Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-21 Fishbed

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
First flight	16 June 1955
Year of introduction	1958
Number produced	11496 units
Average unit price	$2 million

Description

The MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft that originated in the Soviet Union. It was designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau and entered into service in 1959. The aircraft was a product of the Cold War era, developed to meet the demands of modern aerial combat and to counter Western fighter jets like the F-104 Starfighter. The MiG-21 is one of the most-produced combat aircraft in history with over 11,000 units built. It saw extensive service in various conflicts around the world, including the Vietnam War, where it was pitted against American fighter jets.

The development of the MiG-21 was initiated in the mid-1950s with the aim to produce a high-performance, supersonic aircraft that could serve multiple roles—primarily as an interceptor but also as a ground-attack aircraft. Its development was a response to the advancements in aviation technology and the need for speed and altitude capabilities that could match or exceed those of Western aircraft.

One of the key design features of the MiG-21 is its delta wing configuration, which contributes to its high-speed performance and agility. The aircraft is relatively small and lightweight, allowing for excellent maneuverability. Its fuselage is designed for minimal drag, and it is equipped with a powerful afterburning turbojet engine, which provides it with the thrust necessary for supersonic flight.

However, the design also had its drawbacks. The aircraft's small size meant limited fuel capacity and range, and its narrow, delta-shaped wings made for tricky low-speed handling, which could be problematic during takeoff and landing. Its cockpit visibility was also somewhat restricted, which could hinder the pilot's situational awareness in close combat scenarios.

Armament

The MiG-21 was designed with a versatile armament configuration to serve its multi-role capabilities. Initially, it was equipped with internal cannons; most variants carried the GSh-23 23mm twin-barrel cannon with a reasonable amount of ammunition. The aircraft also had 5 hardpoints under its wings and fuselage for attaching various types of weapons, ranging from air-to-air missiles to rockets and bombs for ground attack missions.

In the air-to-air role, the MiG-21 was generally armed with Soviet-designed missiles like the R-3S (an early version of the AA-2 'Atoll'), followed by more advanced types like the R-13M and the R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid'). Some later variants could also carry medium-range R-27 (AA-10 'Alamo') air-to-air missiles, providing the aircraft with increased standoff capability.

For ground-attack missions, the aircraft could be fitted with unguided rockets, conventional bombs, and even napalm canisters. Later versions also had the capability to carry laser-guided and TV-guided munitions, although this was more the exception than the rule.

Operational history

The MiG-21 has one of the most extensive operational histories of any fighter aircraft, seeing service in numerous conflicts and with various air forces around the world since its introduction in 1959. One of its earliest and most notable deployments was in the Vietnam War, where it served with the North Vietnamese Air Force as a primary interceptor against American aircraft like the F-4 Phantom II and the F-105 Thunderchief. Despite being technologically outmatched in some respects, the MiG-21 held its own, achieving a number of air-to-air kills.

In the Middle East, the MiG-21 was used by several nations and saw action in conflicts such as the Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, and the Iran-Iraq War. It was used by both sides during the Indo-Pakistan Wars and has seen service in various African conflicts, including the Angolan Civil War. It has also been involved in more recent conflicts like the Yugoslav Wars and the Syrian Civil War.

The aircraft has been exported to over 60 countries and has undergone numerous upgrades and modifications to keep it relevant. Countries like India have performed extensive updates to their MiG-21 fleets, incorporating modern avionics and weapon systems to extend the aircraft's service life.

While the MiG-21 is generally considered to be outclassed by more modern fighter aircraft, its low operating costs, ease of maintenance, and versatility have kept it in service long past its initial expected operational life.

Variants

The MiG-21 has seen numerous variants over its long service life, including:

MiG-21F: One of the earliest versions, it was an air superiority fighter with limited ground-attack capability. It primarily carried air-to-air missiles and had a less sophisticated radar system.
MiG-21PF: This was an all-weather interceptor variant, equipped with an improved radar and avionic systems to allow for better targeting and navigation in various weather conditions.
MiG-21PFM: Also known as the "Fishbed-F," it featured further improvements in avionics, including better radar, and was more versatile in terms of its weapon-carrying capabilities.
MiG-21R: This was a reconnaissance variant that carried specialized cameras and sensors instead of weapons. It was used for high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance missions.
MiG-21MF: This multi-role version was capable of carrying a wider range of weapons, including air-to-ground munitions. It also had a better engine and more advanced avionics compared to earlier versions.
MiG-21bis: One of the most advanced and final variants of the MiG-21 series, the bis model featured an even more powerful engine, updated avionics, and the ability to carry a larger and more diverse array of weapons, including beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
MiG-21-93: A significant upgrade package offered for existing MiG-21s, it includes modern radar, avionics, and the ability to fire advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. This is often considered a separate variant due to the extensive nature of the upgrades.

Some countries have produced their own local variants or undertaken extensive modernization programs. For example:

J-7 (China): The Chinese began producing their own version of the MiG-21, known as the J-7, under license. Over time, they developed various sub-variants, incorporating indigenous avionics and weapons systems.
MiG-21 "Bison" (India): India has modernized its fleet of MiG-21s, fitting them with advanced avionics, including multi-mode radars, and modern weapon systems. This has extended the service life of the aircraft considerably.
MiG-21 LanceR (Romania): Romania undertook a significant upgrade program in cooperation with Israeli firms, focusing on avionics and the ability to carry Western weapon systems.
MiG-21-2000: This is a generic upgrade package offered by Russian and Israeli firms to update older MiG-21s. It includes improved radar, avionics, and weapon compatibility.

Technical specifications

Version: MiG-21F-13 Fishbed-E
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	1100 km (684 mi)
Maximum speed	2125 km/h (1320 mph)
Wing area	23 m² (247.6 sqft)
Wingspan	7.2 m (23.5 ft)
Height	4.1 m (13.5 ft)
Length	13.5 m (44.2 ft)
Service ceiling	19000 m (62336 ft)
Empty weight	4871 kg (10739 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	8625 kg (19015 lbs)
Powerplant	1 × turbojet Tumansky R-11F-300 delivering 4689 kgp, up to 6320 kgp with afterburner
Ejection seat	Severin KS-1

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	India	128
	Syria	51
	China	35
	North Korea	26
	Angola	23
	Yemen	19
	Romania	16
	Croatia	12
	Libya	12
	Bangladesh	11
	Cuba	11
	Mali	9
	Mozambique	8
	Myanmar	6
	Azerbaijan	5
	Pakistan	5
	Uganda	5
	Sudan	4
	Guinea	3
	Namibia	2
	Tanzania	2
	Iran	1
	Nigeria	1
	Sri Lanka	1