MiG-23B
Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1970 · fighter
The MiG-23B ('Flogger-F') is the first dedicated ground-attack variant of the MiG-23, with a completely new forward fuselage featuring a drooped nose and repositioned cockpit for low-level attack operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, variable |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Redesigned forward fuselage compared to the interceptor MiG-23M |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Prototype/initial Soviet ground-attack Flogger with drooped nose and lowered cockpit
- Redesigned forward fuselage compared to the interceptor MiG-23M
- Variable-sweep wing; Al-21F-3 turbojet replacing the standard Tumansky engine
Drooped nose with lower cockpit identical in concept to MiG-23BN but with slightly different engine nozzle and intake details due to the AL-21F-3. Variable-sweep wing with multi-pylon stations.
Specifications
- The MiG-23B has a length of 16.72 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.97 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1350 km/h (839 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Soviet frontal aviation required a supersonic strike aircraft as a successor to the Su-7. Rather than develop an entirely new type, Mikoyan grafted a new forward fuselage onto the MiG-23 airframe, fitting the powerful Lyulka AL-21F-3 engine used in the Su-17 for commonality. The MiG-23B served briefly in Soviet VVS service before the MiG-23BN and MiG-27 took over. Only a small number were built.
Variants
MiG-23B (Soviet service only, small batch), MiG-23BN (export derivative with Tumansky engine), MiG-27 (fully optimised attack derivative).
Where you'll see it
Soviet Air Force frontal aviation in limited numbers during the mid-1970s. Not exported in this form. Rapidly superseded by the MiG-23BN and MiG-27.
Related aircraft
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