MiG-27K

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

MiG-27K

MiG-27M

MiG-27K

MiG-27M

USSR

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.0	11.3	11.3

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 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 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

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

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 tier

- Effective targeting pod with high sight range, upwards of 15KM in good visibility

Cons:

- Low amount of ordanance compared to more modern vehicles at the same tier

- Lack of thermal targeting pod means vehicle is rendered inadequate in poor weather conditions

- Poor selection of AAM (Air to Air Missiles) compared to other vehicles with more modern AAM capabilities

- Less manueverable than other vehicles at the same BR

- 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)

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance