Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (NATO reporting name: Flogger) is a Soviet single-seat, single-engine, variable-sweep wings, supersonic fighter and fighter-bomber. It first flew on June 10, 1967, entering service in 1970, intended to replace the MiG-21. Hard to fly, limited operational serviceability and high operating costs, it did not replace the MiG-21 as intended. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Air Force placed all MiG-23s and MiG-27s into storage, it remains in service with export customers. The most significate models were the -S series: the first production models; the improved -M series: first massed produced variant. Downgraded export versions were the -MS and -MF. The -U series a two-seat trainer and the -B series a ground-attack aircraft.

Airframe construction is of metal, mainly aluminium, a semi-monocoque fuselage with the engine air intake located on each side of the fuselage under the wing gloves. Wings are cantilevered, shoulder-mounted with variable-sweep. The conventional tail has a single cantilevered fin with all-moving tail-planes. The undercarriage is a retractable tricycle type.

Powered by a single Khatchaturov R-35-300 afterburning turbojet engine mounted internally in the rear fuselage, the MiG-23 has a  maximum speed of 2,200 km/h (1,788.8 mph), a service ceiling of  18,500 m (60,695 ft) and range of 1,150 km (710 mi).

Armament consists of a single 23mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L twin-barrel 23mm cannon in a GP-9 gun pod under the fuselage. With six external hardpoints able to carry up to 3000kg (6,610lbs) of payload; four under the fuselage, one under each wing glove. Double pylons became available in 1974, enabling two missiles per station.  Ordnance includes air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-shipping, decoy and cruise missiles, unguided bombs, rockets.