Difference between revisions of "MiG-27M"

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{{About
 +
| about = Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = MiG-27 (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=mig_27m
 
|code=mig_27m
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]].
+
Following the major upgrades to the MiG-27, which entered service as the [[MiG-27K]] in the late 1970s, the Soviet Air Force requested a cheaper variant to complement the MiG-27K (which was deemed too expensive to field completely). The new cheaper variant was projected to support the MiG-27K fleet at a 2:1 ratio at least, and was developed after the MiG-27K. This new variant, the MiG-27M, would retain the upgrades allowing it to use laser and TV-guided weapons, but would lack the upgraded avionics and advanced Kayra-23 laser-optical targeting system, instead settling on a cheaper and more readily available targeting system taken from the [[Su-17/22 (Family)|Su-17 Fitter family]]. This variant would enter service with not only the USSR, but also many export countries throughout the 1980s.
 +
 
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]], is a major upgrade in Soviet fighter-bomber aircraft over its predecessors. For starters, this aircraft finally brings guided ordnance to the hands of players working down the bomber line in the Soviet tech tree, and it does so well. With an assortment of various TV and laser-guided weapons, and the powerful ''"Gasha"'' [[GSh-6-30 (30 mm)|GSh-6-30]] rotary cannon (an aircraft-mounted [[30 mm/54 AK-630 (30 mm)|AK-630]] naval CIWS), the MiG-27M proves very reliable at dispatching ground targets with high precision in mixed battles. Unlike other dedicated precision strike aircraft, the MiG-27 family does not sacrifice its air combat capabilities that much either; having the basic airframe from a MiG-23BN, a decent amount of large countermeasures, and a complete loadout of [[R-13M1]] and [[R-60M]] air to air missiles, the MiG-27s can hold their own in a dogfight if the need arises. Pilots who enjoy the MiG-27M's capabilities can look forward to the [[MiG-27K]], which is a major upgrade in the avionics and ordnance department. Players who particularly enjoy the power of the GSh-6-30 cannon and are hungry for more can check out the various naval vessels equipped with the AK-630 CIWS system, including the [[MPK Pr.12412]].
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
This aircraft has an excellent top speed, which means it can speed away from enemy fighters if needed, with flares and chaff assisting in countering incoming missiles. One thing to remember is that the plane has a pretty bad turn rate, at 37.8 meters per second. The turn rate is actually worse then the BV-238 at 30 meters per second.
+
This aircraft has an excellent top speed, which means it can speed away from enemy fighters if needed, with flares and chaff assisting in countering incoming missiles. Despite being a heavy aircraft, the MiG-27M has one of the best sustained turning abilities among top-tier jets thanks to its variable swept wing design.
 +
 
 +
Compared with its fighter jet version, the MiG-23M, the MiG-27M is slightly heavier and has a lower thrust (despite the difference being very little). As a result, the MiG-27M can pull less Gs than the MiG-23M, specifically, it tends to pull one less G than the MiG-23M across all speeds. For example, at 800-900 km/h, the best speed range for these two aircraft to manoeuvre, the MiG-23M can pull 12Gs, whereas the MiG-27M can pull 11Gs. This characteristic, despite seemingly lowering the manoeuvrability of the aircraft, actually improves the experience since both the MiG-23M and MiG-27M break their wings at 12G. As a result, the MiG-23M could risk ripping its wings during manoeuvres, whereas the MiG-27M has no risk of damage.
 +
 
 +
The MiG-27M, just like the MiG-23M, feels sluggish in manoeuvres. However, despite the bad instantaneous turning and rolling ability, the MiG-27M has exceptional sustained turning and rolling ability for a medium-heavy fighter. At speeds lower than 900 km/h and with the wings turned to forward position, the MiG-27M can outmanoeuvre most top-tier jets, even including the F-5Cs and MiG-21s. At 400 km/h, with the wings set to the most forward position, the MiG-27M somewhat resembles a piston-engine attacker, with superb lift and great sustained turn rate. This is extremely helpful in a 1v1 situation, where you can use this characteristic to trick your enemy into low speed and outmanoeuvre them easily.
 +
 
 +
To be noted though, the high-speed manoeuvrability of the MiG-27M is not exceptional at all. At supersonic speeds and the wings fully swept back, the MiG-27M can only pull 8Gs of overload, significantly less than the 10 to 11Gs of the F-4Es and the JA-37s. Also, the MiG-27M does not hold its speed well in turns. In such case, it is advised to keep your speed and do less manoeuvres in most times during a battle.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at _,___ m)
+
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 13,000 m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
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|-
 
|-
 
! Stock
 
! Stock
| 2340 || 2330 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.6 || 37.8 || 133.9 || 127.3 || rowspan="2" | 750
+
| 2,182 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.6 || 36.8 || 133.9 || 127.3 || rowspan="2" | 750
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Upgraded
 
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
+
| 2,220 || 2,200 || 35.4 || 36.0 || 177.8 || 155.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 
|-
 
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _     <!-- ✓ -->
+
| X || || || || X ||     <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
+
| 1,417<!--{{Specs|destruction|body}}--> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~__ || ~__
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 
|-
 
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
+
| < 675 || < 650 || < 700 || N/A
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Engine
 
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
+
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
 
! 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" | {{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" | Turmansky R-29B-300 || 1
+
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-29B-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m<sup>2</sup>
+
| colspan="2" | 11,605 kg || colspan="3" | 419 - 472 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
 
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br>Weight
+
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br>Weight
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
 
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
+
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel
 
|-
 
|-
| 1780 kg || colspan="2" | Jet
+
| 1,780 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
+
| 12,964 kg || 13,912 kg || 15,065 kg || 16,135 kg || 20,760 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" | {{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)
+
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
 
|-
 
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
+
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MTOW
+
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel || MTOW
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7430 kgf || 9690 kgf
+
| ''Stationary'' || 7,950 kgf || 10,208 kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| 0.79 || 0.73 || 0.68 || 0.63 || 0.49
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf<br>(_ km/h) || ___ kgf<br>(_ km/h)
+
| ''Optimal'' || 8,268 kgf<br>(1,400 km/h) || 12,633 kgf<br>(1,400 km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| 0.97 || 0.91 || 0.84 || 0.78 || 0.61
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{{Specs-Avia-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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
The plane gets some 10 mm armor behind the pilot, and 9 mm on each side of the pilot. This will not really save you against the firepower faced in top-rank jet battles and is more against the stray machine gun round or shrapnel from ground attacks.  
+
The plane gets some 10 mm armour behind the pilot, and 9 mm on each side of the pilot. This will not really save you against the firepower faced in top-rank jet battles and is more against the stray machine gun round or shrapnel from ground attacks.
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
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== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
 +
|-
 +
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
 +
|-
 +
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
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* 1 x 30 mm GSh-6-30 cannon, belly-mounted (300 rpg)
 
* 1 x 30 mm GSh-6-30 cannon, belly-mounted (300 rpg)
 +
* 60 x large calibre countermeasures
 +
* 12 x countermeasures
 +
 +
The GSh-6-30 is the most powerful cannon mounted on any top-tier aircraft. It uses large 30 mm rounds and has an incredibly high rate of fire at just under 5,000 rounds per minute. This means that it will fire about 83 rounds every second! A brief burst will obliterate any aircraft. In a ground attack role, it will perforate thinly armoured targets like light tanks and SPAAs and can even penetrate the roof armour of some MBTs. However, there are a few things to keep in mind: as with other Gatling guns, it needs a brief spool-up time before firing that should be accounted for when firing short bursts, and the 300 round ammunition supply can be depleted in no time at all — about 3.6 seconds to be more precise.
 +
 +
The MiG-27M has a good supply of countermeasures, launched from dispensers mounted on the wing gloves. Their number and size make it much easier to defend against missiles from enemy aircraft and disrupt the radar locks of SPAA.
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|KAB-500 (500 kg)}}
 
{{main|Kh-23M|Kh-25ML|Kh-29L|Kh-29T|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}
 
{{main|R-13M1|R-60M|S-5KP|S-8KO|S-24B}}
 
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
  
* Without load
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
 +
| rowspan="21" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
 +
|-
 +
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (250 rpg)
 +
| 1 || || || || || || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
 +
| 4 || 1 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 1 || 4
 +
|-
 +
! [[FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250M-62]] bombs
 +
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
 +
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
 +
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
 +
| 1 || || 1 || 1 || 1 || || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[KAB-500Kr (500 kg)|500 kg KAB-500Kr]] bombs
 +
| 1* || || 1* || || 1* || || 1*
 +
|-
 +
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
 +
| 1 || || 1 || || 1 || || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[S-5K]] rockets
 +
| 32 || || 32 || || 32 || || 32
 +
|-
 +
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
 +
| 20 || || 20 || || 20 || || 20
 +
|-
 +
! [[S-24B]] rockets
 +
| 1 || || 1 || || 1 || || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[Kh-23M]] missiles
 +
| 1<sup>†</sup> || || || || || || 1<sup>†</sup>
 +
|-
 +
! [[Kh-25ML]] missiles
 +
| 1* || || 1* || || 1* || || 1*
 +
|-
 +
! [[Kh-29L]] missiles
 +
| 1* || || || || || || 1*
 +
|-
 +
! [[Kh-29T]] missiles
 +
| 1* || || || || || || 1*
 +
|-
 +
! [[R-13M1]] missiles
 +
| 1 || || || || || || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[R-60M]] missiles
 +
| 2 || || || || || || 2
 +
|-
 +
! Delta-NG targeting pod
 +
| || || 1<sup>†</sup> || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! 820 l drop tanks
 +
| || || || 1 || || ||
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="8" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 700 kg
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="9" | * KAB-500Kr bombs, Kh-25ML, Kh-29L, and Kh-29T missiles cannot be mixed, only one type may be carried across hardpoints <br> <sup>†</sup> It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
 
 +
* 1 x 820 l drop tank
 +
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
 +
* 4 x R-60M missiles
 +
* 22 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,200 kg total)
 
* 7 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,750 kg total)
 
* 7 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,750 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
+
* 7 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (1,750 kg total)
 
* 7 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,500 kg total)
 
* 7 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,500 kg total)
 +
* 5 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (2,500 kg total)
 +
* 4 x 500 kg KAB-500Kr bombs (2,000 kg total)
 +
* 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
 +
* 128 x S-5K rockets
 
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
 
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
 
* 4 x S-24B rockets
 
* 4 x S-24B rockets
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* 2 x Kh-29L missiles
 
* 2 x Kh-29L missiles
 
* 2 x Kh-29T missiles
 
* 2 x Kh-29T missiles
* 4 x R-60M missiles
 
 
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
 
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 128 x S-5KP rockets
+
{{Navigation-End}}
* 20 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,000 kg total)
+
 
* 12 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 64 x S-5KP rockets (1,200 kg total)
+
As an attacker, the MiG-27M's air-to-air armament has been downgraded compared to the [[MiG-23M]]. It lost the ability to carry the medium range [[R-23R]]/[[R-23T]] missiles and thus has no BVR capabilities. It can still carry the all-aspect [[R-60M]] IR missile, which are suitable for dogfights, but only four can be carried at once.
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
+
 
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles + 2 x Kh-25ML missiles
+
The ground attack armaments are understandably much improved over the original Flogger. New offerings here include laser-guided Kh-25ML and Kh-29L missiles, TV-guided Kh-29T missiles, TV-guided KAB-500Kr bombs, S-8KO rockets, ZB-500 incendiary bombs, and 23 mm gun pods. The guided weapons are the MiG-27M's most important tools in Ground RB because they can engage and destroy targets from relatively safe distances. However there are a couple of limiting factors: the MiG-27M has a primitive laser designation system with a narrow field of view, low zoom, and no actual targeting pod. Thus it can be difficult to identify, track, and hit targets with the laser-guided weapons, especially when flying at high speeds. The Kh-29T and KAB-500Kr are easier to use because of their onboard TV cameras and fire-and-forget nature, but be aware of the drawbacks of TV-guided weapons: poor performance at night and the inability to redirect them if a target is destroyed or breaks line of sight.
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles + 2 x S-24B rockets
 
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles + 12 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,200 kg total)
 
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles + 2 x S-24B rockets + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 4 x R-60M missiles + 5 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,250 kg total)
 
* 4 x R-60M missiles + 5 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,500 kg total)
 
* 4 x R-60M missiles + 12 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,200 kg total)
 
* 80 x S-8KO rockets + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 80 x S-8KO rockets + 3 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (750 kg total)
 
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 4 x R-60M missiles + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 4 x R-60M missiles + 3 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (750 kg total)
 
* 40 x S-8KO rockets + 5 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,500 kg total)
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 4 x R-60M missiles
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 5 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,250 kg total)
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 5 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,500 kg total)
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 40 x S-8KO rockets
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 4 x R-60M missiles + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 2 x S-24B rockets + 4 x R-60M missiles + 3 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (750 kg total)
 
* 4 x R-60M missiles + 2 x Kh-25ML missiles
 
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 2 x S-24B rockets
 
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 3 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
 
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 5 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,250 kg total)
 
* 4 x 500 kg KAB-500 bombs (2,000 kg total)
 
* 2 x 500 kg KAB-500 bombs + 4 x R-60M missiles (1,000 kg total)
 
* 2 x 500 kg KAB-500 bombs + 2 x R-13M1 missiles (1,000 kg total)
 
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
''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).''
+
'''Air RB:'''
 +
 
 +
Thanks to its great low-altitude performance and powerful cannon armament, the MiG-27M can be a good fighter jet in Air RB. Generally speaking, the best tactic for playing it as a fighter jet is similar to that of the MiG-23M: heading to the left after take-off, keeping the altitude under 500 m, postponing your entry as late as possible, then engaging in head-on combat using the all-aspect R-60Ms and your powerful GSh-6-30 cannon.
 +
 
 +
Since the MiG-27M has a significant low-altitude speed advantage compared with most of its opponents, it is advised to keep your speed throughout the battle. However, when there's only one or two enemies left, the MiG-27M could quickly become a dogfighter by setting its wing to about 50% angle. In such a setting without load, the MiG-27M can pull 11Gs at 900 km/h, and with even more aggressive dogfighting techniques and less angle for the wing, the MiG-27M is capable of dogfighting light fighters like F-5Cs and MiG-21MFs.
 +
 
 +
Enemies worth noting:
 +
 
 +
* J35Ds, since it is the only aircraft that could certainly win a dogfight against MiG-27M.
 +
* F-5Es, F-5Cs and MiG-21s, since they are great dogfighters, but it is still possible to defeat them in dogfights.
 +
* F-4EJ Kai, JA37C, Phantom FG.1/FGR.2, since they have doppler radars and great mid-range missiles.
 +
 
 +
The MiG-27M could also be played as an attacker in Air RB. When doing so, though, it is still advised to take the 4 R-60Ms and play using the tactic mentioned above to maximize your survivability. Once flanked to the back of the enemy, rush to a base and drop your bombs, then either play it as a fighter jet or ground strike the enemy targets.
 +
 
 +
'''Ground RB'''
 +
 
 +
The MiG-27M is a great aircraft for ground RB because of its decent manoeuvrability, the variety of guided weapons it can carry, and its GSh-6-30 cannon. To use it effectively, first shoot down any opposing aircraft using the R-60Ms, then deploy whatever weapons you have on-board against tanks. The cannon is also remarkably effective against the thin sides of western MBTs and other lightly armoured targets. Using all your armaments effectively, it is possible to kill quite a few targets in one run. KAB-500s will not follow moving targets so it is recommended to drop them from short ranges which can be difficult due to the loss of control in the targeting mode. Also be careful not to exceed Mach 1 when attempting to drop bombs or they will not drop. Kh-29Ts will track targets but only have a lock and launch range of 5 km. In addition, the Kh-29T loadout does not contain R-60Ms, leaving you vulnerable to rival CAS.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== 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".'' -->
 
<!-- ''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".'' -->
''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:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Very high top speed
+
* Very high top speed at low altitude
* The 30 mm cannon is effective at destroying both ground and air targets
+
* Good sustained turning ability, could even dogfight F-5Cs at lower speed
* Wide variety of suspended weapons
+
* Variable swept wing design allows impressive performance at any speed
* KAB-500 guided bombs provide all the advantages of air-to-ground missiles with none of their drawbacks
+
* Powerful cannon, highly effective at destroying both ground and air targets
 +
* Wide variety of suspended weapons, including TV-guided bombs
 +
* The TV-guided weapons lock on to target faster than their NATO counterparts
 +
* Thanks to its laser targeting system, it is no longer needed to point the nose exactly at the target, just need to point it in the general direction
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Lacks radar for air-to-air combat
+
* Lacks radar and IRST for air-to-air combat
* Only two KAB-500 guided bombs can be carried with air-to-air missiles
+
* Lacks mid-range missiles
* The 30 mm cannon has a paltry ammunition capacity for its rate of fire, requiring stringent trigger discipline
+
* The cannon has a spool up time before it can be fired
* Bad turn rate
+
* The cannon has a paltry ammunition capacity for its rate of fire, requiring stringent trigger discipline
 +
* Bad instantaneous turn and roll rate, making it hard to catch most windows at high speed
 +
* R-60Ms are easily defeated by countermeasures
 +
* KAB-500s do not track target after lock on
  
 
== History ==
 
== 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
''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).''  
+
''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 ==
 
== Media ==
Line 207: Line 304:
  
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig_27m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig_27m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|s60Cz_uCbc0|'''Attack Aircraft Reborn''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|Q1MSq6KWibw|'''The Shooting Range #269''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:27 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 212: Line 312:
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
''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;''
+
;Related development
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[MiG-23 (Family)]]
 +
* [[MiG-27 (Family)]]
 +
 
 +
;Other jet planes with variable sweep wings
 +
 
 +
* [[F-111A]]
 +
* [[F-14 (Family)]]
 +
* [[Tornado (Family)]]
 +
* [[Su-17/22 (Family)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
Line 221: Line 329:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
  
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [[wt:en/news/7299-development-mig-27m-and-guided-bombs-in-war-thunder-en|[Devblog] MiG-27M and guided bombs in War Thunder!]]
* ''other literature.''
+
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/534250-mig-27m/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
  
 +
{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
 
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
 
{{USSR jet aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 07:59, 26 August 2024

This page is about the Soviet jet fighter MiG-27M. For other versions, see MiG-27 (Family).
MiG-27M
mig_27m.png
GarageImage MiG-27M.jpg
MiG-27M
AB RB SB
11.3 11.3 11.7
Research:300 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:830 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

Following the major upgrades to the MiG-27, which entered service as the MiG-27K in the late 1970s, the Soviet Air Force requested a cheaper variant to complement the MiG-27K (which was deemed too expensive to field completely). The new cheaper variant was projected to support the MiG-27K fleet at a 2:1 ratio at least, and was developed after the MiG-27K. This new variant, the MiG-27M, would retain the upgrades allowing it to use laser and TV-guided weapons, but would lack the upgraded avionics and advanced Kayra-23 laser-optical targeting system, instead settling on a cheaper and more readily available targeting system taken from the Su-17 Fitter family. This variant would enter service with not only the USSR, but also many export countries throughout the 1980s.

The MiG-27M, introduced in Update "Direct Hit", is a major upgrade in Soviet fighter-bomber aircraft over its predecessors. For starters, this aircraft finally brings guided ordnance to the hands of players working down the bomber line in the Soviet tech tree, and it does so well. With an assortment of various TV and laser-guided weapons, and the powerful "Gasha" GSh-6-30 rotary cannon (an aircraft-mounted AK-630 naval CIWS), the MiG-27M proves very reliable at dispatching ground targets with high precision in mixed battles. Unlike other dedicated precision strike aircraft, the MiG-27 family does not sacrifice its air combat capabilities that much either; having the basic airframe from a MiG-23BN, a decent amount of large countermeasures, and a complete loadout of R-13M1 and R-60M air to air missiles, the MiG-27s can hold their own in a dogfight if the need arises. Pilots who enjoy the MiG-27M's capabilities can look forward to the MiG-27K, which is a major upgrade in the avionics and ordnance department. Players who particularly enjoy the power of the GSh-6-30 cannon and are hungry for more can check out the various naval vessels equipped with the AK-630 CIWS system, including the MPK Pr.12412.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Drogue parachute
Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway
Max speed
at 13 000 m2 200 km/h
Turn time36 s
Max altitude15 000 m
EngineTumansky R-29B-300
Type
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight20 t

This aircraft has an excellent top speed, which means it can speed away from enemy fighters if needed, with flares and chaff assisting in countering incoming missiles. Despite being a heavy aircraft, the MiG-27M has one of the best sustained turning abilities among top-tier jets thanks to its variable swept wing design.

Compared with its fighter jet version, the MiG-23M, the MiG-27M is slightly heavier and has a lower thrust (despite the difference being very little). As a result, the MiG-27M can pull less Gs than the MiG-23M, specifically, it tends to pull one less G than the MiG-23M across all speeds. For example, at 800-900 km/h, the best speed range for these two aircraft to manoeuvre, the MiG-23M can pull 12Gs, whereas the MiG-27M can pull 11Gs. This characteristic, despite seemingly lowering the manoeuvrability of the aircraft, actually improves the experience since both the MiG-23M and MiG-27M break their wings at 12G. As a result, the MiG-23M could risk ripping its wings during manoeuvres, whereas the MiG-27M has no risk of damage.

The MiG-27M, just like the MiG-23M, feels sluggish in manoeuvres. However, despite the bad instantaneous turning and rolling ability, the MiG-27M has exceptional sustained turning and rolling ability for a medium-heavy fighter. At speeds lower than 900 km/h and with the wings turned to forward position, the MiG-27M can outmanoeuvre most top-tier jets, even including the F-5Cs and MiG-21s. At 400 km/h, with the wings set to the most forward position, the MiG-27M somewhat resembles a piston-engine attacker, with superb lift and great sustained turn rate. This is extremely helpful in a 1v1 situation, where you can use this characteristic to trick your enemy into low speed and outmanoeuvre them easily.

To be noted though, the high-speed manoeuvrability of the MiG-27M is not exceptional at all. At supersonic speeds and the wings fully swept back, the MiG-27M can only pull 8Gs of overload, significantly less than the 10 to 11Gs of the F-4Es and the JA-37s. Also, the MiG-27M does not hold its speed well in turns. In such case, it is advised to keep your speed and do less manoeuvres in most times during a battle.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 13,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 2,182 2,172 15000 36.6 36.8 133.9 127.3 750
Upgraded 2,220 2,200 35.4 36.0 177.8 155.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
1,417 630 N/A 508 473 ~__ ~__
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 675 < 650 < 700 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-29B-300 1 11,605 kg 419 - 472 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 11m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 39m fuel
1,780 kg Afterburning axial-flow turbojet 12,964 kg 13,912 kg 15,065 kg 16,135 kg 20,760 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition 100% WEP 11m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 39m fuel MTOW
Stationary 7,950 kgf 10,208 kgf 0.79 0.73 0.68 0.63 0.49
Optimal 8,268 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
12,633 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
0.97 0.91 0.84 0.78 0.61

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff
Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar
Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear630 km/h

The plane gets some 10 mm armour behind the pilot, and 9 mm on each side of the pilot. This will not really save you against the firepower faced in top-rank jet battles and is more against the stray machine gun round or shrapnel from ground attacks.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 722 → 3 987 Sl icon.png
RB7 992 → 11 708 Sl icon.png
SB8 679 → 12 714 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications262 200 Rp icon.png
409 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training240 000 Sl icon.png
Experts830 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 000 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 140 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 310 / 600 % Sl icon.png
238 / 238 / 238 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
GSh-30-2K_belt_pack
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
ZB-500
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods agm missile.png
Kh-23M
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
GSh-30-2K_new_gun
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
B-8M1
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-250
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods agm missile.png
Kh-25
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods gunpods.png
Gun pod SPPU-22-01
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
S-24
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-500
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Kh-29L
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
ns23_belt_pack
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
R-60M
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png
Mods optical guided bomb.png
KAB-500Kr
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png
Kh-29T
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
19 000 Sl icon.png
530 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs)
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png

Offensive armament

Main article: GSh-6-30 (30 mm)

The MiG-27M is armed with:

  • 1 x 30 mm GSh-6-30 cannon, belly-mounted (300 rpg)
  • 60 x large calibre countermeasures
  • 12 x countermeasures

The GSh-6-30 is the most powerful cannon mounted on any top-tier aircraft. It uses large 30 mm rounds and has an incredibly high rate of fire at just under 5,000 rounds per minute. This means that it will fire about 83 rounds every second! A brief burst will obliterate any aircraft. In a ground attack role, it will perforate thinly armoured targets like light tanks and SPAAs and can even penetrate the roof armour of some MBTs. However, there are a few things to keep in mind: as with other Gatling guns, it needs a brief spool-up time before firing that should be accounted for when firing short bursts, and the 300 round ammunition supply can be depleted in no time at all — about 3.6 seconds to be more precise.

The MiG-27M has a good supply of countermeasures, launched from dispensers mounted on the wing gloves. Their number and size make it much easier to defend against missiles from enemy aircraft and disrupt the radar locks of SPAA.

Suspended armament

The MiG-27M can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Hardpoints MiG-27M.png
23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg) 1 1
100 kg OFAB-100 bombs 4 1 4 4 4 1 4
250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs 1 1 1 1 1
500 kg KAB-500Kr bombs 1* 1* 1* 1*
ZB-500 incendiary bombs 1 1 1 1
S-5K rockets 32 32 32 32
S-8KO rockets 20 20 20 20
S-24B rockets 1 1 1 1
Kh-23M missiles 1 1
Kh-25ML missiles 1* 1* 1* 1*
Kh-29L missiles 1* 1*
Kh-29T missiles 1* 1*
R-13M1 missiles 1 1
R-60M missiles 2 2
Delta-NG targeting pod 1
820 l drop tanks 1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 700 kg
* KAB-500Kr bombs, Kh-25ML, Kh-29L, and Kh-29T missiles cannot be mixed, only one type may be carried across hardpoints
It is required to equip the Delta-NG targeting pod with the Kh-23M missiles
Default weapon presets
  • 1 x 820 l drop tank
  • 2 x R-13M1 missiles
  • 4 x R-60M missiles
  • 22 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,200 kg total)
  • 7 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,750 kg total)
  • 7 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (1,750 kg total)
  • 7 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,500 kg total)
  • 5 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (2,500 kg total)
  • 4 x 500 kg KAB-500Kr bombs (2,000 kg total)
  • 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
  • 128 x S-5K rockets
  • 80 x S-8KO rockets
  • 4 x S-24B rockets
  • 2 x Kh-23M missiles
  • 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
  • 2 x Kh-29L missiles
  • 2 x Kh-29T missiles
  • 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

As an attacker, the MiG-27M's air-to-air armament has been downgraded compared to the MiG-23M. It lost the ability to carry the medium range R-23R/R-23T missiles and thus has no BVR capabilities. It can still carry the all-aspect R-60M IR missile, which are suitable for dogfights, but only four can be carried at once.

The ground attack armaments are understandably much improved over the original Flogger. New offerings here include laser-guided Kh-25ML and Kh-29L missiles, TV-guided Kh-29T missiles, TV-guided KAB-500Kr bombs, S-8KO rockets, ZB-500 incendiary bombs, and 23 mm gun pods. The guided weapons are the MiG-27M's most important tools in Ground RB because they can engage and destroy targets from relatively safe distances. However there are a couple of limiting factors: the MiG-27M has a primitive laser designation system with a narrow field of view, low zoom, and no actual targeting pod. Thus it can be difficult to identify, track, and hit targets with the laser-guided weapons, especially when flying at high speeds. The Kh-29T and KAB-500Kr are easier to use because of their onboard TV cameras and fire-and-forget nature, but be aware of the drawbacks of TV-guided weapons: poor performance at night and the inability to redirect them if a target is destroyed or breaks line of sight.

Usage in battles

Air RB:

Thanks to its great low-altitude performance and powerful cannon armament, the MiG-27M can be a good fighter jet in Air RB. Generally speaking, the best tactic for playing it as a fighter jet is similar to that of the MiG-23M: heading to the left after take-off, keeping the altitude under 500 m, postponing your entry as late as possible, then engaging in head-on combat using the all-aspect R-60Ms and your powerful GSh-6-30 cannon.

Since the MiG-27M has a significant low-altitude speed advantage compared with most of its opponents, it is advised to keep your speed throughout the battle. However, when there's only one or two enemies left, the MiG-27M could quickly become a dogfighter by setting its wing to about 50% angle. In such a setting without load, the MiG-27M can pull 11Gs at 900 km/h, and with even more aggressive dogfighting techniques and less angle for the wing, the MiG-27M is capable of dogfighting light fighters like F-5Cs and MiG-21MFs.

Enemies worth noting:

  • J35Ds, since it is the only aircraft that could certainly win a dogfight against MiG-27M.
  • F-5Es, F-5Cs and MiG-21s, since they are great dogfighters, but it is still possible to defeat them in dogfights.
  • F-4EJ Kai, JA37C, Phantom FG.1/FGR.2, since they have doppler radars and great mid-range missiles.

The MiG-27M could also be played as an attacker in Air RB. When doing so, though, it is still advised to take the 4 R-60Ms and play using the tactic mentioned above to maximize your survivability. Once flanked to the back of the enemy, rush to a base and drop your bombs, then either play it as a fighter jet or ground strike the enemy targets.

Ground RB

The MiG-27M is a great aircraft for ground RB because of its decent manoeuvrability, the variety of guided weapons it can carry, and its GSh-6-30 cannon. To use it effectively, first shoot down any opposing aircraft using the R-60Ms, then deploy whatever weapons you have on-board against tanks. The cannon is also remarkably effective against the thin sides of western MBTs and other lightly armoured targets. Using all your armaments effectively, it is possible to kill quite a few targets in one run. KAB-500s will not follow moving targets so it is recommended to drop them from short ranges which can be difficult due to the loss of control in the targeting mode. Also be careful not to exceed Mach 1 when attempting to drop bombs or they will not drop. Kh-29Ts will track targets but only have a lock and launch range of 5 km. In addition, the Kh-29T loadout does not contain R-60Ms, leaving you vulnerable to rival CAS.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very high top speed at low altitude
  • Good sustained turning ability, could even dogfight F-5Cs at lower speed
  • Variable swept wing design allows impressive performance at any speed
  • Powerful cannon, highly effective at destroying both ground and air targets
  • Wide variety of suspended weapons, including TV-guided bombs
  • The TV-guided weapons lock on to target faster than their NATO counterparts
  • Thanks to its laser targeting system, it is no longer needed to point the nose exactly at the target, just need to point it in the general direction

Cons:

  • Lacks radar and IRST for air-to-air combat
  • Lacks mid-range missiles
  • The cannon has a spool up time before it can be fired
  • The cannon has a paltry ammunition capacity for its rate of fire, requiring stringent trigger discipline
  • Bad instantaneous turn and roll rate, making it hard to catch most windows at high speed
  • R-60Ms are easily defeated by countermeasures
  • KAB-500s do not track target after lock on

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: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development
Other jet planes with variable sweep wings

External links


Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (Микоя́н и Гуре́вич Опытное конструкторское бюро)
Fighters  MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34
  I-225
Jet fighters  MiG-9 · MiG-9 (l)
  MiG-15 · MiG-15bis · MiG-15bis ISh
  MiG-17
  MiG-19PT
  MiG-21F-13 · MiG-21PFM · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-21SMT · MiG-21bis
  MiG-23M · MiG-23ML · MiG-23MLD
  MiG-27M · MiG-27K
  MiG-29 · MiG-29SMT
Export/Licensed  ␗MiG-9 · ␗MiG-9 (l)
  ◊MiG-15bis · ◔MiG-15bis · J-2*
  MiG-17AS · ◔MiG-17PF · J-4* · Shenyang F-5*
  ◊MiG-19S · J-6A*
  ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◊MiG-21MF · ◔MiG-21MF · ▄MiG-21bis · ◔MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M" · ▄MiG-21 Bison · J-7II**
  ◊MiG-23BN · ◊MiG-23MF · ◔MiG-23MF · ◊MiG-23MLA
  ◔MiG-29 · ◊MiG-29 · ◄MiG-29G
  *Licensed and domesticated with Chinese designations.
  **Unlicensed, reverse-engineered and domesticated with Chinese designations.
See Also  Shenyang · Chengdu

USSR jet aircraft
Bereznyak-Isayev  BI
Yakovlev  Yak-15 · Yak-15P · Yak-17 · Yak-23 · Yak-28B · Yak-30D · Yak-38 · Yak-38M · Yak-141
Mikoyan-Gurevich  MiG-9 · MiG-9 (l) · MiG-15 · MiG-15bis · MiG-15bis ISh · MiG-17 · MiG-17AS · MiG-19PT
  MiG-21F-13 · MiG-21PFM · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-21SMT · MiG-21bis
  MiG-23M · MiG-23ML · MiG-23MLD · MiG-27M · MiG-27K
  MiG-29 · MiG-29SMT
Lavochkin  La-174 · La-15 · La-200
Sukhoi  Su-9 · Su-11
  Su-7B · Su-7BKL · Su-7BMK · Su-17M2 · Su-17M4 · Su-22M3
  Su-24M
  Su-25 · Su-25BM · Su-25K · Su-25T · Su-25SM3 · Su-39
  Su-27 · Su-27SM
  Su-34
Ilyushin  IL-28 · IL-28Sh
Tupolev  Tu-14T