OVERVIEW: The MiG-23ML Flogger G is a single engine, variable-geometry, supersonic 3rd generation fighter aircraft. It had a secondary mission of ground attack.

DETAILS:  The Flogger was intended to replace the MiG-21, and featured improved landing and takeoff performance, range and weapons capability over its predecessor.    

The Flogger G was designed to to be more reliable, maneuverable, and lighter than earlier Mig-23s.  It achieved these goals by removing a fuel tank and improving aerodynamics, modernizing the avionics and flight control and up-rating the power plant. The Flogger G was equipped with the J-band (10-15 Ghz) Sapfir-23ML aka HIGH LARK 2 radar giving it an improved "look-down shoot-down" capability and maximum detection range of 38 nm against a bomber-sized target in "look up" mode, reduced to 9 nm for tracking against fighter aircraft in look-down mode. 

The aircraft was powered by an R-35F-300 turbojet engine, producing 28,800 lb of thrust.

The MiG-23ML could maneuver up to 8.5 g below 0.85 mach,  and 7.5 g above 0.85 mach. Unlike earlier Floggers, the SOUA system allowed the pilot to exploit this theoretical maneuverability. 

The MiG-23 had excellent acceleration characteristics, particularly below 10,000 ft and could out-accelerate any American fighter, making it a good hit-and-run interceptor.  The MiG-23's small profile made it hard to visually spot. 

NOTES: IOC 1976 (approx.) The R-35F-300 initially was unreliable, suffering from blade failures and combustion chamber cracking.  However, these issues were improved in late-production engines.
 


SOURCE: "MiG-23M." Airwar.Ru. Accessed September 20, 2021. https://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig23m.html. ; Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017. ; Newdick, Thomas. "This Myth-Busting Walk-Around Of The Soviet MiG-23 Flogger Fighter Is A Must-Watch." The Drive. Last modified March 18, 2021. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39824/this-myth-busting-walk-around-of-the-soviet-mig-23-flogger-fighter-is-a-must-watch. ;  "MiG-23ML." Airwar.Ru.Accessed September 20, 2021. https://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig23ml.html ; Davies, Steve. Red Eagles: America’s Secret MiGs. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2008 pg. 167 ; "Mikoyan MIG-23." Weapons and Warfare. Last modified November 14, 2020. https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2020/11/25/mikoyan-mig-23/. ; MiG-23ML and Its Derivatives." MiG-23 Flogger. Accessed December 14, 2021. https://mikoyanmig29.wixsite.com/mig-23flogger/mig-23ml.
