MiG-23/-27 designations

Hi all !

23-11 = prototypes
23-11M = MiG-23M
23-12 = MiG-23ML
23-12A = MiG-23MLA
23-14 = MiG-23P
23-18 = MiG-23MLD
23-19 = MiG-23MLAEh
23-21 = MiG-23S
23-22 = MiG-23MLAEh-2
23-37 = MiG-23MLG
23-47 = MiG-23MLS
23-51 = MiG-23U
23-57 = MiG-23MLDG

32-23 = MiG-23BN
32-24 = MiG-23B
32-25 = MiG-23BM & MiG-27
32-26 = MiG-23BK & MiG-27K
32-27 = MiG-27D
32-29 = MiG-27M
32-29L = MiG-27ML
32-31 = MiG-23K (project)

Great, AM, thanks! From this list, it would seem that the "-27" designation was only official and never actually used inhouse by MiG.

Hi all !

23-01 = experimental STOL fighter (MiG-23PD)

23-11MS = MiG-23MS
23-11S = MiG-23S
23-15 = MiG-23ML with R-100 engine (project)
23-16 = MiG-23MLA with RP-23MLA-2 radar
23-35 = MiG-23MLDG
23-41 = experimental fighter (MiG-23 with AL-21F-3 engine)

32-25 = MiG-27R (project)

Thanks, AM!

What about the duplication of the "32-25" designation? same MiG-27 version?

Also, why the "32-" prefix and not "23-"? Apparently the "32-" series would fit in nicely among the "23-" set (no duplicates). Explanation, anyone?

"23-nn" -fighters
"32-nn" -strike versions

"32-25" -I can't explain duplication