MiG-23MF (Germany)

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This page is about the jet fighter MiG-23MF (Germany). For other versions, see MiG-23 (Family).
◊MiG-23MF
mig_23mf_germany.png
GarageImage MiG-23MF (Germany).jpg
ArtImage MiG-23MF (Germany).png
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/d/da/Cockpit_mig_23mf_germany.jpg
◊MiG-23MF
AB RB SB
11.3 11.3 11.3
Show in game
MARKET

Description

Shortly after the introduction of the MiG-23M into Soviet service, a "watered down" variant was conceived for export to foreign customers. The resulting design, the MiG-23MF, came in two flavours, designated Izdelyie 23-11A and 23-11B. The primary difference was that the 23-11A was essentially a MiG-23M with the nuclear delivery systems removed, for export to Warsaw Pact countries, while the 23-11B was even more watered down with a downgraded radar, IFF, autopilot, and GCI controller, specifically for export to third-world and Middle Eastern countries.

The ◊MiG-23MF was introduced during Update "Winged Lions" as a reward for the 2021 Operation W.I.N.T.E.R. event. Being a "toned down" export variant of the initial variants of the Flogger, this plane is pretty much identical to the MiG-23M found in the Soviet tech tree. Being a copy of the MiG-23M means that it retains all advantages and disadvantages of its Soviet brother. The MiG-23MF retains its strong weapons systems and incredible dogfight characteristics thanks to the variable geometry wings, and also retains its abysmal survivability thanks to the comically small amount of countermeasures and outdated RWR system. All in all, this aircraft creates a great learning step between the MiG-21bis-SAU and the MiG-23MLA in the tech tree. Players who don't have this event vehicle are not missing out on much, as not only does the Soviet tech tree get a copy available in their tree as the MiG-23M, but the German tree itself has a far better upgraded variant in the tech tree available, the MiG-23MLA.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Drogue parachute
Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway
Max speed
at 13 000 m2 358 km/h
Turn time35 s
Max altitude16 000 m
EngineTumansky R-29-300
Type
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight20 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 13,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 2,339 2,329 16000 35.6 35.6 147.4 140.4 750
Upgraded 2,380 2,358 34.5 35.0 194.4 170.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
1470 630 N/A 508 473 ~12 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 665 < 650 < 700 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-29-300 1 11,155 kg 395 - 445 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 10m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 35m fuel
1,780 kg Afterburning axial-flow turbojet 12,367 kg 13,462 kg 14,615 kg 15,195 kg 18,400 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition 100% WEP 10m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 35m fuel MTOW
Stationary 7,950 kgf 10,494 kgf 0.85 0.78 0.72 0.69 0.57
Optimal 8,268 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
12,987 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
1.05 0.96 0.89 0.85 0.71

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff
Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar
Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear630 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 738 → 3 981 Sl icon.png
RB8 039 → 11 688 Sl icon.png
SB8 211 → 11 938 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications273 500 Rp icon.png
430 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training240 000 Sl icon.png
Experts830 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 000 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 140 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 310 / 600 % Sl icon.png
238 / 238 / 238 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
600 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
600 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
ns23_belt_pack
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
UB-16
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
R-3S
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
OFAB-100
Research:
7 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
UB-32
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
R-13M
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-250
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
ns23_new_gun
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
S-24
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
R-60MK
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-500
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-500
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
470 Ge icon.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
ZB-500
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
600 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
600 Ge icon.png
Mods agm missile.png
Kh-23M
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
600 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
R-23R
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
600 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow right 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
R-23T

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs)
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png

Offensive armament

Main article: GSh-23L (23 mm)

The MiG-23MF (Germany) is armed with:

  • 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)

Suspended armament

The MiG-23MF (Germany) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5
Hardpoints MiG-23MLA (Germany).png
100 kg OFAB-100 bombs 4 4 4 4
250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs 1 1 1 1
500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs 1 1
ZB-500 incendiary bombs 1 1
S-5K rockets 16, 32 16 16 16, 32
S-24B rockets 1 1 1 1
Kh-23M missiles 1* 1*
R-3S missiles 1 1 1 1
R-13M1 missiles 1 1 1 1
R-23R missiles 1 1
R-23T missiles 1 1
R-60MK missiles 1 2 2 1
Large calibre countermeasures 12
Delta-NG targeting pod 1*
820 l drop tanks 1
* It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
R-23R and R-23T missiles cannot be mixed, only one type may be carried across hardpoints
The drop tank cannot be equipped in conjunction with quad bombs on adjacent hardpoints
Default weapon presets
  • 1 x 820 l drop tank
  • 12 x large calibre countermeasures
  • 2 x R-60MK missiles
  • 4 x R-13M1 missiles
  • 4 x R-3S missiles
  • 6 x R-60MK missiles
  • 2 x R-23R missiles
  • 2 x R-23T missiles
  • 64 x S-5K rockets
  • 64 x S-5K rockets
  • 4 x S-24B rockets
  • 2 x Kh-23M missiles
  • 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
  • 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
  • 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs

Usage in battles

Air battles

Low altitude, high speed, side of the map. Try to get as much speed as possible maintaining a very low altitude and go to the right if you want a more head-on engagement or to the left if you want a side/back of the enemy attack position (in a majority of maps players go to their left). Better used with a squadron, the MiG-23MF can eliminate several enemy aircraft if played right with 3 teammates and using the all-aspect IR-guided R-23T missile.

High altitude, high speed, together with your team, BVR. Fly along with your team, maintain a high altitude until all enemy aircraft are below you, then make surprise attacks on enemies that are busy, normally use the R-23R to destroy the high-altitude F-4s or F-104s with BVR missiles.

No matter which tactic you choose, it is recommended to engage your enemy from their front hemisphere, since you can carry all-aspect IR missiles. This way it leaves your enemy less time to react and dodge the missiles. Also, since both the R-60Ms and the R-23Ts have a relatively wide FOV, it is recommended to lock the enemy using your IRST before engaging the missile lock to slave the missile, and better utilise their wide FOV. Only use the R-60Ms at close range, around 1.5 km (~1 mile). They perform best under such range, and it also gives your enemy less reaction time to release the countermeasures, since R-60Ms are easily tricked by flares.

When in a 1-vs-1 situation, try to use your great low-speed performance to trick the enemy into low speeds, especially when against Phantoms. When your speed drops below 400 km/h (~250 mph), manually control the wing to the most frontal position to improve your manoeuvrability.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Relatively high cruising and top speeds
  • Extremely good climb rate
  • Manoeuvres better than most of its opponents (such as the Phantoms and other MiG-23s/27s)
  • Excellent air-to-air payload, having a wide array of missiles for almost all situations
  • Decent air-to-ground payload available
  • Large calibre countermeasures are very effective, one to two salvos will be required to evade any missile
  • Stock payload includes 2 R-13M1 AAMs
  • Can use its radar ballistic computer to hit targets with the cannon beyond the aim assist range (770 m)
  • CCIP for rockets allows to deliver quick and very accurate rocket bursts at designated targets, especially in mixed battles

Cons:

  • Underwhelming instantaneous turn rate, cannot pull some extreme manoeuvres easily
  • Somewhat prone to stalling, especially after getting hit in one of the wings
  • Loses quite a lot of speed in turns
  • Bleeds a large amount of energy with its wings swept
  • Relatively low countermeasures count (12)
  • Low ammunition count and low muzzle velocity for the GSh-23L cannon
  • Negative-G manoeuvres at high speeds could cause a wing rip, even for a few seconds

History

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 was a Soviet supersonic fighter aircraft developed in the 1960s. It was designed to replace the MiG-21, and was the first Soviet aircraft to feature variable sweep wings, which allowed it to operate at both high and low speeds. The MiG-23 was developed in multiple variants, with the MiG-23MF being one of the most successful and widely used.

The MiG-23M, also known as the Flogger-B, and its export derivative MiG-23MF were upgraded variants of the original MiG-23. They were powered by a more powerful R-29-300 engine and equipped with a better fire control system. The aircraft was armed with a GSh-23L twin-barrel 23 mm cannon and a variety of air-to-air missiles, including the R-60 and R-23.

The MiG-23MF had several notable production issues. The aircraft had a short service life due to the high stresses placed on its airframe by its powerful engine and variable sweep wings. The aircraft's maintenance requirements were also high, as its complex systems and avionics required frequent servicing.

Media

Videos
Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
Related development
Other jet planes with variable sweep wings

External links


Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (Микоя́н и Гуре́вич Опытное конструкторское бюро)
Fighters  MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34
  I-225
Jet fighters  MiG-9 · MiG-9 (l)
  MiG-15 · MiG-15bis · MiG-15bis ISh
  MiG-17
  MiG-19PT
  MiG-21F-13 · MiG-21PFM · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-21SMT · MiG-21bis
  MiG-23M · MiG-23ML · MiG-23MLD
  MiG-27M · MiG-27K
  MiG-29 · MiG-29SMT
Export/Licensed  ␗MiG-9 · ␗MiG-9 (l)
  ◊MiG-15bis · ◔MiG-15bis · J-2*
  MiG-17AS · ◔MiG-17PF · J-4* · Shenyang F-5*
  ◊MiG-19S · J-6A*
  ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◊MiG-21MF · ◔MiG-21MF · ▄MiG-21bis · ◔MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M" · ▄MiG-21 Bison · J-7II**
  ◊MiG-23BN · ◊MiG-23MF · ◔MiG-23MF · ◊MiG-23MLA
  ◔MiG-29 · ◊MiG-29 · ◄MiG-29G
  *Licensed and domesticated with Chinese designations.
  **Unlicensed, reverse-engineered and domesticated with Chinese designations.
See Also  Shenyang · Chengdu

Germany jet aircraft
Germany flag.png  Luftwaffe
He 162  He 162 A-1 · He 162 A-2
Me 163  Me 163 B · Me 163 B-0
Ho 229  Ho 229 V3
Ar 234  Ar 234 B-2 · Ar 234 C-3
Me 262  Me 262 A-1a · Me 262 A-1a/Jabo · Me 262 A-1a/U1 · Me 262 A-1/U4 · Me 262 A-2a
  Me 262 C-1a · Me 262 C-2b
GDR flag.png  LSK
Fighters  ◊MiG-15bis · ◊Lim-5P · ◊MiG-19S
  ◊MiG-21MF · ◊MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M"
  ◊MiG-29
Attackers  ◊MiG-23BN · ◊MiG-23MF · ◊MiG-23MLA
  ◊Su-22UM3K · ◊Su-22M4
  ◊IL-28
FRG flag.png  Luftwaffe
F-84  ◄F-84F
F-86  ◄CL-13A Mk 5 · ◄CL-13B Mk.6 · ◄F-86K
F-104  ◄F-104G
F-4  ◄F-4F Early · ◄F-4F · ◄F-4F KWS LV
G.91  ◄G.91 R/3 · ◄G.91 R/4
Tornado  ◄Tornado IDS WTD61 · ◄Tornado IDS MFG · ◄Tornado IDS ASSTA1
Other  Alpha Jet A · ◄Sea Hawk Mk.100
Ex-LSK  ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◄MiG-29G
Switzerland flag.png  Swiss Air Force
  ◌Hunter F.58 · FFA P-16

Winter events
2022  Winter Quest
Pilot stars  Late 298D · ◄Tornado IDS MFG
Tanker stars  T-80UM2
Sailor stars  USS Newport News
2021  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  C. 202D · ◊MiG-23MF
Tanker stars  A.C.I · AGS
Sailor stars  IJN Hayanami · MPK Pr.201K
2020  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  Ro.57 Quadriarma · MiG-21PFM
Tanker stars  E.B.R. (1954) · Class 3 (P)
Sailor stars  Type K-8 No.13 · USS Baltimore
2019  Operation F.R.O.S.T.
Pilot stars  TIS MA · J6K1
Tanker stars  QF 3.7 Ram · ▃Merkava Mk.2B
Sailor stars  PT-811 · Jaguar
2018  Festive Quest
Pilot stars  M.B.152C1 · Fw 190 C
Tanker stars  SU-85A · T30
Christmas Lights  P-43A-1 · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
2017  Festive Quest
Pilot christmas toys  P-40C · NC.900
Tanker christmas toys  AEC Mk II · Ersatz M10
Christmas Lights  Fw 189 A-1 · KV-2 (1940)
2016  Winter Holiday
Pilot stages  Ki-21-I hei · Me 262 A-2a
Tanker stages  ▃LVT(A)(4) (ZIS-2) · ▂Type 62
2015  War Thunder Fulfills Your Wishes!
Pilot reward  ▂P-63C-5
Tanker reward  VK 45.01 (P)
2014  Holiday War Thunder Marathon!
Pilot reward  I-301
Tanker reward  M8A1 GMC