In the 1960’s the Soviet military required a replacement for the MiG-21 that could compete with
the USAF F-14 Tomcat. It had to be very fast, rapid acceleration, carry a larger payload, capable
of a high service ceiling, long range and beyond visual range intercept capabilities. The project
was given to the Mikoyan- Gurevich Design Bureau that produced the Model 23-11 that first flew
on June 10, 1967. Production began in 1969 and eventually completed over 5,000 swing-wing
MiG-23s. A ground-attack variant was also produced, the MiG-27.

The 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron is based at the Tonopah Test Range Airfield, Nevada
and was tasked with training USAF, USN and USMC crews how to better fight Soviet aircraft.
The 4477th pilots would act as aggressors called Bandits flying Soviet built aircraft acquired by
countries friendly to the US. Some of the aircraft used were MiG-17, 21, 23 and the Chinese
Shenyang F-7B. MiG-23MS “Red 49” was used by Major Thomas Drake in 294 sorties and was
the most experienced pilot of the 69 Bandits.

General specifications for the MiG-23 (NATO code name FLOGGER)

Country of Origin – Soviet Union

Manufacturer – Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau

Role – Fighter-Interceptor

Crew – 1 Pilot   (2 X for the MiG-23UB and the MiG-23UM

First Flight – June 10, 1967

Dimensions
Length – 54 ft 8 ins   (16.71 m) including nose probe
Height 15 ft 1 in   (4.82 m)
Wingspan
Fully Swept – 26 ft 7 ins   (7.78 m)
Fully Spread – 45 ft 8 ins   (13.97 m)

Weight
Empty – 22,440 lbs   (10,200 kg)
Maximum Take-Off – 39,160 lbs   (17,800 kg)

Performance
Powerplant – 1 X Soyuz/Tumansky R-35-300 Afterburning Turbojet
Thrust – 28,600 lbs   (13,000 kg)
Maximum Speed – 1,553 mph   (2,500 kmh)
Service Ceiling – 60,680 ft   (18,500 m)
Range – 1,211 miles   (1,950 km)

Armament
1 X GSh-23L 23mm Two-Barrel Cannon w/200 Rounds
Maximum External Weapons Load – 6,600 lbs   (3,000 kg)
Weapons Options
AAMs and ASMs
R-3 (AA-2 Atoll)
R-13R (AA-2-2 Atoll-C)
R-13M (AA-2-2 Atoll-D)
R-23R (AA-7 Apex)
R-23T (AA-7 Apex)
R-24R (AA-7 Apex)
R-24T (AA-7 Apex)
R-60 (AA-8 Aphid)
R-60M (AA-8 Aphid)
Unguided Rockets
S-5
S-8
S-24
Unguided Bombs
FAB-250
FAB-500
OFAB-100 Fragmentation Bombs
Cluster Bombs
ZAB-500 Napalm Bombs
UPK-23 250 Pods with a GSh-23L Cannon

Known variants
MiG-23B, MiG-23BN, MiG-23BK, MiG-23BM, MiG-23BN, MiG-23M, MiG-23MF, MiG-23ML
MiG-23MLA, MiG-23MLD, MiG-23MS, MiG-23P, MiG-23S, MiG-23UB, MiG-23UM,
MiG-24 (export MiG-23)

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.