Better MiG-23MS multi role fighter

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Monk78

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Is it possible to export the MS as a multi role aircraft and build more of them rather than using the M/ML for the exports
Giving soviet clients a more capable and longer range aircraft in early to mid 70s before M/ML/P ramps up in late 70s as OTL

Give it ability to carry the R60 and combined fuel tank and bomb/rocket carriers
It can possibly carry
2 R-13M or 4 R-60
Wing pylon tanks + rocket pods
And 2 250 kg on centerline
 
MiG-23MS is one of those planes i'd kill it with fire. MiG-21 avionics in the MiG-23 airframe when the opponents were getting F-14 and F-15s as well as late models F-4s? Thanks but no thanks. For strike missions there was the MiG-23BN and Su-20/22 family anyway.

My "minimum" MiG-23MS should be based instead on the MiG-23L, with an export, simplified S-23LE radar and the R-23 missiles. At least the plane would have had avionics and weapons that were a step-up over the MiG-21, a 50km range radar and 25km range BVR missiles, even if not on par with F-14 and F-15, but at least capable vs F-4E and other similar gen. planes.

Otherwise, might as well just export the MiG-21bis instead, cheap, dependable, well liked, same RP-22 radar and missiles, and start export fighter MiG-23s when the MF is made available.
 
But flogger has better range and payload capacity
It’s most likely opponents are third world mirage deltas F-5 and F-4
The F-4 it has shot down in both Israeli and Iranian wars in OTL
 
Posted in completely wrong forum section. Moved.

MiG-23MS has no redeeming qualities at all. MiG-21 avionics in a terrible airframe with a weak engine. It misses all the advantages of a MiG-23M (better radar, more powerful engine, BVR missiles) but has all the bad airframe qualities of the early MiG-23.
 
Last edited:
overscan (PaulMM) said:
Posted in completely wrong forum section. Moved.

MiG-23MS has no redeeming qualities at all. MiG-21 avionics in a terrible airframe with a weak engine. It misses all the advantages of a MiG-23M (better radar, more powerful engine, BVR missiles) but has all the bad airframe qualities of the early MiG-23.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the wrong posting

All this criticism is true but it’s also true the Soviets do not have another tactical fighter design in early 70s without the limitations of mig21 that can be exported
MiG-23M does not enter production until 1973 and by 1978 almost every single one produced is needed in Eastern Europe and defense of USSR
 
overscan (PaulMM) said:
Posted in completely wrong forum section. Moved.

MiG-23MS has no redeeming qualities at all. MiG-21 avionics in a terrible airframe with a weak engine. It misses all the advantages of a MiG-23M (better radar, more powerful engine, BVR missiles) but has all the bad airframe qualities of the early MiG-23.
Click to expand...
My understanding from recent reading is that the MS has the same R-29-300 engine, so at least it could go like a bat outta hell, and probably be lighter than the M/MF since the RP-22 is much lighter than the P-23, there is no TP-23 etc., but otherwise i agree with the rest.
 
Monk78 said:
Sorry for the wrong posting

All this criticism is true but it’s also true the Soviets do not have another tactical fighter design in early 70s without the limitations of mig21 that can be exported
MiG-23M does not enter production until 1973 and by 1978 almost every single one produced is needed in Eastern Europe and defense of USSR
Click to expand...
The issue is really the radar, iirc 178 MS were built in that timeframe, while 1300 M/MF were built up to 1983 (i think). I find it hard to believe they couldn't build another 178 or so S-23 radars by 1978 to fit on my alternate MS. Even so, other possible options are the Oryol radar (if still in production) and R-8 missiles, or a Taifun variant and R-98 missiles, though perhaps the latter two might be considered too new for export. But even with a hypothetical Oryol-23 and R-8s, it will still offer something over the MG-21, a 40-50km range radar and a large warhead semi-BVR missile, still better than nothing.
 
lancer21 said:
The issue is really the radar, iirc 178 MS were built in that timeframe, while 1300 M/MF were built up to 1983 (i think). I find it hard to believe they couldn't build another 178 or so S-23 radars by 1978 to fit on my alternate MS. Even so, other possible options are the Oryol radar (if still in production) and R-8 missiles, or a Taifun variant and R-98 missiles, though perhaps the latter two might be considered too new for export. But even with a hypothetical Oryol-23 and R-8s, it will still offer something over the MG-21, a 40-50km range radar and a large warhead semi-BVR missile, still better than nothing.
Click to expand...
Or Soviets should have just cleared the su-15TM for export by mid 70s ?
 

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