Mikoyan-Gurevich I-320

Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) · Soviet Union · first flew 1949 · fighter

The Mikoyan-Gurevich I-320 was a Soviet twin-engine all-weather interceptor prototype of the late 1940s, developed to provide the VVS with a night and bad-weather fighter capability. It competed against the Lavochkin La-200 for a production contract.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsMid-mounted, swept
E — Engines2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage15.78 m fuselage
T — TailConventional

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A two-seat swept-wing jet fighter with a distinctive large radar nose radome; two engines fed by a single nose intake (or side inlets in later versions) and a tandem cockpit distinguish it from contemporary single-seat Soviet jets.

Specifications

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

History

First flown in April 1949, the I-320 underwent extensive evaluation against the La-200. Three prototypes were built with progressively improved radar and armament. The competition was ultimately inconclusive and the Soviet Union adopted the Yak-25 for the all-weather interceptor role instead, leaving neither the I-320 nor La-200 in production.

Variants

Three prototypes — R-1, R-2, R-3 — were built with different radar and equipment fits.

Where you'll see it

The I-320 did not enter operational VVS service.

Related aircraft

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