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A-5 Vigilante vs MiG-21 Fishbed

North American A-5 Vigilante combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 A-5 Vigilante
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 Fishbed
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Specifications
A-5 Vigilante MiG-21 Fishbed
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer North American Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 31 August 1958 16 June 1955
Year introduced 1961 1958
Number produced 167 units 11496 units
Average unit price $10 million $2 million
Wing area 65.1 m² 23.0 m²
Wingspan 16.2 m 7.2 m
Height 5.9 m 4.1 m
Length 23.3 m 13.5 m
Maximum speed 2123 km/h 2125 km/h
Operational range 1,804 km 660 km
Service ceiling 15,880 m 19,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 28,615 kg 8,625 kg
Empty weight 14,870 kg 4,871 kg
Total thrust 2 x 9,786 kgf 1 x 4,689 kgf
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The A-5 Vigilante and the MiG-21 Fishbed are both Combat Aircraft, manufactured by North American and Mikoyan-Gurevich respectively.

Top speed is 2,123 km/h for the A-5 Vigilante vs 2,125 km/h for the MiG-21 Fishbed. The A-5 Vigilante has an operational range of 1,804 km vs 660 km for the MiG-21 Fishbed. The MiG-21 Fishbed operates at altitudes up to 19,000 m compared to 15,880 m for the A-5 Vigilante. At 28,615 kg MTOW, the A-5 Vigilante is 3.3:1 the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.

The A-5 Vigilante has been produced in 167 units vs 11,496 for the MiG-21 Fishbed. Unit cost is $10M for the A-5 Vigilante vs $2M for the MiG-21 Fishbed. The MiG-21 Fishbed first flew 3 years before the A-5 Vigilante (1955 vs 1958).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,125 km/h compared to the A-5 Vigilante's 2,123 km/h, a difference of 2 km/h.
Which has longer range, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-5 Vigilante has a longer range at 1,804 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 660 km.
Which can fly higher, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the A-5 Vigilante's 15,880 meters (52,099 ft).
Which is heavier, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-5 Vigilante has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 28,615 kg compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.
Which is larger, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-5 Vigilante is longer at 23.3 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 13.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-5 Vigilante is more expensive at approximately $10 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 3 years before the A-5 Vigilante which entered service in 1961.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the A-5 Vigilante or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 167 units of the A-5 Vigilante.