fired at the MiG-23’s. This version has been cited with more credibility by western sources claiming the MiG-23MLD were on a ground attack mission and therefore not equipped with air to air missiles.
A year later, Soviet MiG-23MLD’s using R-23’s (NATO: AA-7 "Apex") downed two Iranian Bell AH-1J "Cobras" that had intruded into Afghan airspace. In a similar incident a decade earlier, on 21 June 1978, a PVO MiG-23M flown by Pilot Captain V. Shkinder shot down two Iranian Boeing CH-47 "Chinook" helicopters that had trespassed into Soviet airspace, one helicopter being dispatched by two R-60 missiles and the other by cannon fire.
Libya
Libya received a total of 54 MiG-23MS and MiG-23U’s between 1974 and 1976, followed by a similar number of MiG-23BN’s. Many of these were immediately put into storage, but at least 20 MiG-23MS’s and MiG-23UB’s entered service with the 1023rd Squadron and 1124th Squadron.
At least one Libyan MiG-23MS was shot down by an Egyptian fighter during and immediately after the Libyan-Egyptian War in 1977 while supporting a strike on the airfield at Mersa-Matruh, forcing the remainder MiG’s to abort the mission. In one skirmish in 1979, two LARAF MiG-23MS engaged two EAF MiG-21MF which had been upgraded to carry Western air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9P3 "Sidewinder". The Libyan pilots made the mistake of trying to outmaneuver the more nimble Egyptian MiG-21’s, and one MiG-23MS was shot down by Maj. Sal Mohammad with an AIM-9P3 "Sidewinder" missile, while the other used its superior speed to escape. Two Libyan MiG-23MS fighters were shot down by U.S. Navy Grumman F-14 "Tomcats" in the Gulf of Sidra incident in 1989. On 18 July 1980, the wreckage of an LARAF MiG-23MS was found on the northern side of Mount Sila, in the middle of the Italian province of Calabria. The pilot’s body was found still strapped to his ejection seat, and on his helmet, was the name, Ezedin Koal.
In the 2011 Libyan civil war, Libyan Air Force MiG-23’s have been used to bomb rebel positions. On 15 March 2011, a rebel website reported that opposition forces started using a captured Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" and a helicopter to sink 2 loyalist ships and bomb some tank positions.
On 19 March 2011, a MiG-23BN of the Free Libyan Air Force was shot down over Benghazi by its own air defenses, who mistook it for a loyalist aircraft. The pilot was killed after he ejected too late.
On 26 March 2011, five MiG-23’s together with two Mil Mi-35 helicopters were destroyed by the French Air Force while parked at Misrata airport, early reports misidentified the fixed wing aircraft as G-2 "Galebs".
On 9 April, another rebel Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" was intercepted over Benghazi by NATO aircraft and escorted Back to its base for violating the UN no-fly zone.
Egypt
Egypt became one of the first export customers when in 1974 bought eight MiG-23MS interceptors, eight MiG-23BN strikers and four MIG-23U trainers, concentrating them into a single regiment based at Mersa Matruh. By 1975 all Egyptian MiG-23’s had been withdrawn from active duty and placed in storage.
In 1978 China purchased two MiG-23MS interceptors, two MiG-23BN’s, two MiG-23U’s, ten MiG-21MF’s, and ten AS-5 Kelt air-to-surface missiles (ASM’s) in exchange for spare parts and technical support for the Egyptian fleet of Soviet-supplied MiG-17 "Frescos" and MiG-21 "Fishbeds". The Chinese used the aircraft as the basis for their J-9 project, which never ventured beyond the research phase.
Some time later the remaining six MIG-23MS examples and six MiG-23BN’s, as well as 16 MiG-21MF’s, two Sukhoi Su-20 "Fitters", two MiG-21U’s, two Mil Mi-8 Hips and ten AS-5 ASM’s were purchased for the Foreign Technology Division, a special department of the USAF, responsible for evaluating ’enemy’ technologies. These were exchanged for weapons and spares support, including AIM-9A/P "Sidewinder" missiles, which were installed on remaining Egyptian MiG-21 "Fishbeds".
Gulf War
During the Persian Gulf War, the United States Air Force reported downing eight Iraqi MiG-23’s with McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagles". Some Russian sources claim that a U.S. General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and an Italian "Tornado" were shot down by Iraqi Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" in this war; however the Italian Air Force maintained that the only "Tornado" lost during the war (pilots: Bellini and Cocciolone) was shot down by a ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" AA cannon.
Other claims include the story about an Iraqi pilot named Hassan, flying a Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" having supposedly damaged an General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" with an R-24T missile at 4:30 somewhere south of Balad airbase, and at 5:10 another General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" (tail number 70-2384) being damaged by another R-24T missile fired by a MiG-23 "Flogger". But in a similar fashion to the Italian "Tornado" and Israeli General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" claimed shot down by Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" as the Russians historians affirm, the USAF sustains that while an unidentified General Dynamics F-111F "Aardvark" was indeed damaged near Balad airbase, and F-111F "Aardvark" with tail number 70-2384 also did not return intact, neither damage had anything to do with missile hits: an General Dynamics F-111F "Aardvark" was hit by Iraqi anti-aircraft cannon fire south of the airbase in question, while the General Dynamics F-111F "Aardvark" with tail number 70-2384 suffered a mid-air collision with a Boeing KC-135 "Stratotanker".
An Iraqi Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" was shot down by a USAF General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" using an AMRAAM missile in January 1993, during skirmishes in the No-Fly-Zones.
Ethiopia-Eritrea
The MiG-23’s were used in ground attack missions by Ethiopia in 1999 in a border war with Eritrea from May 1998 to June 2000. Three Ethiopian MiG-23BN’s were claimed shot down by Eritrean MiG-29s.
Soviet and Warsaw Pact Service
Because of its distinctive appearance with large air intakes on both sides of the fuselage the aircraft was nicknamed "Cheburashka" by some Soviet pilots after a popular Russian cartoon character representing a fictional animal with big ears. The nickname did not stick and was later firmly assigned to Antonov An-72/74, although to this day it is sometimes applied to different aircraft with similar exterior features, including the USAF Republic A-10 "Thunderbolt II".
The aircraft was not used in large numbers by the non-Soviet air forces of the Warsaw Pact as originally envisioned. When the MiG-23’s were initially deployed, they were considered the elites of the Eastern Bloc air forces. However, very quickly the disadvantages became evident and the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" did not replace the MiG-21 "Fishbed" as initially intended. The aircraft had some deficiencies that limited its operational serviceability and its hourly operating cost was thus higher than the MiG-21’s. The Eastern Bloc air forces used their MiG-23 "Floggers" to replace MiG-17 "Frescos" and MiG-19 "Farmers" still in service.
By 1990, over 1,500 MiG-23’s of different models were in service with the VVS and the V-PVO. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the new Russian Air Force began to cut Back its fighter force, and it was decided the single-engine MiG-23’s and MiG-27’s were to be retired to operational storage. The last model to serve was the MiG-23P, which was retired in 1998.
When East and West Germany unified, no MiG-23’s were transferred to the West German Air Force, but twelve former East German MiG-23’s were supplied to the U.S. When Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Czechs received all the MiG-23’s, which were retired in 1998. Hungary retired their MiG-23’s in 1996, Poland in 1999, Romania in 2000, and Bulgaria in 2004.
The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" was the Soviet Air Force’s "Top Gun" equivalent aggressor aircraft from the late 1970’s to the late 1980’s. It proved a difficult opponent for early MiG-29 variants flown by inexperienced pilots. Exercises showed when well-flown, a MiG-23MLD could achieve favorable kill ratios against the MiG-29 in mock combat by using hit-and-run tactics and not engaging the MiG-29’s in dogfights. Usually the aggressor MiG-23MLD’s had a shark mouth painted on the nose just aft of the radome, and many were piloted by Soviet-Afghan War veterans. In the late 1980’s, these aggressor MiG-23’s were replaced by MiG-29’s, also featuring shark mouths.
Performance Tests
Many potential enemies of the USSR and its client states have had opportunities to evaluate the MiG-23’s performance. In the 1970’s, after a political realignment by the Egyptian government, Egypt gave MiG-23MS’s to the United States and the People’s Republic of China in exchange for military hardware. In the US, these MiG-23MS’s, and other variants acquired later from Germany, were used as part of a Soviet military hardware evaluation program. Dutch pilot Leon Van Maurer, who had more than 1,200 hours flying General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcons", flew against MiG-23ML’s from air bases in Germany and the U.S. as part of NATO’s aerial mock combat training with Soviet equipment. He concluded the MiG-23ML was superior in the vertical to early General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" variants, just slightly inferior to the General Dynamics F-16A "Fighting Falcon" in the horizontal, and had superior BVR capability.
The Israelis tested a MiG-23MLD flown to them by a Syrian defector, and found it had better acceleration than the General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 "Hornet".
US and Israeli reports also found that the MiG-23’s Head-Up Display (HUD) doubles as a radarscope, allowing the pilot to keep his eyes focused at infinity while operating his radar. This allowed the Soviets to omit the separate radarscope from the MiG-23. This feature was carried over into the MiG-29, though in that aircraft, a cathode ray tube (CRT) is carried on the upper right corner to double as a radarscope. Western opinions about this "head-up radarscope" are mixed. The Israelis were impressed, but an American General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" pilot criticized it as "sticking a transparent map in front of the HUD" and not providing a three-dimensional presentation that would accurately cue a pilot’s eyes to look for a fighter as it appears in a particular direction.
Additionally, a Cuban pilot flew a MiG-23BN to the US in 1991, and a Libyan Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" pilot also defected to Greece in 1981. In both cases, the aircraft were later repatriated.
The early MiG-23M series was also used to test the American Northrop F-5 "Freedom Fighters" captured by the North Vietnamese and sent to the former USSR for evaluation. The Russians acknowledged the Northrop F-5 "Freedom Fighter" was a very agile aircraft, and at some speeds and altitudes better than the MiG-23M, one of the main reasons the MiG-23MLD and MiG-29 developments were started. These tests allowed the Russians to make modifications to several of their fourth-generation aircraft. The MiG-23, however, was not designed to combat Northrop F-5 "Freedom Fighters", a weakness reflected by early Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" variants.
Early Western reports claimed that the aircraft had poor dogfighting capability, due to being designed to out accelerate the General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark". Later analysis showed the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" to be equivalent to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantom II", surpassed only by newer fourth-generation fighters, such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle" and General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon". (The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" is considered a third-generation jet fighter.) The Soviet combat manual for MiG-23MLD pilots claims the MiG-23MLD to have a slight superiority over the McDonnell Douglas F-4 "Phantom II" and "Kfir", but is no match for the McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle" and General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" in most combat parameters. This manual also recommends tactics to be used against these fighters.
Variants 2
First-Generation
Ye-231: ("Flogger-A") was the prototype built for testing, and it lacked the sawtooth leading edge that later appeared on all MiG-23/-27 models. This experimental model was the common basic design that both the MiG-23/-27 and Sukhoi Su-24 were based on, but the Su-24 experienced much greater modification.
MiG-23: ("Flogger-A") was the pre-production model that lacked the hardpoints on later production versions, but the sawtooth leading edge appeared on this model, and it was also armed with guns. This model marked the divergence of the MiG-23/-27 and Su-24 from their common ancestor.
MiG-23S: ("Flogger-A") was the initial production variant. Only around 60 were built between 1969 and 1970. These aircraft were used for both flight and operational testing. The MiG-23S had an improved R-27F2-300 turbojet engine with a maximum thrust of 9980 kp. As the Sapfir-23 radar was delayed, the aircraft were installed with the S-21 weapons control system with the RP-22SM radar’basically the same weapons system as in the MiG-21MF/bis. A 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: ("Flogger-A") was the second pre-production variant, which was also known as the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" Type 1971. It was considerably modified compared to the MiG-23S. It had the full S-23 weapons suite, featuring a Sapfir-23L radar coupled with Vympel R-23R (NATO: AA-7 "Apex") BVR missiles. It also had a further improved R-27F2M-300 (later redesignated Khatchaturov R-29-300) engine with a maximum thrust of 12,000 kp. The modified "type 2" wing had an increased wing area and a larger sawtooth leading edge. The 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. The tail fin was moved further aft, and an extra fuel tank was added to the rear fuselage, as in the two-seat variant. Around 80 examples were manufactured. The overall reliability was increased over the previous variant, but the "Sapfir" radar still proved to be immature.
MiG-23M: ("Flogger-B") This variant first flew on June 1972. It was the first truly mass-produced version of the MiG-23, and the first VVS fighter to feature look-down/shoot-down capabilities (although this capability was initially very limited). The wing was modified again and now featured leading-edge slats. The Tumansky R-29 (R-29A) engine was now rated for 12,500 kp. It finally had the definitive sensor suite: an improved Sapfir-23D (NATO: ’High Lark’) radar, a TP-23 infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor and an ASP-23D gun sight. The "High Lark" 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 utilized the less effective "envelope detection" technique, similar to some radars on Western fighters of the 1960’s.
MiG-23MF: ("Flogger-B") This was an export derivative of the MiG-23M originally 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 the rather primitive MiG-23MS. It actually came in two versions. The first one was sold to Warsaw Pact allies, and it was essentially identical to Soviet MiG-23M, with small changes in "identify friend or foe" (IFF) transponders and communications equipment. The second variant was sold outside Eastern Europe and it had a different IFF and communications suite (usually with the datalink removed), and downgraded radar, which lacked the electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) features and modes of the baseline "High Lark". This variant was more popular abroad than the MiG-23MS and considerable numbers were exported, especially to the Middle East. The infrared system had a detection range of around 30 km against high-flying bombers, but less for fighter-sized targets. The aircraft was also equipped with a Lasur-SMA datalink. The standard armament consisted of two radar or infrared-guided Vympel R-23 (NATO: AA-7 "Apex") BVR missiles and two Molniya R-60 (NATO: AA-8 "Aphid") short-ranged infrared missiles. From 1974 onwards, double pylons were installed for the R-60’s, enabling up to four missiles to be carried. Bombs, rockets and missiles could be carried for ground attack. Later, compatibility for the radio-guided Kh-23 (NATO: AS-7 "Kerry") ground-attack missile was added. Most Soviet MiG’s were also wired to carry tactical nuclear weapons. Some 1300 MiG-23M’s were produced for the VVS and Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO Strany) between 1972 and 1978. It was the most important Soviet fighter type from the mid-to-late 1970’s.
MiG-23U: ("Flogger-C") The MiG-23U was a twin-seat training variant. It was based on the MiG-23’s, but featured a lengthened cockpit with a second crew station behind the first. One forward fuel tank was removed to accommodate an extra seat; this was compensated for by adding a new fuel tank in the rear fuselage. The MiG-23U had the S-21 weapon system, although the radar was later mostly removed. During its production run, both its wings and engine were improved to the MiG-23M standard. Production began at Irkutsk in 1971 and eventually converted to the MiG-23UB.
MiG-23UB: ("Flogger-C") Very similar to MiG-23U except that the Tumansky R-29 turbojet engine replaced the older R-27 installed in the MiG-23U. Production continued until 1985 (for the export variant). A total of 769 examples were built, including conversions from the MiG-23U.
MiG-23MP: ("Flogger-E") Similar to the MiG-23MS, but produced in much fewer numbers and was never exported. Virtually identical to MiG-23MS except the addition of a dielectric head above the pylon, which was often associated with the ground-attack versions’for which it might have been a developmental prototype.
MiG-23MS: ("Flogger-E") This was an export variant, as the 1970’s MiG-23M was considered too advanced to be exported to Third World countries. It was otherwise similar to MiG-23M, but it had the S-21 standard weapon system, with a RP-22SM (NATO: "Jay Bird") radar in a smaller radome, and the IRST was removed. Obviously, this variant had no BVR capability, and the only air-to-air missiles it was capable of using were the R-3S (NATO: AA-2a "Atoll") and R-60 (NATO: AA-8 "Aphid") IR-guided missiles and the R-3R (NATO: AA-2d "Atoll") semi-active radar homing (SARH) missile. The avionics suite was very basic. This variant was produced between 1973 and 1978 and exported principally to North Africa and the Middle East.
Second-Generation
MiG-23P: ("Flogger-G") This was a specialized air-defense interceptor variant developed for the PVO Strany. It had the same airframe and powerplant as the MiG-23ML, but there is a cut-Back fin root fillet instead of the original extended one on other models. Its avionics suite was improved to meet PVO requirements and mission profiles. Its radar was the improved Sapfir-23P, which could be used in conjunction with the gun sight for better look-down/shoot-down capabilities to counter increasing low-level threats like cruise missiles. The IRST, however, was absent. The autopilot included a new digital computer, and it was linked with the Lasur-M datalink. This enabled ground-controlled interception (GCI) ground stations to steer the aircraft towards the target; in such an intercept, all the pilot had to do was control the engine and use the weapons. The MiG-23P was the most numerous PVO interceptor in the 1980’s. Around 500 aircraft were manufactured between 1978 and 1981. The MiG-23P was never exported and served only within the PVO in Soviet service.
MiG-23bis: ("Flogger-G") Similar to the MiG-23P except the IRST was restored and the cumbersome radar scope was eliminated because all of the information it provided could be displayed on the new head-up display (HUD).
MiG-23ML: The early "Flogger" variants were intended to be used in high-speed missile attacks, but it was soon noticed that fighters often 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 the MiG-23ML (L - lightweight), which made it in some ways a new aircraft. Empty weight was reduced by 1250 kg, which was achieved partly by removing a rear fuselage fuel tank. Aerodynamics were refined for less drag. The dorsal fin extension was removed. The lighter weight of the airframe resulted in a different sit on the ground, with the aircraft appearing more level when at rest compared to the nose-high appearance of earlier variants. This has led to a belief that the undercarriage was redesigned for the ML variant, but it is identical to earlier variants. The airframe was now rated for a g-limit of 8.5, compared to 8 g for the early generation MiG-23M/MF "Flogger-B". A new engine model, the R-35F-300, now provided a maximum dry thrust of 8,550 kp, and 13,000 kp with afterburner. This led to a considerable improvement in maneuverability and thrust-to-weight ratio. The avionics set was considerably improved as well. The S-23ML standard included Sapfir-23ML radar and TP-23ML IRST. The new radar was more reliable and a had maximum detection range of about 65 km against a fighter-sized target (25 km in look-down mode). The navigation suite received a new, much improved autopilot. New radio and datalink systems were also installed. The prototype of this variant first flew in 1976 and production began 1978.
MiG-23MLA: ("Flogger-G") The later production variant of the "ML" was redesignated the "MLA". Externally, the "MLA" was identical to "ML". Internally, the ’MLA’ had an improved radar with better ECM resistance, which made co-operative group search operations possible as the radars would now not jam each other. It also had a new ASP-17ML HUD/gun sight, and the capability to fire improved Vympel R-24R/T missiles. Between 1978 and 1982, around 1,100 "ML/MLA"s were built for both the Soviet Air Force and export customers. As with the MiG-23MF, there were two different MiG-23ML sub-variants for export: the first version was sold to Warsaw Pact countries and was very similar to Soviet aircraft. The second variant had downgraded radar and it was sold to Third World allies.
MiG-23MLD: ("Flogger-K") The MiG-23MLD was the ultimate fighter variant of the MiG-23. The main focus of the upgrade was to improve maneuverability, especially during high angles of attack (AoA). The pitot boom was equipped with vortex generators, and the wing’s notched leading edge roots were ’saw-toothed’ to act as vortex generators as well. The flight-control system was modified to improve handling and safety in high-AoA maneuvers. Significant improvements were made in avionics and survivability: the 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. The new and very effective Vympel R-73 (NATO: AA-11 "Archer") short-range air-to-air missile was added to inventory. No new-build "MLD" aircraft were delivered to the VVS, as the 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 and 1985. As with earlier Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" versions, two distinct export variants were offered. Unlike Soviet examples, these were new-build aircraft, though they lacked the aerodynamic refinements of Soviet "MLD"s; 16 examples were delivered to Bulgaria, and 50 to Syria. These were the last single-seat Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" fighters made, and the last example rolled off the production line in December 1984.
Ground-Attack Variants
MiG-23B: ("Flogger-F") The requirement for a new fighter-bomber had become obvious in the late 1960’s, and the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" appeared to be suitable type for such conversion. The first prototype of the project, "32-34", flew for the first time on 20 August 1970. The MiG-23B had a redesigned forward fuselage, but was otherwise similar to the MiG-23’s. The pilot seat was raised to improve visibility, and the windscreen was armored. The nose was flat-bottomed and tapered down. There was no radar; instead it had a PrNK Sokol-23 ground attack sight system, which included an analog computer, a laser rangefinder and the PBK-3 bomb sight. The navigation suite and autopilot were also improved to provide more accurate bombing. It retained the GSh-23L gun, and its maximum warload was increased to 3000 kg by strengthening the pylons. Survivability was improved by an electronic warfare (EW) suite and inert gas system in the fuel tanks to prevent fire. The first prototype had a MiG-23’s type wing, but subsequent examples had the larger "type 2" wing. Most importantly, instead of an R-29 variant, aircraft was powered by the Lyulka AL-21 turbojet with a maximum thrust of 11,500 kp. The production of this variant was limited, however, as the supply of AL-21 engines was needed for the Sukhoi Su-17 and Su-24 production lines. In addition, this engine was not cleared for export. Only three MiG-23B prototypes and 24 production aircraft were produced in 1971-72.
MiG-23BK: ("Flogger-H") These were exported to Warsaw Pact countries’but not to Third World customers’and thus had the PrNK-23 navigation and attack system. Additional radar warning receivers were also mounted on the intakes.
MiG-23BN: ("Flogger-H") Produced since 1973, the MiG-23BN was based on MiG-23B, but had the same R-29-300 engine as contemporary fighter variants. 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. Serial production lasted until 1985, with 624 built. Most of them were exported, as the Soviets always viewed it as an interim type and only a small number served in Frontal Aviation regiments. As usual, a downgraded version was sold to Third World customers. This variant proved to be fairly popular and effective. The most distinctive identifying feature between the MiG-23B and MiG-23BN was that the former had the dielectric head just above the pylon, which was removed from the MiG-23BN. In India, the last MiG-23BN’s were flown by 221 Squadron (Valiants) of Indian Air Force and were decommissioned on 6 March 2009. Wing Commander Tapas Ranjan Sahu, was the last pilot to land the Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" BN on that day.
MiG-23BM: ("Flogger-D") This was a MiG-23BK upgrade, with the PrNK-23M replacing the original PrNK-23, and a digital computer replacing the original analog computer. Introduced into service as MiG-27.
MiG-23BM experimental aircraft: ("Flogger-D") The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" ground-attack versions had too much "fighter heritage" for an attack aircraft, and a new design with more radical changes was developed (later to be re-designated as the MiG-27). The MiG-23BM experimental aircraft served as a predecessor to the MiG-27 and it differs from the standard MiG-23BM and other Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" models in that its dielectric heads were directly on the wing roots, instead of on the pylons.
MiG-27: ("Flogger-D") Introduced in 1975, simplified ground-attack version with simple pitot air intakes, no radar and a simplified engine with two position afterburner nozzle.
Proposed Variants and Upgrades
MiG-23R: The MiG-23R was a proposed reconnaissance variant; the project was never finished.
MiG-23MLGD:, "MLG" and "MLS" were further fighter upgrades with new radar and EW equipment, partly the same as in MiG-29; these variants were also fitted with helmet-mounted sights and were basically MiG-23MLD subvariants. They were abandoned in favor of the then ongoing MiG-29 program.
MiG-23K: The MiG-23K was a carrier-borne fighter variant based on the MiG-23ML.
MiG-23A: The MiG-23A was a multi-role variant based on the "K". However, cancellation and subsequent redesign of the Soviet aircraft carrier project also caused cancellation of the MiG-23A and MiG-23K variants and sub-variants. It was planned to develop the MiG-23A into three different sub-variants:
MiG-23AI: The MiG-23AI was to be a dedicated fighter.
MiG-23AB: The MiG-23AB was to be an attack-dedicated variant.
MiG-23AR: The MiG-23AR was a dedicated reconnaissance variant.
MiG-23MLK: Planned to be powered by either two new R-33 engines or one R-100.
MiG-23MD: Was basically a MiG-23M fitted with a Saphir-23MLA-2.
MiG-23ML-1: Was a variant with several possible powerplant and engine choices; its single-engine options were either one R-100 or one R-69F engine, while its Twin-engine arrangement was two R-33 engines. It was planned to be armed with a new air-to-air missile, the R-146.
MiG-23-98: In the late 1990’s, Mikoyan, following their successful MiG-21 upgrade projects, offered an upgrade which featured new radar, new self-defense suite, new avionics, improved cockpit ergonomics, helmet-mounted sight, and the capability to fire Vympel R-27 (NATO: AA-10 "Alamo") and Vympel R-77 (NATO: AA-12 "Adder") missiles. The projected cost was around US$1 million per aircraft. Smaller upgrades were also offered, which consisted of only improving the existing Sapfir-23 with newer missiles and upgrades of other avionics. Airframe life extension was offered as well.
MiG-23-98-2: An export upgrade including the "Saphir" radar fitted to their MiG-23ML’s; this radar upgrade allows the Angolan MiG-23’s to fire new types of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. This radar upgrade seems to be the same offered as part of the radar upgrade.
MiG-23LL (flying laboratory): MiG-23’s and MiG-25’s were used as the first jet fighter platforms to test a new in-cockpit warning system with a prerecorded female voice to inform pilots about various flight parameters. A female voice was chosen specifically to provide a clear and intuitive distinction between communications from the ground and the messages from internal systems, since ground communications virtually always came in male voice in Soviet service. The idea proved successful for many reasons besides the original one, and was later heavily borrowed by Western aircraft manufacturers, eventually becoming standard in all jet fighters around the world.
Specifications (MiG-23UB "Flogger-C") 3
General Characteristics
Additional Comments
Dimensions
Weights and Loadings
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Additional Note
According to the MiG-23ML manual, the MiG-23ML has a maximum sustained turn rate of 14.1 deg/sec and a maximum instantaneous turn rate of 16.7 deg/sec. The MiG-23ML accelerates from 600 km/h (373 mph) to 900 km/h (559 mph) in just 12 seconds at the altitude of 1000 meters. The Mikoyan MiG-23 "Flogger" accelerates at the altitude of 1 km from the speed of 630 km/h (391 mph) to 1300 km/h (808 mph) in just 30 seconds and at the altitude of 10-12 km will accelerate from Mach 1 to Mach 2 in just 160 seconds.
References