War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Su-24M

2024-09-27T03:58:13Z

U106103246: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=su_24m
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Dance of Dragons"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 11,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-6-23M (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-6-23M cannon, belly-mounted (500 rpg) + 24 x large calibre countermeasures
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-6-23M cannon + 96 x large calibre countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 2 x R-60M missiles + 1 x 3,000 l drop tank + 2 x 2,000 l drop tanks
* 4 x R-60M missiles
* 38 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (3,800 kg total)
* 28 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (7,000 kg total)
* 16 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 10 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (5,000 kg total)
* 16 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 9 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (4,500 kg total)
* 3 x 1,500 kg FAB-1500M-46 bombs (4,500 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg KAB-500Kr-E bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 7 x 500 kg KAB-500L bombs (3,500 kg total)
* 7 x 500 kg KAB-500S bombs (3,500 kg total)
* 3 x 500 kg KAB-500S bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 3 x 1,500 kg KAB-1500Kr bombs (4,500 kg total)
* 1 x 1,500 kg KAB-1500Kr bomb (1,500 kg total)
* 3 x 1,500 kg KAB-1500L bombs (4,500 kg total)
* 192 x S-5K rockets
* 120 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 6 x S-25O rockets
* 30 x S-13OF rockets
* 4 x Kh-23M missiles
* 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
* 3 x Kh-29L missiles
* 3 x Kh-29TE missiles
* 4 x S-25LD missiles
* 6 x S-25LD missiles
* 3 x 23 mm GSh-6-23M cannons (500 rpg = 1,500 total)
* 7 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===

''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

* Loads of air to ground munitions, with abilities to carry 3 of the heavy FAB-1500s and its guided versions
* In-built targeting system with laser tracking
* Highest burst mass firing gun in game

*

'''Cons:'''

* Heavy, hence not recommended in prolonged dogfights, especially after the first turn
* No thermals in targeting system
* Only radar is ground-track radar, which is scan only and cannot be adjusted at all
* Mediocre acceleration
* While MAWs are useful, they are very unreliable; giving warnings sometimes when no missiles are fired and sometimes no warnings when missiles are actually fired at you

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{USSR jet aircraft}}

MiG-21 Bison (Great Britain)

2024-07-09T18:59:03Z

U106103246: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Indian jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_bison
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|store=13511
}}

== Description ==

During the 1990s, India decided to undergo an upgrade program for their fleet of [[MiG-21bis]] aircraft, based on the newly unveiled MiG-21-93 modernization package. After a lot of negotiation and prototyping, it was decided that with Mikoyan OKB's help, HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics) would produce the "kits" to upgrade the aircraft. The MiG-21Bis-UPG aircraft, affectionately named the "MiG-21 Bison" was a specially tailored upgrade package that left out some of the original upgrades of the 21-93, but also incorporated some indigenous avionics and systems that the original did not. One such system was the TARANG radar warning receiver and jammer suite. The Bisons were slated to remain in indian service as rear-line interceptors until at least 2025, however, due to political reasons, this was cut short and all MiG-21s in the IAF's fleet were retired in 2024.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]]. As a premium aircraft, it provides a great alternative to the F-4J UK for researching the higher ranks of the tech tree. The MiG-21 Bison is a heavily upgraded MiG-21bis airframe, and at its battle rating, the extremities of such upgrade begin to show. While the aircraft has incredible weaponry and avionics for its battle rating, the missile count and overall flight performance begins to show its limits when facing superior aircraft in uptiers such as F-15s, Su-27s, and JAS-39s. The Bison is also one of the very few aircraft in-game fitted with a GTM (Air to Ground) tracking mode in its radar, allowing it to lock on to ground vehicles and maritime targets, and track their movement from far away. This, coupled with targeting of the KAB-500Kr TV guided bombs, allows the Bison to execute quick and precise interdiction strikes. Just be careful of the low amount of ordnance and countermeasures on this aircraft.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,303 || 2,240 || 35.6 || 37.0 || 262.0 || 225.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-25-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| 1,140 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)
* 60 x large calibre countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="15" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| || 4 || || 4 ||
|-
! [[FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250M-62]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[KAB-500Kr (500 kg)|500 kg KAB-500Kr]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| || 20 || || 20 ||
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27R1]] missiles
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[R-27T1]] missiles
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[R-73E]] missiles
| 1 || || || || 1
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 2 x R-73E missiles
* 2 x R-27R1 missiles
* 2 x R-27T1 missiles
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
* 4 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg KAB-500Kr bombs (1,000 kg total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

The best way to use the Bison is to fly at medium to low altitude and use map terrain as cover from BVR missiles, notching and deploying chaff when necessary. The outstanding thrust vectoring R-73s are your main weapon of choice with this vehicle, go for bombers or unaware fast targets above you, there is plenty of large countermeasures to ensure your survival when getting into a firing position. Take advantage of the helmet aiming to get tough angle locks, leading your missile to fire ahead of the enemy. The only real limit of the R-73 is you only get a single pair of them. Your backup offensive weapons are the R-27 (radar or IR): the radar variant makes for interesting playstyles and the aircraft is equipped with a serviceable radar but isn't reliable at any large range, the IR version is no R-73 by any means but it does have a longer range, larger warhead, and boasts impressive characteristics nonetheless. Save these larger missiles for less manoeuvrable targets such as bombers and attackers. Finally, be sure to constantly scan your RWR and radar systems to get a view of the battlefield and potential targets and risks.

Do keep in mind that this is a 1950s airframe flying against 1990s modern jets. Speed, sensors, and payload are not the strong suits of this aircraft, use your turn radius, airbrakes, and strategy to outmatch any difficult enemies, the missiles at your disposal will do most of the work if you can get a launch. This aircraft has very limited ground ordnance and is better off as an air superiority fighter, however, if one wishes to use this plane in the CAS role, there is a few options such as the Soviet [[KAB-500Kr (500 kg)]] TV guided bomb and a number of Soviet and NATO unguided bombs and rockets. Fly low and fast and deploy countermeasures during and after each attack run. Of note, at its BR the 23 mm cannon is an afterthought with very limited ammo, only use it to finish off enemies or against slow targets, missiles are the main armament at this range.

=== Pros and cons ===



'''Pros:'''

* Very capable R-73E and R-27 missiles which can be used with a Helmet-Mounted Sight
* Improved RWR which allows for greater combat awareness
* Pulse-Doppler radar
* Good manoeuvrability
* Small airframe

'''Cons:'''

* Only 4 missiles
* Weak energy retention
* MiG-21bis airframe which may be lacking at the BR
* GSh-23L has very bad velocity making it difficult to aim
* Limited arsenal for ground attacking

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

=== [[wt:en/news/8935-development-pre-order-mig-21-bison-en|Devblog]] ===
In the early 1990s, Mikoyan and its partner companies launched an upgrade and modernization package for the MiG-21Bis with the aim of offering it to the many operators of the type over the world. Their aim was to prolong the service life of the aircraft against rapidly advancing newer types of aircraft coming along at the time and on competing offer.

Taking to the skies for the first time in 1995, the new 21-93 variant would see the integration of many modern features, such as R-73 and R-27. The latter made possible thanks to its upgraded pulse-doppler Kopyo radar developed from the Yak-141 / MiG-29 series of radar. A new canopy would be introduced, along with a modernized Heads-Up-Display and Helmet mounted sight to make full use of the R-73s capabilities.

India would officially pursue a contract in 1996, with the HAL company handling domestic modernization work after an initial batch of aircraft modified in Russia. India was already one of the largest operators of the type, having the MiG-21 in service since the 1960s across various types. The new upgrade was planned to take the type into the 21st century for the Indian Air Force. Known officially as the MiG-21UPG (For Upgrade) but later as the "Bison". Internally the cockpit was also reworked to include HOTAS controls. New integrated countermeasures were installed along the wing roots on the upper surface, providing additional protection and survivability in combat.

The Indian Air Force plans to retire all MiG-21 Bison aircraft by 2025, replaced in service by the domestically developed HAL Tejas.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8935-development-pre-order-mig-21-bison-en|[Devblog] Pre-order: MiG-21 Bison]]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

AV-8B Plus (Italy)

2024-07-08T14:40:41Z

U106103246: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Harrier (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=av_8b_plus_italy
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

In 1989, Italy's ban on using fixed-wing aircraft in naval aviation was finally lifted and, without missing a beat, Italy signed a contract the following year for the purchase of 14 AV-8B+ VTOL fighters and 2 TAV-8B trainers for usage aboard their ''Giuseppe Garibaldi''-class aircraft carrier. The Harrier IIs would form the backbone of Italian naval aviation in the modern era, being modernized for operations aboard the new ''Cavour''-class carrier and soon the upcoming ''Trieste'' carrier, where they will be supplemented in the VTOL strike role by F-35B Lightning II fighters.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update "Sons of Attila"]], is a modernized version of the venerable [[AV-8A|AV-8 Harrier]], bringing it up to 4th generation fighter standards. The upgrades applied allow this aircraft to not only carry a plethora of new guided ordnance, targeting systems, protective measures, and advanced air-to-air missiles, but also the airframe itself was heavily upgraded over previous AV-8s, with a more powerful engine and large leading edge extensions, allowing the Harrier II to manoeuvre swiftly in ways its predecessors could only imagine.

The AV-8B+ is an incredible all-rounder for the high ranks of Italy, proving to be a decent support fighter in dedicated air battles, but where it truly shines in mixed battles: With the capability to bring up to 10 x laser guided [[GBU-12 Paveway II (277 kg)|GBU-12]] bombs, in addition to a LITENING II thermal pod, a [[GAU-12/U (25 mm)|GAU-12/U]] rotary cannon, and two [[AIM-9M Sidewinder|AIM-9Ms]] for self-defence, the AV-8B+ can absolutely decimate ground forces when left unchecked in the airspace above a ground battle. Other ordnance options on the AV-8B+ include up to four [[AGM-65D|AGM-65D Mavericks]] or the larger [[GBU-16 Paveway II (1,092 lb)|GBU-16]] laser guided bombs, or a wide array of various unguided bombs and rockets to choose from. The aircraft also presents itself with many tricks up its sleeve due to being a VTOL: In air engagements, the act of "VIFF"ing, or "Vector In Forward Flight" allows the Harrier II to quickly force an opponent to overshoot while also tightening its own turning circle through the use of VTOL thrust vectoring. In ground battles, while a risky manoeuvre with a lot of preparation required, it is possible to use the AV-8B+ similarly to a helicopter: by hovering behind terrain cover and only popping out occasionally to launch a fire-and-forget AGM-65D Maverick missile at unsuspecting tanks.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,126 || 1,119 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 30.9 || 31.6 || 82.7 || 82.7 || rowspan="2" | 550
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,143 || 1,134 || 30.1 || 30.5 || 123.1 || 102.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,137  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,679 kg || colspan="3" | 472 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel
|-
| 1,796 kg || colspan="2" | Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
| 7,735 kg || 8,215 kg || 8,984 kg || 10,199 kg || 13,007 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 10,024 kgf || 10,840 kgf
| 1.40 || 1.32 || 1.21 || 1.06 || 0.83
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 10,024 kgf (0 km/h) || 10,840 kgf (0 km/h)
| 1.40 || 1.32 || 1.21 || 1.06 || 0.83
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 180 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GAU-12/U (25 mm)|25 mm GAU-12/U]] cannons (300 rpg)
| || || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|250 lb LDGP Mk 81]] bombs
| 1 || 3 || 3 || 2 || || 3 || 3 || 1
|-
! [[Mk 81 Snakeye (250 lb)|250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye]] bombs
| 1 || 3 || 3 || 2 || || 3 || 3 || 1
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| 1 || 3 || 3 || 2 || || 3 || 3 || 1
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| 1 || 3 || 3 || 2 || || 3 || 3 || 1
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || 1 || 2 || || || 2 || 1 ||
|-
! [[GBU-12 Paveway II (277 kg)|277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II]] bombs
| || 2* || 3* || || || 3* || 2* ||
|-
! [[GBU-16 Paveway II (1,092 lb)|1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II]] bombs
| || 1* || 1* || || || 1* || 1* ||
|-
! [[Mk 77 mod 4 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || 2 || 2 || || || 2 || 2 || 1
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 38 || 57 || || || 57 || 38 ||
|-
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
| || 8 || 12 || || || 12 || 8 ||
|-
! [[AGM-65D]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[AGM-65G]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || || || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[AIM-9M Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || || || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[AIM-120A]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! LITENING II targeting pod
| || || || 1* || || || ||
|-
| colspan="10" | * The LITENING II pod must be equipped when carrying guided bombs
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 25 mm GAU-12/U cannon (300 rpg)
* 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles
* 190 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 40 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 16 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 16 x 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 16 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (8,000 lb total)
* 16 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (8,000 lb total)
* 6 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 10 x 277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs (2,770 kg total)
* 4 x 1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs (4,368 lb total)
* 4 x AGM-65D missiles
* 10 x Mk 77 mod 4 incendiary bombs
* 4 x AGM-65G missiles
* 4 x AIM-120A missiles
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great payload options, access to a very diverse range of ground attack ordnance which include laser-guided bombs and missiles, including long rage AIM-120A Fox 3 missile
* Has access to VTOL, can be used to capture enemy points or even hide the aircraft when engaging enemies
* Can sustain long dogfights with its decent energy retention
* Has built-in target tracker and FLIR even without targeting pod
* Has Pilot NVD

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively slow top speed compared to other modern aircraft
* Need to be in a light configuration if you want to survive dogfights
* Not very armoured, can't handle being damaged unlike other aircraft

== History ==

The Italian's Harrier story begins on 1st February 1989. Due to post-war laws, Italy had very strict guidelines to follow when it came down to its own military forces, these laws would however change shortly after Italy would join NATO. Of these many laws, one would prohibit the Italian Navy from possessing heavily armed aircraft. As such, a new law would be passed known as the "La Legge N.36 del 1 febbraio del 1989 " or "Ali alla Marina" (wings to the Navy) which allowed the Italian Navy to equip itself with armed jets to not only bolster its forces, but mainly to guarantee the security of the Italian Navy and one of its flagships known as the Garibaldi. The Italian Navy was only looking for VTOL/STOL aircraft, so in turn it went for the Harrier, as it fit the role perfectly. Italy was always interested in the Harrier and had even designed a few VTOL/STOL designs of its own, one of the Harrier prototypes was also tested in Italy which likely further pushed the Italian Navy's interest in the platform. This aircraft has been seen being used in multiple countries. Users of the Harrier II include Spain, America and the UK under several different variants. BAE systems had acquired the right to further develop and build the AV-8A that the Americans were already using, so in turn BAE systems had improved it so much such as giving it a better engine. Along other upgrades and changes BAE systems had practically made a new machine which now went under the name of the AV-8B, and also went by the name of "Harrier II". It had access to the latest logistical equipment, and was able to partake in day/night operations.

Due to this, it was the perfect vehicle for the Italian Navy. In September 1990, Italy decided to join the "Plus" program, which aimed to equip the Harriers with radar suites, in which Spain and the US also joined. Italy had bought 18 of the AV-8B, and 2 of the TAV-8B Harrier IIs for training. The Italian government also struck a deal with the United States which allowed Italian Navy pilots to directly train with the Harrier and familiarize themselves with the platform in the US even before they were delivered to Italy. In February 1994, the first Harrier was delivered to the Italian Navy, and by November of that same year, 3 Harriers would call the Garibaldi their new home. Part of the acquisition also allowed Italy to modify their own Harriers (which Alenia would be in charge of). The weapon of choice for the Italian Harriers in terms of air-to-air combat would be the Hughes AIM-120B AMRAAM and the AIM-9L Sidewinder, which at the time were very modern missiles. Italy would also use upgraded variants of those 2 missiles as the years went on. Besides air combat, Italian Navy Harriers were surprisingly well-armed in their air-to-ground configuration, not even the Italian airforce AMX was as heavily armed as the Harrier was during its service. In terms of armament, its main cannon comprised of a GAU-12A 25 mm, something which was already in use with other aircraft of the era. Stand-off capability also included a wide range of laser-guided bombs such as the Paveway series, for anti-tank they had access to the AGM-65 Maverick in 2 different variants. Other optional equipment included unguided rockets and bombs, flare and chaff countermeasures, RWR, and ECM.

Italian Harriers participated in Operation "United Shield" in Somalia, performing multiple recon missions for the American Marines and the Italian "San Marco" regiment. They participated in "Operazione alba neo" in Albania, and had to scramble and intercept multiple jets daily, and in Enduring Freedom where they racked up more than 800 flight hours in combat missions. They also took part with Allied Forces in Kosovo, Operazione Leonte in Lebanon where it was mainly used for monitoring airspace. One of the times it was used as a ground strike aircraft would be in Libya during Operation Unified Protector, and managed to rack up to 1,040 flight hours. Overall, Italian Harriers proved to be a more than useful platform for the Italian Navy, they are soon to be phased out as the Italian Navy begins to put into service their new F-35s.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=av_8b_plus_italy Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Harrier (Family)]]

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Italian-Navy/Aviation/AV-8B-Harrier.htm
* https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-aeree/Pagine/av8b.aspx

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{Italy jet aircraft}}

Su-27

2024-07-01T08:07:08Z

U106103246: /* Pros and cons */ Modified the description of 'mixed countermeasures' in Pros as its no longer a thing after the latest update

{{About
| about = Russian jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Su-27 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=su_27
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Shortly after the Vietnam War, both the United States and the Soviet Union got to work on a new generation of fighter aircraft that favoured manoeuvrability and dogfight performance over top speed. In 1969, the Soviet Union received details through spies on the USAF's F-X program and the aircraft it was leading to, the [[F-15A|F-15 Eagle]]. As a result, the Soviets also decided to adopt a "Heavy support" doctrine with their new generation of fighters, with a smaller amount of a larger, more powerful aircraft supporting a larger amount of smaller, cheaper "frontline" aircraft just as the US was going to do with the F-15 and [[F-16 (Family)|F-16]] respectively. The design of the heavy fighter was handed to OKB Sukhoi, which quickly produced the T-10 prototype. The T-10 had many shortcomings, and after a lot of work with {{Annotation|TsAGI|Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute of Moscow}} to iron out the issues, the Su-27 would take to the skies for the first time in 1977. Development would continue further, and the first true "production models" would only enter service in 1985, beginning a fruitful life in Soviet service, and later in Chinese, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Eritrean, Indonesian, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Uzbek, and Russian service with many aircraft of the type still seeing combat today.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO reporting name: ''Flanker'') was introduced in [[Update "Air Superiority"]] as the top-end heavy fighter for the USSR tree, capping off the Sukhoi line and beginning its transition from high speed fighter-bombers to the venerable Flanker family. The Su-27 is a jack of all trades yet a master of almost none, and that playstyle is its strongest suite. The Flanker carries a very generous amount of air to air missiles (ten), including up to six heat-seeking missiles with HMD targeting, and four of the infamous R-27ER coupled with the strong N001 Mech radar. The Flanker's lethal missile selection allows it to dispatch distracted many enemies at safe distances, and when push comes to shove, the Flanker's inherently unstable airframe and fly-by-wire control systems allows it to perform high angle-of-attack manoeuvres and partial post-stall manoeuvres at lower speeds, including the famed Cobra manoeuvres. All in all, the Su-27 should be played as a jack of all trades, and fits best into a very aggressive playable due to its lethal missiles, great avionics and sensors, and nimble flight performance. One must, however, be aware of various enemies you can encounter in the Flanker, such as all the aircraft that carry IRCCM missiles due to the Flanker's large heat signature as a result of the two massive AL-31 engines, but also be careful of dogfighting aircraft from the F-15 Eagle family, as the Eagle's superior TWR and high-speed handling as a result of the stable airframe will give F-15 players an advantage in some scenarios.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

As a heavy fighter, its performance is surprisingly great, giving enemies such as the similar [[F-15A|F-15]], or even the highly manoeuvrable [[F-16C|F-16]] a good challenge when fighting this aircraft. However, what sets it apart from the most is its extremely high AOA tolerance, remaining somewhat controllable even when the air is hitting the plane from the belly (90°+ AOA manoeuvres). This gives it a good initial dogfighting capability, proven deadly with the HMD and R-73 by firing missiles at angle of nearly 140° away from the direction of flight.

However, that amazing dogfighting capability and superb manoeuvring is gone as soon as you bring a full load of fuel. It will still be able to give a challenge to any opponent in the right conditions, but the manoeuvrability can only work for so long until the Su-27 starts stalling for real at low speeds.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 12,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || 2,357 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || 24.6 || __._ || 173.4 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || 2,498 || __._ || 23.5 || __._ || 225.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,540  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || 652 || 600 || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Saturn AL-31F || 2
| colspan="2" | 16,420 kg || colspan="3" | 417 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 44m fuel
|-
| 1,520 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 19,240 kg || 20,614 kg || 22,711 kg || 25,820 kg || 33,798 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 44m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,219 kgf || 11,656 kgf
| 1.21 || 1.13 || 1.03 || 0.90 || 0.69
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 7,219 kgf (0 km/h) || 15,640 kgf (1,540 km/h)
| 1.63 || 1.52 || 1.38 || 1.21 || 0.92
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

What it has in good performance, it lacks in armour. After all, this is no ground attacker, and armour won't make any difference when a missile successfully hits your aircraft.

However, the Flanker actually has good survivability, and that's mostly because of the redundancy given by the two-engine setup, and the huge space between critical components (after all, the Flanker is nearly as long as the [[Lancaster (Family)|Lancaster]]), giving the pilot some good chances of getting back home.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-30-1 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, wing root-mounted (150 rpg)
* 96 x large calibre countermeasures

The Su-27 uses the same 30 mm autocannon as the MiG-29 with the same limited ammunition count of 150 rounds. Although it is not as forgiving as the American M61 Vulcan and demands precision, it has no spool up time and will deal heavy damage to any aircraft it hits. Something to note is that the Su-27's cannon is mounted on the right side of the fuselage, whereas the MiG-29's mount is on the left.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8 !! width="5%" | 9 !! width="5%" | 10
| rowspan="19" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| || 1 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250M-62]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250-270]] bombs
| || 1 || 1, 2, 6 || 1, 5 || 1, 4 || 1, 2 || 1, 5 || 1, 2, 6 || 1 ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| || || 20, 40 || || || || || 20, 40 || ||
|-
! [[S-13OF]] rockets
| || || 5, 10 || || || || || 5, 10 || ||
|-
! [[S-25O]] rockets
| || || 1, 2 || || || || || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[S-25OF]] rockets
| || || 1, 2 || || || || || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[S-25OFM]] rockets
| || || 1, 2 || || || || || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[R-27ER]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-27ET]] missiles
| || || 1 || || || || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-27R]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-27T]] missiles
| || || 1 || || || || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-73]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || || || || || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| colspan="11" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 8,040 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,500 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x R-73 missiles
* 6 x R-73 missiles
* 2 x R-27T missiles
* 6 x R-27R missiles
* 2 x R-27ET missiles
* 6 x R-27ER missiles
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 20 x S-13OF rockets
* 4 x S-25O rockets
* 38 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (3,800 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 30 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (7,500 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

The Su-27 has a fairly wide arsenal. The air-to-air armaments are generally similar to the [[MiG-29SMT]], with highly agile R-73 IR missiles for short-range combat and various marks of R-27 missiles for medium to long range engagements. However it has a large advantage in capacity over the MiG-29; a full air superiority loadout consists of four R-73s and up to six R-27s, which makes it an excellent missile truck for BVR jousting.

The extended-range R-27ER and R-27ET are the most capable members of the R-27 family and should be used once unlocked. The R-27ET (and its less advanced R-27T) can only be mounted on the inboard wing pylons for a maximum capacity of two, but this is sufficient for a couple of long-range sneak attacks to round out the Su-27's engagement capabilities. The inboard pylons can also mount R-73s instead for pilots who want to bring as many dogfight missiles as possible.

The Su-27 is limited to only unguided bombs and rockets for ground attack, so unlike the MiG-29SMT it cannot use TV-guided missile or bombs for standoff engagements. One notable feature is that it can carry up to four S-25O heavy bunker-buster rockets made famous by the [[Su-25]], which can be a fun surprise for combined battles when enemy SAMs are suppressed or confused. All rockets are mounted in double racks on the inboard pylons, leaving the other pylons available for R-73s, R-27s, or bombs in a multirole loadout.

== Usage in battles ==


The Su-27 is a fairly all-rounded aircraft, capable of of performing both air superiority and close air support duties, with the aircraft excelling at the former due to its ability to carry a massive arsenal of close to medium range air-to-air missiles like the potent and reliable R-73 and the manoeuvrable and high speed R-27ER, whilst for more personal and intimate encounters the Su-27 sports a potent wing root 30 mm GSh-30-1 with EEGS integrated. The aircraft also has HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) integrated, allowing the pilot to designate radar lock-on selected target within the HMD's cubical arc which possesses a massive gimbal room. One thing to note is that IR Missile lock is integrated into the HMD, allowing the HMD to lock your R-73s onto your enemies without the need to point your nose to lock, this gave the Su-27 a massive advantage in dogfights especially against opponents that lacked the same technology.

For ground support duties, the aircraft offers a decently diverse payload options, ranging from conventional and retarded bombs to unguided missiles which featured CCIP support. One glaring issue however is the lack of computer guided munition due to the aircraft inherent nature of being an air-superiority fighter.

In Air Realistic Battles, the Su-27 is a smooth operator, with excellent roll rate and turn speed. At the start of the battle, it's recommended for the player to load the aircraft with 4 x R-73s and 6 x R-27ERs. After taking off, push for afterburner until you reached ~1,200 km/h IAS and maintain it until contact is made. It's highly advised to stay on deck and follow the terrain to induce radar cluttering whilst en route to the combat zone, this will come in extremely handy when the opposition is field F-14A/Bs which could pop off AIM-54A/Cs Active Radar Homing (ARH) missiles which could independently track target without the need for the Tomcat's radar constantly feeding information back.

After making visual contact with the enemy at any altitude beyond the range of 5 km+, you could attempt to acquire lock using your Radar or HMD mode and pop off a few of your R-27ER to shed some weight, note that the R-27ERs possessed IOG and DL features, the former allowed the missile to continue tracking with the last given parameters whilst the latter enables the missile to reacquire its target after lock is regained, this allowed for some tricky plays like popping off the missile at the enemy, this will encourage them to deploy Countermeasures (CMs) expecting lock to be lost or disrupted, however with the addition of DL, lock could be reacquired and the missile will resume its tracking unlike its contemporary like the AIM-7M. This potentially allow the player to catch the prey off guard thinking that they've already gotten off the R-27ER's hook. At near tree top level, it's highly advised that the player use R-73s instead despite the Su-27's ability to reliably lock targets even at low altitude, it is in no way reliable enough to guide the R-27ERs lest you're flying at an even lower altitude than your enemy. If the fight devolves into an dogfights, the Su-27 have some tricks up its sleeves, that being the Su-27's ability to pull extremely high AOA for a very short amount of time when in the correct speed range (500-700 IAS), this ability should be used with the HMD and R-73 missiles, however you will find yourself out of energy and mostly defenseless if the R-73 failed to hit its target, at very low speeds (~400 km/h) the Su-27 will lose the rate fight against most of its enemies (This includes F-16s, F15s, Jas-39s, Mirage 4000 and more) Due to these reasons above it is best to keep the airspeed above 500 km/h IAS and only pull the maximum amount of AOA to launch a R-73 or to pull in for a gun kill. (another thing to note is that at speeds above 1,200 km/h IAS, the vertical control surfaces will stiffen up). However if you find yourself at speeds higher than 700 km/h IAS, then the Su-27 has yet another toy that is yet to be unveiled, which is the addition of a massive airbrake, specifically designed to enable the aircraft to perform a tight turn even at high speed, regardless the use of this airbrake should be done in moderation as it bleeds the aircraft speed at an astronomical rate which could be a double-edged sword or a lifesaver depending on the scenario it's used in, This allows the Su-27 to turn the table of the fight ever so slightly in its favour if used correctly, allowing the aircraft to enter its manoeuvrable speed threshold which could help you get your HMD acquisition of the R-73 on the assailant or just pepper them with your potent 30 mm with the help of EEGS (Note: the R-73's IRCCM uses Gatewidth Tracking which is extremely flare resistant the closer the missile gets to its target due to the IR tracking scope narrowing post-launch, this means it's highly recommended for the pilot to launch the missile preferably from or below 1 km for best effect).

'''Notable Opponents:'''

* [[F-16 (Family)|F-16A/Cs]] - F-16s carry an advantage over the Flanker in manoeuvrability, with greater energy retention and rate fighting abilities. What makes the Fighting Falcon dangerous, however, is the AIM-9M. The 9M carries an IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Countermeasure) system. The seeker of the Sidewinder will shut off when it detects flares, follow the aircraft's expected trajectory (IOG), and then reacquire lock once flares are passed. The only way to defeat these potent missiles is to constantly flare, cut throttle, and change direction. When the aircraft is not where the missile expects it to be after the pilot moves out of the expected path, the 9M will lock onto the recently deployed flares. Spamming large groups of flares sporadically does not work, as the missile will simply reacquire lock once flaring ceases. The best defense against powerful IRCCM missiles is to avoid them in the first place. By catching enemies off guard from their flanks and behinds, any pilot will find success, no matter the plane.
* [[F-14 (Family)|F-14A/Bs]] - F-14s are capable of launching AIM-54A/Cs as aforementioned, which could be extremely infuriating to deal with. The only real counter to this is by flying flat on deck, however even the slightest mistake could resulted in you getting locked on by the AIM-54s if you don't fly close enough to the ground. Luckily, the Tomcat's combat prowess starts to diminish at closer ranges.
* [[F-15 (Family)|F-15A/Js]] - F-15s are perhaps one of the Su-27s greatest adversary. Better manoeuvrability, the F-15s could pull off many tight turns just like the the Su-27. Combined with its use of AIM-9Ms, the Eagle could easily pick off the Flanker in close range engagements so caution is advised when engaging.
* [[JAS39A]]/[[JAS39C|Cs]] - Engagement against the Gripen is quite tricky for the Flanker, the aircraft possesses superior manoeuvrability than the Flanker and Eagle in most cases; combine that with the Gripen's AIM-9Ms/RB-74(M)s, direct short range confrontation is ill-advised as after 3 turns or 2, most fights wouldn't end well for the Flanker.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent acceleration and engine power
* Airframe can pull very tight turns at speeds between ~500-700 km/h IAS
* Massive assortment of air-to-air weaponry, capable of carrying a maximum of 10 missiles, including six potent R-27ER SARH missiles
* GSh-30-1 is hard-hitting and capable of incapacitating most foes with a single well landed burst
* HMD is integrated with IR tracking support allowing R-73s to be launched off-boresight from unexpected angles
* Flares drop singularly, giving more efficiency

'''Cons:'''

* Massive airframe compared to most contemporaries which makes for an easy target
* Control surfaces stiffens at speeds higher than 1,200 km/h
* Has a tendency to snap its wing at high speed whilst rolling excessively
* Poor energy retention below a speed of 1,000 km/h
* Low gun ammunition requires good trigger discipline and good aim to utilize effectively compared to its American counterparts
* Incompetent RWR for its rank

== History ==

Development of the Su-27 began at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in early 1971. In 1977, the first prototype was built for testing. Due to a change in the concept of future aircraft, the team of aircraft manufacturers had to design an essentially new aircraft, only partially using the developments of the original project. The new prototype was ready by the end of 1980, and its flight tests began in the spring of 1981. The first Su-27s began to enter service with the armed forces in 1984, even though tests of a number of systems had not yet been completed. Today, Su-27 fighters of various modifications are in service with Russia, China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries.

- From ''[[wt:en/news/8652-development-su-27-feisty-flanker-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=su_27 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|NlHdl2JAjfU|'''The Shooting Range #385''' - ''Special'' section at 06:35 discusses Pugachev's Cobra.|NlHdl2JAjfU|'''The Shooting Range #385''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8652-development-su-27-feisty-flanker-en|[Development] Su-27: Feisty Flanker!]]

{{AirManufacturer Sukhoi}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}

MiG-21S (R-13-300)

2024-03-18T10:47:35Z

U106103246: Tactics and cons

{{About
| about = Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the mid 1960s, While the Soviet Air Defence Force (PVO) was content with their MiG-21 variants, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) set out to acquire a better fighter-interceptor, as their current MiG-21PF were mainly suited for heavy interception and light ground attack, with little emphasis on air-to-air combat. Research from Mikoyan OKB quickly resulted in the Ye-7S prototype, a MiG-21PF with the new Sapfir-21 radar, allowing it to mount not only the ASP-PF-21 radar-computing gunsight, but also [[R-3R]] (K-13R) semi-active radar guided (SARH) air to air missile, increasing the lethality of this aircraft during interception and especially during head-on and side-on engagements with enemy aircraft. The design was greatly favoured by the VVS, and after a small request to also increase the fuel capacity, the MiG-21S was born. The MiG-21S had the extra fuel incorporated in the larger saddle tank taken from the MiG-21R variant, while mounting all the avionics upgrades of the Ye-7S prototype. This aircraft would begin delivery to its only operator, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) in 1965, and would see active combat shortly after, most notably participating in the Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as a GE {{ge}} premium, the MiG-21S is doctrinally very similar to its contemporary second-generation Fishbed variants of similar battle rating. In simple terms, the MiG-21S is just a [[MiG-21PFM]] with more fuel and extra hardpoints due to using the chassis of a MiG-21R. The biggest selling point of this aircraft after its incredible flight performance for its battle rating, is the [[R-3R]] radar-guided missiles, which allow for head-on and side-on engagement against unaware or overconfident aircraft, if the radar lock conditions permit. The MiG-21S, while excelling in the flight performance and weapons department for its battle rating, is strongly offset by its abysmal survivability. At a battle rating where it is regularly faced with high-G all-aspect missiles such as the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] and [[R-60M]], this aircraft is strongly limited by the fact that it lacks any form of countermeasures to defend itself against such threats.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Like all MiG-21s, the MiG-21S is a very fast interceptor. With a powerful engine (the same used by the [[MiG-21SMT]]), the MiG-21S has very good acceleration and top speed compared to other supersonic fighters like the [[MiG-19PT|MiG-19]], the [[F-100D|F-100 Super Sabre]] and the [[F-105D]]. Being a delta wing fighter, it's capable of extreme manoeuvres, but it loses speed very quickly and in a few turns it would be stuck at less than 600 km/h.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,190 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.2 || 37.0 || 134.7 || 126.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,313 || 2,240 || 34.2 || 35.0 || 187.6 || 160.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 500 || 450 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 950 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,962 kg || colspan="3" | 359 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,651 kg || 7,169 kg || 7,773 kg || 8,258 kg || 9,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,825 kgf || 6,483 kgf
| 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.83 || 0.79 || 0.65
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,825 kgf (0 km/h) || 6,977 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.05 || 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.84 || 0.70
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The MiG-21S (R-13-300) can take hits from calibres lower than 30 mm guns in minor parts, but if the engine is damaged it will surely fall. A missile hit will knock out the fighter instantly or cause it to crash.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (200 rpg)
| || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-54]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3S]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 570 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (200 rpg)
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 2 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

The GSh-23L is a very powerful weapon, that requires practice to be used properly. It has a low muzzle velocity and a small ammo pool compared to other planes at its BR. But it compensates this with a very good damage output, being capable of destroying almost any aircraft with a small burst.

The MiG-21S can equip several ordnance options for both air-to-air combat and ground support.

For air-to-air combat, the R-3S and R-3R missiles are the only options. These missiles share the same properties but the R-3S is a caged IR missile, which means that it needs to point directly to the back of an enemy aircraft in order to get a lock. The R-3R in the other hand is a radar guided missile. Unlike the R-3S, it has a small area in which the aircraft can change direction, making it possible to lead the missile towards the direction in which the enemy is heading. The R-3R is overall a better missile but it's hard to use close to the ground due to the lacklustre radar in the MiG-21, and the R-3S is excellent in picking slow moving enemies at any altitude and moment.

For ground ordnance, the MiG-21S has ballistic computers for both rockets and its cannon. So in ground RB it's possible to use it as a multirole fighter, with 2 rocket pods and 2 missiles for air-to-air combat, providing cover to the team.

== Usage in battles ==

The MiG-21S (R-13-300) is an excellent fighter when used in high altitudes or support roles, where its powerful engine makes it a very awkward opponent.

'''Arcade Battles:'''

In AB, the MiG-21S will constantly see a multitude of enemies, but the most dangerous ones would be the A-10, the F-5C, and other MiG-21s. In these battles, staying at high altitudes and managing the afterburner use is very important, since missiles like the AIM-9L and R-60M and early radar missiles are a dangerous threat to the MiG-21S due to its lack of countermeasures. Thus, staying fast and high, and using its radar missiles from good positions would make you survive longer and be a more useful teammate.

'''Realistic Battles:'''

In RB, the MiG-21S should also be used in a support role and at high altitudes but it can also be used as a frontline fighter, with more risk. When flying at altitudes above 5,000 m the MiG-21S easily reaches Mach 1.3, and its radar is free of ground clutter. At this altitude, common enemies are the F-104 Starfighter, other MiG-21s, Harriers, and the F-8E Crusader, the Crusader being the most dangerous thanks to the AIM-9C radar-guided missile and countermeasures. At higher altitudes, the missiles can fly longer and faster, while aircraft became more sluggish due to the thinner atmosphere, which is very beneficial for the R-3Rs since they are very early missiles and can't pull very hard. In a support role, attacking slow aircraft, especially those focused in fights or bomb runs, is a good way to help your team. Its good speed also makes the MiG-21S a very good hunter, attacking damaged aircraft that are retreating back to their airfield.

The usual preferred tactic is to fly between 3000-4000m so that most unaware players space climbing at near 5000m, such as F-104s or Harriers won't see your missile being fired in front of them. Some of these planes (exceptions such as the F-5Cs) won't even detect your radar bandwidth as they are limited to I band while the MiG-21S' is J band. And once you reach within 8km of lock range, fire the missile. AT such altitudes the missile will easily intercept them.

Speaking of F-5Cs, those planes which are aware of your missiles and evade them when you fire it within 8km rage, another tactic is to fool them into thinking your will be going for a head-on gun kill. And once you both close-in within 2km range, fire your R-3R and evade immediately to avoid his canons. Most of the time the enemy in front will not have the time to react to the missile fired just 1km in front of him.

Also, if you keep flying high and each the other end of the map at the start of a match, you are bound to face a bunch of A-10 players flying low just beneath you. So another tactic is to be sneaky and dive sneakily behind them with airbrakes. Achieving a radar lock as you are heading low will be difficult, so its best advised to sneak just behind them slowly and use your guns on them.

'''Simulator Battles:'''

In SB, the MiG-21S is a more tricky fighter. Because it has a radar with IFF (Identification friend or foe), tt can be used in high altitudes to intercept enemy bombers and other fighters. But its lack of countermeasures would cement its future in that role. Fortunately it has an RWR. Something very useful to know when another plane has a radar lock on you. Aside from that, pilots should be extremely careful, because even with an IFF system, the MiG-21S can lock onto allied aircraft and cause friendly fire incidents. For ground loadouts, the MiG-21S has a very bad frontal cockpit visibility, making CAS duties really hard even with the ballistics computer for bombs and rockets.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fast aircraft, possesses a powerful engine that will get you to the battle much quicker than most
* Multiple loadouts allow decent CAS/AA options for Ground {{Annotation|RB|Realistic Battles}}
* Radar missiles can surprise opponents not expecting to be engaged at such a distance
* Tight turn rate

'''Cons:'''

* Air-to-air missiles are underwhelming and are mostly effective only against inattentive pilots
* Bleeds excessive amounts of energy during turns
* Cannon requires careful use due to the limited amount of rounds
* Energy retention isn't the greatest
* Fuel-hungry engine, 20m of fuel will quickly disappear if not paying attention
* Slow at 30m of fuel
* Lack of any Countermeasures means its a vulnerable target for aircrafts with high aspect IR missiles in uptiers

== History ==

The MiG-21S was a variant of the MiG-21 family for more multipurpose design. It fitted more fuel capacity, a cannon pod, four hard points and an RP-22 radar. It was delivered exclusively to the Soviet Air Force. This variant included a more capable powerplant, the R11F2S-300 engine, which gave it significantly more thrust.

The MiG-21S radar, was a production version of the Sapfir-21 and included several more features for increased survivability and multirole capabilities. It included an ASP-PF-21 computing gunsight with ballistics computer. Included an AP-155 autopiloting system, with an auto recovery system for use in emergencies. The airframe was similar but not the same as that of the MiG-21PFM, since it used the same saddle tank as the MiG-21R. It was capable of carrying the GP-9 cannon pod for the GSh-23L 23 mm gun. Its four hardpoints made it capable of carrying drop tanks, for increased fuel capacity at long flights.

In its arsenal, it included the R-3R radar guided missile (K-13R), a semi-active radar-homing missile based in the R-3S (K-13) missile, which was not present in the MiG-21PFM even though it had the same radar as the MiG-21S. This variant of the MiG-21 was produced for 1965 to 1968 and saw no use outside of the Soviet Union.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_s Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QiTm32YVGWc|'''2 Premiums, One Playstyle: MiG-21 SPS-K & MiG-21S''' - ''Spit_flyer''|XGATU1TiNws|'''High Powered Vulture - MiG-21S Winged Lions''' - ''DEFYN''|_We7EKqMT0I|'''MiG-21S : A Quick Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/479893-mig-21mf/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

MiG-21S (R-13-300)

2024-03-18T10:44:11Z

U106103246: Undo revision 183639 by U106103246 (talk)

{{About
| about = Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the mid 1960s, While the Soviet Air Defence Force (PVO) was content with their MiG-21 variants, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) set out to acquire a better fighter-interceptor, as their current MiG-21PF were mainly suited for heavy interception and light ground attack, with little emphasis on air-to-air combat. Research from Mikoyan OKB quickly resulted in the Ye-7S prototype, a MiG-21PF with the new Sapfir-21 radar, allowing it to mount not only the ASP-PF-21 radar-computing gunsight, but also [[R-3R]] (K-13R) semi-active radar guided (SARH) air to air missile, increasing the lethality of this aircraft during interception and especially during head-on and side-on engagements with enemy aircraft. The design was greatly favoured by the VVS, and after a small request to also increase the fuel capacity, the MiG-21S was born. The MiG-21S had the extra fuel incorporated in the larger saddle tank taken from the MiG-21R variant, while mounting all the avionics upgrades of the Ye-7S prototype. This aircraft would begin delivery to its only operator, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) in 1965, and would see active combat shortly after, most notably participating in the Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as a GE {{ge}} premium, the MiG-21S is doctrinally very similar to its contemporary second-generation Fishbed variants of similar battle rating. In simple terms, the MiG-21S is just a [[MiG-21PFM]] with more fuel and extra hardpoints due to using the chassis of a MiG-21R. The biggest selling point of this aircraft after its incredible flight performance for its battle rating, is the [[R-3R]] radar-guided missiles, which allow for head-on and side-on engagement against unaware or overconfident aircraft, if the radar lock conditions permit. The MiG-21S, while excelling in the flight performance and weapons department for its battle rating, is strongly offset by its abysmal survivability. At a battle rating where it is regularly faced with high-G all-aspect missiles such as the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] and [[R-60M]], this aircraft is strongly limited by the fact that it lacks any form of countermeasures to defend itself against such threats.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Like all MiG-21s, the MiG-21S is a very fast interceptor. With a powerful engine (the same used by the [[MiG-21SMT]]), the MiG-21S has very good acceleration and top speed compared to other supersonic fighters like the [[MiG-19PT|MiG-19]], the [[F-100D|F-100 Super Sabre]] and the [[F-105D]]. Being a delta wing fighter, it's capable of extreme manoeuvres, but it loses speed very quickly and in a few turns it would be stuck at less than 600 km/h.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,190 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.2 || 37.0 || 134.7 || 126.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,313 || 2,240 || 34.2 || 35.0 || 187.6 || 160.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 500 || 450 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 950 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,962 kg || colspan="3" | 359 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,651 kg || 7,169 kg || 7,773 kg || 8,258 kg || 9,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,825 kgf || 6,483 kgf
| 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.83 || 0.79 || 0.65
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,825 kgf (0 km/h) || 6,977 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.05 || 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.84 || 0.70
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The MiG-21S (R-13-300) can take hits from calibres lower than 30 mm guns in minor parts, but if the engine is damaged it will surely fall. A missile hit will knock out the fighter instantly or cause it to crash.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (200 rpg)
| || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-54]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3S]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 570 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (200 rpg)
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 2 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

The GSh-23L is a very powerful weapon, that requires practice to be used properly. It has a low muzzle velocity and a small ammo pool compared to other planes at its BR. But it compensates this with a very good damage output, being capable of destroying almost any aircraft with a small burst.

The MiG-21S can equip several ordnance options for both air-to-air combat and ground support.

For air-to-air combat, the R-3S and R-3R missiles are the only options. These missiles share the same properties but the R-3S is a caged IR missile, which means that it needs to point directly to the back of an enemy aircraft in order to get a lock. The R-3R in the other hand is a radar guided missile. Unlike the R-3S, it has a small area in which the aircraft can change direction, making it possible to lead the missile towards the direction in which the enemy is heading. The R-3R is overall a better missile but it's hard to use close to the ground due to the lacklustre radar in the MiG-21, and the R-3S is excellent in picking slow moving enemies at any altitude and moment.

For ground ordnance, the MiG-21S has ballistic computers for both rockets and its cannon. So in ground RB it's possible to use it as a multirole fighter, with 2 rocket pods and 2 missiles for air-to-air combat, providing cover to the team.

== Usage in battles ==

The MiG-21S (R-13-300) is an excellent fighter when used in high altitudes or support roles, where its powerful engine makes it a very awkward opponent.

'''Arcade Battles:'''

In AB, the MiG-21S will constantly see a multitude of enemies, but the most dangerous ones would be the A-10, the F-5C, and other MiG-21s. In these battles, staying at high altitudes and managing the afterburner use is very important, since missiles like the AIM-9L and R-60M and early radar missiles are a dangerous threat to the MiG-21S due to its lack of countermeasures. Thus, staying fast and high, and using its radar missiles from good positions would make you survive longer and be a more useful teammate.

'''Realistic Battles:'''

In RB, the MiG-21S should also be used in a support role and at high altitudes but it can also be used as a frontline fighter, with more risk. When flying at altitudes above 5,000 m the MiG-21S easily reaches Mach 1.3, and its radar is free of ground clutter. At this altitude, common enemies are the F-104 Starfighter, other MiG-21s, Harriers, and the F-8E Crusader, the Crusader being the most dangerous thanks to the AIM-9C radar-guided missile and countermeasures. At higher altitudes, the missiles can fly longer and faster, while aircraft became more sluggish due to the thinner atmosphere, which is very beneficial for the R-3Rs since they are very early missiles and can't pull very hard. In a support role, attacking slow aircraft, especially those focused in fights or bomb runs, is a good way to help your team. Its good speed also makes the MiG-21S a very good hunter, attacking damaged aircraft that are retreating back to their airfield.

The usual preferred tactic is to fly between 3000-4000m so that most unaware players space climbing at near 5000m, such as F-104s or Harriers won't see your missile being fired in front of them. Some of these planes (exceptions such as the F-5Cs) won't even detect your radar bandwidth as they are limited to I band while the MiG-21S' is J band. And once you reach within 8km of lock range, fire the missile. AT such altitudes the missile will easily intercept them.

Speaking of F-5Cs, those planes which are aware of your missiles and evade them when you fire it within 8km rage, another tactic is to fool them into thinking your will be going for a head-on gun kill. And once you both close-in within 2km range, fire your R-3R and evade immediately to avoid his canons. Most of the time the enemy in front will not have the time to react to the missile fired just 1km in front of him.

Also, if you keep flying high and each the other end of the map at the start of a match, you are bound to face a bunch of A-10 players flying low just beneath you. So another tactic is to be sneaky and dive sneakily behind them with airbrakes. Achieving a radar lock as you are heading low will be difficult, so its best advised to sneak just behind them slowly and use your guns on them.

'''Simulator Battles:'''

In SB, the MiG-21S is a more tricky fighter. Because it has a radar with IFF (Identification friend or foe), tt can be used in high altitudes to intercept enemy bombers and other fighters. But its lack of countermeasures would cement its future in that role. Fortunately it has an RWR. Something very useful to know when another plane has a radar lock on you. Aside from that, pilots should be extremely careful, because even with an IFF system, the MiG-21S can lock onto allied aircraft and cause friendly fire incidents. For ground loadouts, the MiG-21S has a very bad frontal cockpit visibility, making CAS duties really hard even with the ballistics computer for bombs and rockets.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fast aircraft, possesses a powerful engine that will get you to the battle much quicker than most
* Multiple loadouts allow decent CAS/AA options for Ground {{Annotation|RB|Realistic Battles}}
* Radar missiles can surprise opponents not expecting to be engaged at such a distance
* Tight turn rate

'''Cons:'''

* Air-to-air missiles are underwhelming and are mostly effective only against inattentive pilots
* Bleeds excessive amounts of energy during turns
* Cannon requires careful use due to the limited amount of rounds
* Energy retention isn't the greatest
* Fuel-hungry engine, 20m of fuel will quickly disappear if not paying attention
* Slow at 30m of fuel

== History ==

The MiG-21S was a variant of the MiG-21 family for more multipurpose design. It fitted more fuel capacity, a cannon pod, four hard points and an RP-22 radar. It was delivered exclusively to the Soviet Air Force. This variant included a more capable powerplant, the R11F2S-300 engine, which gave it significantly more thrust.

The MiG-21S radar, was a production version of the Sapfir-21 and included several more features for increased survivability and multirole capabilities. It included an ASP-PF-21 computing gunsight with ballistics computer. Included an AP-155 autopiloting system, with an auto recovery system for use in emergencies. The airframe was similar but not the same as that of the MiG-21PFM, since it used the same saddle tank as the MiG-21R. It was capable of carrying the GP-9 cannon pod for the GSh-23L 23 mm gun. Its four hardpoints made it capable of carrying drop tanks, for increased fuel capacity at long flights.

In its arsenal, it included the R-3R radar guided missile (K-13R), a semi-active radar-homing missile based in the R-3S (K-13) missile, which was not present in the MiG-21PFM even though it had the same radar as the MiG-21S. This variant of the MiG-21 was produced for 1965 to 1968 and saw no use outside of the Soviet Union.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_s Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QiTm32YVGWc|'''2 Premiums, One Playstyle: MiG-21 SPS-K & MiG-21S''' - ''Spit_flyer''|XGATU1TiNws|'''High Powered Vulture - MiG-21S Winged Lions''' - ''DEFYN''|_We7EKqMT0I|'''MiG-21S : A Quick Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/479893-mig-21mf/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

MiG-21S (R-13-300)

2024-03-18T10:43:32Z

U106103246: lack of CMs in cons

{{About
| about = Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the mid 1960s, While the Soviet Air Defence Force (PVO) was content with their MiG-21 variants, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) set out to acquire a better fighter-interceptor, as their current MiG-21PF were mainly suited for heavy interception and light ground attack, with little emphasis on air-to-air combat. Research from Mikoyan OKB quickly resulted in the Ye-7S prototype, a MiG-21PF with the new Sapfir-21 radar, allowing it to mount not only the ASP-PF-21 radar-computing gunsight, but also [[R-3R]] (K-13R) semi-active radar guided (SARH) air to air missile, increasing the lethality of this aircraft during interception and especially during head-on and side-on engagements with enemy aircraft. The design was greatly favoured by the VVS, and after a small request to also increase the fuel capacity, the MiG-21S was born. The MiG-21S had the extra fuel incorporated in the larger saddle tank taken from the MiG-21R variant, while mounting all the avionics upgrades of the Ye-7S prototype. This aircraft would begin delivery to its only operator, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) in 1965, and would see active combat shortly after, most notably participating in the Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as a GE {{ge}} premium, the MiG-21S is doctrinally very similar to its contemporary second-generation Fishbed variants of similar battle rating. In simple terms, the MiG-21S is just a [[MiG-21PFM]] with more fuel and extra hardpoints due to using the chassis of a MiG-21R. The biggest selling point of this aircraft after its incredible flight performance for its battle rating, is the [[R-3R]] radar-guided missiles, which allow for head-on and side-on engagement against unaware or overconfident aircraft, if the radar lock conditions permit. The MiG-21S, while excelling in the flight performance and weapons department for its battle rating, is strongly offset by its abysmal survivability. At a battle rating where it is regularly faced with high-G all-aspect missiles such as the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] and [[R-60M]], this aircraft is strongly limited by the fact that it lacks any form of countermeasures to defend itself against such threats.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Like all MiG-21s, the MiG-21S is a very fast interceptor. With a powerful engine (the same used by the [[MiG-21SMT]]), the MiG-21S has very good acceleration and top speed compared to other supersonic fighters like the [[MiG-19PT|MiG-19]], the [[F-100D|F-100 Super Sabre]] and the [[F-105D]]. Being a delta wing fighter, it's capable of extreme manoeuvres, but it loses speed very quickly and in a few turns it would be stuck at less than 600 km/h.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,190 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.2 || 37.0 || 134.7 || 126.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,313 || 2,240 || 34.2 || 35.0 || 187.6 || 160.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 500 || 450 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 950 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,962 kg || colspan="3" | 359 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,651 kg || 7,169 kg || 7,773 kg || 8,258 kg || 9,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,825 kgf || 6,483 kgf
| 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.83 || 0.79 || 0.65
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,825 kgf (0 km/h) || 6,977 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.05 || 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.84 || 0.70
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The MiG-21S (R-13-300) can take hits from calibres lower than 30 mm guns in minor parts, but if the engine is damaged it will surely fall. A missile hit will knock out the fighter instantly or cause it to crash.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (200 rpg)
| || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-54]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3S]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 570 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (200 rpg)
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 2 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

The GSh-23L is a very powerful weapon, that requires practice to be used properly. It has a low muzzle velocity and a small ammo pool compared to other planes at its BR. But it compensates this with a very good damage output, being capable of destroying almost any aircraft with a small burst.

The MiG-21S can equip several ordnance options for both air-to-air combat and ground support.

For air-to-air combat, the R-3S and R-3R missiles are the only options. These missiles share the same properties but the R-3S is a caged IR missile, which means that it needs to point directly to the back of an enemy aircraft in order to get a lock. The R-3R in the other hand is a radar guided missile. Unlike the R-3S, it has a small area in which the aircraft can change direction, making it possible to lead the missile towards the direction in which the enemy is heading. The R-3R is overall a better missile but it's hard to use close to the ground due to the lacklustre radar in the MiG-21, and the R-3S is excellent in picking slow moving enemies at any altitude and moment.

For ground ordnance, the MiG-21S has ballistic computers for both rockets and its cannon. So in ground RB it's possible to use it as a multirole fighter, with 2 rocket pods and 2 missiles for air-to-air combat, providing cover to the team.

== Usage in battles ==

The MiG-21S (R-13-300) is an excellent fighter when used in high altitudes or support roles, where its powerful engine makes it a very awkward opponent.

'''Arcade Battles:'''

In AB, the MiG-21S will constantly see a multitude of enemies, but the most dangerous ones would be the A-10, the F-5C, and other MiG-21s. In these battles, staying at high altitudes and managing the afterburner use is very important, since missiles like the AIM-9L and R-60M and early radar missiles are a dangerous threat to the MiG-21S due to its lack of countermeasures. Thus, staying fast and high, and using its radar missiles from good positions would make you survive longer and be a more useful teammate.

'''Realistic Battles:'''

In RB, the MiG-21S should also be used in a support role and at high altitudes but it can also be used as a frontline fighter, with more risk. When flying at altitudes above 5,000 m the MiG-21S easily reaches Mach 1.3, and its radar is free of ground clutter. At this altitude, common enemies are the F-104 Starfighter, other MiG-21s, Harriers, and the F-8E Crusader, the Crusader being the most dangerous thanks to the AIM-9C radar-guided missile and countermeasures. At higher altitudes, the missiles can fly longer and faster, while aircraft became more sluggish due to the thinner atmosphere, which is very beneficial for the R-3Rs since they are very early missiles and can't pull very hard. In a support role, attacking slow aircraft, especially those focused in fights or bomb runs, is a good way to help your team. Its good speed also makes the MiG-21S a very good hunter, attacking damaged aircraft that are retreating back to their airfield.

'''Simulator Battles:'''

In SB, the MiG-21S is a more tricky fighter. Because it has a radar with IFF (Identification friend or foe), tt can be used in high altitudes to intercept enemy bombers and other fighters. But its lack of countermeasures would cement its future in that role. Fortunately it has an RWR. Something very useful to know when another plane has a radar lock on you. Aside from that, pilots should be extremely careful, because even with an IFF system, the MiG-21S can lock onto allied aircraft and cause friendly fire incidents. For ground loadouts, the MiG-21S has a very bad frontal cockpit visibility, making CAS duties really hard even with the ballistics computer for bombs and rockets.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fast aircraft, possesses a powerful engine that will get you to the battle much quicker than most
* Multiple loadouts allow decent CAS/AA options for Ground {{Annotation|RB|Realistic Battles}}
* Radar missiles can surprise opponents not expecting to be engaged at such a distance
* Tight turn rate

'''Cons:'''

* Air-to-air missiles are underwhelming and are mostly effective only against inattentive pilots
* Bleeds excessive amounts of energy during turns
* Cannon requires careful use due to the limited amount of rounds
* Energy retention isn't the greatest
* Fuel-hungry engine, 20m of fuel will quickly disappear if not paying attention
* Slow at 30m of fuel
* Lack of countermeasures makes it a very vulnerable target when facing jets with high aspect IR missiles in uptiers such as AIM-9Ls and Magic 1s

== History ==

The MiG-21S was a variant of the MiG-21 family for more multipurpose design. It fitted more fuel capacity, a cannon pod, four hard points and an RP-22 radar. It was delivered exclusively to the Soviet Air Force. This variant included a more capable powerplant, the R11F2S-300 engine, which gave it significantly more thrust.

The MiG-21S radar, was a production version of the Sapfir-21 and included several more features for increased survivability and multirole capabilities. It included an ASP-PF-21 computing gunsight with ballistics computer. Included an AP-155 autopiloting system, with an auto recovery system for use in emergencies. The airframe was similar but not the same as that of the MiG-21PFM, since it used the same saddle tank as the MiG-21R. It was capable of carrying the GP-9 cannon pod for the GSh-23L 23 mm gun. Its four hardpoints made it capable of carrying drop tanks, for increased fuel capacity at long flights.

In its arsenal, it included the R-3R radar guided missile (K-13R), a semi-active radar-homing missile based in the R-3S (K-13) missile, which was not present in the MiG-21PFM even though it had the same radar as the MiG-21S. This variant of the MiG-21 was produced for 1965 to 1968 and saw no use outside of the Soviet Union.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_s Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QiTm32YVGWc|'''2 Premiums, One Playstyle: MiG-21 SPS-K & MiG-21S''' - ''Spit_flyer''|XGATU1TiNws|'''High Powered Vulture - MiG-21S Winged Lions''' - ''DEFYN''|_We7EKqMT0I|'''MiG-21S : A Quick Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/479893-mig-21mf/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

MiG-21S (R-13-300)

2024-03-18T10:35:24Z

U106103246: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_s
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the mid 1960s, While the Soviet Air Defence Force (PVO) was content with their MiG-21 variants, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) set out to acquire a better fighter-interceptor, as their current MiG-21PF were mainly suited for heavy interception and light ground attack, with little emphasis on air-to-air combat. Research from Mikoyan OKB quickly resulted in the Ye-7S prototype, a MiG-21PF with the new Sapfir-21 radar, allowing it to mount not only the ASP-PF-21 radar-computing gunsight, but also [[R-3R]] (K-13R) semi-active radar guided (SARH) air to air missile, increasing the lethality of this aircraft during interception and especially during head-on and side-on engagements with enemy aircraft. The design was greatly favoured by the VVS, and after a small request to also increase the fuel capacity, the MiG-21S was born. The MiG-21S had the extra fuel incorporated in the larger saddle tank taken from the MiG-21R variant, while mounting all the avionics upgrades of the Ye-7S prototype. This aircraft would begin delivery to its only operator, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) in 1965, and would see active combat shortly after, most notably participating in the Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as a GE {{ge}} premium, the MiG-21S is doctrinally very similar to its contemporary second-generation Fishbed variants of similar battle rating. In simple terms, the MiG-21S is just a [[MiG-21PFM]] with more fuel and extra hardpoints due to using the chassis of a MiG-21R. The biggest selling point of this aircraft after its incredible flight performance for its battle rating, is the [[R-3R]] radar-guided missiles, which allow for head-on and side-on engagement against unaware or overconfident aircraft, if the radar lock conditions permit. The MiG-21S, while excelling in the flight performance and weapons department for its battle rating, is strongly offset by its abysmal survivability. At a battle rating where it is regularly faced with high-G all-aspect missiles such as the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] and [[R-60M]], this aircraft is strongly limited by the fact that it lacks any form of countermeasures to defend itself against such threats.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Like all MiG-21s, the MiG-21S is a very fast interceptor. With a powerful engine (the same used by the [[MiG-21SMT]]), the MiG-21S has very good acceleration and top speed compared to other supersonic fighters like the [[MiG-19PT|MiG-19]], the [[F-100D|F-100 Super Sabre]] and the [[F-105D]]. Being a delta wing fighter, it's capable of extreme manoeuvres, but it loses speed very quickly and in a few turns it would be stuck at less than 600 km/h.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,190 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.2 || 37.0 || 134.7 || 126.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,313 || 2,240 || 34.2 || 35.0 || 187.6 || 160.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 500 || 450 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 950 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,962 kg || colspan="3" | 359 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,651 kg || 7,169 kg || 7,773 kg || 8,258 kg || 9,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 38m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,825 kgf || 6,483 kgf
| 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.83 || 0.79 || 0.65
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,825 kgf (0 km/h) || 6,977 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.05 || 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.84 || 0.70
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The MiG-21S (R-13-300) can take hits from calibres lower than 30 mm guns in minor parts, but if the engine is damaged it will surely fall. A missile hit will knock out the fighter instantly or cause it to crash.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (200 rpg)
| || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-54]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3S]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 570 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon (200 rpg)
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 2 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

The GSh-23L is a very powerful weapon, that requires practice to be used properly. It has a low muzzle velocity and a small ammo pool compared to other planes at its BR. But it compensates this with a very good damage output, being capable of destroying almost any aircraft with a small burst.

The MiG-21S can equip several ordnance options for both air-to-air combat and ground support.

For air-to-air combat, the R-3S and R-3R missiles are the only options. These missiles share the same properties but the R-3S is a caged IR missile, which means that it needs to point directly to the back of an enemy aircraft in order to get a lock. The R-3R in the other hand is a radar guided missile. Unlike the R-3S, it has a small area in which the aircraft can change direction, making it possible to lead the missile towards the direction in which the enemy is heading. The R-3R is overall a better missile but it's hard to use close to the ground due to the lacklustre radar in the MiG-21, and the R-3S is excellent in picking slow moving enemies at any altitude and moment.

For ground ordnance, the MiG-21S has ballistic computers for both rockets and its cannon. So in ground RB it's possible to use it as a multirole fighter, with 2 rocket pods and 2 missiles for air-to-air combat, providing cover to the team.

== Usage in battles ==

The MiG-21S (R-13-300) is an excellent fighter when used in high altitudes or support roles, where its powerful engine makes it a very awkward opponent.

'''Arcade Battles:'''

In AB, the MiG-21S will constantly see a multitude of enemies, but the most dangerous ones would be the A-10, the F-5C, and other MiG-21s. In these battles, staying at high altitudes and managing the afterburner use is very important, since missiles like the AIM-9L and R-60M and early radar missiles are a dangerous threat to the MiG-21S due to its lack of countermeasures. Thus, staying fast and high, and using its radar missiles from good positions would make you survive longer and be a more useful teammate.

'''Realistic Battles:'''

In RB, the MiG-21S should also be used in a support role and at high altitudes but it can also be used as a frontline fighter, with more risk. When flying at altitudes above 5,000 m the MiG-21S easily reaches Mach 1.3, and its radar is free of ground clutter. At this altitude, common enemies are the F-104 Starfighter, other MiG-21s, Harriers, and the F-8E Crusader, the Crusader being the most dangerous thanks to the AIM-9C radar-guided missile and countermeasures. At higher altitudes, the missiles can fly longer and faster, while aircraft became more sluggish due to the thinner atmosphere, which is very beneficial for the R-3Rs since they are very early missiles and can't pull very hard. In a support role, attacking slow aircraft, especially those focused in fights or bomb runs, is a good way to help your team. Its good speed also makes the MiG-21S a very good hunter, attacking damaged aircraft that are retreating back to their airfield.

The usual preferred tactic is to fly between 3000-4000m so that most unaware players space climbing at near 5000m, such as F-104s or Harriers won't see your missile being fired in front of them. Some of these planes (exceptions such as the F-5Cs) won't even detect your radar bandwidth as they are limited to I band while the MiG-21S' is J band. And once you reach within 8km of lock range, fire the missile. AT such altitudes the missile will easily intercept them.

Speaking of F-5Cs, those planes which are aware of your missiles and evade them when you fire it within 8km rage, another tactic is to fool them into thinking your will be going for a head-on gun kill. And once you both close-in within 2km range, fire your R-3R and evade immediately to avoid his canons. Most of the time the enemy in front will not have the time to react to the missile fired just 1km in front of him.

Also, if you keep flying high and each the other end of the map at the start of a match, you are bound to face a bunch of A-10 players flying low just beneath you. So another tactic is to be sneaky and dive sneakily behind them with airbrakes. Achieving a radar lock as you are heading low will be difficult, so its best advised to sneak just behind them slowly and use your guns on them.

'''Simulator Battles:'''

In SB, the MiG-21S is a more tricky fighter. Because it has a radar with IFF (Identification friend or foe), tt can be used in high altitudes to intercept enemy bombers and other fighters. But its lack of countermeasures would cement its future in that role. Fortunately it has an RWR. Something very useful to know when another plane has a radar lock on you. Aside from that, pilots should be extremely careful, because even with an IFF system, the MiG-21S can lock onto allied aircraft and cause friendly fire incidents. For ground loadouts, the MiG-21S has a very bad frontal cockpit visibility, making CAS duties really hard even with the ballistics computer for bombs and rockets.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fast aircraft, possesses a powerful engine that will get you to the battle much quicker than most
* Multiple loadouts allow decent CAS/AA options for Ground {{Annotation|RB|Realistic Battles}}
* Radar missiles can surprise opponents not expecting to be engaged at such a distance
* Tight turn rate

'''Cons:'''

* Air-to-air missiles are underwhelming and are mostly effective only against inattentive pilots
* Bleeds excessive amounts of energy during turns
* Cannon requires careful use due to the limited amount of rounds
* Energy retention isn't the greatest
* Fuel-hungry engine, 20m of fuel will quickly disappear if not paying attention
* Slow at 30m of fuel

== History ==

The MiG-21S was a variant of the MiG-21 family for more multipurpose design. It fitted more fuel capacity, a cannon pod, four hard points and an RP-22 radar. It was delivered exclusively to the Soviet Air Force. This variant included a more capable powerplant, the R11F2S-300 engine, which gave it significantly more thrust.

The MiG-21S radar, was a production version of the Sapfir-21 and included several more features for increased survivability and multirole capabilities. It included an ASP-PF-21 computing gunsight with ballistics computer. Included an AP-155 autopiloting system, with an auto recovery system for use in emergencies. The airframe was similar but not the same as that of the MiG-21PFM, since it used the same saddle tank as the MiG-21R. It was capable of carrying the GP-9 cannon pod for the GSh-23L 23 mm gun. Its four hardpoints made it capable of carrying drop tanks, for increased fuel capacity at long flights.

In its arsenal, it included the R-3R radar guided missile (K-13R), a semi-active radar-homing missile based in the R-3S (K-13) missile, which was not present in the MiG-21PFM even though it had the same radar as the MiG-21S. This variant of the MiG-21 was produced for 1965 to 1968 and saw no use outside of the Soviet Union.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_s Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QiTm32YVGWc|'''2 Premiums, One Playstyle: MiG-21 SPS-K & MiG-21S''' - ''Spit_flyer''|XGATU1TiNws|'''High Powered Vulture - MiG-21S Winged Lions''' - ''DEFYN''|_We7EKqMT0I|'''MiG-21S : A Quick Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/479893-mig-21mf/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

Bf 109 C-1

2024-03-17T06:45:21Z

U106103246: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = fighter aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Bf 109 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=bf-109c_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Alpha Strike"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

It has the same manouverablility as the Bf-109 E-3

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at _,___ m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || > ___
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, wing-mounted (420 rpg = 840 total)

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===

''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

* Twice the guns of the BF-109 B-1

* Decent amount of ammunition
* Decent boom n zoom fighter

*

'''Cons:'''

* In case of uptiers, it will face opponents armed with 12.7mms which are more powerful than its 7.62mm gun
* No bombs/rockets, so mostly a strict air to air role fighter

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

=== [[wt:en/news/8785-development-bf-109-c-1-the-caesar-variant-en|Devblog]] ===
While taking on experience from combat in the Spanish Civil War, one evident drawback of the Bf 109B was its armament. With a pair of twin 7.92 machine guns being its only offensive weaponry, this was quickly deemed outdated, and efforts to improve its weaponry began.

Designers quickly came across several hurdles in this process, experiments were trialled equipping these early 109s with a nose mounted cannon or machine gun to no success, with the only remaining space being the wings. Though even equipping the wings with additional weaponry proved difficult. Accommodating for the comparatively low wing area in addition to the spars and wheel wells, only space for one gun in either wing was possible. But with some adjustments and ingenuity, the designers managed to cram in one machine gun into each wing, effectively doubling the firepower of the Bf 109 at the time.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8785-development-bf-109-c-1-the-caesar-variant-en|[Devblog] Bf 109 C-1: The Caesar Variant]]

{{AirManufacturer BFW}}
{{Germany fighters}}