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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Aircraft Data

Photo ID 7564 by Christophe Haentjens. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 5603
Single-engine, light, multi-role, fighter-bomber.

The Soviet Mig-21 'Fishbed' is an iconoclastic stalwart of Cold War military aviation. To this day, the Mig-21 and its numerous variants remain the most widely-produced fighter in history. The 'MF' is a third generation Mig-21, and widely used by the USSR and client states.

The biggest difference between the Mig-21MF and it's predecessor, the Mig-21M, was the fitting of a R-13-300 turbojet and a RP-22 RADAR. The Mig-21M is an export version of the Mig-21SM. The MF's engine and RADAR come from the Mig-21SM. The Mig-21MF was built in Gorky from 1971 to 1974.

Many of the Mig-21MF's in service have been superseded by the later Mig-21bis, or other Mig variants. The Czech Republic gave up their MF's for the Saab Jas-39C 'Gripens' in 2004. Many air arms in developing countries still rely on the Mig-21 for their air support tasks.
  • Country of Origin: USSR
  • First Flight: 2/14/55
  • Initial Service Date: 1959
  • No. Built: 1,200
  • No. In Service: 900 (approx.)
  • No. of Hardpoints: 5
  • Crew: 1

Power:

One Tumansky R-13-300 afterburning turbojet at 63.64 kN

Weapons:

1 x internal GSh-23L 23mm. cannon with 200 rds.
4 x R-3S/R (AA-2 'Atoll') AAM's
2 x UB-32-57, or UB-16-57 unguided rocket pods.
4 x 250/500kg. unguided bombs
4 x R-60/M (AA-8 'Aphid') AAM's

Dimensions:

Length: 12.28 m.
Wing Span: 7.15 m.
Wing Area: 23 m²
Height: 4.12 m.
Empty Weight: 5,350 kg.
Max. Weight: 9,400 kg.
Max. Ordnance Load: 1,300 kg.
Internal Fuel: 2,650 kg.

Performance:

Max. Speed: 2,230 kph
Service Ceiling: 18,200 m.
Normal Range: 1,050 km
Max. Range: 1,800 km

Operators:

[Current MF operators]: Cuba (FAR, 60), Egypt (Air Force, 110), Ethiopia (Air Force, 48), Guinea (FAG, 8), India (IAF, 158), Libya (LARAF, 50), Mali (Air Force, 2), North Korea (KPAAF, 150?), Romania (FAR, 70), Sudan (SAF, 18), Syria (SAF, 135), Uganda (Air Force, 18), Vietnam (VPAAF, 60), Yemen (YAF, 21).

Random great photos of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF:

Photo ID 188705 by Jan Eenling. Hungary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9512
Photo ID 42463 by Chris Lofting. Poland Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9114
Photo ID 49179 by Joop de Groot. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9414
Photo ID 149694 by Carl Brent. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 4307
Photo ID 104023 by Kostas D. Pantios. Bulgaria Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 52
Photo ID 107220 by Chris Albutt. Poland Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 6510