Online Encyclopedia
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 | ||
|---|---|---|
 A MiG-21 at Farnborough 2002 |
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| Description | ||
| Role | Light interceptor | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| First Flight | ||
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | MIG MAPO, Russia | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 15.76 m | 51 ft 8.5 in |
| Wingspan | 7.15 m | 23 ft 5 1/2 in |
| Height | 4.12 m | 13 ft 6.2 in |
| Wing area | m² | ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 5350 kg | 11,795 lb |
| Loaded | kg | lb |
| Maximum takeoff | 9661 kg | 21,299 lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | One Tumanskii R-25-300 turbojet | |
| Thrust | 69.58 kN | 15,650 lbf |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 2230 km/h | 1385mph |
| Combat range | 450-500 km | 280-311miles |
| Ferry range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 19,000 m | 62,366 ft |
| Rate of climb | 7200m/min | 23,622 ft/min |
| Wing loading | kg/m² | lb/ft² |
| Thrust/Weight | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | One centreline twin-barrelled GSh-23 23mm cannon | |
| Ordnance | 2000 kg (4409 lb) on four underwing hardpoints | |
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It is the most common post-World War II aircraft, with the exception of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
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 wingload on the MiG-21's wings. 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 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.
It was used also in early stages of the wars in Afghanistan but soon outclassed by the newer MiG-23 and MiG-27.
The first prototype (called Ye-4, writed E-4) flew in 14 June 1956, entering service in 1958.
Versions
- E-4 - first prototype
- MiG-21 - first series of fighters
- MiG-21F (prototype E-6T)
- E-66 - record breaking version
- MiG-21F-13 - exportt version (block 74)
- MiG-21PF (prototype E-7, block 76)
- MiG-21SPS (East German version)
- MiG-21PFM
- MiG-21PFMA (E-8, block 88)
- MiG-21PFV (North Vietnam version)
- MiG-21M (version with R-13 engine)
- MiG-21MF (version with R-13 engine)
- MiG-21STM (E-9, block 94 and 96) (version with R-13 engine)
- MiG-21bis (version with R-25 engine)
- MiG-21U - two seater version (block 66), NATO reporting name "Mongol"
- MiG-21US - two seater version (block 68)
- MiG-21UM - two seater version (block 69)
Foreign versions
Currently MiG-21s in the F/L/bis variants are produced under license by HAL of India. However, following a series of about 250 crashes over the last decade, and acquiring the nickname "flying coffin", the Indian Air Force has announced that the MiG-21 will be phased out of service.
Unlicensed Chinese copies of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export).
Israeli Aircraft Industries manufactures an upgraded model called the MiG-21-2000.
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related Development | |
| Similar Aircraft | |
| Designation Series |
MiG-15 - MiG-17 - MiG-19 - MiG-21 - MiG-23 - MiG-25 - MiG-27 |
| Related Lists | List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS - List of fighter aircraft |
| List of Aircraft | Aircraft Manufacturers | Aircraft Engines | Aircraft Engine Manufacturers Airlines | Air Forces | Aircraft Weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |