MiG-27K

This page is about the Soviet jet fighter MiG-27K. For the other MiG-27, see MiG-27M.

MiG-27K

MiG-27M

Su-24M

MiG-27K

MiG-27M

Su-24M

USSR

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.3	11.3	11.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:175 000

Purchase:950 000

Show in game

Description

Following the introduction of the MiG-27 into the Soviet Air Force in the mid 1970s, a major upgrade program was initiated by Mikoyan OKB to overhaul the MiG-27's capabilities. This program included the addition of the powerful Kayra-23 laser-optical sight and targeting system, permitting the aircraft to use laser and TV-guided ordnance, along with many upgrades to the avionics and airframe. In the end, this heavily upgraded variant entered service as the MiG-27K, with a large order for the Soviet Air Force. However, due to lack of funding and the high costs, the Soviet Air Force would cut their MiG-27K order in half, and instead order the other half to be a cheaper variant. Mikoyan OKB would then develop the MiG-27M as the "cheaper" upgraded variant.

The MiG-27K, introduced in Update "Winged Lions", is the epitome of single seat Soviet swing-wing ground attack aircraft. Combining major upgrades in avionics, ordnance, and targeting systems into one of the most lethal CAS aircraft of its battle rating, the MiG-27K is truly a force to be reckoned from both the air and the ground. Striking ground targets in mixed battles is easy for this plane, thanks to the strong targeting systems and abundance of laser and TV guided weaponry. The aircraft is no slouch either in air battles, carrying enough bombs to level one base in addition to its full complement of air-to-air missiles and great low altitude flight performance already familiar to pilots of the preceding MiG-27M.

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 200 km/h

Turn time36 s

Max altitude15 000 m

EngineTumansky R-29B-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	2,182	2,172	15000	36.6	36.8	133.9	127.3	750
Upgraded	2,220	2,200		35.4	36.0	177.4	154.6

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	+	-
1,417	630	N/A	508	473	~__	~__

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 675	< 650	< 700	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-29B-300		1	11,605 kg		419 - 472 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		11m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	39m fuel
1,780 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		12,964 kg	13,912 kg	15,065 kg	16,135 kg	20,760 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	11m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	39m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	7,950 kgf	10,208 kgf	0.79	0.73	0.68	0.63	0.49
Optimal	8,268 kgf (1,400 km/h)	12,633 kgf (1,400 km/h)	0.97	0.91	0.84	0.78	0.61

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 777 → 4 068

RB8 167 → 11 964

SB9 562 → 14 008

Total cost of modifications296 200

461 000

Talisman cost3 000

Crew training270 000

Experts950 000

Aces3 200

Research Aces1 210 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 320 / 540 %

244 / 244 / 244 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 New boosters Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 Wings repair Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 510 Engine Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590	Fuselage repair Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 Airframe Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 G-suit Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 510 Cover Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590	GSh-30-2K_belt_pack Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 FAB-250 Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 ZB-500 Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 Flares/Chaff Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 Kh-23M Research: 8 600 Cost: 13 000 370 GSh-30-2K_new_gun Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 FAB-500 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 B-8M1 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 Kh-25 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 Gun pod SPPU-22-01 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 510 KAB-500L Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 510 S-24 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 510 40px Kh-29L Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 510 ns23_belt_pack Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590 KAB-500Kr Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590 EFS Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590 R-60M Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590 40px Kh-29T Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 590

Armaments

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

Offensive armament

The MiG-27K is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 30 mm GSh-6-30 cannon, belly-mounted (300 rpg)
  • 1 x 30 mm GSh-6-30 cannon + 72 x large calibre countermeasures

Suspended armament

The MiG-27K can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)	1						1
100 kg OFAB-100 bombs	4	1	4	4	4	1	4
250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs	1		1	1	1		1
500 kg KAB-500Kr bombs	1*		1*		1*		1*
500 kg KAB-500L bombs	1*		1*		1*		1*
ZB-500 incendiary bombs	1		1		1		1
S-5K rockets	32		32		32		32
S-8KO rockets	20		20		20		20
S-24B rockets	1		1		1		1
Kh-23M missiles	1†						1†
Kh-25ML missiles	1*		1*		1*		1*
Kh-29L missiles	1*						1*
Kh-29T missiles	1*						1*
R-13M1 missiles	1						1
R-60M missiles	2						2
Delta-NG targeting pod			1†
800 l drop tanks				1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 700 kg
* KAB-500Kr and KAB-500L bombs, Kh-25ML, Kh-29L, and Kh-29T missiles cannot be mixed, only one type may be carried across hardpoints † It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles

Default weapon presets

1 x 800 l drop tank 2 x R-13M1 missiles 4 x R-60M missiles 22 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,200 kg total) 7 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,750 kg total) 7 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (1,750 kg total) 7 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,500 kg total) 5 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (2,500 kg total) 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs 4 x 500 kg KAB-500Kr bombs (2,000 kg total) 4 x 500 kg KAB-500L bombs (2,000 kg total) 128 x S-5K rockets 80 x S-8KO rockets 4 x S-24B rockets 2 x Kh-23M missiles 4 x Kh-25ML missiles 2 x Kh-29L missiles 2 x Kh-29T missiles 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

As mentioned before, the MiG-27K's arsenal is largely the same as the MiG-27M's. Unguided options include bombs, rockets, and gun pods and the TV guided weapons are still the Kh-29T missile and KAB-500Kr bomb. These two weapon categories function more or less the same as the MiG-27M. The real stars of the show are now the laser-guided weapons: the familiar Kh-25ML and Kh-29L missiles are far easier to use with the MiG-27K's optics, which have high zoom and a wide field of view akin to an attack helicopter. It is now possible to designate and track targets from long distances and indirect angles, which makes flying the aircraft in attack approaches much easier. The new KAB-500L laser-guided bombs are an extra option for those who want precise and powerful explosions that can take out clustered targets, but they are slower than the air-to-ground missiles and may be trickier to guide due to their unpowered nature.

Usage in battles

General Tactics

The user is able to utilise the MiG-27K's powerful ordnance and long range to eliminate many ground vehicles in a single pass. The MiG-27K can be used to destroy enemy vehicles from an extreme range. The pilot of the aircraft should ensure that they manage targets effectively to destroy as many enemies as possible and keeping themselves alive. It should be noted that a MiG-27K can single-handedly change the course of a game if handled correctly, avoiding SPAA and enemy jets by giving them a small window of opportunity to counter the MiG-27K.

From the perspective of the ground player, the MiG-27K can be rather terrifying. The capabilities of the vehicle come from its range, speed and potent weapons. This allows the MiG to only reveal itself for an extremely short amount of time, only appearing when striking targets from a distance. A main battle tank has a close to zero chance of being able to do anything against the MiG-27K, and that is what makes it so terrifying.

The pilot should, however, keep an eye out for other enemy aircraft, as the MiG-27K has a limited amount of chaff and flares and a poor selection of air-to-air missiles for its position in the tech tree. Avoiding SPAA is imperative as vehicles such as the notorious FlaRakRad will have a field day with a MiG if flown incorrectly.

Using air-to-ground missiles

It is suggested to use air-to-ground missiles against targets such as SPAA and tanks. The Kh-25ML, Kh-29L and Kh-29T rockets are excellent examples of powerful ordnance that can be employed to destroy multiple targets in a single pass. A massive advantage of using these missiles is that they are extremely potent, and therefore the pilot doesn't need to worry about where he is aiming, as long as he hits the target.

Firstly, the pilot must be aware of the current situation on the battlefield, and create a list of targets that are imperative to winning the battle. If enemies are overrunning a point, for example, the MiG-27K can be used to relieve pressure on the team and destroy targets capturing the point. In doing this, the pilot should manage their altitude in order to avoid SPAA fire as best they can, and using their targeting pod to guide missiles in to high-priority targets.

MiG-27k using high-zoom optics to seek a target at a range of almost 10 kilometres away.

This can be done from any altitude, but a lower one is more reliable as it gives the SPAA player a shorter time to react, lock and fire upon the MiG-27K. Use your high speed to evacuate the danger zone after a pass, re-evaluate the situation and go in for more targets. Once you are out of missiles, simply rush to the airfield and ensure that you re-arm and refuel. Take off once again and continue the process of evaluating targets, taking them out and re-positioning, keeping the enemies guessing as to where you are. The benefits of using guided missiles are the fact that they have high battlefield manoeuvrability, allowing them to be fired when the MiG-27K is not facing its target.

Using guided bombs

Guided bombs such as the KAB-500L and KAB-500Kr bombs have an enhanced range due to them being unpowered and droppable from any height.

This means that the MiG-27K pilot can climb to extreme altitude, avoiding SPAA's attention, and carefully selecting targets based on the situation they find themselves in. However, an altitude of over 10,000 metres or 33,000 feet should be avoided, as several SPAAs are designed specifically for destroying high-flying aircraft.

Guided bombs can be used to quietly eliminate targets from such a distance that they were not even aware the MiG was in the area, allowing for multiple targets to be acquired and destroyed on a single pass. This allows them to take out targets and re-arm without any realistic threat from the ground. However, this leaves the MiG vulnerable to other aircraft that are capable of firing missiles that can destroy their vehicle from many miles away - namely the FlaRakRad and the ADATS weapon systems.

Up close & personal>

The MiG-27K has one final ace up its sleeve. The infamous GSh-6-30 cannon, mounted on the bottom of the vehicle.

It is not advised to use the cannon, as it leaves the pilot vulnerable to SPAA strikes. However, some situations call for a desperate attempt to thwart the enemy advance, and the GSh-6-30 is more than capable of doing this. Equipped with 300 rounds of ammunition, the 30 mm cannon will shred any lightly armoured vehicle with ease. Heavier armour, such as Leopard MBTs and Abrams MBTs can also be approached, albeit from the top. Getting rounds through the top of the turret will vaporise crew members and components inside, resulting in the temporary crippling of the vehicle or outright destruction. Ammo loads are often ignited by the cannon, rendering the tank useless unless it re-arms.

SPAA vehicles will have an extremely difficult time defending against the cannon if caught unaware, as it will easily destroy most SPAA vehicles with a few rounds. However, spawn invulnerability may play a large part into the demise of the "brawling" playstyle, as invincible SPAA will cause a large issue for the MiG-27K on the exit of the gunrun.

Another point should be made on overcommitting to the airstrike, as the MiG-27K is not as manoeuvrable as other aircraft. This means that the plane will not pull up as violently as one might want it to when in a dive, resulting the pilot ploughing into the ground at Mach 1.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Ability to equip 4 devastating air-to-ground missiles
• Supersonic aircraft capable of re-arming quickly
• Access to guided bombs and effective munition, able to outrange some SPAA found at this rank
• Effective targeting pod with high sight range, upwards of 15 km in good visibility

Cons:

• Low amount of ordnance compared to more modern vehicles at the same rank
• Lack of thermal targeting pod means vehicle is rendered inadequate in poor weather conditions
• Poor selection of air-to-air missiles compared to other vehicles with more modern air-to-air capabilities
• Less manoeuvrable than other vehicles that can be faced at this rank
• Vulnerable to AAA due to its large radar signature

History

The MiG-27K is the final Soviet version of the MiG-27 ground attack aircraft, derived from the MiG-23. This variant of the MiG-27 differs from previous versions mainly through the inclusion of an onboard laser designator and compatibility with TV-guided weapons systems.

The MiG-27K is a variant of the MiG-27, a ground-attack aircraft derived from the earlier MiG-23. Compared to the MiG-23, the MiG-27 featured a revised downward-sloping nose, leading the aircraft to be nicknamed "Balkon" ("Balcony") because of its improved frontal visibility. The aircraft also had simpler non-variable intake ramps and a fixed engine nozzle, leading to weight savings. In accordance with its ground attack role, the MiG-27 lacked a radar and was instead fitted with ground attack systems.

The MiG-27K followed the previous MiG-27M as the ultimate variant of the MiG-27 in Soviet service. The most notable change was the addition of a laser designator and targeting pod in the nose of the aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft gained the ability to carry TV-guided munitions. In total, roughly 200 MiG-27Ks were built for the Soviet air force.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the MiG-27K from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related development

• MiG-23 (Family)

Other jet planes with variable sweep wings

• Tornado (Family)
• Su-17/22 (Family)
• F-14 (Family)
• F-111A

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance