MiG Ye-2
Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1955 · fighter
The MiG Ye-2 was a Soviet experimental swept-wing jet fighter prototype developed in parallel with the delta-wing Ye-4 to determine the optimal wing planform for a new lightweight supersonic interceptor. It directly informed the development of the MiG-21.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Swept-wing single-engine jet prototype
- Nose air intake
- Precursor to MiG-21 Fishbed
Resembles an early MiG-21 but with a swept rather than delta wing; the nose air intake, area-ruled fuselage, and all-moving tailplane are shared with the eventual production type.
Specifications
- The MiG Ye-2 has a length of 13.2 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.1 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1920 km/h (1193 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Flown in 1955, the Ye-2 used a 55-degree swept wing rather than the delta adopted for production MiG-21s. Comparative testing between the swept and delta configurations led to selection of the delta wing for its superior high-speed handling, but the Ye-2 contributed valuable aerodynamic data.
Variants
The Ye-2A was a further development with a more powerful engine; both were prototype-only aircraft with no production intention.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; the Ye-2 was a pure research and development vehicle that contributed to the lineage of the MiG-21 Fishbed.
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