War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Leclerc SXXI

2024-07-07T16:56:36Z

U9084896:

{{About
| about = French medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Leclerc (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_leclerc_sxxi
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Leclerc Séries XXI''' is the third variant of the [[Leclerc (Family)|Leclerc main battle tank family]]. It has significant enhancements and improvements over its predecessor, the [[Leclerc S2|Leclerc Séries 2]]. The turret now has a new composite front armour package that includes titanium. Turret bustle composite armour has been replaced with lighter explosive reactive armour. Turret storage bins are also being redesigned to allow for potentially larger add-on armour packages, increasing versatility and adaptability. The Leclerc Séries XXI also has a hunter-killer capability thanks to the HL 120 panoramic sight, which contains a laser rangefinder and Iris thermal imaging equipment. Finally, the tank is now equipped with a friend or foe identification indicator.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]], the Leclerc Séries XXI is well-protected overall, with an effective configuration that results in good survivability. The frontal turret of the Leclerc Séries XXI is particularly well protected by modular composite armour, which combines strong metals, semi-reactive, and ceramic layers to protect against even the most powerful tank ammunition. The modification also involves the inclusion of extra armour beneath the gunner's sight, lowering the likelihood of the gunner being knocked out during conflicts. The Leclerc Séries XXI also has a new HL 120 panoramic sight for the commander, as well as thermal imaging equipment and a laser rangefinder, bringing hunter-killer capability to the Leclerc Séries XXI.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

The Leclerc SXXI is generally well protected with a well-designed layout resulting in good survivability. It does, however, have a number of prominent weak spots which are not easily hidden - most notable of which is the gun mantlet, which is mostly unprotected and can easily be penetrated to disable the cannon breech and often the tank commander, who sits on the exposed side of the mantlet (right side, looking from the front of the vehicle). The LFP (lower front plate) and UFP (upper front plate) are both weakly protected, with only the central front plate providing sufficient protection against incoming rounds. The Leclerc's turret cheeks are extremely well protected by modular composite armour, combining hard metals, semi-reactive and ceramic layers, protecting against even the most powerful kinetic rounds and most chemical rounds. The SXXI includes the addition of extra armour underneath the gunner's sight as well.

Despite only seating three crew members, the Leclerc's survivability proves to be reasonable, with spaced out crew members, a blow-out compartment for the primary ammunition storage and the turret crew placed as low as feasible. As such, even successful penetration of the Leclerc is unlikely to disable the vehicle immediately - and even a vehicle fire or crew knockout will not stop the vehicle from reloading, ready to fire back. It is possible to destroy the Leclerc with one round by hitting the two crew on the right (viewed from the front).

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
|-
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
|-
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=2,325|rbMinHp=1,327}}

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|GIAT CN120-26 F1 (120 mm)}}
The Leclerc SXXIa mounts a 120 mm GIAT CN120-26/52 smoothbore cannon, fitted with a two-plane stabilizer and an autoloading system. The CN120 is a competitive cannon, displaying excellent performance with the OFL 120 F1 APFSDS round, up to a maximum of 575 mm of penetration at 0°. Combined with the consistent 5-second reload (independent of crew), this 120 mm cannon is more than competitive when compared to the offerings on its contemporaries. However, it's important to note that the OFL 120 F1 round is a tier 4 modification, and as such a stock Leclerc will be required to use the OFL 120 G1 - which, while capable, is sometimes not sufficient enough to take out tanks with one shot in certain scenarios.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[GIAT CN120-26 F1 (120 mm)|120 mm GIAT CN120-26 F1]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Autoloader
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 38.1 || 52.7 || 64.0 || 70.8 || 75.3 || rowspan="2" | 6.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 23.8 || 28.0 || 34.0 || 37.6 || 40.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:GIAT CN120-26 F1 (120 mm)/Ammunition|OCC 120 G1, OFL 120 G1, OFL 120 F1}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''40''' || 23 ''(+17)'' || 1 ''(+39)'' || No
|-
|}
The ready rack of the SXXI is the same as the other Leclerc, at 22, is quite substantial and does mean that bringing just the ready rack will keep you in the fight for the game.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 800 (200) || 575 || - || -
|-
|}
The Leclerc mounts a single coaxial 12.7 mm machine gun. While this coaxial mount limits it to +20° of elevation, if it can be placed on target it can prove effective against low-flying aircraft. Besides this, it can be useful for clearing out light obstacles, knocking out crew on open-top vehicles, and marking targets.

== Usage in battles ==

The Leclerc is an extremely capable MBT. It can prove somewhat vulnerable in close-range engagements, where its numerous weak points are easily targeted, and as such it's preferable to make use of its high round velocity to snipe, or its excellent mobility to flank enemies.

'''Rural Combat'''

The Leclerc's OFL 120 F1 round, with its 1,790 m/s muzzle velocity and high penetration values, is a potent sniping round. As such, on open maps (such as [[Kursk (Ground Forces)|Kursk]] or [[Maginot Line (Ground Forces)|Maginot Line]]), it's recommended to operate the Leclerc as a sniper - this allows it to both employ these round characteristics optimally and avoid the Leclerc's large weak spots being easy targets. On maps where flanking is viable, the Leclerc's high power-to-weight ratio can be used to access and push through these routes.

'''Urban Combat'''

The Leclerc is less comfortable in urban combat situations, although still more than capable. On maps such as [[Alaska]], it's preferable to take flanking routes around the edges of urban regions where possible or cap points on the outskirts of the map, avoiding close quarters. In situations where avoiding close quarters is mostly impossible, it's best to play conservatively and maintain full awareness of enemy presence (audio is extremely important information, as you can hear most vehicles). Fortunately the Leclerc has a respectable reverse speed of 38 km/h and providing your engine, transmission, and driver remain intact after a penetration it's more than capable of reversing out of trouble.

'''Notable opponents'''

* [[Challenger 2]] - The CR2's turret cheeks are essentially immune to even OFL 120 F1 - and the Challenger is deadly accurate at long range. As such, sniping matches with the Challenger 2 should be avoided at all costs, instead attempt to flank it where possible. If there is no opportunity to get closer, move around between shots and try to land a shot on the gun mantlet or the UFP/LFP.
* [[M1A1 Abrams|M1A1]]/[[M1A2 Abrams]] - The Abrams is a deadly opponent, and thanks to the crew and module spacing will often survive multiple shots. In any engagement, first try to disable the cannon breech - this avoids the Abrams firing back and with your quick reload you'll frequently have time to disable its mobility entirely.
* [[Leopard 2A5]]/[[Leopard 2A6|2A6]] - The Leopard 2A5 and 2A6 is a dangerous opponent, with a small gun mantlet weak spot and impenetrable turret cheeks. Fortunately, the OFL 120 F1 round can punch straight through the hull. If the opportunity for a hull shot does not arise, try to shoot through the gun mantlet or turret ring where possible.
* [[Ariete (Family)|Ariete]] -Although its armour protection won't stop your APFSDS, almost all the tank is vulnerable to Ariete's firepower, in fact its rounds can easily penetrate most of the frontal section of the Leclerc even at 2,000 m. It is better to disable its gun before trying to destroy the tank, or just shooting at the left turret cheek, killing the gunner and the commander leaving the target harmless.
* [[Type 10]] / [[Type 90]] - The Type 10 and Type 90 are the only other autoloaded tanks currently in the game that can load faster than you, with reload of 4.0 seconds compared to your 5.0 seconds. Getting your first shot off and disabling this tank is top priority as they will out load you.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has access to a CITV with 2nd generation thermals
* Slightly improved armour around the area of the gunner's sight
* Autoloader allows for consistent reloads
* Large first-stage ammo stowage
* Blow-out panel in turret bustle
* The OFL 120 F1 APFSDS round is effective

'''Cons:'''

* Slower than average turret traverse rate
* Only three crew members
* Numerous large vulnerabilities

== History ==

Leclerc S2 main battle tanks were produced in France from 1997 to 2003. The vehicles in the second series were distinguished by improved armour in the hull and turret, new air conditioning and anti-nuclear protection systems, a modified transmission, and updated electronic and optical systems. The Leclerc SXXI is the third production series of the modern main battle tank that was produced from 2003 to 2006. The main features of the series were improved turret protection at frontal angles, as well as a new panoramic HL 120 sight for the commander with a thermal imaging channel and a laser rangefinder. All tanks in the SXXI series were later upgraded by the ICONE tactical control system under the 2007 program.

''-From [[wt:en/news/7440-development-leclerc-sxxi-knight-s-helm-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

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

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Leclerc (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7440-development-leclerc-sxxi-knight-s-helm-en|[Devblog] Leclerc SXXI: Knight's Helm]]

{{TankManufacturer Nexter}}
{{France medium tanks}}

Aspide-1A

2024-01-15T13:31:11Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

== Description ==

The Aspide-1A (the Italian name of the asp; aka A-missile [A-弹] in PLAAF service) is a semi-active radar-homing missile developed by Selenia based on the AIM-7 Sparrow's design with new homing radar, used by the Italian Air Force and exported to multiple foreign militaries including the PLAAF.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}}
* {{Specs-Link|j_8b}}

== General info ==

The overall dimensions of the {{PAGENAME}} is identical to later models of the AIM-7 Sparrow, the only major difference is the homing radar onboard.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Missile characteristics
|-
! rowspan="1" data-sort-type="text" | Missile
! rowspan="1" | Mass (kg)
! rowspan="1" | Guidance
! rowspan="1" | Signal
! rowspan="1" | Lock range (km)
! rowspan="1" | Launch range (km)
! rowspan="1" | Maximum speed (M)
! rowspan="1" | Maximum overload (G)
! rowspan="1" | Missile guidance time (s)
! rowspan="1" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)
|-
| Aspide-1A || 230 || SARH || CW || 30 || 80 || 5.0 || 25 || 45.0 || 10.24
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

The 8 kg of PBXN-4 explosives onboard has a 10.24 kg TNT equivalent, which can cause explosive and shrapnel damage to targeted aircraft.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The {{PAGENAME}} flies at a whopping Mach 5.0, faster than the [[AIM-7F Sparrow]], [[R-23R|R-23]]/[[R-24R|24R]], and [[Matra Super 530F]]. The maximum overload also tops out at 25G.

== Usage in battles ==

The Aspide-1A is intended to intercept high-altitude or head-on targets, so the best way to utilize it is to aim for enemies who are flying high or in head-on range - they might not have sufficient manoeuvrability to dodge the missile. However, if coupled with an inferior radar, it is best to use the Aspide-1A against only targets which are higher than you, to avoid ground clutter interference.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* High acceleration and flight speed
* Decent G overload comparable to a Skyflash and AIM 7E2
* Large explosive payload

'''Cons:'''

* Does not have inertial navigation like missiles at the same BR (example: the R-24R of the MiG-23)
* Used by planes equipped with average radars (F-104S-ASA, J-8B)

*

== History ==

Despite the very close resemblance to US-made AIM-7 Sparrows (which Selenia [now MDBA] did get the license for to build domestically in Italy), Aspide missiles utilized the latest electronics and rocket engines developed in Italy, serving as the selected SARH missile for Italian Air Force's Starfighters.

It was then exported to multiple foreign countries including Mainland China, where they even intended to buy the production line from Italy. However, the 1989 Beijing Crackdown and the subsequence European Economic Community embargo halted the import of Aspide into PLAAF service, forcing them to reverse-engineer from existing stocks. The Aspide's homing radar was also installed onto HQ-61 SAM, becoming what is now known as the PL-11 in the early 2000s.

== 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 article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AIM-54C Phoenix

2023-08-25T21:21:16Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

== Description ==

The '''AIM-54C Phoenix''' is an American active radar-homing missile, improving on the previous [[AIM-54A]]. It was introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|f_14b}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 463 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || ARH+IOG+DL
|-
| '''Signal''' || CW
|-
| '''Lock range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 150 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 4.3 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 17 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 160 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 60.54 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

The AIM-54 is equipped with a 60 kg TNT warhead, capable of destroying targets with a wide proximity fuse.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

Compared to its predecessor, the [[AIM-54A Phoenix|AIM-54A]], the AIM-54C introduces a slightly better seeker head to improve proportional navigation when not actively guiding the missile; however, it comes at the cost of being slightly heavier, reducing its manoeuvrability slightly, and prone to bleeding more energy. Otherwise, the AIM-54C is very similar.

Compared to other radar missiles in the game, the AIM-54C, when used correctly can beat any other radar missile in terms of range. Being an active radar homing missile is also another huge advantage, not needing to guide it fully. AIM-7F/Ms and R-27ERs can out-accelerate and are more manoeuvrable than the AIM-54C, making closer range engagements tricky if you only have AIM-54s.

== Usage in battles ==

Along with the [[AIM-54A Phoenix|AIM-54A]], the AIM-54C is best used at altitude and at very far ranges, as it takes a while to accelerate and get up to speed, and can be out accelerated by [[AIM-7F Sparrow|AIM-7F]]<nowiki/>s and [[R-27R]]<nowiki/>s and [[R-27ER]]<nowiki/>s. It is best to be high and fast when using the AIM-54C to increase the chance of a connection. With the F-14B being the only carrier of the AIM-54C, taking up to 2 AIM-54Cs is ideal, saving room for [[AIM-7M Sparrow|AIM-7M]]<nowiki/>s for the closer range engagements. Taking more than 2, or even carrying only 6 Phoenixes is not recommended as the slightly increased weight of the AIM-54C weighs the aircraft down heavily despite the [[F-14B]]'s better flight performance. Using and launching 6 AIM-54Cs a few minutes after take-off is heavily disregarded as you will be wasting your radar missiles, even if there's a slight chance of hitting an enemy.

Track While Scan (TWS) mode is heavily recommended as it does not alert the enemy of you locking them, and it gives you the opportunity to see what targets to pick and choose to launch the AIM-54C at. The AIM-54C does not require a hard lock and can be launched in TWS mode, and at multiple targets at once. TWS will give updated positions of enemy aircraft as the AIM-54C guides its way toward the enemy. The AIM-54C can track the enemy without TWS updates, especially with the improved proportional navigation system it has, though most likely there's a chance that it will miss the enemy still.

The ideal altitude to best use the AIM-54C is between 5-11 km (16,000-36,000 ft) along with having a very high speed. Mach 0.9 is ideal, or even breaking past Mach 1, having the missile at speed and ready for launch in the less dense air. The ideal range is no more than 50 km (~31 miles), and no less than 20 km (~12 miles). Beyond 50 km is possible, though only in the right conditions, and using the AIM-54C below 20 km is not ideal, with the AIM-7M being superior below 20 km.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Active Radar Homing seeker head, fire and forget is possible
* Similar to the [[AIM-54A Phoenix]], has the most range out of any other radar missile
* Fast velocity at high altitudes after launch
* Can be used in Track While Scan (TWS) mode, doesn't warn the enemy until the seeker goes active
* Large warhead, can damage enemies even if it slightly misses its target.
* Slightly improved seeker head, reducing drift slightly when not actively guiding it

'''Cons:'''

* Has maximum overload of 17G, can be dodged by aware enemies
* Slightly heavier than its predecessor
* Slow acceleration
* Heavy and large missile
* Chance of hitting friendly teammates if the missile has gone pitbull
* Can lose lock after launch if the TWS lock is gone.
* Due to the long burn time (30 seconds) and big engine, its motor smoke trail is thick and is visible for a long time, making it easy to spot.

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== 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 article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

MiG-23MLA (Germany)

2022-07-07T17:01:15Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-23 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_23mla
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

== 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 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
| 2,333 || 2,320 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 35.5 || 35.5 || 193.5 || 185.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,498 || 2,358 || 32.6 || 33.0 || 248.3 || 220.0
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,470 || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~13 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 665 || < 650 || < 700 || 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-35-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 10,555 kg || colspan="3" | 370 - 417 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel
|-
| 1,760 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 11,665 kg || 12,870 kg || 14,028 kg || 14,255 kg || 17,800 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,103 kgf || 10,305 kgf
| 0.87 || 0.79 || 0.73 || 0.72 || 0.58
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 8,368 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 15,787 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.34 || 1.21 || 1.11 || 1.10 || 0.89
|-
|}

=== 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="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

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

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

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 72 x large calibre countermeasures

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

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|ZB-500 incendiary}}
{{main|Kh-23M|R-13M1|R-60}}
{{main|R-23R|R-23T|R-24R|R-24T}}
{{main|S-5K|S-8KO|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
* 4 x R-13M1 missiles
* 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-23R missiles
* 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23R missiles
* 1 x R-23T missile + 1 x R-23R missile
* 2 x R-24R missiles
* 2 x R-24T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24R missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24T missiles
* 1 x R-24T missile + 1 x R-24R missile
* 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (800 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs
| 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
|-
! 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! ZB-500 incendiary bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16, 32 || 16 || 16 || 16, 32
|-
! S-8KO rockets
| 20 || || || 20
|-
! S-24B rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! Kh-23M missiles
| 1* || || || 1*
|-
! R-13M1 missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-23R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-23T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-60 missiles
| 1 || 2 || 2 || 1
|-
! Delta-NG
| || 1* || ||
|-
| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 500 kg
|-
| colspan="6" | * It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
|}

== Usage in battles ==


This aircraft has a versatile set of play styles any pilot can use for any situation, a good set of examples would be ones seen below focusing on two sides of the spectrum of engagements.

* High Speed SARH Slinger (HSSS): The idea of this playstyle is to climb to between 5,000 and 7,000 m altitude and travel around Mach 1.4 to 1.8 in a straight line finding alone enemies who look like good targets and to send a R-24R at them biting fast and retreating fast like a snake, allowing you to score a relativity easy hit, and if it misses or you are noticed, an escape is easy to pull off thanks to your already high speed and higher altitude allowing you to retreat to the airfield to restock. Though be careful for any other aircraft at that altitude that could shoot you down, this is why speed is key to survival.
* Close Quarters All Aspect (CQAA): The idea of this playstyle is to hang low to the ground in-between hills and tree lines while traveling around Mach 1, this allows you to be ready to ambush and turn fight any aircraft that gets close, and with the ability to carry the all-aspect R-24T you can send one to an enemy between 4 km to 6 km away from cover at most angles to get a surprise hit, or if they evade it to try to turn into you, you can easily use your mobility to out-turn them and A) gun them down, or B) fire a R-60 at them.

Those are just two examples of play styles that works for this aircraft on different sides of the spectrum, BVR engagements and close range engagements. You do not need to however use these exclusively, but use the knowledge learned to see where this aircraft can perform best at in given situations, and test varying levels play styles to find one that fits you well. This aircraft is great at surprising enemies with its mobility and speed, so playing around those strengths well help a lot in making the most of the aircraft. This can also be applied through out AB, RB and SB, but it is recommended to test and adjust elements of the desired playstyle to fit the game mode of your choosing.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Wide selection of air-to-air weapons such as short range IR R-13M1/R-60MK and long range R-24T/R-24R
* Excellent manoeuvrability
* Outstanding speed (reaching Mach 1.2 - 1.6 is easy to achieve and can provide a large advantage, reaching Mach 1.9 to 2.2 on EC maps is even easier)

'''Cons:'''

* Carries a limited number to air-to-air weapons
* Radar is limited to 30 km range vs. its NATO counterparts (this is however fixed by flying above 2,000 m to enter "look-down" (LD) mode, there is also a 60 and 90 km option)
* Very few options for air-to-ground loadouts

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig_23mla Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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.''

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

MiG-23MLA (Germany)

2022-07-07T16:51:00Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-23 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_23mla
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

== 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 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
| 2,333 || 2,320 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 35.5 || 35.5 || 193.5 || 185.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,498 || 2,358 || 32.6 || 33.0 || 248.3 || 220.0
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,470 || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~13 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 665 || < 650 || < 700 || 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-35-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 10,555 kg || colspan="3" | 370 - 417 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel
|-
| 1,760 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 11,665 kg || 12,870 kg || 14,028 kg || 14,255 kg || 17,800 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,103 kgf || 10,305 kgf
| 0.87 || 0.79 || 0.73 || 0.72 || 0.58
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 8,368 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 15,787 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.34 || 1.21 || 1.11 || 1.10 || 0.89
|-
|}

=== 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="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

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

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

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 72 x large calibre countermeasures

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

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|ZB-500 incendiary}}
{{main|Kh-23M|R-13M1|R-60}}
{{main|R-23R|R-23T|R-24R|R-24T}}
{{main|S-5K|S-8KO|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
* 4 x R-13M1 missiles
* 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-23R missiles
* 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23R missiles
* 1 x R-23T missile + 1 x R-23R missile
* 2 x R-24R missiles
* 2 x R-24T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24R missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24T missiles
* 1 x R-24T missile + 1 x R-24R missile
* 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (800 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs
| 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
|-
! 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! ZB-500 incendiary bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16, 32 || 16 || 16 || 16, 32
|-
! S-8KO rockets
| 20 || || || 20
|-
! S-24B rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! Kh-23M missiles
| 1* || || || 1*
|-
! R-13M1 missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-23R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-23T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-60 missiles
| 1 || 2 || 2 || 1
|-
! Delta-NG
| || 1* || ||
|-
| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 500 kg
|-
| colspan="6" | * It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
|}

== Usage in battles ==


This aircraft has a versatile set of play styles any pilot can use for any situation, a good set of examples would be ones seen below focusing on two sides of the spectrum of engagements.

* High Speed SARH Slinger (HSSS): The idea of this playstyle is to climb to between 5000 to 7000 meter altitude and travel around Mach 1.4 to 1.8 in a straight line finding alone enemies who look like good targets and to send a R-24R at them biting fast and retreating fast like a snake, allowing you to score a relativity easy hit, and if it misses or you are noticed, an escape is easy to pull off thanks to your already high speed and higher altitude allowing you to retreat to the airfield to restock. Though be careful for any other aircraft at that altitude that could shoot you down, this is why speed is key to survival.
* Close Quarters All Aspect (CQAA): The idea of this playstyle is to hang low to the ground in-between hills and tree lines while traveling around Mach 1, this allows you to be ready to ambush and turn fight any aircraft that gets close, and with the ability to carry the all-aspect R-24T you can send one to an enemy between 4 km to 6 km away from cover at most angles to get a surprise hit, or if they evade it to try to turn into you, you can easily use your mobility to out-turn them and A) gun them down, or B) fire a R-60 at them.

Those are just two examples of play styles that works for this aircraft on different sides of the spectrum, BVR Engagements and Close Range Engagements. You do not need to however use these exclusively, but use the knowledge learned to see where this aircraft can perform best at in given situations, and test varying levels play styles to find one that fits you well. This aircraft is great at surprising enemies with its mobility and speed, so playing around those strengths well help a lot in making the most of the aircraft. This can also be applied through out AB, RB and SB, but it is recommended to test and adjust elements of the desired playstyle to fit the game mode of your choosing.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Wide selection of air-to-air weapons such as short range IR R-13M1/R-60MK and long range R-24T/R-24R
* Excellent manoeuvrability
* Outstanding Speed (reaching Mach 1.2 - 1.6 is easy to achieve and can provide a large advantage, reaching Mach 1.9 to 2.2 on EC maps is even more easier)

'''Cons:'''

* Carries a limited number to air-to-air weapons
* Radar is limited to 30 km range vs. its NATO counterparts (this is however fixed by flying above 2000 m, there is also a 60 and 90 km option)
* Very few options for air-to-ground loadouts

== 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.''

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

MiG-23MLA (Germany)

2022-07-07T16:47:16Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-23 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_23mla
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

== 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 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
| 2,333 || 2,320 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 35.5 || 35.5 || 193.5 || 185.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,498 || 2,358 || 32.6 || 33.0 || 248.3 || 220.0
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,470 || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~13 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 665 || < 650 || < 700 || 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-35-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 10,555 kg || colspan="3" | 370 - 417 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel
|-
| 1,760 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 11,665 kg || 12,870 kg || 14,028 kg || 14,255 kg || 17,800 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,103 kgf || 10,305 kgf
| 0.87 || 0.79 || 0.73 || 0.72 || 0.58
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 8,368 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 15,787 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.34 || 1.21 || 1.11 || 1.10 || 0.89
|-
|}

=== 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="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

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

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

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 72 x large calibre countermeasures

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

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|ZB-500 incendiary}}
{{main|Kh-23M|R-13M1|R-60}}
{{main|R-23R|R-23T|R-24R|R-24T}}
{{main|S-5K|S-8KO|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
* 4 x R-13M1 missiles
* 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-23R missiles
* 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23R missiles
* 1 x R-23T missile + 1 x R-23R missile
* 2 x R-24R missiles
* 2 x R-24T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24R missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24T missiles
* 1 x R-24T missile + 1 x R-24R missile
* 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (800 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs
| 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
|-
! 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! ZB-500 incendiary bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16, 32 || 16 || 16 || 16, 32
|-
! S-8KO rockets
| 20 || || || 20
|-
! S-24B rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! Kh-23M missiles
| 1* || || || 1*
|-
! R-13M1 missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-23R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-23T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-60 missiles
| 1 || 2 || 2 || 1
|-
! Delta-NG
| || 1* || ||
|-
| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 500 kg
|-
| colspan="6" | * It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
|}

== Usage in battles ==


This aircraft has a versatile set of play styles any pilot can use for any situation, a good set of examples would be ones seen below focusing on two sides of the spectrum of engagements.

* High Speed SARH Slinger (HSSS): The idea of this playstyle is to climb to between 5000 to 7000 meter altitude and travel around Mach 1.4 to 1.8 in a straight line finding alone enemies who look like good targets and to send a R-24R at them biting fast and retreating fast like a snake, allowing you to score a relativity easy hit, and if it misses or you are noticed, an escape is easy to pull off thanks to your already high speed and higher altitude allowing you to retreat to the airfield to restock. Though be careful for any other aircraft at that altitude that could shoot you down, this is why speed is key to survival.
* Close Quarters All Aspect (CQAA): The idea of this playstyle is to hang low to the ground in-between hills and tree lines while traveling around Mach 1, this allows you to be ready to ambush and turn fight any aircraft that gets close, and with the ability to carry the all-aspect R-24T you can send one to an enemy between 4 km to 6 km away from cover at most angles to get a surprise hit, or if they evade it to try to turn into you, you can easily use your mobility to out-turn them and A) gun them down, or B) fire a R-60 at them.

Those are just two examples of play styles that works for this aircraft on different sides of the spectrum, BVR Engagements and Close Range Engagements. You do not need to however use these exclusively, but use the knowledge learned to see where this aircraft can perform best at in given situations, and test varying levels play styles to find one that fits you well. This aircraft is great at surprising enemies with its mobility and speed, so playing around those strengths well help a lot in making the most of the aircraft. This can also be applied through out AB, RB and SB, but it is recommended to test and adjust elements of the desired playstyle to fit the game mode of your choosing.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Wide selection of air-to-air weapons such as short range IR R-13M1/R-60MK and long range R-24T/R-24R
* Excellent manoeuvrability
* Outstanding Speed (reaching Mach 1.2 - 1.6 is easy to achieve and can provide a large advantage, reaching Mach 1.9 to 2.2 on EC maps is even more easier)

'''Cons:'''

* Carries a limited number to air-to-air weapons
* Radar is limited to 30 km range vs. its NATO counterparts (this is however fixed by flying above 1500 m, there is also a 60 and 90 km option)
* Very few options for air-to-ground loadouts

== 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.''

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

MiG-23MLA (Germany)

2022-07-04T16:19:41Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-23 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_23mla
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

== 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 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
| 2,333 || 2,320 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 35.5 || 35.5 || 193.5 || 185.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,498 || 2,358 || 32.6 || 33.0 || 248.3 || 220.0
|-
|}

==== 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 !! + !! -
|-
| 1,470 || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~13 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 665 || < 650 || < 700 || 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-35-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 10,555 kg || colspan="3" | 370 - 417 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel
|-
| 1,760 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 11,665 kg || 12,870 kg || 14,028 kg || 14,255 kg || 17,800 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 31m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,103 kgf || 10,305 kgf
| 0.87 || 0.79 || 0.73 || 0.72 || 0.58
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 8,368 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 15,787 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.34 || 1.21 || 1.11 || 1.10 || 0.89
|-
|}

=== 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="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

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

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

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 72 x large calibre countermeasures

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

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|ZB-500 incendiary}}
{{main|Kh-23M|R-13M1|R-60}}
{{main|R-23R|R-23T|R-24R|R-24T}}
{{main|S-5K|S-8KO|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
* 4 x R-13M1 missiles
* 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-23R missiles
* 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-23R missiles
* 1 x R-23T missile + 1 x R-23R missile
* 2 x R-24R missiles
* 2 x R-24T missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24R missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles + 2 x R-24T missiles
* 1 x R-24T missile + 1 x R-24R missile
* 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (800 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs + 4 x R-60 missiles (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs
| 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
|-
! 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! ZB-500 incendiary bombs
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16, 32 || 16 || 16 || 16, 32
|-
! S-8KO rockets
| 20 || || || 20
|-
! S-24B rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! Kh-23M missiles
| 1* || || || 1*
|-
! R-13M1 missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-23R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-23T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24R missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-24T missiles
| 1 || || || 1
|-
! R-60 missiles
| 1 || 2 || 2 || 1
|-
! Delta-NG
| || 1* || ||
|-
| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 500 kg
|-
| colspan="6" | * It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
|}

== Usage in battles ==


This aircraft has a versatile set of play styles any pilot can use for any situation, a good set of examples would be ones seen below focusing on two sides of the spectrum of engagements.

* High Speed SARH Slinger (HSSS): The idea of this playstyle is to climb to between 5000 to 7000 meter altitude and travel around Mach 1.4 to 1.8 in a straight line finding alone enemies who look like good targets and to send a R-24R at them biting fast and retreating fast like a snake, allowing you to score a relativity easy hit, and if it misses or you are noticed, an escape is easy to pull off thanks to your already high speed and higher altitude allowing you to retreat to the airfield to restock. Though be careful for any other aircraft at that altitude that could shoot you down, this is why speed is key to survival.
* Close Quarters All Aspect (CQAA): The idea of this playstyle is to hang low to the ground in-between hills and tree lines while traveling around Mach 1, this allows you to be ready to ambush and turn fight any aircraft that gets close, and with the ability to carry the all-aspect R-24T you can send one to an enemy between 4 km to 6 km away from cover at most angles to get a surprise hit, or if they evade it to try to turn into you, you can easily use your mobility to out-turn them and A) gun them down, or B) fire a R-60 at them.

Those are just two examples of play styles that works for this aircraft on different sides of the spectrum, BVR Engagements and Close Range Engagements. You do not need to however use these exclusively, but use the knowledge learned to see where this aircraft can perform best at in given situations, and test varying levels play styles to find one that fits you well. This aircraft is great at surprising enemies with its mobility and speed, so playing around those strengths well help a lot in making the most of the aircraft. This can also be applied through out AB, RB and SB, but it is recommended to test and adjust elements of the desired playstyle to fit the game mode of your choosing.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Wide selection of air-to-air weapons such as short range IR R-13M1/R-60MK and long range R-24T/R-24R
* Excellent manoeuvrability
* Outstanding Speed (reaching Mach 1.2 - 1.6 is easy to achieve and can provide a large advantage, reaching Mach 1.9 to 2.2 on EC maps is even more easier)

'''Cons:'''

* Carries a limited number to air-to-air weapons
* Radar is limited to 30 km range vs. its NATO counterparts (this is however fixed by flying above 2500 m, there is also a 60 and 90 km option)
* Very few options for air-to-ground loadouts

== 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.''

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2021-02-27T23:48:47Z

U9084896:

{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|store=7212
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

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

Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at it's battle rating. The [[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis and [[MiG-17AS]] will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1000km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]<nowiki/>s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]<nowiki/>s and [[F-100D|F100]]<nowiki/>s all with afterburners. The aircraft has one of the best acceleration rates for a non-afterburning jet in the game, beaten by the Etendard IVM and then the Yak-38/38M. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' (especially at lower speeds) so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| 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
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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}} || 603 || 581 || 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 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="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

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


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', as your ADEN cannon muzzle velocity is slower than most other guns. Do not head-on aircraft .50cal, like F-86s as they will ruin you before your shots even get anywhere near their aircraft. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

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

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

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

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

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9E Sidewinder|SNEB type 23}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

If up-tiered into fighting top-rank fighter jets, planes such as the [[MiG-21SMT]]<nowiki/>s / [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MF]]<nowiki/>s , [[F-4E Phantom II|F-4E]]/[[F-4EJ Phantom II|EJ]]/[[Phantom FGR.2|FGR]] Phantoms will ruin the {{PAGENAME}} due to good turn rate (in the MiG's case) and very high speeds - they are problematic as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine, so they will out-accelerate you easily, while the [[R-60M]]/[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]/[[AIM-7D Sparrow|AIM-7]]/[[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550 Magic]] missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock and send you back to the hangar. The only way to get a shot against the higher BR jets is to dive on them while they are distracted or fighting someone else and launch a missile at them.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank V matches
* Tends to get down-tiered due to match-making placement
* AIM-9Es are very good with a longer burning motor (longer range and better energy retention, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate
* Good SL and RP modifier, allowing you to grind out the British tech tree, while earning good SL.
* Low repair cost due to it's premium status (5,270 SL)

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* If you spray with your cannons, 600 rounds will disappear quite quickly, so fire in controlled bursts.
* Will find itself extremely out-classed in up-tiers to fighting top-rank aircraft

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

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

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

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

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

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Q-5 early

2020-09-15T12:24:23Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=q_5_early}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

''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 7,000 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
| 1,307 || 1,302 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.4 || 25.1 || 140.0 || 130.8 || rowspan="2" | 1,000
|-
! 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
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and 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.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|Type 23-2K (23 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 23 mm Type 23-2K cannons, wing-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|Type 250-2 (500 kg)|Type 90-1}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 500 kg Type 250-2 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 14 x Type 90-1 rockets
* 4 x 500 kg Type 250-2 bombs + 14 x Type 90-1 rockets (2,000 kg 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).''

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Compressor
|
| Offensive 23 mm
|
|-
| II
| New boosters
|
| Airframe
|
| Type 250
|-
| III
| Wings repair
|
|
| New 23 mm cannons
|
|-
| IV
| G-suit
| Engine
| Cover
|
| HF-6
|-
|}

=== 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:'''

* High acceleration
* Decent climb rate
* Decent top speed at sea level
* Fantastic energy retention
* Good ammunition stock
* The 23mm cannons can make quick work of enemy aircraft
* Good sustained maneuverability; can out-turn F-4 Phantoms and keep up with MiG-21s
* Well-placed cannons; in the wing roots

*

'''Cons:'''

* Gun-fighter only, no missiles at 10.0
* Average roll rate
* Tail locks up at high speeds
* Easily beaten in maneuverability by aircraft such as the Mirage, Draken and MiG-19
* The 23mm cannons sometimes fall short in damage
* New players may experience difficulty with aiming the 23mm cannons of such type (found also on the MiG-15bis and MiG-17)

*

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/6831-development-nanchang-q-5-phoenix-reborn-en|[Devblog] Nanchang Q-5: Phoenix Reborn]]

{{China jet aircraft}}

Jaguar GR.1

2020-09-06T11:07:29Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=jaguar_gr1}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

''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 10,668 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
| 1,618 || 1,605 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 31.8 || 32.4 || 74.2 || 66.2 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! 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}} || 950 || 525 || 410 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 720 || 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" | Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Limited Adour Mk.102 || 2
| colspan="2" | 7,616 kg || colspan="3" | 453 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 42m fuel
|-
| 709 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 8,545 kg || 9,165 kg || 9,940 kg || 10,869 kg || 13,500 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
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 42m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,998 kgf || 3,094 kgf
| 0.72 || 0.68 || 0.62 || 0.57 || 0.46
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,242 kgf (200 km/h) || 3,307 kgf (200 km/h)
| 0.77 || 0.72 || 0.67 || 0.61 || 0.49
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

The Jaguar GR.1 has no armour plating or armoured glass. The entire wings of the Jaguar GR.1 are made up of fuel tanks, along with most of the upper fuselage, with flight controls being exposed in the "spine" of the aircraft. The two engines take up a small amount of room in the very rear of the fuselage.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN Mk.4 (30 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 30 mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons, belly-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|Mk.M1 (540 lb)|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9G Sidewinder|CRV7 M247}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
* 76 x CRV7 M247 rockets
* 8 x 540 lb Mk.M1 bombs (4,320 lb total)
* 8 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (8,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles + 38 x CRV7 M247 rockets
* 6 x 540 lb Mk.M1 bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (3,240 lb total)
* 6 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (6,000 lb 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).''

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
|
|
| Offensive 30 mm
| LAU-5003 B/A
|
|-
| II
| New boosters
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| Mk.N1 540lb
|
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| New 30 mm cannons
| Mk.10 1000lb
| AIM-9G
|-
| IV
| G-suit
|
| Cover
|
|
|
|-
|}

=== 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:'''

* Capable of using AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles that have decent range and turn performance
* Maneuverable, especially compared to the T-2 and F-4
* Decent roll rate
* Decent CAS loadouts
* Armed with the powerful ADEN cannons
* Equipped with RWR to warn about incoming radar-guided missiles

*

'''Cons:'''

* Mediocre speed performance for its BR
* Mediocre climb rate and energy retention
* Can only load two missiles
* Can't utilize SARH and/or BVR
* Not equipped with radar

*

== 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 ==


* [[Jaguar A]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6841-development-sepecat-jaguar-raining-fire-en|[Devblog] SEPECAT Jaguar: Raining Fire]]

{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Phantom FG.1

2020-09-01T22:55:03Z

U9084896: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card|code=f-4k}}
{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-4 Phantom II (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''', otherwise known as the F-4K, is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]]. Like the other British Spey Phantom, the [[Phantom FGR.2]], this Phantom comes with AIM-9Ds, stock RHAW, and two turbofan engines that differentiate it from other [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|Phantoms]] in the game. This Phantom is the naval variant of the British Phantom FGR.2, and as such has several adaptations for use on the smaller flight decks of British Carriers, including a longer nose wheel, slotted elevators like on the [[F-4E]], larger leading-edge flaps, a tougher undercarriage, Spey 203s with a quicker Afterburner activation time, and a slew of other upgrades that are not modeled in War Thunder, such as a folding nose radome, drooping ailerons to aid in lift, and a different radar to the FGR.2 (AN/AWG-11 as opposed to the AN/AWG-12 in the FGR, and the AN/AWG-10 in the base F-4J model). The FG.1 takes off a good deal faster than the FGR.2 thanks to the more rapid gain of afterburner thrust, higher angle of attack possible due to the extended nose wheel, and the larger flaps.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,667 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
| 2,195 || 2,158 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.5 || 26.9 || 178.0 || 168.0 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,350 || 2,268 || 25.5 || 26.0 || 244.7 || 210.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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 || 625 || 463 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 810 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Spey 203 || 2
| colspan="2" | 14,200 kg || colspan="2" | 408 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 26m fuel
|-
| 1,860 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 15,807 kg || 18,707 kg || 20,055 kg || 25,400 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
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 26m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 5,110 kgf || 9,010 kgf
| 1.14 || 0.96 || 0.90 || 0.71
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 5,110 kgf (0 km/h) || 10,265 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.31 || 1.10 || 1.03 || 0.81
|-
|}
'''Radiator can be manually controlled for increased time with afterburner without the engines overheating'''

=== Survivability and armour ===


The Phantom FG. I has no armor protection, the fuel tanks are self-sealing. The crew members are located towards the front of the fuselage, and all the important modules (engines, fuel tanks) are located in the rear of the fuselage. There are also fuel tanks in the wings. These factors make the pilots well protected from the rear, but vulnerable to the front, wheras all important modules are extremely vulnerable from the rear.

* No Armor Protection
* Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9D Sidewinder|SNEB type 23|M61 (20 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 8 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg) (8,000 lb total)
* 108 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg) (4,000 lb total)
* 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==
[[File:PHANTOM FG 1 COOL 5.png|thumb|533x533px|An [[F-4M|F-4M/FGR.2]] (front) and F-4K/FG.1 (back), both in the post-1983 RAF Medium Sea Grey camouflage scheme, flying above a Norwegian Fjord. While outwardly similar, the two Spey Phantoms perform slightly differently.]]
The F-4K/Phantom FG.1 is the ultimate energy fighter- its advantages over other aircraft are sheer power, roll rate, its ability to climb to high altitudes, and its nearly unparalleled speed and thrust-to-weight ratio down low are only rivaled by the MiG-21SMT. The twin Rolls-Royce Spey 203 engines produce just over 9,000 kgf thrust when you are stationary- that is to say, on the runway- and over 10,000 kgf when you're travelling at near-supersonic speeds.

Side-climb high- around 8,000-9,000 metres will do- and attack those beneath you. The Phantom's '''fantastic''' climb rate, as well as the FG.1's faster acceleration to maximum speed than '''any other F-4, including the FGR.2''', gives it an excellent climb advantage over any and all opposition up to around 5,000 metres (16,500 feet), and with side-climbing can easily manage to get to 10,000 metres (33,000 feet) before anybody else can, save for F-4E's. It must be noted however that the Phantom's high-altitude controllability is not very good, and the aircraft flies like a brick above 7500 metres (24,000 feet).

Unlike other F-4s, British Phantoms have stock RWR in the odd square section mounted on top of the tail. This gives the F-4K an additional advantage in combat, as unlike other phantoms, it can from the outset detect enemy radar impulses and thus at least know the direction of enemy aircraft, as well as the likelihood that they have been detected on an enemy's radar. This RWR can also differentiate between simple radar pings and a radar lock, which is invaluable in deciding whether one needs to start evasive manoeuvres to try break the lock or whether it is simply a sign of a distant enemy contact.

The Ferranti AN/AWG-11 Radar can scan up to 370 kilometers away in a 120 degree arc, but generally you should keep the radar scanning in a 120 degree search pattern for targets at 18.5km away from you. The radar also has an Air Combat Mode, or '''ACM''' mode, that shortens the radar search to an 11-by-11 degree search pattern with a maximum range of 9.25km. In this mode, it will lock on the first target that it manages to detect and will not stop tracking nor switch to another target until the lock is lost. While unlike other aircraft it does not give you a lead indicator, it is a useful tool for detecting and tracking targets that are not visible due to cloud, distance, or other such factors.

The AIM-9Ds do excellently when launched from 2.3-5.5 kilometers (1.5-2.5 miles) away, but not up close. They are superior to the AIM-9E, with 16 Gees of maximum overload as opposed to 10 Gees, but they are still inferior to the [[R-60|R-60/AA-8 Aphid]] (30G) and the [[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]] (20G). However, it is of note that the AIM-9D's seeker head is able to lock on and maintain a lock at much longer distances than either missile. It is possible to kill aircraft from 8-10km away given the right conditions and a bit of luck.

Any British Phantom should '''not''' be taken close to the beginning furball. All mentioned facts combined give the image of a long-range missile-hauler with a licence to kill from long range given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself. This is indeed the case. British Phantoms perform admirably in a support role in a furball, killing tailsitting MiGs, Mirages and Phantoms, as well as taking out enemy aircraft who go high to try to attack aircraft with an energy advantage, and enemy aircraft extending away from the furball to make another pass. [[File:Phantom FG1 SC1.png|thumb|Phantom FG.1 over El Alamein]]

This, however, does '''not''' mean that the Phantom FG.1 cannot handle itself in a dogfight. The FG.1 is more than capable of engaging aircraft up close (between 0-1.5km away), with a powerful M61 Vulcan. You can easily kill aircraft in a head-on, but that doesn't mean that you should commit and stay there! Always break off if you see enemy tracer, or at the very least when the enemy aircraft is 1km away, lest you would like your own example of the World's Best Distributor of MiG Parts spread all over the sky. When using the Vulcan, one has two options on how to engage, one of which is more risky than the other, and depends on your aircraft being spaded.

* The first method of engagement is a fairly standard low-risk hit-and-run pass. Approach the enemy, shoot, and break off. There's nothing too special about it, and it relies more on the Phantom's blinding speed to get into the target area, the Vulcan's overwhelming Burst Mass to put at least a few rounds on the target, and then get out of the danger zone as soon as possible lest you become the target of unwanted attention. It requires little in the way of skill and little in the way of performance upgrades, as the FG.1 already has considerable engine power. However, it does not allow for sustained time on target and gives you only a small window of opportunity to make the shot.[[File:PHANTOM FG 1 COOL 2.png|thumb|Phantom FG.1 above the North Atlantic.]]
* The second method of engagement is much more risky, more rewarding, and requires a fair amount of pilot skill and a '''fully upgraded plane'''. In addition, this method is '''specific''' to British Phantoms, if not the FG.1 in '''general''', as the FG.1 is the '''only''' Phantom which has this type of afterburner performance. Pilots are '''not''' recommended to try this in the [[F-4C]], [[F-4E]] or [[F-4EJ]]. Conversely, this tactic works very effectively against turning non-Spey phantoms. This method should '''not''' be used above 5000 metres under any circumstances. This method works best while in cloud and with an ACM lock on the enemy. The Phantom has its best roll performance at '''700-950 km/h''' (380-515 kts) and can use its takeoff flaps below 700km/h without risking them ripping off. You can use the airbrakes to slow the aircraft to the required speed, and then by tapping the flaps from raised to takeoff position, you can turn a little tighter than usual, and then use your outstanding afterburner performance to rapidly regain speed. You can out-accelerate any phantom in-game below 5000 metres, and even from a slower start you can rapidly close the gap. This manoeuvre can also be attempted at an angle to the horizontal, although speed can become a much greater concern (both flap rip speed and stall speeds). While this tactic may at first seem illogical- speed, after all, is the lifeblood of jet battles- the fast afterburner acceleration of the Spey Phantom can often ensure that you do not end up stalling. This tactic is, however, highly situational and requires a fair bit of situational awareness and pilot skill to pull off. Phantom neophytes shouldn't attempt this until they have at least spaded it and grown comfortable with it.

The Astute reader may have noticed that the engagement ranges described leave a "dead zone" between 1.5-2.4km away from the aircraft. This is correct. Unless the enemy is low, slow, or simply unaware of their surroundings, they can easily dodge the AIM-9Ds at this range, and they are too far away for a reliable guns kill. Pilots have two options should they come to this impasse. They can either break off the engagement, extend a little to a more comfortable range (hopefully 3km) and fire a missile, '''or''' head straight at the enemy, casting all pretenses of subtlety to the wind to go for a guns kill with the Vulcan. The choice is up to the pilot to decide.

'''Dodging Missiles: The Do's and Don'ts.'''
[[File:PHANTOM FG 1 COOL 6.png|thumb|A Phantom FG.1 breaking away to the left while a [[Phantom FGR.2]] presses onwards.]]
The Phantom FG.1 is slightly more manoeuvrable than the FGR.2 due to aerodynamic modifications to allow it to perform better at speeds. This means it has a slightly easier time dodging missiles. However, the easiest to avoid missiles is to not let the enemy get the opportunity to launch them at all. Keep your tail pointed '''away''' from enemy radars and the front of enemies. Utilize oblique angles and the Phantom's blinding speed and unrivalled acceleration to get out of missile lock range, and use head-on passes to avoid IRM locks on targets you wish to get gun kills on, before extending out quickly with full afterburner. Do not stay still for prolonged periods of time without checking behind you for tell-tale white streaks or the missile markers. In addition, don't let MiG-21s get close to you. Fly at an oblique angle to them (but keep your tailplane out of clear sight!) until you reach 2.5km. The R60s, while having a lock range of 3.5km, have an effective range of around 2.5km, making them almost useless at longer ranges (unlike the AIM-9Ds, which are most effective when '''at''' long range, and manoeuvres when seen from a distance mean smaller course corrections). Matra Magics are harder to evade using distance, but a similar rule applies, where having at least 3-5 kilometers between you and the enemy and travelling at an angle that obscures your engines from enemy aircraft helps massively in avoiding missile launches. Manoeuvring and flares should be an absolute last resort. Pre-emptive manoeuvring to deprive the enemy of chances to lock is the first and foremost way to avoid getting blown out of the sky.[[File:PHANTOM FG 1 COOL.png|left|thumb|A Phantom FG.1 of 111 Squadron, or "Treble One", patrolling over the North Atlantic.]]If you need to manoeuvre, though, '''remember to turn off the afterburner'''. The Afterburner provides a large beacon-like heat signature that any IRM can track with a modicum of ease. Break either '''into''' a missile (if fired from beyond 1.5km) or '''away''' from a missile (if fired from below that distance) while popping flares. Press your flare button at least twice to release a sufficient amount to decoy off the enemy missile. If dodging SAMs at low altitude during Ground Battles matches, try to put terrain features such as trees, buildings and cliffs between you and the missile to force the radar to break a lock, and break towards the missile in order to increase the G-force it needs to pull. While you can do this to some extent in Air RB, there aren't often many terrain features to begin with, and missiles are usually IRMs, which means that they don't require the launcher to continuously maintain line-of-sight with the target they launched at. Another method to dodge missiles is a barrel roll while popping flares, executed at the last possible moment, while the missile is below 1km away. This method, while risky, is sometimes the only way you can evade close-range missiles such as the [[Hunter F.6]]'s [[SRAAM]]s, the [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]] and [[MiG-21SMT]]'s R-60s and the [[Mirage IIIC]]'s R.550 Magics, as well as helicopter-mounted IRMs such as the [[9M39 Igla]] on Russian helicopters, the [[AIM-92 Stinger]] on US helicopters, the British [[Starstreak]], and the [[Mistral]] on French, German, and Italian helicopters.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Compressor
| Fuselage repair
|
| 1000 LB GP
| Flares
|-
| II
| New boosters
| Airframe
| Offensive 20 mm
| Matra SNEB
|
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| G-suit
|
| AIM-9D
|
|-
| IV
| Engine
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
|
|
|-
|}

'''Flares''' should be one of your top priorities, as well as the '''1000 LB GP''' upgrade. These give you a fighting chance against your missile-armed opponents, and the bombs provide a relatively reliable source of RP {{rp}} as you work towards better equipping the aircraft for dogfights later down the line. '''Compressor''' and '''Engine''' provide the single largest addition to performance, far more than any of the other upgrades, and should be prioritised. The Airframe and Cover are not priorities, but New Boosters help immensely with taking on trickier opponents. The Offensive 20mm and New 20mm cannon upgrades are not priorities, as the M61 is more accurate than one would think, and with a cyclic fire rate of 6000 rounds per minute, belt composition simply does '''not''' matter. In addition to that, the belts themselves are '''much''' too expensive, coming at 3.3K-4.9K Silver Lions {{Sl}}.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great top speed; one of the fastest aircraft in the game
* Decent manoeuvrability for a plane of its size
* Excellent engine performance at low altitude
* Great rate of climb, rivaled only by the F-104 Starfighter
* Adequate selection of secondary ordnance
* Powerful M61 Vulcan can wreak havoc against enemy aircraft
* Cheaper repair cost than the other F-4's

'''Cons:'''

* As with most jets, tends to bleed off energy in sustained turns
* Relatively large target
* Limited payload options compared to American Phantoms
* Engines lose their edge higher up compared to US turbojets
* Control Authority suffers above ~8000 metres

== History ==



===Background===
From the late 1950s onwards the British Government began looking to replace a number of its early second-generation jet aircraft. The RAF was looking to replace the [[Canberra_(Family)|English Electric Canberra]] in the long-range interdictor role, and the [[Hunter_(Family)|Hawker Hunter]] in the close air support role; meanwhile the Royal Navy was looking to replace their de Havilland Sea Vixens in the fleet air defence role<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK">Wikipedia: McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service</ref>. Two aircraft programs were started to produce suitable replacements; the BAC TSR-2 was to be a highly advanced strike and reconnaissance aircraft to replace the Canberra. Meanwhile the Hunter and the Sea Vixen would be replaced by different versions of the P.1154; a Mach 2 capable VTOL aircraft developed from the P.1127 (the predecessor of famous Harrier Jump Jet). The Navy were not entirely happy with the idea of the navalised P.1154, believing that it did not suit their needs; and in 1964 they dropped out of the programme, deciding to purchase the F-4 Phantom from America instead. In the same year a new government was elected and in 1965 cancelled both the TSR-2 and P.1154 programmes on cost grounds, leaving the RAF without its much needed Canberra and Hunter replacements. The Government announced a plan to purchase the F-111K from America to replace the TSR-2 program (the F-111K would also eventually be cancelled on grounds of cost), while the Hunter would be replaced by F-4 Phantoms from America<ref name="BurkePhantom">Burke 2016</ref>.

===Development===
Both the Royal Navy and RAF were now set to purchase the F-4 Phantom. The RAF could have operated standard F-4 Phantoms (and to some extent would have preferred to)<ref name="BurkePhantom" />, however the aircraft was going to need modifications in order to be able to operate off of the UK's aircraft carriers, which were smaller than the ones Phantoms usually operated from. In a bid to help the British aviation industry (which had been hurt by a number of cancelled programmes), and make the aircraft suitable for use by the Royal Navy it was agreed that all UK Phantoms would be significantly modified, by British companies, from their US counterparts. The most notable change would be the replacement of the American J79 turbojet engines with larger and more powerful Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans; a modified rear fuselage to accommodate the new engines would also be built by BAC, and the aircraft's radar system would be built under license by Ferranti<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />.

It was decided that the UK Phantoms would be based off of the F-4J, which was then the primary version in service with the US Navy at the time<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />. As the RAF and Royal Navy had differing requirements it was decided that two variants of the UK Phantom would be designed: the first variant, for the Royal Navy, would be designated F-4K or Phantom FG.1; while the RAF variant would be developed from the navy variant and be designated F-4M or Phantom FGR.2. Work began on modifying the F-4J to meet the Royal Navy's needs; the nose radome had to be made to hinge 180 degreed, to allow the Phantom fit on the smaller deck elevators of British carriers, and a telescopic nose gear was installed to allow the aircraft to sit pitched nose-up on the flight deck (by up to 11°), reducing take-off distance<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />. The new engines were installed at a slight downwards angle to further increase take-off performance and the rear fuselage to be redesigned to both accommodate the new engines and cope with the increased heat they produced; the air intakes also had to be made larger, and additional intake doors added in the fuselage to provide the Speys with the airflow they required<ref name="BurkePhantom" />. Many other small changes were also made to UK Phantoms. The first F-4K prototype flew on 27 June 1966, with the First F-4M prototype flying on 17 February 1967.

===Service===
The first F-4Ks were delivered in April 1968 and were designated Phantom FG.1, early the following year they began test flights from HMS Eagle and the USS Saratoga. During the testing the intense heat produced by the downward-angled Spey engines, while the afterburner was engaged, caused the flight deck plating of the USS Saratoga to buckle<ref name="BurkePhantom" />. On-board HMS Eagle heavy-duty steel plating had to be welded to the flight deck; and be cooled using water from the ship's fire hoses between flights, in order to stop it from melting<ref name="SearlesPhantom">Searles n.d.</ref>. When the HMS Ark Royal was upgraded to operate Phantoms it had to have water-cooled blast deflectors and decking installed to prevent the Phantom's engines from damaging the flight deck <ref name="BurkePhantom" />. HMS Ark Royal had finished its refit in 1970, by which point the refit of HMS Eagle had been cancelled, along with plans to build two additional aircraft carriers. With the Navy now only having one carrier capable of operating Phantoms it was decided to reduce the Navy's Phantom fleet down to 28 aircraft, with the other 20 FG.1s being transferred to the RAF. The remaining Royal Navy Phantoms would serve on the HMS Ark Royal (R09) until her retirement.

The first F-4Ms entered RAF service in May 1969, filling the role of tactical strike aircraft; they were given the designation Phantom FGR.2 (with FGR standing for Fighter/Ground attack/Reconnaissance). The RAF's Phantom FGR.2 was overall very similar to the Navy's FG.1 variant, but had a number of changes; they used a slightly different version of Spey engines (the FG.1 had faster afterburner engagement to aid with aborted landings on aircraft carriers), and naval features like the telescopic nose gear, slotted tail, and cockpit-controlled wing folding were dropped. The FGR.2 also had different avionics, the radar was slightly different and additional functionality such as an inertial navigation / attack system was added, as well as modification needed to allow the FGR.2 to use a gun pod and reconnaissance pod, among other changes<ref name="GledhillPhantom">Gledhill 2017</ref>. Both the FGR.2 and FG.1 would later be modified with squared off tails, holding a radar warning receiver.

The Phantom FG.1s were withdrawn from Royal Navy service in 1978, with the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal, and were transferred to the RAF to serve in air defence roles. The Phantom FG.1 was not originally equipped to carry a gun pod while in Royal Navy service, following their transfer to RAF service they were modified in order to carry the SUU-23/A 20 mm gun pod (the same one used by the RAF Phantom FGR.2s). The Phantoms were replaced in Navy service by the Harrier Jump Jet, which was able to operate from the Navy's new Invincible-class aircraft carriers (which were smaller than the HMS Ark Royal).

Following the Falklands War in 1982 the UK deployed a Squadron of FGR.2s to defend the Falkland Islands from any future attack; however this left a gap in the Air defence of the UK Mainland. It was decided to purchase 15 more F-4Js from America to fill this gap. The F4-Js were upgraded to F-4S standard and entered service with the RAF on 19 October 1984 under the designation Phantom F.3 or F-4J(UK)<ref name="BurkePhantom" />. The Phantom remained the UK's primary Air defence aircraft until it was gradually replaced by the Panavia Tornado; the last FG.1s retired on 30 January 1990, the last F.3s retired on 31 January 1991, and the FGR.2 left RAF service on 1 November 1992. The FGR.2 was due to retire earlier however just before retirement it was called back into service to defend RAF Akrotiri, on Cyprus, during the First Gulf War<ref name="BurkePhantom" />.

A total of 48 Phantom FG.1s, 118 Phantom FGR.2s and 15 Phantom F.3s were built<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />.

===Further development plans===
Prior to the Phantom's retirement from RAF service there had been a plan to retrofit them with an upgraded version of the Spey engine. A program was started to design the new engines; they would have various improvements, the most notable of which being new turbine blades, reportedly manufactured from a single metal crystal<ref name="ThrustSSC">SSC Programme Ltd 1997</ref>. These blades would increase the operating life of the engines under normal conditions, but also give the option of operating the engines at higher temperatures, and thus higher thrust (although this would come at the expense of reduced engine life). These engines were known as Spey 205s and had a maximum thrust of 25,000 lb (11,340 kgf)<ref name="ThrustSSC" />, compared to 20,515 lb (9,305 kgf) for the regular Spey engines; although it is unclear if they would be used at this thrust rating while in service. With the Phantom retired the Spey 205 programme was cancelled, and no engines were produced under the Spey 205 name; however 12 Spey 202 engines had been upgraded to Spey 205 standard for testing (and are now generally referred to as Spey 205s, or Spey 202 hybrids)<ref name="BourneSSC">Bourne 1997</ref>. It is known that after the programme was cancelled two of the Spey 205 prototypes, along with two standard Spey 202s were obtained by the ThrustSSC programme (the world's fastest car)<ref name="ThrustSSC" />, although reports vary on whether the car was fitted with Spey 202s or 205s when it completed its record-breaking run.

===Comparison with American Phantoms===
The Rolls-Royce Spey engines gave British Phantoms notably different performance to their American counterparts. At low altitude British Phantoms accelerated faster than standard F-4Js and had a higher top speed; it was estimated that they had a 30% shorter take-off distance and a 20% faster climb to altitude<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />. The Spey turbofan engines were also more fuel efficient than the J-79 turbojets, giving British Phantoms a 10 - 15 % increase in range compared to American aircraft<ref name="GledhillPhantom" />. The main drawback of the British design was that the reshaped fuselage produced more drag than the original design, meaning that at high altitude British Phantoms were slower and performed worse than their American counterparts (British Phantoms topped out at about Mach 1.9 at altitude, while American Phantoms could reach Mach 2.1)<ref name="BurkePhantom" />.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|YTV8OmfpR0Y|'''Phantom FG Mk1 Review So Far''' - ''TWM12''}}

== See also ==


* [[Phantom FGR.2]] - Royal Air Force variant

== External links ==


* [[Wikipedia:McDonnell_Douglas_Phantom_in_UK_service|[Wikipedia] McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service]]
* [https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/phantom/history.php <nowiki>[Thunder and Lightnings]</nowiki> McDonnell-Douglas/BAC F-4K/M Phantom II]

===Citations===
<references />

===Bibliography===

* Bourne, Nigel. (1997). Development of the Rolls-Royce Military Spey Mk202 Engine. Retrieved from [http://www.thrustssc.com/ ThrustSSC]
* Burke, Damien. (2016). McDonnell-Douglas/BAC F-4K/M Phantom II. Retrieved from [https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/phantom/history.php Thunder and Lightnings]
* Gledhill, David. (2017). Phantom in the Cold War: RAF Wildenrath 1977 - 1992. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation.
* Searles, Dick. (n.d.). HMS Eagle Deck Trials 1969. Retrieved from [https://www.phantomf4k.org/video-library/hms-eagle-deck-trials-1969 Phantom F4K - Fleet Air Arm Royal Navy]
* SSC Programme Ltd. (1997). The Story of the Rolls-Royce Spey. Retrieved from [http://thrustssc.com/ ThrustSSC]
* Wikipedia. (n.d.). McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service. Retrieved from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_Phantom_in_UK_service Wikipedia]

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Su-7B

2020-09-01T22:52:09Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=su-7b}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

''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
|2,161||2,145|| rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} ||27.4||28.2||166.4||157.6|| rowspan="2" | 1,250
|-
! Upgraded
|2,323||2,232||26.6||27.0||227.0||195.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| 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}} ||700||520||473|| ~11 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 700 || < 650 || < 600 || N/A
|-
|}

==== 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" | Saturn AL-7F-1-100 || 1
| colspan="2" | 7,926 kg || colspan="2" | 315 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 27m fuel
|-
| 2,200 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 8,756 kg || 10,000 kg || 10,726 kg || 13,043 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
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 27m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 5,848 kgf || 8,257 kgf
| 0.94 || 0.83 || 0.77 || 0.63
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 6,664 kgf (1,000 km/h) || 9,974 kgf (1,000 km/h)
| 1.14 || 1.00 || 0.93 || 0.76
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===



* 20 mm Aluminium Alloy - pilot's headrest
* 36 mm Aluminium Alloy - pilot's backrest
* 8 mm steel - cockpit front bulkhead
* 102 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons, -mounted (80 rpg = 160 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|S-3K|S-5K|S-24}}

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

* Without load
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 28 x S-3K rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (2,000 kg 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).''

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
|Fuselage repair
|Compressor
|
|Offensive 30 mm
|
|UB-16
|-
| II
|New boosters
|
|Airframe
|
|FAB-250
|S-3K
|-
| III
|Wings Repair
|
|
|New 30 mm cannons
|
|C-24
|-
| IV
|G-suit
|Engine
|Cover
|
|FAB-500
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* One of the fastest planes at its battle rating
* Very fast acceleration
* With S-24 rockets you can win every head-on
* Able to zoom climb up to 8,000 m
* 2 x 30 mm cannons are very powerful with Armored targets belt
* Decent energy retention

'''Cons:'''

* Huge plane and very fragile
* Underwhelming maneuverability although recently improved
* Very unstable
* Below average roll rate

== History ==


On May 14th 1953, shortly after Stalin's death and the reopening of the Sukhoi OKB, they began work on a swept-wing front-line fighter. Their first prototype was named '''S-1''' and was fitted with the all-new Lyulka AL-7 turbojet. It was the first Soviet aircraft to utilize the all-moving tailplane and a translating centerbody, plus a dramatic wing sweep of 60°, irreversible hydraulically boosted controls, and an ejection seat of Sukhoi's own design. After the success of the S-1, production began with the S-2. later renamed the '''Su-7'''.

Later, on 31 July 1958, the Soviet Tactical Aviation tasked Sukhoi with developing a ground-attack variant of the Su-7, which could replace the scrapped Ilyushin [[IL-10 (Family)|IL-10]]. The resulting prototype, '''S-22''', incorporated structural refinements for high-speed, low-altitude operations. It first flew in March 1959 and entered service in 1961 as the '''Su-7B'''.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|S9qfGHj1YcI|'''The Shooting Range #211''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:28 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/6738-development-su-7b-new-doctrine-en|[Devblog] Su-7B: new doctrine]]

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

MiG-21SMT

2020-08-31T10:37:51Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=mig-21_smt}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===


As an evolution of the previous [[MiG-21F-13|MiG-21 F-13]], the {{PAGENAME}} inherits some flight characteristics of its older sibling.

Both of them can pull high angle-of-attack (AoA) which enables its pilot to easily get guns on target at the cost of extreme speed loss. Both of them are light aircraft which enables them to climb with ease. And both of them have high wing loading, which can hinder manoeuvrability, particularly at high altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner. However, that's where the similarities end, as the {{PAGENAME}} comes with upgrades, most notably removed armour which shaved 500 kg off its scale and an uprated engine, the R-13F-300, which outputs 5722 kgf, 700 more than R-11F-300 on MiG-21 F-13. In practice, this means that the {{PAGENAME}} is best in class when it comes to acceleration and climbing performance.

Manoeuvrability wise, SMT is extremely nimble at lower altitudes, where its high AoA can outweigh its high wing load, and high acceleration can mitigate speed loss, allowing it to pull hard turns, provided the pilot monitors the speed. At high altitudes, the story is different, as it proves to be very unresponsive, leaving the user vulnerable to attacks, particularly to missiles. One more characteristic any prospecting user should note is that the aircraft tends to break its wings beyond 11 G, and considering the {{PAGENAME}} will merrily pull over 12 G at high speed turns if the boosters modification is equipped, unequipping it may help if the pilot has trouble with wings ripping.

When it comes to raw straight-line speed, the {{PAGENAME}} can get to its top speed much faster than its contemporary fighters at any altitude. In fact, speed should always be monitored, as it can easily reach its relatively high wing speed limit of ~1300 km/h indicated airspeed (IAS), even at level flight. High acceleration and high top speed mean that the {{PAGENAME}} is more than able to intercept almost any target, the only exception being [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]] which is already sitting at its top speed. One more notable feature is that due to its low weight and high thrust, energy management is a breeze and the aircraft will quickly both lose and gain speed, which may prove useful when trying to stay on the target's back.

{| 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
| 2,164 || 2,126 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.8 || 37.8 || 136.9 || 128.0 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,318 || 2,240 || 35.4 || 36.0 || 196.3 || 165.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || 550 || 450 || ~11 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 780 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="9" | Wing Performance (Clean Configuration)
|-
! colspan="4" |Maximum Climb
(Use Mach Number until IAS lowers to the appropriate value)
! colspan="2" |Efficiency
! colspan="3" |Limits
|-
! Mach Number !! IAS (km/h)
(max-zero fuel)
! Nose Angle (Sea Level, Degrees)
(max-zero fuel)
!Climb Rate (m/s)
(max-zero fuel)
!Best Glide (km/h)
(max-zero fuel)
!Best Glide
Angle, Ratio

(Degrees, ratio)
!Critical Angle of Attack
(Degrees)
!Zero-Thrust 1G Stall (km/h)
(max-zero fuel)
!Corner Speed (km/h)
|-
| 0.90 || ~950-680 || 44-65
|280-195
|~900-640
|~4.1, ~14:1
|25
|278-216
|850
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13F-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,950 kg || colspan="2" | 360 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,761 kg || 7,739 kg || 8,267 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="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,917 kgf || 7,295 kgf
| 1.08 || 0.94 || 0.88 || 0.74
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,917 kgf (0 km/h) || 7,850 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.16 || 1.01 || 0.95 || 0.79
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The {{PAGENAME}} is a light fighter and its survivability reflects that. It lacks armour and the airframe is fragile. On top of it all, MiG-21, in general, has a very unstable airframe, which means that any changes to its aerodynamic properties may make it difficult to control. Exercise caution when flying it.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

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

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

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

The GSh-23L fires at a rate of 3,396 rounds per minute, which leaves the plane with a 3.53 second firing time.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)}}
{{main|R-3S|R-60|S-5K|S-24}}

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

* Without load
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 96 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 64 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 64 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 2 x S-24 rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-3S missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)

The {{PAGENAME}} can be armed with both anti-air missiles and ground strike ordinance on its four hard-point pylons under the wing. While most of the weapons can be seen on other aircraft, the unique weapon that this aircraft can carry is R-60 IR air-to-air missile. Compared to R-3S which can be found on most Russian aircraft capable of launching missiles, R-60 has a much more sophisticated IR tracking system, allowing it to track targets up to 5 km away, and keep them on its sights at a much faster pace, which results in a reliable lock that not many targets can shake off. R-60 can also be fired in a wider range of situations, as the missile can track targets while on the pylon. This is critical to how the missile works which means that the missile has a much higher launch load factor and is able to intercept targets immediately after being launched. This is much different than the R-3S which tracks targets only half a second after launch and needs the platform to stay still in order to track the target, leaving the aircraft vulnerable to attacks. R-60 is a much smaller missile than R-3S, weighing at 44 kg instead of 77 kg that an R-3S weighs. Missile's explosive payload is also significantly smaller, weighing at 3.5 kg. Rocket motors on R-60 are much smaller than on R-3S and this means that R-60 is much slower than R-3S, and even though it can lock on targets at 5 km, it has a lower range than R-3S. In practice, R-60 is a reliable and potent anti-aircraft weapon that excels at taking out even nimble targets in dogfights at ranges from 300 m to 2 km but is unable to reach targets beyond 3 km due to its less powerful rocket motors. R-3S, however, can only be used reliably at targets which are not paying attention or are unable to react quickly to a missile launch, but they can also be used to intercept targets at much further ranges than R-60.

When it comes to dumb-fire rockets, {{PAGENAME}} can carry S-5K 55 mm rockets and S-24 240 mm rockets. S-5K have a small warhead that is able to penetrate 150 mm of armour at 0°. However, due to their small warhead, they need a direct hit on the target in order to do any damage and even if they do connect, the damage is minimal to any armoured target. S-24, though, is a 235 kg behemoth, capable of taking out most targets with a single hit.

== Usage in battles ==


Combining its ability to pull high angle-of-attack on demand, excellent acceleration, high top speed and powerful dogfighting weaponry, {{PAGENAME}} is a potent air superiority dogfighter/interceptor. It allows the pilot to intercept any target, quickly get on its back and stay there, while also giving the user a safety net in the shape of its acceleration that enables it to break from any engagement with ease. If the pilot is feeling less adventurous, a slow and methodical boom and zoom attrition on the enemy air targets is also a possibility. However, it should be noted that at high altitudes, the aircraft is not responsive due to its high wing load and may pose an easy target to more nimble foes. While MiG-21 SMT can handle air targets with ease, ground targets may pose more of a problem, due to its lacklustre ground attack weaponry, fragile airframe and its low turn rate which may spell doom for its user trying to pull from a dive. Not all is lost, as it still has access to S-24 rockets, which can easily crack even the most hardened ground target.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Compressor
|
| Offensive 23 mm
| FAB-250
| FAB-500
|-
| II
| New boosters
|
| Airframe
|
| UB-16
| R-3S
|-
| III
| Wings repair
|
|
| New 23 mm cannons
| UB-32
|
|-
| IV
| G-suit
| Engine
| Cover
|
| C-24
| R-60
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* High thrust-to-weight ratio
* Excellent acceleration from 1,000 - 1,200 km/h
* Excellent rate of climb, can maintain mach 1+ at 30 degrees
* R-60 missile is second highest G loading missile in-game (can lock on in some side aspect scenarios)
* Maintains speed in turns better than the [[MiG-21 F-13|MiG-21F-13]]
* Its RP-22SM radar has high tracking range
* Much higher rate of fire than earlier cannon-armed Soviet jets
* Has a radar-warning-receiver (RWR)
* Can perform a cobra with full real controls

'''Cons:'''

* Belly-mounted cannon can cause shots to go lower than expected
* Less agile than other MiG-21 variants
* Extra care on takeoff and landing must be taken to prevent the ventral fin from hitting the runway
* Using afterburner on the deck can overspeed the aircraft even in a slight climb
** The SMT variant has a significantly increased change of breakup above the redline compared to the F-13 (Do not linger above redline at all if possible)
* [[R-60]] has less explosive mass than [[R-3S]]
* Radar is of shorter detection range than most competitors
* Currently lacks flares (1.99.1.105)

== History ==

The MiG-21 was a supersonic interceptor aircraft designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (Mikoyan OKB) located in the Soviet Union. The development of the aircraft began in early 1950's, when Mikoyan OKB finished their first design of the aircraft designated as Ye-1. However, the prototype was quickly determined to be too under-powered, and led to the a redesign of the aircraft, designated Ye-2. Both of these aircraft and the prototype to follow had swept back wings, such as those found on the MiG-15. The first prototype to have the signature delta wings of the MiG-21 was the Ye-4. The aircraft made it's maiden flight on June 16th, 1955, and made its first public appearance during the Soviet Aviation Display at Moscow's Tushino Airfield in July 1956. The MiG 21 became the Soviet Unions first successful fighter and interceptor aircraft, it was lightweight, and had a powerful afterburner, allowing it to reach speeds of up to Mach 2, and was comparable to the French Dassault Mirage III, and American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter at the time. However, the aircraft had a short range, which was worsened by the poor placement of its fuel tanks. Due to this, the development of the MiG-21 SMT began. The SMT variant of the MiG-21 contained more fuel tanks in the spine of the aircraft, which resulted in the aircraft being hard to fly as a result of the enlarged spine. The fuel tank however, did give the aircraft an increased range of up to 250 km (155 mi). The SMT variant also had an electronic countermeasures capability. The MiG-21 SMT is no longer in service.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=mig-21_smt Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|M1QGN0ge4C8|'''The Shooting Range #181''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:29 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|vhTZXYk6eao|'''Tank busters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:19 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_f13}}

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

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

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

MiG-21SMT

2020-08-31T10:37:09Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=mig-21_smt}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===


As an evolution of the previous [[MiG-21F-13|MiG-21 F-13]], the {{PAGENAME}} inherits some flight characteristics of its older sibling.

Both of them can pull high angle-of-attack (AoA) which enables its pilot to easily get guns on target at the cost of extreme speed loss. Both of them are light aircraft which enables them to climb with ease. And both of them have high wing loading, which can hinder manoeuvrability, particularly at high altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner. However, that's where the similarities end, as the {{PAGENAME}} comes with upgrades, most notably removed armour which shaved 500 kg off its scale and an uprated engine, the R-13F-300, which outputs 5722 kgf, 700 more than R-11F-300 on MiG-21 F-13. In practice, this means that the {{PAGENAME}} is best in class when it comes to acceleration and climbing performance.

Manoeuvrability wise, SMT is extremely nimble at lower altitudes, where its high AoA can outweigh its high wing load, and high acceleration can mitigate speed loss, allowing it to pull hard turns, provided the pilot monitors the speed. At high altitudes, the story is different, as it proves to be very unresponsive, leaving the user vulnerable to attacks, particularly to missiles. One more characteristic any prospecting user should note is that the aircraft tends to break its wings beyond 11 G, and considering the {{PAGENAME}} will merrily pull over 12 G at high speed turns if the boosters modification is equipped, unequipping it may help if the pilot has trouble with wings ripping.

When it comes to raw straight-line speed, the {{PAGENAME}} can get to its top speed much faster than its contemporary fighters at any altitude. In fact, speed should always be monitored, as it can easily reach its relatively high wing speed limit of ~1300 km/h indicated airspeed (IAS), even at level flight. High acceleration and high top speed mean that the {{PAGENAME}} is more than able to intercept almost any target, the only exception being [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]] which is already sitting at its top speed. One more notable feature is that due to its low weight and high thrust, energy management is a breeze and the aircraft will quickly both lose and gain speed, which may prove useful when trying to stay on the target's back.

{| 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
| 2,164 || 2,126 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.8 || 37.8 || 136.9 || 128.0 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,318 || 2,240 || 35.4 || 36.0 || 196.3 || 165.0
|-
|}

==== 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 || 550 || 450 || ~11 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 780 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="9" | Wing Performance (Clean Configuration)
|-
! colspan="4" |Maximum Climb
(Use Mach Number until IAS lowers to the appropriate value)
! colspan="2" |Efficiency
! colspan="3" |Limits
|-
! Mach Number !! IAS (km/h)
(max-zero fuel)
! Nose Angle (Sea Level, Degrees)
(max-zero fuel)
!Climb Rate (m/s)
(max-zero fuel)
!Best Glide (km/h)
(max-zero fuel)
!Best Glide
Angle, Ratio

(Degrees, ratio)
!Critical Angle of Attack
(Degrees)
!Zero-Thrust 1G Stall (km/h)
(max-zero fuel)
!Corner Speed (km/h)
|-
| 0.90 || ~950-680 || 44-65
|280-195
|~900-640
|~4.1, ~14:1
|25
|278-216
|850
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13F-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,950 kg || colspan="2" | 360 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,761 kg || 7,739 kg || 8,267 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="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,917 kgf || 7,295 kgf
| 1.08 || 0.94 || 0.88 || 0.74
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,917 kgf (0 km/h) || 7,850 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.16 || 1.01 || 0.95 || 0.79
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The {{PAGENAME}} is a light fighter and its survivability reflects that. It lacks armour and the airframe is fragile. On top of it all, MiG-21, in general, has a very unstable airframe, which means that any changes to its aerodynamic properties may make it difficult to control. Exercise caution when flying it.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

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

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

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

The GSh-23L fires at a rate of 3,396 rounds per minute, which leaves the plane with a 3.53 second firing time.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)}}
{{main|R-3S|R-60|S-5K|S-24}}

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

* Without load
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 96 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 64 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 64 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x R-3S missiles + 2 x S-24 rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-3S missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)

The {{PAGENAME}} can be armed with both anti-air missiles and ground strike ordinance on its four hard-point pylons under the wing. While most of the weapons can be seen on other aircraft, the unique weapon that this aircraft can carry is R-60 IR air-to-air missile. Compared to R-3S which can be found on most Russian aircraft capable of launching missiles, R-60 has a much more sophisticated IR tracking system, allowing it to track targets up to 5 km away, and keep them on its sights at a much faster pace, which results in a reliable lock that not many targets can shake off. R-60 can also be fired in a wider range of situations, as the missile can track targets while on the pylon. This is critical to how the missile works which means that the missile has a much higher launch load factor and is able to intercept targets immediately after being launched. This is much different than the R-3S which tracks targets only half a second after launch and needs the platform to stay still in order to track the target, leaving the aircraft vulnerable to attacks. R-60 is a much smaller missile than R-3S, weighing at 44 kg instead of 77 kg that an R-3S weighs. Missile's explosive payload is also significantly smaller, weighing at 3.5 kg. Rocket motors on R-60 are much smaller than on R-3S and this means that R-60 is much slower than R-3S, and even though it can lock on targets at 5 km, it has a lower range than R-3S. In practice, R-60 is a reliable and potent anti-aircraft weapon that excels at taking out even nimble targets in dogfights at ranges from 300 m to 2 km but is unable to reach targets beyond 3 km due to its less powerful rocket motors. R-3S, however, can only be used reliably at targets which are not paying attention or are unable to react quickly to a missile launch, but they can also be used to intercept targets at much further ranges than R-60.

When it comes to dumb-fire rockets, {{PAGENAME}} can carry S-5K 55 mm rockets and S-24 240 mm rockets. S-5K have a small warhead that is able to penetrate 150 mm of armour at 0°. However, due to their small warhead, they need a direct hit on the target in order to do any damage and even if they do connect, the damage is minimal to any armoured target. S-24, though, is a 235 kg behemoth, capable of taking out most targets with a single hit.

== Usage in battles ==


Combining its ability to pull high angle-of-attack on demand, excellent acceleration, high top speed and powerful dogfighting weaponry, {{PAGENAME}} is a potent air superiority dogfighter/interceptor. It allows the pilot to intercept any target, quickly get on its back and stay there, while also giving the user a safety net in the shape of its acceleration that enables it to break from any engagement with ease. If the pilot is feeling less adventurous, a slow and methodical boom and zoom attrition on the enemy air targets is also a possibility. However, it should be noted that at high altitudes, the aircraft is not responsive due to its high wing load and may pose an easy target to more nimble foes. While MiG-21 SMT can handle air targets with ease, ground targets may pose more of a problem, due to its lacklustre ground attack weaponry, fragile airframe and its low turn rate which may spell doom for its user trying to pull from a dive. Not all is lost, as it still has access to S-24 rockets, which can easily crack even the most hardened ground target.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Compressor
|
| Offensive 23 mm
| FAB-250
| FAB-500
|-
| II
| New boosters
|
| Airframe
|
| UB-16
| R-3S
|-
| III
| Wings repair
|
|
| New 23 mm cannons
| UB-32
|
|-
| IV
| G-suit
| Engine
| Cover
|
| C-24
| R-60
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* High thrust-to-weight ratio
* Excellent acceleration from 1,000 - 1,200 km/h
* Excellent rate of climb, can maintain mach 1+ at 30 degrees
* R-60 missile is second highest G loading missile in-game (can lock on in some side aspect scenarios)
* Maintains speed in turns better than the [[MiG-21 F-13|MiG-21F-13]]
* Its RP-22SM radar has high tracking range
* Much higher rate of fire than earlier cannon-armed Soviet jets
* Has a radar-warning-receiver (RWR)
* Can perform a cobra with full real controls

'''Cons:'''

* Belly-mounted cannon can cause shots to go lower than expected
* Less agile than other MiG-21 variants
* Extra care on takeoff and landing must be taken to prevent the ventral fin from hitting the runway
* Using afterburner on the deck can overspeed the aircraft even in a slight climb
** The SMT variant has a significantly increased change of breakup above the redline compared to the F-13 (Do not linger above redline at all if possible)
* [[R-60]] has less explosive mass than [[R-3S]]
* Radar is of shorter detection range than most competitors

== History ==

The MiG-21 was a supersonic interceptor aircraft designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (Mikoyan OKB) located in the Soviet Union. The development of the aircraft began in early 1950's, when Mikoyan OKB finished their first design of the aircraft designated as Ye-1. However, the prototype was quickly determined to be too under-powered, and led to the a redesign of the aircraft, designated Ye-2. Both of these aircraft and the prototype to follow had swept back wings, such as those found on the MiG-15. The first prototype to have the signature delta wings of the MiG-21 was the Ye-4. The aircraft made it's maiden flight on June 16th, 1955, and made its first public appearance during the Soviet Aviation Display at Moscow's Tushino Airfield in July 1956. The MiG 21 became the Soviet Unions first successful fighter and interceptor aircraft, it was lightweight, and had a powerful afterburner, allowing it to reach speeds of up to Mach 2, and was comparable to the French Dassault Mirage III, and American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter at the time. However, the aircraft had a short range, which was worsened by the poor placement of its fuel tanks. Due to this, the development of the MiG-21 SMT began. The SMT variant of the MiG-21 contained more fuel tanks in the spine of the aircraft, which resulted in the aircraft being hard to fly as a result of the enlarged spine. The fuel tank however, did give the aircraft an increased range of up to 250 km (155 mi). The SMT variant also had an electronic countermeasures capability. The MiG-21 SMT is no longer in service.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=mig-21_smt Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|M1QGN0ge4C8|'''The Shooting Range #181''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:29 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|vhTZXYk6eao|'''Tank busters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:19 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_f13}}

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

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

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

MiG-21F-13

2020-08-31T10:29:41Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=mig-21_f13}}
{{About
| about = Russian jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Chinese license-built version
| link = J-7II
}}
== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

After the Korean War, several nations came out with various aircraft which would out-fly opposing aircraft, especially in a dogfight. The U.S. introduced the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter while European nations France, England and Sweden rolled out the Dassault Mirage F-1, Mirage III, English Electric Lightning, Hawker Hunter and the Saab Draken. At this time the Soviet Union was working on further developing the twin-engine MiG-19 but realized what it actually needed was a fast, single-engine light-weight fighter in what ultimately became the most highly produced supersonic fighter in the world and used by over 60 countries. This fighter was the Ye-66a (‘‘Ye’’ stands for “Yedinitsa” or single-unit), later changed to MiG-21 F-13 or as dubbed by NATO, the Fishbed-C. The F-13 designation identifies that this is an updated (Forsirovannyy) version which can equip the K-13 missile system capable of using the R-3S air-to-air missiles.
[[File:MiG-21_smigol_chat_bann.png|400px|thumb|left|The sleek and aerodynamic '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
The {{PAGENAME}} was built to be a point defence interceptor not an air-defence fighter slated for combat missions, basically a short-range day fighter. Essentially it was a missile which houses a pilot, one 30 mm cannon and two R-3S air-to-air missiles. The sleek airframe was made with aluminium alloys, steel, magnesium and fibreglass. The air-intake cone automatically adjusts during the flight to help the aircraft remain aerodynamic. The fighter sported a delta wing with a 57° leading edge and even the all-moving tailplane utilizes the swept feature. Everything about this jet focus on speed which lends it reaching out to the Mach 2 range. The strength of the aircraft is its speed in a straight line whether in a climb, level flight or a dive, however, when it turns at all, it haemorrhages its energy and when it gets below 700 kph, it is difficult to get back up to speed without diving to make up that speed. When caught near the ground and going slow will be extremely frustrating for a MiG-21 pilot.

The {{PAGENAME}} as-built shaped like a missile excels in air-to-air combat, but beware of turning or manoeuvres, though they will slow you enough to get behind an enemy fighter, it may also slow you enough for another enemy fighter to get a missile lock or gun solution on you. Always be aware of your surroundings. Though this fighter can be outfitted with rockets or bombs (250 and 500 kg), these options should be reserved for special situations as the attacker/bomber function was never designed as a multi-role function as it was with the [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]]. The R-3S missiles can be a challenge to get used to, so newer pilots may elect to outfit the S-5K rockets and use them to go after bombers or large fighters. With only 60 rounds of 30 mm cannon ammunition, trigger control is a must or else you will be waiting often for a reload timer to count down or will be frequently returning to base to reload.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

[[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 003.jpg‎|450px|thumb|right|Looking at the business end of a '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
Due to the {{PAGENAME}} being an interceptor fighter, its main purpose is to interdict enemy aircraft. For this purpose, a jet fighter should meet certain criteria such as being light-weight, fast, aerodynamic and cheap to build and maintain. The {{PAGENAME}} fits all of these criteria to a tee. Sitting at a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and an afterburner thrust output from the R-11F-300 jet engine of 5480 kgf, the MiG was a rocket compared to other contemporary fighters/interceptor aircraft. The closest comparable aircraft in-game are the Hunter F 1, Hunter F.6 and the Super Mystere B2. Pound for pound and thrust for thrust, the Hunter F 1 is the closest with a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from a Rolls-Royce Avon Mk. 113 engine with 3188.1 kgf, however, the final thrust output was no contest with the {{PAGENAME}} able to fly 1,000 kph faster than the Hunter at top speed.

Manoeuvrability in the MiG, for the most part, is non-existent. Due to the shape of the wings and the aerodynamics of the entire aircraft, it is built mostly for high-speed low-drag in a straight flight and that becomes apparent when it enters into a manoeuvre or a turn where it begins to bleed speed at a horrendous rate. With no adjustment to the throttle, a {{PAGENAME}} can drop from 1,000 kph to 600 - 700 kph just by making a turn or manoeuvring from flying in a straight line. MiG pilots must take into account when they attempt evasive manoeuvres after a missile is fired at them as doing so they may avoid the missile, but they may also end up flying under 700 kph which is a bad place to be and can be difficult to return from if there is no room to dive to build up speed. The best bet to use the {{PAGENAME}} is up at higher altitudes where the jet flies faster and has room to dive if the speed needs to be built up after turning or manoeuvring.

While the {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with 250 kg or 500 kg bombs, adding the extra weight impacts this fighter even more. With the bombs placed on under-wing pylons, it decreases the roll-rate of the aircraft having that weight away from the centre of the aircraft (or in comparison to a clean aircraft – without bombs). Bombs are an option for the aircraft, however, due to needing to maintain speeds above 700 kph using the MiG as a bomber is less effective and can expose this aircraft to other fighters which prey on low and slow aircraft.

[[File:MiG-21_kohler_001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in an agressive power-climb ready to intercept.]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! 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
| 2,209 || 2,194 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.6 || 35.2 || 98.3 || 90.7 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,313 || 2,235 || 32.8 || 33.7 || 129.2 || 110.2
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! 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"
|-
! 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 || N/A || 450 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 780 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" | Clean Configuration Lift Performance
|-
! Zero-Thrust, 1G Stall speed (km/h)
! Corner speed
(km/h)
|-
| 210-244 || 757
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-11F-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,110 kg || colspan="3" | 311 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 33m fuel
|-
| 1,120 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 5,676 kg || 6,348 kg || 6,967 kg || 7,152 kg || 9,500 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
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 33m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,484 kgf || 5,226 kgf
| 0.92 || 0.82 || 0.75 || 0.73 || 0.55
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,484 kgf (0 km/h) || 5,226 kgf (0 km/h)
| 0.92 || 0.82 || 0.75 || 0.73 || 0.55
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


;Armour

* 16 mm Steel – behind the pilot's seat
* 25 mm Steel – pilot’s headrest
* 65 mm Bulletproof glass – forward canopy windscreen

With the {{PAGENAME}} configured for and operated as an interceptor, not much thought was put into protecting the aircraft as it was relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain. However, protections were put in place for the pilot which on the other hand was a valuable asset. Protective steel behind the seat and pilot’s headrest along with the 65 mm bulletproof glass helped protect the pilot from defensive fire coming from bomber turrets or from smaller calibre guns found on many Western fighters of the time.

The {{PAGENAME}}’s role as an interceptor basically had it scramble from the airfield when enemy fighters/bombers entered the area and it went full afterburner to reach attack altitude where it would make several passes, down the aircraft and return to the airfield. Due to its speed and limited weapon load-out, further protections for the aircraft’s critical component were not necessary and thus left off the aircraft to allow for its light-weight and quick intercept capability.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

This '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' has the following offensive weapons:

* 1 x 30 mm NR-30 cannon (60 RPG)

The {{PAGENAME}} has been outfitted with a single 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannon. This gun is the perfect weapon for an interceptor class aircraft as it is large enough calibre to do some serious damage, however, this cannon only houses 60 rounds of ammunition. While the small ammunition pool appears to be a negative point to the aircraft, minimizing weight is necessary to ensure this aircraft can intercept inbound enemy aircraft. Trigger control is a necessary skill the pilot must use to ensure enough rounds available to make the necessary shots before returning to base to reload.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|S-5K|S-24|R-3S|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)}}

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

* 32 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x S-24 rockets
* 2 x R-3S air-to-air missiles
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (total 500 kg)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (total 1,000 kg)

While classed and built as a fighter-interceptor with the purpose of attacking enemy aircraft invading the homeland, the {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with air-to-air ordnance to support this fighting tactic or it can also load up on ground-attack ordnance which can inflict some damage. Though available, this is not a strong suit for this aircraft.

;Air-to-air combat

As a true fighter-interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} in conjunction with its 30 mm NR-30 autocannon, it can also be outfitted with two additional air-to-air combat options. First is the R-3S air-to-air missiles of which only two are allocated at a time. When on the tail of an enemy aircraft there are two tones which will be emitted when attempting a missile lock, the first tone is the system searching for a target, once the target is locked onto, the tone will noticeably change. Once changed to the second tone, the missile can be fired. An enemy fighter which is paying attention to any notifications for an inbound missile does have a chance to avoid the missile, however, the longer they wait to initiate, the harder it will be for them to avoid being hit by the missile.

Secondary air-to-air armament comes in the package of 32 S-5K unguided rockets. Though less than accurate when fired off singly, salvos of these rockets will increase the chance that at least one or two rockets may hit the intended target. This ordnance is difficult to use against faster fighters, however, it may be ideal to utilise against slower bombers which may have a more difficult time out flying or outmanoeuvring these rockets.

;Ground attack combat

Though developed as a fast interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} can carry ordnance which is more specifically used for ground attack than aerial attack. Two options for rockets are available, the 32 x S-5K rockets already mentioned in the air-to-air combat section and the 2 x S-24 240 mm unguided rockets. The S-5K rockets can be used to great effect on anti-aircraft artillery, lightly armoured vehicles and aircraft landing, taking-off or parked on runways waiting for repairs or reloading. Since the S-5K is unguided and therefore not highly accurate, especially being launched from the {{PAGENAME}} and low altitudes, it is best to launch large salvos at the intended targets to increase the chances a hit is made. The S-24 rocket is just over two metres long and therefore only two can be outfitted on the aircraft. This rocket has its similarities to the U.S. unguided rocket the [[Tiny Tim]]. These larger rockets pack a punch and can be used for enemies on the ground clustered together, harder targets such as medium and heavy tanks, reinforced pillboxes and can even whittle away at the enemy bases.

A final ground attack option is to outfit bombs to the aircraft in either total weight of 500 kg or 1,000 kg. Either 250 kg or 500 kg bombs can be mounted to underwing pylons to be used on ground targets, however, while these are attached to the aircraft, its overall speed and manoeuvrability will suffer. Bombing with the {{PAGENAME}} can be a bit of a challenge without a bombsight or trying to hit a target while in a dive. Attempting a horizontal attack reduces the overall speed of the aircraft and makes it an easier target for enemy fighters waiting to pounce.

== Usage in battles ==

The {{PAGENAME}} was designed to be a fighter-interceptor and thus all of its design features shape it into virtually a missile with a cockpit. This aircraft wasn't designed to carry the load the [[F-4C]], [[G.91 YS]] or the [[Super Mystere B2]], but it was built for speed and to bring along the minimal amount of armament to do its job.

As a fighter-interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} needed to get from Point A (the airbase) to Point B (the inbound enemy aircraft) in the shortest amount of time possible, shoot it and return to base to get ready for the next one. This jet can remain fast if it is flying in a straight line, however do not try to sustain dogfights in it. Despite this MiG receiving a new FM update on the 7th of Nov. 2019 (weight reduction, aerodynamics and climb rate improved), it still has a high AoA, meaning it bleeds a good amount of speed in hard turns.

The best use of this aircraft is to utilise its excellent speed and rate of climb and gain altitude and begin to level off when you are either at bomber altitude or just above any enemy fighters flying around. It is here you can use the great [[Boom & Zoom]] qualities of the aircraft and select a target and begin to dive on it. It is during this phase when you can attempt to get a lock with the R-3S air-to-air missiles and launch it or you can strafe any unwary targets with the 30 mm NR-30 autocannon. Extremely short bursts are a must in order to conserve ammunition (only 60 rounds total), but this powerful gun only needs one or two good shots to remove a wing, take out a pilot or disable an engine. Once shots have been taken, regardless if they hit or missed, engage the afterburner and return to higher altitudes and set up for another Boom & Zoom run. [[Boom & Run]] techniques also work in that you can use the phenomenal speed of the {{PAGENAME}} to outrun just about any aircraft on the map (however beware of the [[F-4C]] which can keep pace if not outrun the {{PAGENAME}}).

Options are available to use this aircraft in the role of ground-attack, however, this may be an extreme challenge, especially to any novice fighter jet pilots. While the 30 mm autocannon is standard in all of the ordnance load-outs, when adding a secondary suspended armament, you are limited to only one type. In this case, you will need to choose from 32 light-weight S-5K rockets, two S-24 rockets, two 250 kg bombs or two 500 kg bombs. The added weight and loss of aerodynamics when adding any of this ordnance can be difficult to overcome, especially since this aircraft is built for speed over manoeuvrability.

When attacking ground targets, it is best to place the {{PAGENAME}} into a relatively shallow dive, it is important to remember to properly line up for the target ahead of time because with the external ordnance fine-tune manoeuvring can be difficult especially when corrections need to be made at the last minute. Lack of a bombsight makes bombing smaller targets a bit more difficult to hit. When flying low to take on ground targets, make sure you leave yourself an out when the situation turns bad. The best practice here is to ensure you keep your speed up, slow enough to hit the target, but fast enough to get away when the situation turns.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3'" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair||Compressor
|
| Offensive 30 mm||||S5K
|-
| II
| New boosters||
| Airframe
| ||FAB-250||C-24
|-
| III
| Wings repair||
|
| New 30 mm cannons||||R-3S
|-
| IV
| G-suit||Engine
| Cover
| ||FAB-500||
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great top speed (true interceptor)
* Moderately high acceleration
* Has access to air-to-air missiles (R-3S)
* Hard-hitting and accurate 30 mm cannon, quick bursts make 60 rounds last long and are enough for kills
* Great maneuverability at high speeds (and low speeds as of Update 7.11.2019), can sustain 11G - 12G even at 1,200 km/h IAS (can also pull 13G for a second), best-used with Boom & Zoom tactics
* Fairly small target; as of November 2019 the MiG-21F-13 has the smallest wingspan for a playable aircraft in the entire game
* Multiple choices for suspended armaments depending on the map being played
* Very good roll rate at all speeds
* Has access to one of the larges rockets with a timed fuse, the S-24 which may be used against aircraft.
* Does not spin easily in a positive G-load stall
* Rapid energy bleeding can allow you to go from mach 1 to landing speeds in a single hard 90 degree turn with trimming controls, allowing for rapid base return and landings
* Can perform a Cobra maneuver with full real controls

'''Cons:'''

* Only one gun with 60 rounds of ammunition can prove to be difficult for newcomers, a minuscule 3.6 seconds total firing time (compared to 24 seconds of the 3x gunpod loadout of the F4 Phantom)
* Quirky rudder characteristics on mouse aim
* Missiles have a short lock-on range and are unreliable due to firing orientation requirements for a consistent hit
* Mediocre when used against ground targets and as an air defence interceptor
* Single cannon (no back up during jams)
* Single type suspended armament, no multi-role options such as missiles + bombs or rockets + bombs
* Stable unstalled inverted spin with awkward recovery technique for joystick pilots
* Abnormally strong up-righting torque (for a jet) can be annoying when aiming
* Negative pitch stability above 500 kph
* Deepstalled flatspinning MiG-21s cannot recover from spin

== History ==


The MiG-21 series of planes would become the most widely-used family of fighter jets in the world, with over 4,000 produced, including license-built copies in China, India and Czechoslovakia. The roots of this highly successful combat aircraft started in the mid-1950s, with the Soviet desire to create a Mach-2 capable light fighter. The first MiG-21F prototypes were presented at the Tushino air show in June 1956, and deliveries started in 1958. The model, "Fishbed C" in NATO parlance, was widely exported. In the Soviet Union, it was replaced by the MiG-21PF model after 1961.

===[[wt:en/news/6350-development-mig-21f-13-the-silver-swallow-en|Devblog]]===
Development of the MiG-21 dates back to the early 1950s, when the Mikoyan design bureau was conducting development work on a design study for a new swept-wing jet aircraft. Further work on the project led to the creation of a seperate, delta wing prototype, designated ‘Ye-4’. With test flights showing promising results, but also much room for improvement, work on the Ye-4 resumed. Further tweaks and modifications to the design eventually lead to the Ye-5 prototype, which conducted its maiden flight in January 1956.

During testing, the Ye-5 received its new designation ‘MiG-21’ and was officially ordered into production. However, production of this initial batch of MiG-21s was rather short, with only a handful of machines being built. In the meantime, an improved version of the aircraft - the Ye-6 - was being worked on. By May 1958, testing of the Ye-6 was deemed to be completed. Shortly afterwards, in July, the Ye-6 was ordered into mass production under the designation MiG-21F and was to replace the initial MiG-21 as the standard production model. The aircraft weaponry consists of two 30 mm automatic cannons. The next step was to equip the aircraft with guided “air-to-air” missiles but in to do this one of the cannons had to be removed.

From there on, the MiG-21 would go on to be produced in enormous numbers and in various different variants, both for the needs of the Soviet Union, as well as for export. Around 60 countries have or still use the MiG-21 in various capacities and modifications today.

Well over 11,000 MiG-21s have been produced, including licence-built versions (more than 2,400 models were built in China under the J-7 designation), since the start of production in 1959, with the legendary ‘Fishbed’ becoming the most mass produced combat aircraft since the Korean War and taking part in more armed conflicts than a single devblog would ever be able to cover. But as an example we can mention its participation in the Vietnam War where the MiG-21 was able to push back against the latest U.S. aircraft (which were in majority).

== Media ==


;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 002.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 004.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 005.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 006.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|E941IRtmZdE|'''The Shooting Range #165''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:35 discusses the MiG-21.|dskugw7Ofk8|'''Slick Plays''' - ''How to Mig 21 - using the [[J-7II]]''|1psFOw8yTY4|'''Spit_flyer''' - ''They Made MiG-21 Mode Into A Real Thing!''|t8WZHks0N9U|'''Spicysauced''' - ''War Thunder Sim - MiG-21 - First Impressions''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* Chengdu [[J-7II]]
*{{Specs-Link|mig-21_mf}}
*{{Specs-Link|mig-21_smt}}

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6350-development-mig-21f-13-the-silver-swallow-en|[Development<nowiki>]</nowiki> MiG-21F-13: The Silver Swallow]]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=68 militaryfactory.com website - Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Fishbed)]
* [https://www.historynet.com/the-iconic-mig-21-fishbed.htm historynet.com website - The Iconic MiG-21 "Fishbed"]
* [https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-mig-21-fighter-could-keep-flying-and-fighting-100-years-85466 nationalinterest.org website - Russia's MiG-21 Fighter Could Keep Flying and Fighting for 100 Years]
* Bridgewater, S., & Gibbs, R. (Eds.). (2019). MiG's Fabulous Fishbed. MiG - Red Star Fighters, 52–61. ISBN ''9781912205127''

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

MiG-21MF (Germany)

2020-08-31T10:24:13Z

U9084896: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card|code=mig-21_mf}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===


The '''{{Specs|name}}''' has good acceleration and, in terms of maneuverability, is second only to the J35 Draken. Keep in mind, however, that constant maneuvering will cause it to bleed a lot of speed. Its wings will not rip off from maneuvers. The acceleration is good at speeds under Mach, and once it hits Mach 1, the MiG-21MF can out accelerate everything except for the MiG-21SMT and the British Phantoms. It is also very easy to overspeed and rip in a dive so players should keep an eye on their speed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,196 || 2,178 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.0 || 35.1 || 139.6 || 131.0 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
|2295|| 2,240 ||32.3|| 33.0 ||192.8|| 165.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! 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}} || 550 || 550 || 450 || ~11 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 780 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-13-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,860 kg || colspan="2" | 355 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel
|-
| 1,135 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,505 kg || 7,455 kg || 8,168 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="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,825 kgf || 6,483 kgf
| 1.00 || 0.87 || 0.79 || 0.65
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,825 kgf (0 kph) || 6,977 kgf (1,200 kph)
| 1.07 || 0.94 || 0.85 || 0.70
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The MiG-21MF lacks armor plating. There is none around the nose of the aircraft, making head-ons a death sentence. (Though at top rank, they're a bad idea with the 23 mm guns the plane has). The plane also has poor survivability like most jets at 10.3. Two fuel tanks in each wing allows even a stray cannon round to set you ablaze, though the main body of the plane is occasionally able to take a round or two. The wings are susceptible to being sheered off by incoming rounds. In short; getting hit is not something you want to do when playing the MiG-21MF.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

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

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

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

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|S-24|S-5K|R-3S|R-60}}

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

* Without load
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 96 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets + 2 x R-3S missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x S-24 rockets + 2 x R-3S missiles
* 2 x S-24 rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-3S missiles (500 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==


Combining an ability to pull high angle-of-attack turns on demand, excellent acceleration, high top speed, and powerful dog-fighting weaponry, the MiG-21MF is a potent air superiority fighter. Good maneuverability allows the pilot to easily establish a tailing flight path on most enemies, and from there, it is very hard for the enemy to shake the MiG-21MF off of their tail. The MiG, for its part, can then utilize its powerful R-60 missiles or 23 mm cannons to destroy the enemy with ease.

Note that when using the Mig-21MF's air-to-air missiles, it is best to fire them at around 1-2 km of range. Any less than that, and the missile might not have enough time to manoeuvre and successfully track the enemy. At ranges above 2 km, the missile may not be able to catch a fast-moving target. As for the 23 mm offensive cannons, be careful to practice trigger discipline. A high rate of fire and a low ammo count means that it is only possible to fire the cannons for a few seconds before they need to be reloaded at the airfield.

As a dogfighter, the MiG-21MF excels due to its powerful weaponry, great acceleration, and a good turn rate. It can easily turn with [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]], although the [[J35D]] and [[Mirage IIIC]] both turn better. Against these two planes, it is best to avoid extended turn fights. Instead, gradually bleed their speed - they both have poor maneuvering energy retention. At high altitudes, this plane is not as responsive, due to its high wing load and the low air pressure. This makes it much harder to dodge incoming missiles, so it is especially important to keep a high speed when at high altitude.

The MiG-21MF can also easily engage ground targets. Its cannons can destroy lightly armoured vehicles, and its 4 x S-24 rockets are extremely capable at dealing with even the most advanced MBTs. What's more, this plane has access to a ballistic computer which calculates the impact point of cannon shells, rockets, and bombs, making aiming against ground targets a breeze.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Compressor
|
| Offensive 23 mm
| FAB-250
|
|-
| II
| New boosters
|
| Airframe
|
| UB-16
| R-3S
|-
| III
| Wings repair
|
|
| New 23 mm cannons
| UB-32
|
|-
| IV
| G-suit
| Engine
| Cover
|
| C-24
| R-60
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* R-60 missiles have very good tracking and G-tolerance
* More agile than many high-tier jets
* Cannons with a high rate of fire
* Good ground attack loadouts
* A small profile which is harder to hit

'''Cons:'''

* Low ammunition count
* Poor energy retention in extended turning engagements
* Flaps rip easily
* Poor maneuverability at low speeds

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=germany&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=mig-21_mf Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:MiG-21MF.jpg|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|vhTZXYk6eao|'''Tank busters''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:19 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


* ''{{Specs-Link|mig-21_smt}}''
* ''{{Specs-Link|mig-21_f13}}''

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

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

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

J-6A

2020-03-28T19:08:09Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=mig-19j_6a}}
{{About
| about = Chinese license-built jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-19 (Family)
}}
== Description ==


The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

Functionally identical to the Soviet [[MiG-19PT]], the J-6A is the first supersonic PLAAF jet available in the Chinese tech tree and has much to offer; radar, air-to-air missiles, and powerful guns in addition to high speed and acceleration.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===


Compression at high speeds is an issue for this aircraft. It especially affects the rudder. However, the J-6A generally has a very responsive elevator, although excessive turning will bleed much speed due to the poor energy retention. As with many jets, manoeuvrability is poor at low speeds.

The aircraft has very good acceleration and climb rate.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,426 || 1,421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.4 || 33.0 || 160.0 || 149.2 || rowspan="2" | 500
|-
! Upgraded
| ??? || 1,436 || ??.? || 32.0 || ??.? || 180.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! 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 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 540 || < 650 || < 350 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Mikulin RD-9B || 2
| colspan="2" | 5,447 kg || colspan="2" | 301 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 725 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 6,311 kg || 7,328 kg || 7,563 kg || 9,100 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
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,296 kgf || 3,215 kgf
| 1.02 || 0.88 || 0.85 || 0.71
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,320 kgf (1,000 km/h) || 3,248 kgf (1,000 km/h)
| 1.03 || 0.89 || 0.86 || 0.71
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The aircraft is fairly fragile, with any hits likely to damage the engines due to how much space they take up inside the plane. When spaded one engine has enough power to get you back to base, but while stock it is a little harder and you may end up crashing. One benefit of the J-6A though is that the elevators are separate to each other in the damage model, and therefore a hit to the tail causing an elevator loss isn't the end of the world, since the remaining one is good enough to continue the fight. Another point to note is that loss of oil in either engine will rapidly cause engine failure, so it is best to return to base ASAP when damaged.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===


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

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

* 2 x 30 mm Type 30-1 cannons, wing-mounted (70 rpg = 140 total)

The J-6A carries two 30 mm Type 30-1 cannons, mounted in the wing roots. They are licensed copies of the MiG-19's [[NR-30 (30 mm) | NR-30]] cannons and offer identical performance. Each gun has 70 rounds of ammunition, making a total of 140 rounds. The Type 30-1 cannons are very fast firing so this is not much ammo, and you can't afford to spray. The guns however are extremely powerful, and only a couple of rounds hitting an enemy aircraft will severely cripple them, if not outright kill them. The shell velocity is very high and you don't need much lead to hit a target.

The recommended belts for this aircraft are Ground Targets, they're more reliable than the Air Target belts and tend to take off wings and large sections, and destroy engines with one hit, in comparison to the air target belts which tend to spark or just damage external modules. The ground belts contain APHE rounds with 60 mm of penetration, but it is not really worth going for ground targets as the limited ammunition and high speed of the aircraft makes it very difficult to hit or kill anything.

=== Suspended armament ===


<nowiki>{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|R-3S|R-13M|S-5K}}</nowiki>

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

* Without load
* 2 x PL-2 missiles
* 2 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (500 kg total)
* 16 x S-5K rockets
* 32 x S-5K rockets

The J-6A can be equipped with PL-2 missiles, licensed copies of the Soviet R-3S with identical performance. As of [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]], the MiG-19PT is no longer capable of equipping the more advanced [[R-13M]] missile, putting the J-6A on equal footing with it.

The ideal use-case for the PL-2 is when you're at very high speed, following something like a Phantom from around a mile. The missile will get to the target before they can react, and with large targets like the Phantom, they can't pull hard enough at those speeds to evade the missile. It is not recommended to fire the missile in any sort of turn as they will just lose track.

== Usage in battles ==


The J-6A has great vertical energy retention and acceleration, so you should use this to your advantage. Taking the enemies vertical is the best move as they will quickly lose energy while you can maintain it. Once at high speed, the J-6A will out-accelerate almost all other aircraft, so once you're on the tail of an enemy they will not have many options. The airbrake is also a very effective tool, allowing you to stay behind someone if they try to force you to overshoot and the plane also rolls well enough that you can engage in rolling scissors if need be.

It is recommended to avoid throttling down the engine as it has an extremely long spool time until it produces max thrust and this will let your opponent get away from you while you struggle to accelerate.

=== Radars ===
{{main|RP-5|RP-5}}

The {{PAGENAME}} is equipped with a [[RP-5]] search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | [[RP-5]]
|- ! colspan="4" | Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 12,000 m || 8,000 m || ±60° || -0°/+5°
|-
|}

The {{PAGENAME}} is equipped with a [[RP-5]] track radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | [[RP-5]]
|- ! colspan="4" | Target Tracking Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 4,500 m || 150 m || ±7° || ±7°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Higher top speed possible than [[F-100D]] at all altitudes, although very comparable to it at sea level
* Incredibly high rate of climb
* Hard-hitting guns, low recoil effects due to wing root placement
* Great vertical energy retention
* Roll rate superior to the [[J-4]]
* Incredible acceleration from 600-900 km/h, so it is able to regain energy very fast
* Has a target detection and tracking radar
* Decent manoeuvrability
* Its radar possesses a leading indicator unlike its Russian counterpart (MiG-19PT) and is the only jet in the game with that feature alongside the T-2

'''Cons:'''

* Compression at high speed, wings don't provide as much lift as the Super Sabre
* Wings can rip when rolling and turning at high speed
* Only two air-to-air missiles, locking range is 0.5 km less than that of the AIM-9B on F-100D
* Poor low-speed manoeuvrability
* Ventral fin will impact the ground during takeoff if the rotation is prematurely initiated resulting in the tail breaking off
* Engines are huge; can be easily disabled by enemy fire
* Radar suite is not as good as the one fitted on the [[Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9]] and [[Mitsubishi T-2]]

== History ==


The People's Republic of China received considerable military and technological assistance from the Soviet Union for most of the 1950s. Significant quantities of jet fighters, including the [[MiG-9 (China)|MiG-9]], [[J-2|MiG-15bis]], [[J-4|MiG-17]], and others were purchased to modernize the nation's otherwise haphazard and antiquated air force, which at the end of the Chinese Civil War consisted of assorted captured American and Japanese aircraft. Production licenses were secured for the MiG-17 and MiG-19, and these two aircraft models were produced as the domestic [[Shenyang F-5|Shenyang J-5]] and '''Shenyang J-6'''.

The '''J-6A''' model was intended as an equivalent of the MiG-19P and first flew in 1958. Quality control issues, resulting from the limited experience of the Chinese manufacturing industry at the time, meant that the performance of the aircraft was inferior to the original. The aircraft was rejected by the PLAAF and production was limited. In the mid 1970s, production was restarted with new jigs from the Soviet Union. These new aircraft were of an acceptable standard and entered PLAAF service in extensive numbers.

A large number of variants and prototypes were made, though their designations and designs are muddied and difficult to research. The "J-6B" variant was a copy of the Soviet MiG-19PM interceptor model, which lacked cannon armament and was armed solely with beam riding air-to-air missiles, though its performance was unsatisfactory like the early J-6A and only a small number were produced. Several models were designed after the [[MiG-19S (Germany) | MiG-19S]] and a handful entered serial production. Later variants relocated the braking parachute to the base of the rudder. Various prototypes experimented with MiG-21 style shock cones. Reconnaissance and two-seat trainer variants were also manufactured, the latter being notable since the Soviet Union did not manufacture any MiG-19 trainer variants. One trainer airframe was used to test the fly-by-wire system of the JH-7 fighter-bomber.

The J-6 served in the PLAAF for far longer than the MiG-19 had in the VVS. While it became outdated and suffered from numerous issues regarding service life and quality, the Chinese aircraft industry learned a considerable amount from its development and manufacturing. The J-6/MiG-19 design was further developed into the more well-known Nanchang Q-5 attacker.

The J-6 was exported to several nations under the "F-6" designation and participated in several conflicts. The F-6 was operated by Pakistan in the 1971 war with India, by Vietnam in the Vietnam War (alongside the original MiG-19), and curiously enough by both Iran and Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War. In these conflicts the F-6 was often relegated to air-to-ground missions since its speed and avionics were inadequate, though it was capable of dispatching subsonic aircraft and could outmaneuver faster jets in a dogfight.

At present, the J-6 has been retired by most of its users, with North Korea having the largest number of remaining jets in service.

== 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;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Shenyang}}
{{China jet aircraft}}

AIM-9J Sidewinder

2020-03-23T16:57:38Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

== Description ==
''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|f-4e}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-4ej}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''

'''Pros:'''

* Decent track rate (16 degrees per second, for reference the AIM-9E has 12*/s)
* 20G overload at sea level
* Can lock from long distances (5 km+)

*

'''Cons:'''

* Ineffective from 2 km firing range due to drag; planes outrun it
* Clouds interfere with the capability of the seeker
* Rear aspect
* Targets may still dodge it with certain maneuvers while pulling G forces

*

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as 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 article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AIM-9J Sidewinder

2020-03-23T16:57:14Z

U9084896: /* Pros and cons */

== Description ==
''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|f-4e}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-4ej}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''

'''Pros:'''

Decent track rate (16 degrees per second, for reference the AIM-9E has 12*/s)

20G overload at sea level

Can lock from long distances (5 km+)

*

'''Cons:'''

Ineffective from 2 km firing range due to drag; planes outrun it

Clouds interfere with the capability of the seeker

Rear aspect

Targets may still dodge it with certain maneuvers while pulling G forces

*

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as 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 article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Lightning F.6

2020-03-19T20:18:20Z

U9084896: Pros & Cons

{{Specs-Card|code=lightning_f6}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''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"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 12,192 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
| 2,215 || 2,200 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.9 || 28.2 || 150.7 || 141.4 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,387 || 2,290 || 24.4 || 26.0 || 195.3 || 172.0
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! 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 || 720 || 463 || ~10 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 700 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

In line with its role as a high performance interceptor aircraft the Lightning F.6 has no armoured plating or bulletproof glass, such additions would have increased the weight of the aircraft, while offering no real benefit for it's intended role.

Most of the inside of the wings (including the flaps) consists of fuel tanks, fuel is also stored in the ventral tank. The top engine is mounted above and to the rear of the bottom engine, this leaves it exposed to enemy fire; on the flip side the bottom engine is shielded from enemy fire by the top engine and wing fuel tanks, this makes is surprisingly resilient to damage, it is not uncommon for it to even continue functioning after the aircraft has been hit my a missile (although the rest of the aircraft will be well and truly broken afterwards).

The large belly tank and high wings of the Lightning means it is able to survive belly landings very well.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

=== Suspended armament ===
''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.''

=== Defensive armament ===
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.''

== 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:'''

Surprisingly good turn rate between 800 - 1,000 km/h IAS

Red Top missiles with high FOV, g overload and all aspect capability with radar lock on (slaving)

A pair of ADENs, notoriously good cannons

Good climb rate and acceleration

*

'''Cons:'''

Big target

High AoA, speed loss during turns

Below average roll rate

Limited weapon selections

Although its climb rate and acceleration characteristics are good, you will still get outclimbed in a number of scenarios

Relatively low top speed at sea level in a straight line (1,280 km/h IAS)

*

== 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 ==

{{Youtube-gallery|CDl68kOR9ig|'''The Shooting Range #191''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:56 discusses the Lightning F.6.}}

== 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/6615-development-lightning-f-6-saddled-to-a-skyrocket-en|[Devblog] Lightning F.6: Saddled to a Skyrocket!]]

{{AirManufacturer EEC}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

MiG-21F-13

2019-11-14T13:03:33Z

U9084896: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card|code=mig-21_f13}}
{{About
| about = Russian jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Chinese license-built version
| link = J-7II
}}
== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

After the Korean War, several nations came out with various aircraft which would out-fly opposing aircraft, especially in a dogfight. The U.S. introduced the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter while European nations France, England and Sweden rolled out the Dassault Mirage F-1, Mirage III, English Electric Lightning, Hawker Hunter and the Saab Draken. At this time the Soviet Union was working on further developing the twin-engine MiG-19 but realized what it actually needed was a fast, single-engine light-weight fighter in what ultimately became the most highly produced supersonic fighter in the world and used by over 60 countries. This fighter was the Ye-66a (‘‘Ye’’ stands for “Yedinitsa” or single-unit), later changed to MiG-21 F-13 or as dubbed by NATO, the Fishbed-C. The F-13 designation identifies that this is an updated (Forsirovannyy) version which can equip the K-13 missile system capable of using the R-3S air-to-air missiles.
[[File:MiG-21_smigol_chat_bann.png|400px|thumb|left|The sleek and aerodynamic '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
The {{PAGENAME}} was built to be a point defence interceptor not an air-defence fighter slated for combat missions, basically a short-range day fighter. Essentially it was a missile which houses a pilot, one 30 mm cannon and two R-3S air-to-air missiles. The sleek airframe was made with aluminium alloys, steel, magnesium and fibreglass. The air-intake cone automatically adjusts during the flight to help the aircraft remain aerodynamic. The fighter sported a delta wing with a 57° leading edge and even the all-moving tailplane utilizes the swept feature. Everything about this jet focus on speed which lends it reaching out to the Mach 2 range. The strength of the aircraft is its speed in a straight line whether in a climb, level flight or a dive, however, when it turns at all, it haemorrhages its energy and when it gets below 700 kph, it is difficult to get back up to speed without diving to make up that speed. When caught near the ground and going slow will be extremely frustrating for a MiG-21 pilot.

The {{PAGENAME}} as-built shaped like a missile excels in air-to-air combat, but beware of turning or manoeuvres, though they will slow you enough to get behind an enemy fighter, it may also slow you enough for another enemy fighter to get a missile lock or gun solution on you. Always be aware of your surroundings. Though this fighter can be outfitted with rockets or bombs (250 and 500 kg), these options should be reserved for special situations as the attacker/bomber function was never designed as a multi-role function as it was with the [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]]. The R-3S missiles can be a challenge to get used to, so newer pilots may elect to outfit the S-5K rockets and use them to go after bombers. With only 60 rounds of 30 mm cannon ammunition, trigger control is a must or else you will be waiting often for a reload timer to count down or will be frequently returning to base to reload.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

[[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 003.jpg‎|450px|thumb|right|Looking at the business end of a '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
Due to the {{PAGENAME}} being an interceptor fighter, its main purpose is to interdict enemy aircraft. For this purpose, a jet fighter should meet certain criteria such as being light-weight, fast, aerodynamic and cheap to build and maintain. The {{PAGENAME}} fits all of these criteria to a tee. Sitting at a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from the R-11F-300 jet engine of 3178.2 kgf, the MiG was a rocket compared to other contemporary fighters/interceptor aircraft. The closest comparable aircraft in-game are the Hunter F 1, Hunter F.6 and the Super Mystere B2. Pound for pound and thrust for thrust, the Hunter F 1 is the closest with a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from a Rolls-Royce Avon Mk. 113 engine with 3188.1 kgf, however, the final thrust output was no contest with the {{PAGENAME}} able to fly 1,000 kph faster than the Hunter at top speed.

Manoeuvrability in the MiG, for the most part, is non-existent. Due to the shape of the wings and the aerodynamics of the entire aircraft, it is built mostly for high-speed low-drag in a straight flight and that becomes apparent when it enters into a manoeuvre or a turn where it begins to bleed speed at a horrendous rate. With no adjustment to the throttle, a {{PAGENAME}} can drop from 1,000 kph to 600 - 700 kph just by making a turn or manoeuvring from flying in a straight line. MiG pilots must take into account when they attempt evasive manoeuvres after a missile is fired at them as doing so they may avoid the missile, but they may also end up flying under 700 kph which is a bad place to be and can be difficult to return from if there is no room to dive to build up speed. The best bet to use the {{PAGENAME}} is up at higher altitudes where the jet flies faster and has room to dive if the speed needs to be built up after turning or manoeuvring.

While the {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with 250 kg or 500 kg bombs, adding the extra weight impacts this fighter even more. With the bombs placed on under-wing pylons, it decreases the roll-rate of the aircraft having that weight away from the centre of the aircraft (or in comparison to a clean aircraft – without bombs). Bombs are an option for the aircraft, however, due to needing to maintain speeds above 700 kph using the MiG as a bomber is less effective and can expose this aircraft to other fighters which prey on low and slow aircraft.

[[File:MiG-21_kohler_001.jpg|450px|thumb|right|The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in an agressive power-climb ready to intercept.]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 2,209 || 2,194 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.6 || 35.2 || 98.3 || 90.7 || 750
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| ??? || ??? || {{Specs|ceiling}} || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || ??.? || 750
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 550 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 780 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 0 m || 3,350 kgf || 5,025 kgf
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


;Armour

* 16 mm Steel – behind the pilot's seat
* 25 mm Steel – pilot’s headrest
* 65 mm Bulletproof glass – forward canopy windscreen

With the {{PAGENAME}} configured for and operated as an interceptor, not much thought was put into protecting the aircraft as it was relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain. However, protections were put in place for the pilot which on the other hand was a valuable asset. Protective steel behind the seat and pilot’s headrest along with the 65 mm bulletproof glass helped protect the pilot from defensive fire coming from bomber turrets or from smaller calibre guns found on many Western fighters of the time.

The {{PAGENAME}}’s role as an interceptor basically had it scramble from the airfield when enemy fighters/bombers entered the area and it went full afterburner to reach attack altitude where it would make several passes, down the aircraft and return to the airfield. Due to its speed and limited weapon load-out, further protections for the aircraft’s critical component were not necessary and thus left off the aircraft to allow for its light-weight and quick intercept capability.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

This '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' has the following offensive weapons:

* 1 x 30 mm NR-30 cannon (60 RPG)

The {{PAGENAME}} has been outfitted with a single 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannon. This gun is the perfect weapon for an interceptor class aircraft as it is large enough calibre to do some serious damage, however, this cannon only houses 60 rounds of ammunition. While the small ammunition pool appears to be a negative point to the aircraft, minimizing weight is necessary to ensure this aircraft can intercept inbound enemy aircraft. Trigger control is a necessary skill the pilot must use to ensure enough rounds available to make the necessary shots before returning to base to reload.

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|S-5K|S-24|R-3S|OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)}}

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

* 32 x S-5K rockets
* 2 x S-24 rockets
* 2 x R-3S air-to-air missiles
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (total 500 kg)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (total 1,000 kg)

While classed and built as a fighter-interceptor with the purpose of attacking enemy aircraft invading the homeland, the {{PAGENAME}} can be outfitted with air-to-air ordnance to support this fighting tactic or it can also load up on ground-attack ordnance which can inflict some damage. Though available, this is not a strong suit for this aircraft.

;Air-to-air combat

As a true fighter-interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} in conjunction with its 30 mm NR-30 autocannon, it can also be outfitted with two additional air-to-air combat options. First is the R-3S air-to-air missiles of which only two are allocated at a time. When on the tail of an enemy aircraft there are two tones which will be emitted when attempting a missile lock, the first tone is the system searching for a target, once the target is locked onto, the tone will noticeably change. Once changed to the second tone, the missile can be fired. An enemy fighter which is paying attention to any notifications for an inbound missile does have a chance to avoid the missile, however, the longer they wait to initiate, the harder it will be for them to avoid being hit by the missile.

Secondary air-to-air armament comes in the package of 32 S-5K unguided rockets. Though less than accurate when fired off singly, salvos of these rockets will increase the chance that at least one or two rockets may hit the intended target. This ordnance is difficult to use against faster fighters, however, it may be ideal to utilise against slower bombers which may have a more difficult time out flying or outmanoeuvring these rockets.

;Ground attack combat

Though developed as a fast interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} can carry ordnance which is more specifically used for ground attack than aerial attack. Two options for rockets are available, the 32 x S-5K rockets already mentioned in the air-to-air combat section and the 2 x S-24 240 mm unguided rockets. The S-5K rockets can be used to great effect on anti-aircraft artillery, lightly armoured vehicles and aircraft landing, taking-off or parked on runways waiting for repairs or reloading. Since the S-5K is unguided and therefore not highly accurate, especially being launched from the {{PAGENAME}} and low altitudes, it is best to launch large salvos at the intended targets to increase the chances a hit is made. The S-24 rocket is just over two metres long and therefore only two can be outfitted on the aircraft. This rocket has its similarities to the U.S. unguided rocket the [[Tiny Tim]]. These larger rockets pack a punch and can be used for enemies on the ground clustered together, harder targets such as medium and heavy tanks, reinforced pillboxes and can even whittle away at the enemy bases.

A final ground attack option is to outfit bombs to the aircraft in either total weight of 500 kg or 1,000 kg. Either 250 kg or 500 kg bombs can be mounted to underwing pylons to be used on ground targets, however, while these are attached to the aircraft, its overall speed and manoeuvrability will suffer. Bombing with the {{PAGENAME}} can be a bit of a challenge without a bombsight or trying to hit a target while in a dive. Attempting a horizontal attack reduces the overall speed of the aircraft and makes it an easier target for enemy fighters waiting to pounce.

== Usage in battles ==

The {{PAGENAME}} was designed to be a fighter-interceptor and thus all of its design features shape it into virtually a missile with a cockpit. This aircraft wasn't designed to carry the load the [[F-4C]], [[G.91 YS]] or the [[Super Mystere B2]], but it was built for speed and to bring along the minimal amount of armament to do its job.

As a fighter-interceptor, the {{PAGENAME}} needed to get from Point A (the airbase) to Point B (the inbound enemy aircraft) in the shortest amount of time possible, shoot it and return to base to get ready for the next one. This jet can remain fast if it is flying in a straight line, however do not try to sustain dogfights in it. Despite this MiG receiving a new FM update on the 7th of Nov. 2019 (weight reduction, aerodynamics and climb rate improved), it still has a high AoA, meaning it bleeds a good amount of speed in hard turns.

The best use of this aircraft is to utilise its excellent speed and rate of climb and gain altitude and begin to level off when you are either at bomber altitude or just above any enemy fighters flying around. It is here you can use the great [[Boom & Zoom]] qualities of the aircraft and select a target and begin to dive on it. It is during this phase when you can attempt to get a lock with the R-3S air-to-air missiles and launch it or you can strafe any unwary targets with the 30 mm NR-30 autocannon. Extremely short bursts are a must in order to conserve ammunition (only 60 rounds total), but this powerful gun only needs one or two good shots to remove a wing, take out a pilot or disable an engine. Once shots have been taken, regardless if they hit or missed, engage the afterburner and return to higher altitudes and set up for another Boom & Zoom run. [[Boom & Run]] techniques also work in that you can use the phenomenal speed of the {{PAGENAME}} to outrun just about any aircraft on the map (however beware of the [[F-4C]] which can keep pace if not outrun the {{PAGENAME}}).

Options are available to use this aircraft in the role of ground-attack, however, this may be an extreme challenge, especially to any novice fighter jet pilots. While the 30 mm autocannon is standard in all of the ordnance load-outs, when adding a secondary suspended armament, you are limited to only one type. In this case, you will need to choose from 32 light-weight S-5K rockets, two S-24 rockets, two 250 kg bombs or two 500 kg bombs. The added weight and loss of aerodynamics when adding any of this ordnance can be difficult to overcome, especially since this aircraft is built for speed over manoeuvrability.

When attacking ground targets, it is best to place the {{PAGENAME}} into a relatively shallow dive, it is important to remember to properly line up for the target ahead of time because with the external ordnance fine-tune manoeuvring can be difficult especially when corrections need to be made at the last minute. Lack of a bombsight makes bombing smaller targets a bit more difficult to hit. When flying low to take on ground targets, make sure you leave yourself an out when the situation turns bad. The best practice here is to ensure you keep your speed up, slow enough to hit the target, but fast enough to get away when the situation turns.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" |Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3'" |Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair||Compressor
|
| Offensive 30 mm||||S5K
|-
| II
| New boosters||
| Airframe
| ||FAB-250||C-24
|-
| III
| Wings repair||
|
| New 30 mm cannons||||R-3S
|-
| IV
| G-suit||Engine
| Cover
| ||FAB-500||
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons (spaded) ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great rate of climb and top speed (true interceptor)
* High acceleration
* Has access to air-to-air missiles
* Hard-hitting 30 mm cannon, quick bursts make 60 rounds last long and are enough for kills
* Great maneuverability at high speeds (and low speeds as of Update 7.11.2019), can sustain 11G - 12G even at 1,200 km/h IAS (can also pull 13G for a second), best-used with Boom & Zoom tactics
* Fairly small target
* Multiple choices for suspended armaments depending on the map being played
* Very good roll rate at all speeds

'''Cons:'''

* Only one gun with 60 rounds of ammunition - must use short bursts
* Quirky rudder characteristics
* Missiles have a short lock-on range
* Can exceed wing rip speed (1,300 kph) in level flight
* As an interceptor, mediocre when used against ground targets
* Missiles can be a challenge to lock and inaccurate after being fired
* Single cannon (no back up during jams)
* Single type suspended armament, no multi-role options such as missiles + bombs or rockets + bombs

== History ==


The MiG-21 series of planes would become the most widely-used family of fighter jets in the world, with over 4,000 produced, including license-built copies in China, India and Czechoslovakia. The roots of this highly successful combat aircraft started in the mid-1950s, with the Soviet desire to create a Mach-2 capable light fighter. The first MiG-21F prototypes were presented at the Tushino air show in June 1956, and deliveries started in 1958. The model, "Fishbed C" in NATO parlance, was widely exported. In the Soviet Union, it was replaced by the MiG-21PF model after 1961.

===[[wt:en/news/6350-development-mig-21f-13-the-silver-swallow-en|Devblog]]===
Development of the MiG-21 dates back to the early 1950s, when the Mikoyan design bureau was conducting development work on a design study for a new swept-wing jet aircraft. Further work on the project led to the creation of a seperate, delta wing prototype, designated ‘Ye-4’. With test flights showing promising results, but also much room for improvement, work on the Ye-4 resumed. Further tweaks and modifications to the design eventually lead to the Ye-5 prototype, which conducted its maiden flight in January 1956.

During testing, the Ye-5 received its new designation ‘MiG-21’ and was officially ordered into production. However, production of this initial batch of MiG-21s was rather short, with only a handful of machines being built. In the meantime, an improved version of the aircraft - the Ye-6 - was being worked on. By May 1958, testing of the Ye-6 was deemed to be completed. Shortly afterwards, in July, the Ye-6 was ordered into mass production under the designation MiG-21F and was to replace the initial MiG-21 as the standard production model. The aircraft weaponry consists of two 30 mm automatic cannons. The next step was to equip the aircraft with guided “air-to-air” missiles but in to do this one of the cannons had to be removed.

From there on, the MiG-21 would go on to be produced in enormous numbers and in various different variants, both for the needs of the Soviet Union, as well as for export. Around 60 countries have or still use the MiG-21 in various capacities and modifications today.

Well over 11,000 MiG-21s have been produced, including licence-built versions (more than 2,400 models were built in China under the J-7 designation), since the start of production in 1959, with the legendary ‘Fishbed’ becoming the most mass produced combat aircraft since the Korean War and taking part in more armed conflicts than a single devblog would ever be able to cover. But as an example we can mention its participation in the Vietnam War where the MiG-21 was able to push back against the latest U.S. aircraft (which were in majority).

== Media ==


;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 002.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 004.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 005.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Mig 21 wtwallpaper 006.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|dskugw7Ofk8|'''How to Mig 21 - using the [[J-7II]]''' - ''Slick Plays''|1psFOw8yTY4|'''They Made MiG-21 Mode Into A Real Thing!''' - ''Spit_flyer''|t8WZHks0N9U|'''War Thunder Sim - MiG-21 - First Impressions''' - ''Spicysauced''}}
== See also ==


;Related development

* Chengdu [[J-7II]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6350-development-mig-21f-13-the-silver-swallow-en|[Development<nowiki>]</nowiki> MiG-21F-13: The Silver Swallow]]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=68 militaryfactory.com website - Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Fishbed)]
* [https://www.historynet.com/the-iconic-mig-21-fishbed.htm historynet.com website - The Iconic MiG-21 "Fishbed"]
* [https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-mig-21-fighter-could-keep-flying-and-fighting-100-years-85466 nationalinterest.org website - Russia's MiG-21 Fighter Could Keep Flying and Fighting for 100 Years]
* Bridgewater, S., & Gibbs, R. (Eds.). (2019). MiG's Fabulous Fishbed. MiG - Red Star Fighters, 52–61. ISBN ''9781912205127''

{{USSR jet aircraft}}