What generation is MiG-23?
third-generation
It is a third-generation jet fighter, alongside similar Soviet aircraft such as the Su-17 “Fitter”. It was the first Soviet fighter to field a look-down/shoot-down radar, the RP-23 Sapfir, and one of the first to be armed with beyond-visual-range missiles.
What year did the MiG-23 enter service?
1971
The prototype first flew in April 1967 and MiG-23s began entering operational service in 1971. The aircraft is in widespread use in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
When did the MiG 23 MLD come out?
The first flight of the MiG-23 came in June 1967 and the aircraft went into service with the Soviet Air Force by 1970….Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD Flogger-K.
| Wingspan | 45 ft 10 in. |
|---|---|
| Height | 15 ft 9.75 in. |
| Weight | 34,612 lbs (loaded) |
| Maximum Speed | 1,553 MPH |
| Service Ceiling | 60,695 ft |
Is the MiG 27 still in service?
The first batch of MiG-27MLs were retired in December 2017. While the final batch was retired from service on 27 December 2019.
When did the MiG-23 come out?
The MiG-23 was introduced in 1970 and began entering service in 1971,being made ready in quantity by 1973. The utilitarian appearance of the MiG-23 can work well in fooling the casual observer to quickly writing off the MiG-23 as “just another Cold War workman-like Soviet design”.
What happened to the Soviet MiG 23s in Vietnam?
MiG-23s of the Soviet Air Force were transferred to the Soviet Navy on two separate occasions. In 1984 a full regiment of MiG-23s was deployed to Vietnam to escort naval patrols by Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft. This later became the 169th Guards Composite Air Regiment.
What was the last MiG-23 to be retired?
The last model to serve was the MiG-23P air defense variant and it was retired on 1 May 1998. When East and West Germany unified, no MiG-23s were transferred to the German Air Force, but twelve former East German MiG-23s were supplied to the US.
How many MiG-23s did Iraq lose in the Gulf War?
During the Gulf War, the United States Air Force reported downing eight Iraqi MiG-23s with F-15s. Iraqi documents confirm the total destruction of 43 MiG-23s from all causes, with another 10 damaged and 12 others fleeing to Iran. This left Iraq with just 63 MiG-23s after the war, including 18 MiG-23BNs and 12 trainers.