Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-27

The Mikoyan MiG-27 (Russian: ?????? ???-27; NATO reporting name "Flogger-D/J")
is a variable-geometry ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan
design bureau in the Soviet Union and later license-produced in India by
Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur ("Valiant"). It is based on the
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimized for air-to-ground
attack. Unlike the MiG-23, the MiG-27 did not see widespread use outside Russia,
as most countries opted for the MiG-23BN and Sukhoi Su-22 instead. It currently
only remains in service with the Indian, Kazakh and Sri Lankan Air Forces in the
ground attack role. All Russian and Ukrainian MiG-27s have been retired.

The MiG-27 shares the basic airframe of the MiG-23, but with a revised nose –
nicknamed "Utkonos" ("Platypus") in Russian service, first introduced on the
MiG-23B. Dissatisfaction with the MiG-23BN led to the further development of the
basic airframe to accommodate a stronger undercarriage, simpler intakes and a
shorter exhaust nozzle,[2] without radar in favor of a downward-sloping profile
for improved pilot visibility,[3] a laser rangefinder and marked-target
seeker.[4] Among its test pilots, it was also called "Balkon" ("Balcony")
because of the increased frontal view from the cockpit. Additional cockpit armor
was installed, along with a totally new nav/attack system.

Since the MiG-27 was intended to fly most of its missions at low altitude, the
MiG-23's variable intake ramps and exhaust nozzles were discarded in favor of a
simpler fixed configuration, reducing weight and maintenance requirements. The
aircraft also has larger, heavy-duty landing gear to facilitate operation from
poorer-quality airfields. In accordance with the MiG-27s strike and low-level
attack requirements, provisions were made to mount missiles and precision-guided
munitions, as well as retaining a nuclear capability in line with other Soviet
combat aircraft by introducing specialized navigation systems.


Role
Attack aircraft, Fighter bomber

Manufacturer
Mikoyan OKB

First flight
20 August 1970

Introduction
1975

Status
In service with foreign users

Primary users
Soviet Air Force
Russian Air Force
Indian Air Force

Produced
1970–86

Number built
1,075 including licensed production

Developed from
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

It was used by Soviet forces during the later stages of the Afghanistan conflict
in 1987–89.

Although several Western observers considered the MiG-27 widely exported,
confusing it with the MiG-23BN, the aircraft type was only exported to India and
Sri Lanka which also utilized the MiG-27 in regional conflicts.


Specifications (MiG-27K)

General characteristics
Crew: 1 Pilot only
Length: 17.08 m (56 ft 0 in)[2] ()
Wingspan:
Spread: 13.97 m (45 ft 10 in)[2]
Swept: 7.78 m (25 ft 6 in)[2] ()

Height: 5 m (16 ft 5 in)[2] ()
Wing area:
Spread: 37.35 m2 (402.0 sq ft)[2]
Swept: 34.16 m2 (367.7 sq ft)[2] ()

Empty weight: 11,908 kg (26,253 lb) (equipped)[2] ()
Loaded weight: 20,300 kg (44,800 lb)[2] ()
Max. takeoff weight: 20,670 kg (45,570 lb) ()
Powerplant: 1 × Khatchaturov R-29B-300 afterburning turbojet[2] Dry thrust: 78.5
kN (17,650 lbf)[2] ()
Thrust with afterburner: 112.8 kN (25,360 lbf)[2] ()


Performance
Maximum speed:
at sea level: Mach 1.10 (1,350 km/h or 839 mph)[2]
at 8,000-metre altitude (26,250 ft): Mach 1.77 (1,885 km/h or 1,171 mph)[2]

Combat radius: 780 km (480 mi) ()
540 km (290 nmi; 340 mi) (with two Kh-29 ASMs and three drop tanks lo-lo-lo)[2]
225 km (120 nmi; 140 mi) (with two Kh-29 ASMs and no external fuel)[2]

Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,550 mi) ()
Service ceiling: 14,000 m (46,000 ft)[2] ()
Rate of climb: 200 m/s (39,400 ft/min)[2] ()
Wing loading: 605 kg/m2 (123.9 lb/sq ft) ()
Thrust/weight: 0.62

Armament

Guns:
1 × GSh-6-30 30 mm cannon with 260–300 rounds[2]
installed gun pods for (optional) SPPU-22 and SPPU-6

Hardpoints: One centerline, four fuselage, and two wing glove pylons with a
capacity of 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)[2]
Missiles: pre-installed rocket pods for various (optional) laser, TV and
electro-optically guided ASMs, PGMs[2] and AA-8 Aphid air-to-air missiles.[17]
MiG-27 carries Kh-25L (AS-10 'Karen') laser-guided tactical missile, a successor
to the Kh-23 (AS-7 'Kerry').
Bombs: general-purpose bombs (optional)

*