Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Aircraft Data
Photo ID 197088 by Marinus Dirk Tabak. Poland Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 8706
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Many of the Mig-21MF's in service have been superseded by the later Mig-21bis, or other Mig variants.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 55224 by Carl Brent. Hungary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9311
Photo ID 149694 by Carl Brent. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 4307
Photo ID 94042 by Roman Mr.MiG. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 8207
Photo ID 14996 by Chris Lofting. Romania Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9807
Photo ID 48971 by Roman Mr.MiG. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9501
Photo ID 96864 by Kostas D. Pantios. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 7801
More photos »