Mikojan-Gurevič MiG-23-98 [kód NATO: Flogger]

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23-98 Flogger


The aircraft modernization program MiG-23 to the MiG-23-98 standard follows the modernization program MiGu-21-93 for India. The MiG-23-98 program is a direct continuation of the MiG-23I upgrade. During the modernization of the MiG-23I were to use systems from the aircraft MiG-29S as a radar N-019 Topas and anti-aircraft missiles [url] url=/topic/view/10763/] R-77[/url]. However, the modernization did not attract users' interest. The MiG-23-98, on the other hand, used systems from the aircraft MiG-29SMT. The aim of the modernization was to extend the life of the aircraft until 2010.


The whole program was divided into three phases:


In the first phase, the original avionics were to be replaced with new ones from the MiG-29SMT aircraft. The radar, the on-board computer and the aircraft were to be replaced by a new glass cockpit. According to the degree of modernization, in the MiG-23-98-1 version, the radar was to be replaced with a new one (Zhemchug, Kopjo or Moskit-21, Moskit-23) allowing the use of a number of new air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, or in a cheaper MiG- 23-98-2 was to remain the original Safir-23 radar, but with improvements to allow the use of new missiles R-77.


In the second phase, the life of the aircraft was to be extended by 2,500 hours. The aircraft was to undergo repeated static and fatigue tests.


In the third phase, new systems for electronic warfare, radio communication and navigation systems were to be installed.


Depending on the radar used, the armament that the aircraft can carry is then also developed. During the complete modernization with the Moskit-23 radar, the armament consists of:


Fixed aircraft equipment:
1 cannon GŠ-23L (260 rounds)


Anti-aircraft equipment:
2 x R-27T
2 x R-27R
4 x R-77
4 x R-73E
6 x R-60
2 x R-23R
2 x R-24R


Anti-earth armament:
2 x Ch-31A
2 x Ch-31P
2 x Ch-35
2 x Ch-29T
2 x Ch-29L
4 x KAB-500KR
4 x KAB-500L
4 x FAB-500
4 x FAB-250 S -8
S-13
S-24


A similar modernization was also prepared for aircraft MiG-23UB (MiG-23UB-99) and MiG-23BN (MiG-23B-98). No one showed interest in the modernization of the MiG-23-98 and the program ended with the conversion of a single demonstration machine.

An upgraded version of the original MiG-23.