Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:Mig21.750pix.jpg A MiG-21 Lancer at Farnborough 2002 | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Light interceptor | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| First flight | 14 June 1956 | |
| Entered service | 1959 | |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan-Gurevich and Hindustan Aeronautics | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 15.76 m | 51 ft 8 in |
| Wingspan | 7.15 m | 23 ft 5 in |
| Height | 4.12 m | 13 ft 6 in |
| Wing area | m² | ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 5350 kg | 11,800 lb |
| Loaded | kg | lb |
| Maximum takeoff | 9660 kg | 21,300 lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | One Tumanskii R-25-300 turbojet | |
| Thrust | 7,100 kgf 70 kN |
15,700 lbf |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 2230 km/h | 1385 mph |
| Combat range | 450-500 km | 280-310 mi |
| Ferry range | km | mi |
| Service ceiling | 19,000 m | 62,300 ft |
| Rate of climb | 120 m/s | 23,600 ft/min |
| Wing loading | kg/m² | lb/ft² |
| Thrust/Weight | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | One centreline twin-barrelled GSh-23 23 mm cannon or one single-barrelled NR-30 cannon | |
| Ordnance | 2000 kg (4400 lb) on four underwing hardpoints | |
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (МиГ-21 in Cyrillic script) (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It is the second most produced post-World War II military aircraft, after the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
The first delta-wing prototype (named Ye-4, written also E-4) flew in 14 June 1956, and the production MiG-21 entered service in early 1959.
The MiG-21 saw frequent action in the Vietnam War and was one of the most advanced aircraft at the time. However, many North Vietnamese aces preferred flying the MiG-19, due to the poor wing loading on the MiG-21's. Employing a delta wing configuration, it was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 speed using a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet, and is thus comparable yet superior to the American F-104 Starfighter and French Dassault Mirage III.
It was also used extensively in Middle East conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, by the air forces of Egypt, Syria and Iraq against Israel. The plane was outclassed by the more modern F-15 Eagle (designed primarily to combat the Soviet MiG-25 (Foxbat)), which was acquired by Israel in the 1970s. The Indian Air Force has been one of the largest users of this plane after it was utilized in the 1971 war with good results. It was also used as late as 1999 in the Kargil War with mixed results.
It was used also in early stages of the wars in Afghanistan but soon outclassed by the newer MiG-23 and MiG-27.
Versions
- Ye-2 Faceplate : Swept-wing prototype.
- Ye-4 (I-500) : The first delta wing prototype of the MiG-21.
- Ye-5 Fishbed : Delta wing research prototype.
- Ye-6 : Three pre-production aircraft.
- MiG-21 : The first series of fighters.
- MiG-21F Fishbed -B : Single-seat day fighter aicraft. It was the first production aircraft, with 40 machines being made. The MiG-21F was powered by a Tumansky R-11 turbojet engine, it was armed with two 30-mm NR-30 cannon. Prototype Ye-6T was redesignated MiG-21F.
- Ye-50 : Swept wing research prototype.
- Ye-66 : Single-seat version, built for breaking the world speed record.
- Ye-66A : Built to break the world altitude record.
- Ye-66B :
- Ye-76 :
- MiG-21F-13 Fishbed-C : Single-seat short-range day fighter. The MiG-21F-13 was the first mass production model. The MiG-21F-13 was powered by a Tumansky R-11 turbojet engine, it was armed with two Vympal K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) air-to-air missiles, and one 30-mm NR-30 cannon. The Type 74 is the Indian Air Force designation. The MiG-21F-13 was made in China, and designated Chengdu J-7 or F-7 for export.
- Chengdu J-7I : The first Chinese production model. Like the MiG-21F-13 it was a single-seat short-range day-fighter, powered by a Wopen WP-7 turbojet engine. It was exported to Albania and Tanzania as the F-7A.
- MiG-21FL : Export model of the MiG-21PF. Built under licence in India as the Type 77.
- MiG-21SPS - (East German version)
- MiG-21P Fishbed-D Single-seat limited all-weather interceptor fighter. Armed with air-to-air missiles only. Also called Fishbed-E by Nato.
- MiG-21PF Fishbed-D : Single-seat limited all-weather fighter, equipped with a RP21 Sapfir radar. The Mig-21PF is the second production model. Prototype Ye-7, Type 76 Indian Air Force designation. Also called Fishbed-E by NATO.
- MiG-21PF (SPS) :
- MiG-21PFM Fishbed-F : Single-seat limited all-weather fighter, with upgraded radar and more powerful engine. Improved version of the MiG-21PFS.
- MiG-21PFS Fishbed-F : Single-seat limited all-weather fighter, with upgraded radar and more powerful engine.
- MiG-21 Fishbed-G : Experimental short take-off landing aircraft.
- MiG-21R Fishbed-H : Single-seat tactical reconnaissance version of the MiG-21PFM.
- MiG-21RF Fishbed-J : Single-seat tactical reconnaissance version of the MiG-21MF.
- MiG-21S Fishbed-J : Single-seat interceptor fighter version, equipped with a RP-22 radar and an externnal gun pod. (Incorrectly identified by NATO as MiG-21PFMA); E-8, Type 88 Indian Air Force designation.
- MiG-21SM : Single-seat interceptor fighter version, powered by a Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet engine.
- MiG-21PFV - (North Vietnamese version)
- MiG-21M : Export version powered by a Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine. Built under licence in India as the Type 96.
- MiG-21MF : Export version powered by a Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine.
- MiG-21MF Fishbed-J : Single-seat multi-role fighter version, equipped with a RP-22 radar, powered by a Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet engine.
- Mig-21MT :
- MiG-21SMT Fishbed-K : Single-seat multi-role fighter version, powered by a Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine. With increased fuel and ECM capability. (E-9, block 94 and 96)
- MiG-21bis Fishbed-L : Single-seat multi-role fighter, ground-attack aircraft. The final production model. This version is powered by a Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet engine.
- MiG-21bis Fishbed-N : Single-seat multi-role fighter, and ground-attack aircraft.
- MiG-21U Mongol-A : Two-seat training version of the MiG-21F-13. Type 66 Indian Air Force designation. NATO code name "Mongol"
- MiG-21US Mongol-B : Two-seat training version. Type 68 Indian Air Force designation.
- MiG-21UT : Two-seat trainer.
- MiG-21UM Mongol-B : Two-seat training version of the MiG-21MF. Type 69 Indian Air Force designation.
- JJ-7 : Two-seat training version of the J-7. FT-7 export designation of the JJ-7.
- MiG-21-93 - Upgraded version. (also the Bison)
- MiG-21 Lancer Upgraded version for the Romanian Air Force.
- J-7II : Upgraded version of the J-7. Single-seat limited all-weather fighter, armed with two 30-mm cannon, and powered by the more powerful Wopen WP-7B turbojet engine. It was exported to Egypt and Iraq as the F-7B.
- J-7E : Improved version with more powerful engine.
- J-7MG : Improved version.
- F-7III : Single-seat all-weather fighter, powered by a Wopen WP-13 turbojet engine.
- F-7BS : Export model for Sri Lanka.
- F-7M Airguard : Export model sold to Bangladesh, Iran and Zimbabwe.
- F-7MP : Export model for Pakistan.
- F-7P Skybolt : Export model for Pakistan.
Foreign versions
Between years 1962-1972 the MiG-21F-13 version was manufactured under license by Aero Vodochody, in Czechoslovakia. Aero built a total of 194 planes during this period.
The production of the MiG-21bis under license by Hindustan Aeronautics of India lasted until 1984. Despite a series of crashes during the 1990s, which led to the aircraft acquiring the nickname "flying coffin", the Indian Air Force has decided to upgrade about 128 of the MiG-21bis in its inventory to the MiG-21 Bison standard. These will serve the Indian Air Force till the year 2015.
Chinese copies of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export).
Russia now offers an upgrade pack for the MiG-21 up to MiG-21-93 standard. This includes an avionics suite upgrade including the installation of the Kopyo pulse doppler radar used by the MiG-29, enabling the aircraft to fire a greater range of modern weapons such as the beyond visual range R-77 Vympel air-to-air missile. The upgraded avionics also enhance the aircraft's survivability as well as its ability to engage enemy fighters. Other upgrades include the installation of a dual screen HUD, helmet-mounted target designator, and advanced flight control systems.
Israeli Aircraft Industries manufactures an upgrade package for the MiG-21 called the MiG-21-2000. [1]
A joint venture between Aerostar SA and Elbit has developed the Lancer upgrade package for MiG-21. 102 MiG-21s have been upgraded to MiG-21 Lancer for the Romanian Air Force.
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related development | |
| Similar aircraft | |
| Designation series |
MiG-15 - MiG-17 - MiG-19 - MiG-21 - MiG-23 - MiG-25 - MiG-27 - MiG-29 - MiG-31 |
| Related lists | List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS - List of fighter aircraft |
