Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MF Aircraft Data
Single-seat interceptor, fighter, light-attack aircraft.
The Mig-23 participated in the meme of 60's designs that used variable geometry (swing) wings. Another tradition, held fast in Soviet design, is size. The Mig-23 is the largest single-engine fighter built to date. The 'MF' model is an export derivative of the standard Mig-23M, supplied to VVS and Frontal Aviation units from 1971. Initially, the Mig-23MF was only supplied to Warsaw Pact air forces, but was later sold to India, Syria, and other aligned nations. The Mig-23 has seen combat over Lebanon, Iraq and the Gulf, Ethiopia, the Angolan bush wars with South Africa, and Afghanistan. A reputation for strength and stability usually accompanied the Mig-23 wherever it served.
The Mig-23 participated in the meme of 60's designs that used variable geometry (swing) wings. Another tradition, held fast in Soviet design, is size. The Mig-23 is the largest single-engine fighter built to date. The 'MF' model is an export derivative of the standard Mig-23M, supplied to VVS and Frontal Aviation units from 1971. Initially, the Mig-23MF was only supplied to Warsaw Pact air forces, but was later sold to India, Syria, and other aligned nations. The Mig-23 has seen combat over Lebanon, Iraq and the Gulf, Ethiopia, the Angolan bush wars with South Africa, and Afghanistan. A reputation for strength and stability usually accompanied the Mig-23 wherever it served.
- Country of Origin: USSR
- First Flight: 6/10/67
- Initial Service Date: 1970
- No. Built: 5,047
- No. In Service: 150 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 5
- Crew: 1
Power:
1 x Tumansky R-29B afterburning turbojet at 27,558 lbf
Weapons:
1x GSh-23L 23 mm cannon with 200 rounds
2 x R-23/24 (AA-7) BVR AAM's
2 x R-60 (AA-8) AAM's
2 x Kh-23 (AS-7) AGM's
2 x UV-32-57, UV-16-57 rocket pods
Asst. nuclear weapons
2 x R-23/24 (AA-7) BVR AAM's
2 x R-60 (AA-8) AAM's
2 x Kh-23 (AS-7) AGM's
2 x UV-32-57, UV-16-57 rocket pods
Asst. nuclear weapons
Dimensions:
| Length: | 56 ft. 10 in. |
| Wing Span: | 45 ft. 9 in./25 ft. in. |
| Wing Area: | 91.86 sq.ft |
| Height: | 14.27 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 21,153 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 44,313 lbs |
| Max. Ordnance Load: | 6,610 lbs |
| Internal Fuel: | 10,141 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 1,519 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 60,695 ft. |
| Normal Range: | 496 nm |
| Max. Range: | 1,520 nm |
Operators:
(Mig-23MF): Bulgaria (12), Cuba, Czech Republic (r. 1994), East Germany, Hungary (12, r. 1999), India (40, r. 2007), Poland (36, r. 1999), Romania (36, r. 2003), Ukraine.The Mig-23MF has mostly been replaced by later versions of the Mig-23 or the Mig-29
Random great photos of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MF:
