MiG-23ML

This page is about the premium Soviet jet fighter MiG-23ML. For other versions, see MiG-23 (Family).

MiG-23ML

MiG-23ML

USSR

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.7	11.7	11.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Fighter

Jet fighter

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Description

The first generation MiG-23M (and its export variant, the MF) had a lot of shortcomings as was expected from a completely new and unique aircraft design. Over time, the most severe issues were addressed, and a complete rework of the MiG-23 airframe was conducted in the early 1970s. The airframe was completely redesigned in a way that trimmed down the drag and weight, by removing the No.4 fuel tank in the fuselage, cropping the dorsal fin extension, and redesigning the landing gear and wing-sweep mechanisms to be not only lighter, but more robust and reliable, the MiG-23ML (with L standing for "Lyogiky", i.e "Lightweight"). These upgrades were then mated with two other major changes to the MiG-23 airframe. The first being the new Tumansky R-25F-300 engine, increasing the thrust of the aircraft noticably. The other difference, was a complete overhaul of the flight and fire control systems to modern standards, chief of which was the new Sapphire-23ML radar and TP-23M IRST, the latter of which was rated at up to twice the range of its predecessor. The new systems allowed the aircraft to greatly increase its defensive and offensive capabilities, through the ability to use BDS-50-60 countermeasure dispensers and the new R-24 missile, in addition to a few upgrades to the CAS ordnance of the aircraft, namely the ability to use the UPK-23 gunpods.

The MiG-23ML is a pack premium introduced in Update "Apex Predators". It is functionally identical to the MiG-23MLA found in the German tree, and is slightly different from the MiG-23MLD. Just like those two aircraft, the MiG-23ML is a very capable and versatile plane, with a powerful engine and a diverse arsenal of weaponry to choose from. The RP-23ML radar is strong for its battle rating, which coupled with the R-24R and R-24T missiles, provides a very lethal combination for engaging enemy aircraft at BVR.

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 time33 s

Max altitude16 000 m

EngineTumansky R-35-300

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight20 t

The MiG-23ML has superior flight performance with its powerful engine and variable-geometry wing design which allows for faster turning on demand. With over 10,000 kgf of thrust, its thrust-to-weight ratio rivals that of even the F-104S. While the plane lacks the leading-edge slats of the MiG-23MLD, this gives it an energy retention advantage in sustained dogfights.

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	2,346	2,342	16000	33.6	33.9	196.1	190.6	750
Upgraded	2,371	2,358		32.4	33.0	246.1	220.0

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	+	-
Min sweep	892	630	N/A	508	473	~10	~4
Max sweep	1,470		N/A	N/A	N/A	~11	~4

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-35-300		1	10,705 kg		374 - 422 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Gross Weight
Weight (each)	Type		9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	31m fuel
1,760 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		11,815 kg	13,020 kg	14,178 kg	14,405 kg	16,086 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	31m fuel	MGW
Stationary	7,103 kgf	10,305 kgf	0.87	0.79	0.73	0.72	0.64
Optimal	8,368 kgf (1,400 km/h)	15,787 kgf (1,400 km/h)	1.34	1.21	1.11	1.10	0.98

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

The MiG-23ML has no armour protection. It is a somewhat large plane, so it can survive low caliber bullets as well as a few higher caliber ones if lucky. The plane is equipped with 72 large-caliber countermeasures; with optimal flaring tactics, one can survive several missiles launched at them. As you have only one engine, your performance will be severely impaired if it is damaged. You will be out of the fight if the engine is destroyed. Fuel tanks are located on the wings, in the centre of the plane, and above the engine. All fuel tanks are self-sealing. While the engine is equipped with a fire suppression system, using it will disable the engine. Only use it if you have enough speed and distance to return to your airfield.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB2 052

RB6 124

SB6 119

Crew training10 000

Experts1 770 000

Aces3 400

Research Aces2 560 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 100 / 320 / 600 %

2 × 250 / 250 / 250 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor New boosters Wings repair Engine	Fuselage repair Airframe G-suit Cover EFS	ns23_belt_pack UB-32 R-13M Flares/Chaff FAB-250 ns23_new_gun B-8M1 R-60M FAB-500 FAB-500 Gun pod UPK-23-250 S-24 R-23R R-23T ZB-500 Kh-23M R-24R R-24T

As a premium vehicle, the MiG-23ML comes with all modifications unlocked. All premium vehicles are equipped with a talisman, which doubles RP and SL rewards.

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The MiG-23ML is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

The MiG-23ML can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5
23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)	1				1
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-8KO rockets	20				20
S-24B rockets	1	1		1	1
Kh-23M missiles	1*				1*
R-13M1 missiles	1	1		1	1
R-23R missiles	1‡				1‡
R-23T missiles	1†				1†
R-24R missiles	1†‡				1†‡
R-24T missiles	1†‡				1†‡
R-60M missiles	1	2		2	1
Large calibre countermeasures			12
Delta-NG targeting pod		1*
800 l drop tanks			1¶
* It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles † R-24R missiles cannot be equipped together with R-23T or R-24T missiles ‡ R-24T missiles cannot be equipped together with R-23R or R-24R missiles ¶ The drop tank cannot be equipped in conjunction with quad bombs on adjacent hardpoints

Default weapon presets

1 x 800 l drop tank 12 x large calibre countermeasures 4 x R-13M1 missiles 6 x R-60M missiles 4 x R-60M missiles + 2 x R-23T missiles 4 x R-60M missiles + 2 x R-23R missiles 4 x R-60M missiles + 2 x R-24R missiles 4 x R-60M missiles + 2 x R-24T missiles 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total) 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 4 x R-60M missiles (800 kg total) 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total) 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60M missiles (500 kg total) 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total) 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs 4 x R-60M missiles + 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total) 64 x S-5K rockets 40 x S-8KO rockets 4 x S-24B rockets 2 x Kh-23M missiles 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

Usage in battles

The MiG-23ML is very versatile and has usefulness in nearly every combat situation. In air battles, the MiG-23ML can carry six short-range air-to-air missiles, or four of them with two medium-range air-to-air missiles. The best air-to-air missiles for the plane are the R-60 and R-24. While the R-13 and R-23 can be useful, they are inferior to their counterparts in every way. One interesting trait of the MiG-23ML is that the IRST used with the R-23T or R-24T can wipe out unsuspecting enemies, especially towards the beginning of the match. The R-60s, while excellent at turning, have a shorter range than similar short-range missiles. The plane has very good energy retention and has some of the best flight performance out of any plane at its BR.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent variety of armaments to choose from
• Excellent flight performance and versatility
• Adequate dogfighting ability with variable-geometry wings
• A useful radar and an IRST mode
• Large-calibre countermeasures

Cons:

• Limited internal cannon ammunition (~3.5 seconds of firing time before depletion)
• Large engine limits survivability from successful hits

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the MiG-23ML from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

MiG-23ML Ultimate Guide - Bob Dickinson

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.

External links

• [Shop] Pre-order: new rank VII Premium jet fighters (part 2)