An adept interceptor with fighter capabilities a level above those featured in the MiG-21 preceding it, especially range, the MiG-23 was nicknamed the "Flogger" by NATO for it could easily engage (and down) the best fighters the west had to offer. Like many Soviet fighters, it was developed in a multitude of variants, some of which still serve today. MiG-23s also belong to the elite club of aircraft that have seen continuous combat, and "Floggers" have preyed on MiG-21s, Mirage F1s, Northrop F-5s, F-4 Phantoms, and even several of Iran's fabled F-14 Tomcats (Floggers saw much less success against American F-14s) in the middle eastern theatre. The one time muscle of the entire Soviet Air Defence (SAD) command, the MiG-23 is slowly being phased out of service but still remains in service with many air forces lacking the funds for modern fighters. Several upgrade programmes were offered to remedy this and certain countries may keep their examples in service up until 2015.
While the MiG-21 had performed dutifully for the USSR since 1960, by the 1970s it was no longer a new fighter due to rising maintenance costs and sophisticated Western examples, a replacement was sought. It materialized in the form of the Ye-23-11 prototype, the first Soviet aircraft with a variable geometry wing ("swing wing"). By increasing the degree of the sweep, this aircraft could gain the supreme low-altitude performance and manoeuvrability of a swept wing fighter, and by keeping the wings close to the aircraft, it could adopt the high-altitude performance of a delta wing. However, unlike many other variable-geometry-wing aircraft, the wings could only be extended to one of three preset angles. The wings could remain fully-extended (swept), half-extended (prefferable for low-speed manoeuvres at most altitudes) or unextended (resembling the look and performance of a delta-style wing). The Ye-23-11 also promised STOL performance, which allowed it to operate from relatively shorter runways than its contemporaries. The Ye-23-11 prototype secured its fate as the future MiG-23 by performing admirably during its maiden flight in 1967.
The initial production aircraft were designated the MiG-23S by the USSR and the "Flogger-A" by NATO, but failed to serve in large numbers. An upgraded MiG-23MS variant was developed soon after and similarly designated the "Flogger-A" by NATO, but barely reached squadron service and was quickly replaced with much-improved subsequent variants. Each utilized the Tumansky R27-300 engine originally installed in the prototype Ye-23-11. The MiG-23M "Flogger-B" variant was the most successful of the early Floggers, and possessed the "look-down-shoot-down" capabilities later used in the MiG-29, a system which allowed for the pilot to designate targets by gazing in their direction. A pulse-doppler radar allowing it to track fast-moving targets and infrared systems made it a very potent interceptor, and it served purely in the USSR. It also introduced the Tumansky R-29 engine. Two export derivatives of the MiG-23M were created, the MiG-23MF (also known as the "Flogger-B) and the MS ("Flogger-E"), the former of which possessed more technological similarities with the MiG-23M and was thus more potent, while the latter (MiG-23MS) would go on to serve in developing countries. A scarcely-produced lesser known MiG-23MP (also known as "Flogger-E") was developed, with the same characteristics as the MiG-23MS but not meant for export. In typical Soviet style, the most advanced fighter designs were kept for service inside the USSR's borders (or for service within the borders of powerful satellite states), while downgraded variants would be developed for other customers. The need for a training variant soon became apparent as Floggers served with the Soviet Union in constantly increasing numbers and the MiG-23U "Flogger-C" was developed with tandem seating. A more potent version of the "Flogger-C" was developed, the MiG-23UB, which in addition to being fully ground-attack capable possessed the top-of-the-line Tumansky R-29 turbojet of the "Flogger-B".
The first and definitive model of the later MiG-23s was the MiG-23P "Flogger-G". Although not superior to latter models in terms of performance and technology, many Floggers were upgraded to this standard before the type was slowly phased out of service. A 7-part upward-hinged glass canopy covered the cockpit, restricting the pilots line-of-sight but still offering the unobstructed forward view required by an interceptor. Although the aircraft lacked the modernised cockpits and fly-by-wire technology that would put it at a disadvantage with newer Western types, the MiG-23P was still quite advanced from a technological viewpoint. An HUD, as well as the "look-down, shoot-down" capability, allowed the pilot to keep his eyes forwards, although the cockpit was dominated by dials and instruments. KM-1 ejection seats and electronic countermeasures were standard on the MiG-23P, although the latter later proved (quite unintentionally) a nuisance, as "Flogger-Gs" had a problematic tendency to jam each other. This was remedied on a later upgrade. The pulse-doppler radar standard on all interceptor models of the MiG-23 was also present on the MiG-23P.
The "Flogger-G" retained the variable-geometry wings, side-mounted intakes and basic airframe design of its predecessors, the only significant aesthetic change being the shortened fin-root fillet. As an interceptor and a weapons system, the MiG-23P was incredibly potent, due to its decent range, high speed, and moderately-reliable weapons. Missile options ranged from standard AA-2 "Atolls" and AA-8 "Aphids" to AA-2-2 radar guided and long-ranged AA-7 "Apex" Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs). Twin GSh-23L cannons were the standard fixed armament of the MiG-23P.
Following the MiG-23P was the MiG-23ML/MLA model, with a new powerplant and radar corrections among the upgrades. The ultimate MiG-23MLD "Flogger-K" possessed more advanced missile options and upgraded avionics. MiG-23s have seen a considerable amount of combat, especially those in service in the middle-east. Israeli F-15s and other advanced fighters proved more than a match for MiG-23s during the invasion of Lebanon, as did American F-14s engaged by a pair of Libyan Floggers, an incident which would later help to inspire the classic film "Top Gun". Soviet MiG-23s saw combat, but mainly against targets crossing Soviet borders. The MiG-23 would later inspire the MiG-27 daytime attack aircraft, which mainly served with the USSR and India.
Written by: Pace51