Review and Editing of Unit Descriptions

[SteveLohr]

Revised AS-7 Kerry aka Kh-23 ASM Description for comment: (this expands on the existing description in the database)

OVERVIEW: The AS-7 KERRY aka Kh-23 aka Grom is a short-range, air-to-ground, supersonic, solid fuel-missile with radio command-guidance. It has a 108 kg hollow-charge HE warhead.

DETAILS: The AS-7 KERRY is early Soviet tactical air-to-surface missiles intended for use against small ground or naval targets. After launch, the pilot guided the missile using a joystick, using a cockpit monitor towards the target, which he must keep on the monitor, while simultaneously observing the target and the missile in flight. A smoke generator in the tail of the missile assisted the pilot in tracking the missile in flight. However, this control scheme prevented the aircraft from rapid maneuvers while guiding the AS-7 and imposed a significant workload on the pilot, requiring him to simultaneously guide the missile, pilot the aircraft and monitoring for potential threats.

Specifications:

Weight: 287 kg
Length: 3.591 m
Diameter: 0.275 m (missile)
Wingspan: 0.785 m
Speed: 1165-1456 knots; 600-750 m/s; Mach 1.9
Range: 5.4 nm; 10 km
CEP 20 meters
Kill probability: 0.8

NOTES: IOC 1973. The AS-7 was used by the MiG-21/23/27 and Su-17 aircraft, and is equivalent to the U.S. AGM-12 Bullpup. The AS-7 was widely exported. The Kh-23 was based on the Kh-66 design but had an improved propellant and guidance systems.


SOURCES: Jane's Weapons Systems, Vol. 1: Air-Launched, Kh-23 (AS-7 "Kerry'), Kh-66 Grom 07 Sep 2010 ; Federation of American Scientists. "Zvezda Kh-23 (AS-7 Kerry)." Accessed November 9, 2013. http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/as-7.htm; Friedman, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst Press, 1997, pg. 234-5; "AS-7 Kerry - Air to Surface Missiles - Missiles - European Defence Equipment - Armed Forces Europe - Edmis3a4." Armed Forces - Defence Suppliers Directory - Defence And Security Consultancy - Military Books - Armed Forces of Europe - Royal Navy - British Army - Royal Air Force - RAF - Defence News - Defence Projects. Accessed December 19, 2021. https://www.armedforces.co.uk/Europeand ... mis3a4.htm. ; "Ch-23/-66 (AS-7 Kerry) :: Ruslet." Ruslet. Accessed December 19, 2021. https://ruslet.webnode.cz/technika/rusk ... -7-kerry-/. ; Kopp, Dr C. "Soviet/Russian Tactical Air - Surface Missiles." Air Power Australia. Accessed December 19, 2021. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-ASM.html. ; "Řízené Střely OKB Zvezda." Valka.cz. Last modified April 17, 2005. https://www.valka.cz/newdesign/v900/clanek_11093.html.

[CV60]

DRAFT Description file for Sensor 591 Smerch-A3/Fox Fire radar for community comment:

OVERVIEW: The Smerch-A3 aka FOX FIRE radar is an airborne air-to-air fire-control radar operating in the NATO high I and J band.

DETAILS:
The Smerch-A1 as fitted to the MiG-25 used a double-waveband system, employing a second operating wavelength of 2cm in addition to the standard 3cm to ensure the radar would function even in a heavy ECM environment. The Smerch-A2 aka Izdeliye 720M gave improved reliability and was the standard production radar. The Smerch-A3 made further improvements and was fitted to later model MiG-25Ps.

The chief drawback of the Smerch radar was it had difficulty in detecting targets below 1,640 feet due to its low-PRF radar's difficulty in coping with ground clutter.


Specifications:

Frequency: 10, 15 GHz (approx.) (I/J-band (NATO))
PRF: ?? Reported to be low PRF
Pulse width: ??
Power: 600 kW (peak); ?? (average)
Scan Limits: 120 degrees azimuth, 30 degrees elevation.
Range:
Search: 54 nm (16 m2 RCH,Tu-16-sized tgt)
Track: 27 nm (16 m2 RCH,Tu-16-sized tgt)

NOTES: Used in the MiG-25P.


SOURCES: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, location 3497, 3826 (Kindel ed.) ; Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems, "Sapfir Series Radars," 19 October 2000; "[1.0] MiG-25 Foxbat." AirVectors. Accessed December 22, 2021. https://www.airvectors.net/avmig25_1.html.;
"MiG Alley." Chicago Web Design Company - Professional Website Designers - Chicago, IL | Toad Web DesignChicago Web Design Company – Professional Website Designers – Chicago, IL | Toad Web Design | Web Design Company | WebSite Design Company | Professional Website Design | Wordpress Web Design. Accessed December 22, 2021. https://toad-design.com/migalley/index. ... rch-radar/. ; DIA, "Special Equipment Exploitation Report: The MiG-25 FOXBAT" DST-1320R-900-76-RPT 6 (24 September 1976) https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/libra ... 553702.pdf ;

[CV60]

DRAFT Description file for MiG-25P for community comment:

OVERVIEW: The MiG-25P Foxbat A is a single seat, single engine, all-weather, supersonic 3rd generation interceptor.

DETAILS: The MiG-23P was designed to be a very high-speed interceptor, with a primary mission of countering high speed aircraft like the SR-71 and XB-70. As such, its design emphasized speed and high ceiling, at the expense of range and maneuverability.

To ease production and save money, the MiG-25 was largely (80%) constructed using nickel-steel alloy. Despite being designed for high speed flight, only 9% of the airframe was made out of titanium, which was in employed in the areas of the airframe subjected to high heat stress. The steel components were formed by a combination of spot welding, automatic machine welding, and hand welding.

The MiG-25P was equipped with the powerful TL-25 Smerch-A radar, aka FOXFIRE. While its power gave it long-range and an ability to "burn through" jamming, the TL-25 lacked a look down/shoot down (LD/SD) capability.

The aircraft was powered by two R-15-300 turbojet engines, each producing 24,700 lb of thrust. Although theoretically capable of reaching Mach 3.2, the aircraft was limited to Mach 2.83 (3,000 hm/hr) for a maximum of 5 minutes to avoid damaging the engines and/or overheating the airframe and fuel. The design cruising speed is Mach 2.35. The Foxbat has high fuel consumption while sub-sonic. It is not capable of in-flight refueling.

The MiG-25P was a poor dogfighter. It's maximum g-load was a mere 2.2 g with full fuel tanks, and had an absolute limit of only 4.5 g.

NOTES: IOC June 1972. The Foxbat continues to hold the record for the fastest operational fighter aircraft.


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 3651, . ; (Charles), JetWhiz. "Global Aircraft -- MiG-25 Foxbat." Accessed December 22, 2021. https://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/mig-25_foxbat.pl. ;"MiG-25 FOXBAT (MIKOYAN-GUREVICH)." Nuclear Resources. Accessed December 22, 2021. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/russia/airdef/mig-25.htm. ;"MiG-25P Foxbat Interceptor." Airforce Technology. Last modified September 7, 2020. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mig25/.

[Filitch]

CV60
Can I ask you a favor? Is there any mention of MiG-27K Kaira LLTV's range in the Mladenov's book? In the sources available to me, the detection range is given as 5-6 km. Whereas the database uses value of 2 nm.

[CV60]

CV60
Can I ask you a favor? Is there any mention of MiG-27K Kaira LLTV's range in the Mladenov's book? In the sources available to me, the detection range is given as 5-6 km. Whereas the database uses value of 2 nm.

Sorry, there is little in Mladenov's book about the Mig-27, and nothing about the Kaira system. I found this info on the Kaira-24, which may be similar to the LLTV on the MiG-27K. https://lektsii.org/12-58363.html My quick look is it gives a range of 7 km, so it is likely to be the neighborhood of the parameters of the MiG-27K's system.

[Filitch]

ORIGINAL: CV60

CV60
Can I ask you a favor? Is there any mention of MiG-27K Kaira LLTV's range in the Mladenov's book? In the sources available to me, the detection range is given as 5-6 km. Whereas the database uses value of 2 nm.

Sorry, there is little in Mladenov's book about the Mig-27, and nothing about the Kaira system. I found this info on the Kaira-24, which may be similar to the LLTV on the MiG-27K. https://lektsii.org/12-58363.html My quick look is it gives a range of 7 km, so it is likely to be the neighborhood of the parameters of the MiG-27K's system.

Thank you. It is helpful. Merry Christmas!

[Parel803]

#1483 - 171 Kedah [Meko 100] (Malaysia - 2007)

OVERVIEW: The Kedah class are MEKO 100 are corvettes with a helicopter capability for maritiem surveillance and patrolling the EEZ.

DETAILS: They have two Caterpillar 3616 DITA diesels for 14617 hp sustained. Two shafts with CP (Controllable Pitch). There usage is more Ocean Patrol Vessel than Warfighting covette, also including EEZ patrol, SAR, polutions-spills, etc.
Two cranes to launch the two small RHIB's (Rigid-hulled inflatable boat). Hanger and helicopter deck for a medium-sized helo like the Super-Lynx. The crew are 68 pax with the possiblity to scale up to 98 persons.
The class is fitted with one Oto-Melara Compact SR 3 in (76mm)/62 gun, one 30mm/82 OtoBreda/Mauser and two single 12.7mm MG's, als the sealion/sceptre ECM suite with SBROC Mk-36. The sensors installed on the class are the TRS-3D/16ES PESA for Air/Surface search, Fire-Control is Contraves TMX radar & EO, Atlas Electronik 9600 nav radar, Rheinmetall TMEO, NDS-3060 sonar for obstacle avoidane and the Thales Sceptre-X ESM.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 1676 tons (full), 1300 tons (standard)
Speed: 22 kts (max)
Engineering: 2 Caterpillar 3616DITA diesels 14617 hp(m), 2 shafts, 2 cp propellors
Range: 6050 nm @ 12 kts
Endurance: 21 days
Complement: 68 pax

NOTES: The Kedah class has provisions for the Exocet or Brahmos ASM (Anti-Shop Missile) and the RAM CIWS (Close-In Weapon system)

SOURCES: JFS15/16;
KD Kadah MEKO 100 Patrol Vessel
"New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV)". GlobalSecurity. 26-03-2019. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... -kadah.htm;
"KEDAH light frigates (2006-2010)". Navypedia. 2019. https://navypedia.org/ships/malaysia/mal_es_kedah.htm;

regards GJ
and a merry Christmas

[CV60]

DRAFT SPO-3 and SPO-10 (Sirena 3 and 3M) RWR for community review. Note: there isn't much on these. A technical manual is here :https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/thread ... ual.10443/ but unfortunately, I don't read Russian and Google translate won't translate the .djvu file type.

OVERVIEW: The SPO-3 aka Sirena-3 airborne radar warning receiver (RWR) is a passive airborne sensor that detects and warns aircrew of hostile radars.

DETAILS:
The SPO-3 Sirena used four antenna installed on different quadrants of an aircraft to locate threat radars that were "painting" the aircraft. The system then provided the aircrew with an audible alert and a visual threat axis. The system is reportedly unable to detect pulse doppler-type radars. It is capable of automatic chaff dispensing.

Specifications:

Frequency: 2-10 Ghz
Accuracy: ± 12 degrees


NOTES: IOC 1959 (approx). Replaced by the SPO-10, whose performance was similar.


SOURCES: Burdin, Sergey. Tupolev TU-22. Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2005. pg. 81; International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook, 2004 "SPQ-10 Siren." pg. 77. ; Friedman, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst Press, 1997, pg.pg. 516

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERVIEW: The SPO-10 aka Sirena-3M airborne radar warning receiver (RWR) is a passive airborne sensor that detects and warns aircrew of hostile radars.

DETAILS:
The SPO-10 Sirena used four antenna installed on different quadrants of an aircraft to locate threat radars that were "painting" the aircraft. The system then provided the aircrew with an audible alert and a visual threat axis. It is capable of automatic chaff dispensing.


Specifications:

Frequency: 6-20 Ghz
Accuracy: ± 12 degrees


NOTES: IOC 1970 (approx).


SOURCES: Burdin, Sergey. Tupolev TU-22. Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2005. pg. 81; International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook, 2004 "SPQ-10 Siren." pg. 77. ; Friedman, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst Press, 1997, pg.pg. 516

[CV60]

DRAFT MiG-25BM Foxbat F for community review

OVERVIEW: The MiG-25BM Foxbat F is a single seat, single engine, all-weather, supersonic 3rd generation SEAD aircraft, armed with Kh-58 or Kh-31 air-to-surface missiles.

DETAILS: The MiG-25BM is an a "Wild Weasel" variant, using a Foxbat D airframe. The Foxbat F is fitted with a Jaguar Radar Homing and Warning system (RHAW) and up to four long-range AS-11 Kilter ARMs. This allows the MiG-25BM to conduct SEAD missions at stand off ranges, the high dash speeds the Foxbat F allowing it to penetrate a CAP barrier and fire its ARMs before being engaged. However, the lack of a weapons officer indicates that pilot workload is significantly higher than in US SEAD aircraft.

The Foxbat F is powered by two R-15BD-300 turbojet engines, each producing 24,780 lb of thrust. In addition to being more reliable, these more powerful engines gave the Foxbat E increased rate of climb and a higher ceiling over the Foxbat A. Although theoretically capable of reaching Mach 3.2, the aircraft was limited to Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/hr) for a maximum of 5 minutes to avoid damaging the engines and/or overheating the airframe and fuel. The design cruising speed is Mach 2.35. The Foxbat has high fuel consumption while sub-sonic. It is not capable of in-flight refueling.

NOTES: IOC 1988 (approx).



SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 3817-85; (Charles), JetWhiz. "Global Aircraft -- MiG-25 Foxbat." Accessed December 22, 2021. https://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/mig-25_foxbat.pl. ;"MiG-25 FOXBAT (MIKOYAN-GUREVICH)." Nuclear Resources. Accessed December 22, 2021. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/russia/airdef/mig-25.htm. ;"MiG-25P Foxbat Interceptor." Airforce Technology. Last modified September 7, 2020. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mig25/. ; "[1.0] MiG-25 Foxbat." AirVectors. Accessed December 28, 2021. https://www.airvectors.net/avmig25_1.html. ; Kopp, Dr C., AFAIAA, SMIEEE, and PEng. "Foxbat and Foxhound / Russia's Cold War Warriors." Air Power Australia. Accessed December 28, 2021. https://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Foxbat-Foxhound-92.html

[Blast33]

For the .DJVU manual you can convert this file to pdf via for example: https://converter.app/djvu-to-pdf/convert.php

I did it but the file is too large to attach.
Good luck [:(]

[CV60]

For the .DJVU manual you can convert this file to pdf via for example: https://converter.app/djvu-to-pdf/convert.php

I did it but the file is too large to attach.
Good luck

Thanks! I'll give it a go

[CV60]

DRAFT SPO-15 Beryoza aka L-006 RWR for community review. Surprisingly, the reported frequency of this system may be narrower than the SPO-10 or SPO-3, based on the machine-translated advertising brochure attached to this post.


OVERVIEW: The SPO-15 Beryoza aka L-006 airborne radar warning receiver (RWR) is a passive airborne sensor that detects and warns aircrew of hostile radars.

DETAILS:
The SPO-15 Beryoza used three or four antenna installed on different quadrants of an aircraft to locate threat radars that were "painting" the aircraft. The system provides warning of threat radars in 360° (azimuth) and ±30° (elevation) around the aircraft The system then provided the aircrew with an audible alert and a visual threat axis. Unlike earlier generations of RWR, it is capable of detecting pulse doppler radar and frequency agile radars. The SPO-15M is capable of automatic chaff dispensing.


Specifications:

Frequency: 4.4-10.3 Ghz
Accuracy: ± 10°


NOTES: IOC 1978 (approx).


SOURCES: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 4269; International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook, 2004 "SPQ-15 Beryoza." pg. 77. ; Friedman, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst Press, 1997, pg.pg. 516

[CV60]

DRAFT Kub-3M description for comment

OVERVIEW: The Kub-3M aka KOOB-3 aka SRA-10 is an airborne ELINT system receiving in the centimetric (3-30 Ghz) waveband.

DETAILS:
The Kub could capture pulsed and CW radar emissions up to a 450 km away. However, there was a dead zone of 45 km right below the aircraft. The system could relay via a data link to a ground station while in flight.

Specifications:

Frequency: 3-30 Ghz
Accuracy: 2-10 km


NOTES:


SOURCES: Burdin, Sergey. Tupolev TU-22. Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2005. ;
"3.4 Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare." Etoiles Rouges Sur L'Allemagne. Accessed December 29, 2021. https://www.16va.be/3.4_la_reco_part5_eng.html.;"[1.0] MiG-25 Foxbat." AirVectors. Accessed December 28, 2021. https://www.airvectors.net/avmig25_1.html. ; "MiG-25RB (product 02B; «FoxBat – B»)." Испытатели. Accessed December 29, 2021. https://testpilot.ru/en/rossiya-e/mikoyan/mig25rb/.

[Parel803]

#1022 - F 134 Laksamana Hang Nadim (Malaysia - 1998)

OVERVIEW: The Laksamana Hang Nadim missile corvet class having 4 MTU diesels with 4 shafts. Equiped with Otomat mark2/Teseo ASM (Anti-Ship Missile) and Albatros MBDA for PDMS (Point Defense Missile System).

DETAILS: 4 MTU TB92 diesels with 126 tons of fuel. There is a crane to launch the small RHIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat). the crew can vary between 47 and 56 pax.
Sensors are the RAN12L/X Air&Surf search radar, KH navigation radar, for Fire and weapon Control RTN-10X, RTN-20X, Selenia NA21 radars and 3 CO3 EO directors. ASO84-41 hull-mounted sonar and the INS-3B ESM system. There weapon fit is 6 Ota Melara/Matra Otomat Teseo Mk 2 ASM, 1 x 4 Albatros SAM (Surface to Air Missile)(6 Aspide), 76mm/62 OTO-Melara Compact, 1 twin 40mm/70 OTO-Breda Compact, 2 triple 324mm ILAS TT (Torpedo Tubes) for A244s torpedoes. For ECM 2x Breda 105mm 6-tybed decoy launchers and Selenia TQN-2 jammer.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 705 tons (full), .. tons (standard)
Speed: 36 kts (max)
Engineering: 4 MTU 20V 956 TB92 diesels, 20120 hp(m) (14.8MW) sustained. 4 Shafts
Range: 2300 nm @ 18 kts, 1200 nm @ 31 kts
Complement: 47 pax (56 pax max)

NOTES:
- Build for Iraq but after refit in 1996 sold to Malaysia, due to UN sanctions. Upgraded in 2003/2004 with new CMS (IPN) including Link-Y and TQN-5 & Nettuno 1400 ECM suite. The TT are later removed, confirmed by images.

SOURCES: JFS 2015-2016;
"LAKSAMANA HANG NADIM (F-134) class". Miltary Periscope. July 2011. file:///J:/Documentation_PlatformInfo/Books%20MilPerisc2018/weapons/ships/frigatescorvettes-small-combatants/laksamana-hang-nadim-f-134-class.html;
"LAKSAMANA HANG NADIM missile corvettes (1987/1997-1999)". Navypedia. 2019. https://navypedia.org/ships/malaysia/ma ... _nadim.htm;
"Laksamana Class Missile Corvette". Naval-Technology. 03-05-2001. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/laksamana/;

regards GJ

[Parel803]

#1031 - F 30 Lekiu (Malaysia - 2000)

OVERVIEW: The Lekiu Guided missile Frigates has four diesel engins and two shats with cp props.

DETAILS: 4 MTU 1163 TB93 diesels, the hull and superstructure are design to reduce RCS (Radar Cross-Section) signature. They have two RHID's over starboard side with one crane. The Lekiu class has a hanger and helicopter spot for a Super Lynx.
There Radars in the sensor fit are DA-08 for Air-search, the Sea Giraffe for Surface-search, two FC (Fire-Control) Marconi 1802 and a Racal Dezza for navigation. The other sensors are a Thomson Sintra Spherion Hull-mounted sonar, AEG Telefunken/Marconi Mentor-A ESM (Electronic Support Measures) interceptor and for EO Radamec 2400 optronic weapon director, V3901 EO (Electro-Optical).
The weapon fit of the Lekiu class consists of 8x MM-40 block II Exocet SSM (Surface to Surface Missile), 16x Seawolf SAM (Surface to Air Missile). Guns are 1 Bofors 57mm/70 SAK Mk2, 2x MSI 30mm/75 DS30B and 2x 12.7mm/90 MG's. Also 6x (2 triple) B515 324mm TT (Torpedo tubes) for Marconi Stingray torpedo's, 2x Super Barricade 12 barrelled launchers for chaff, Scimitar ECM suite and the Graseby Sea Siren torpedo decoy.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 2390 tons (full), 1845 tons (standard)
Speed: 28 kts (max)
Engineering: CODAD (Combined Diesel And Diesel); 4 MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesels; 33,300 hp(m) (24,5 MW) sustained; 2 shafts; Kamewa cp (Controllable Pitch) props
Range: 5000 nm @ 14 kts
Endurance: .. days
Complement: 146 pax

NOTES:
The class name giver, Lekiu, is higest number in class. The update in 2015 included Scanter 6000 as replacement for there navigation and helicopter control radar. Thales Vigile 100 Mk2 ESM and a Chess Dynamic Sea Eagle FCEO.

SOURCES: JFS 2015/2016; MP Jul 2011;
"Lekiu Class Frigates". Naval-Technology. 03-05-2001. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/lekiu/;
"JEBAT frigates (1999)". Navypedia. 2019. https://navypedia.org/ships/malaysia/mal_es_jebat.htm;
Royal Malaysian Navy Selects Terma SCANTER Radar for LEKIU-class Frigates "" . Defense Studies. 22-10-2016. https://defense-studies.blogspot.com/20 ... terma.html

regards GJ

[CV60]

EDITED: MiG-23F-13 for community Comment.

OVERVIEW: The MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C is a single seat, single engine, short-range, daytime/clear-weather, Mach 2.0, 2nd generation point defense interceptor. It also had a secondary ground attack capability.

DETAILS: The MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C is a delta wing design, with a circular air intake and a automatically-adjusted moveable intake cone in the nose. This design gave it excellent climbing characteristics. However, it limited the MiG-21 as a dogfighter, as any turning combat led to a rapid loss of speed. Additionally, the small space available for radar limited its ability as a fighter for anything beyond close-range combat. It was further hampered as a fighter by a short range, and the poor placement of the fuel tanks ahead of the center of gravity, making the aircraft unstable as fuel was consumed. Consequentially, a "clean" Fishbed C had an effective endurance of only 45 minutes. It's engine also suffered from fuel starvation issues in ACM engagements with less than half of its fuel remaining. The pilot also had a poor visibility, further limiting its use in ACM. The MiG-21 also had maneuvering problems at all altitudes when the airspeed is below 215 KIAS and above 510 KIAS. At low speeds, the aircraft may become uncontrollable, and at high speeds longitudinal stick forces become extremely heavy. Because of this various limitations, The Soviets considered GCI essential to the use of the MIG-21 for effective attack, usually attempting to vector the aircraft to approximately a 20-degree angle from the rear of the target.

The Fishbed had some positive combat characteristics. It's high thrust to weight ratio allowed it to quickly accelerate from low and medium airspeeds. It was also sturdy, reliable, and easy to maintain, and its unsophisticated design increased its combat survivability.

The aircraft was powered by a Tumansky R-11F-300 turbojet engine, producing 12675 lb of thrust. The design cruising speed is 478 knots.

The Fishbed C was armed with two rear-aspect only R-3S/AA-2 ATOLL IR missiles and an internal 30mm cannon and 30 rounds of ammunition. Its radar was the short range SRD-5M Kvant (Quantum) ranging radar.


NOTES: IOC: 1961. An estimated +8,000 MiG-21s built, the most of any modern jet aircraft.


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 1492; "[1.0] MiG-21 Single-Seat Variants." AirVectors. Accessed January 7, 2022. https://www.airvectors.net/avmig21_1.html#m2. ; "The MiG-21 Page - Performance Data." Imprimante Si Copiatoare, Produse IT: Xerox, Brother, Cisco, Microsoft - Top Edge Engineering. Accessed January 7, 2022. https://www.topedge.com/panels/aircraft ... t/data.htm. ; Images, Skytamer. "Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F-13 Fishbed E." Accessed January 8, 2022. https://www.skytamer.com/MiG-21F-13.html ; Pike, John. "MiG-21 / J-7 FISHBED / YF-110." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 10, 2021. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... mig-21.htm.

[PN79]

I know that some sources says that 30mm gun in MiG-21F-13 carries just 30 rounds.

But I believe that this is wrong and that correct capacity is 60 rounds. Firstly 60 rounds are mentioned in US assesment based on captured example and also czech sources repeatedly stress 60 rounds capacity. The 30 rounds were mentioned in one czech source as half capacity used as standard for live firing trainig.

[CV60]

I know that some sources says that 30mm gun in MiG-21F-13 carries just 30 rounds.

But I believe that this is wrong and that correct capacity is 60 rounds. Firstly 60 rounds are mentioned in US assesment based on captured example and also czech sources repeatedly stress 60 rounds capacity. The 30 rounds were mentioned in one czech source as half capacity used as standard for live firing training.

< Message edited by PN79 -- 1/8/2022 11:26:15 AM >

The MiG-21 had so many variations that it does become confusion which one has what. However, the sources I am seeing are claiming the MiG-21F-13/FISHBED C had 30 rounds for the single 30mm cannon. See https://www.skytamer.com/MiG-21F-13.html; Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 1492; Possibly there is some confusion, as the first production model MiG-21/FISHBED C had 2-30mm cannons with 60 rounds each? Can you link to your sources or post them? I'd be happy to make a change and also request a database change.

[PN79]

I cannot rule out that some MiG-21F-13 were built with just 30 rounds capacity as more factories were building them and there were different changes during production.

Here is US evaluation of captured example and on page 22 (1-6) it clearly says one cannon with 60 rounds:
https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/u ... ughnut.pdf

This german page also says 60 rounds: https://www.mig-21-online.de/lsk-lv/mig-21-f-13/

Thing is back in 1990s information available about MiG-21F-13 were consistent that capacity is 60 rounds. Then new information come in that it is 30 rounds and since that it is copied without clear explanation where that difference originated.

It is said that original basic MiG-21F had two cannons with 60 rounds - thing is according to czech sources whole 60 round belt goes to the other side - i.e. one canon was removed but place for rounds stayed unchanged.

[CV60]

I cannot rule out that some MiG-21F-13 were built with just 30 rounds capacity as more factories were building them and there were different changes during production.

Here is US evaluation of captured example and on page 22 (1-6) it clearly says one cannon with 60 rounds:
https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/u ... ughnut.pdf

This german page also says 60 rounds: https://www.mig-21-online.de/lsk-lv/mig-21-f-13/

Thing is back in 1990s information available about MiG-21F-13 were consistent that capacity is 60 rounds. Then new information come in that it is 30 rounds and since that it is copied without clear explanation where that difference originated.

It is said that original basic MiG-21F had two cannons with 60 rounds - thing is according to czech sources whole 60 round belt goes to the other side - i.e. one canon was removed but place for rounds stayed unchanged.

Thanks for providing the HAVE DOUGHNUT document. I was unaware it had been published. You are right, it clearly states that the Iraqi MiG-21F-13 that was tested had a 60 round gun capacity. I'm wondering if this is a reflection of the fact it was an Iraqi MiG-21? They were using them against the Kurds in a anti-ground role at the time, so possibly they modified the aircraft for additional capacity. The MiG-21 that was tested was a late production model (1963), so possibly this was a subsequent modification for export? The various sources I'm seeing, including reliable Russian ones are pretty clear about the 30 round capacity