MiG-23U

Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1969 · fighter

The MiG-23U ('Flogger-C') is the two-seat conversion trainer derivative of the MiG-23, with a second raised cockpit for the instructor inserted ahead of the main cockpit.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, variable
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	16.7 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Two-seat dual-control trainer version of the MiG-23 with raised second cockpit
Tandem stepped cockpits under individual canopies
Variable-sweep wing and side intakes retained from single-seater

Two separate raised cockpits under individual canopies instead of the single-seat bubble. Otherwise identical to MiG-23 single-seaters: variable-sweep wing, side intakes, high tail.

Specifications

The MiG-23U has a length of 16.7 m (55 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.97 m (46 ft).
Its maximum speed is 2200 km/h (1367 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The MiG-23's complex variable-sweep wing and powerful R-27F2M-300 engine required careful dual-control introduction. The MiG-23U was developed alongside the early production fighters and entered service around 1970. The rear (instructor) cockpit provides adequate forward visibility over the raised student cockpit. Radar was deleted or simplified in most examples.

Variants

MiG-23U (baseline trainer); MiG-23UB (production-standard trainer with UB suffix used in export documentation).

Where you'll see it

Soviet Air Forces and all major MiG-23 export customers. Typically two or three UBs accompanied each squadron of single-seaters.

Related aircraft

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