Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23S "Flogger"
Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1969 · fighter
The MiG-23S was the first series production variant of the Soviet Union's swing-wing MiG-23 Flogger, entering service in 1969 with interim Tumansky R-27 engines pending the definitive powerplant. It established the variable-geometry fighter concept in Soviet tactical aviation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Variable-geometry swing wing with three sweep positions
- Single engine with large rectangular lateral intakes
- Tall single fin with ventral strake; twin spoilers on each wing
Variable-geometry wing is the primary identifier; at minimum sweep the long straight wing and at maximum sweep the highly swept delta-like planform. Large rectangular cheek intakes, single tall fin, and twin ventral fins are consistent features across all variants.
Specifications
- The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23S has a length of 16.8 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.25 m (47 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2445 km/h (1519 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The MiG-23S entered service in limited numbers from 1969 as an interim production variant while the definitive Tumansky R-29 engine was completed. It retained the basic swing-wing configuration of the prototype but with the initial engine and a simpler avionics fit. The MiG-23S was quickly superseded by the MF and ML variants, which became the main production standards exported widely.
Variants
The MiG-23S was followed by the MiG-23M with a more powerful engine, then the MiG-23MF, ML, MLD (the definitive dogfighter), MLA, and several trainer and ground-attack variants designated MiG-23BN and MiG-27.
Where you'll see it
Soviet Air Forces operated the MiG-23S from 1969; it was a short-lived variant quickly replaced by improved models. The MiG-23 family was exported to numerous Warsaw Pact and client states.
Related aircraft
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