MiG-21bis-SAU (Germany)

This page is about the jet fighter MiG-21bis-SAU (Germany). For other versions, see MiG-21 (Family).

◊MiG-21bis-SAU

◊MiG-21MF

◊MiG-23MLA

◊MiG-21bis-SAU

◊MiG-21MF

◊MiG-23MLA

Germany

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.0	11.0	11.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:150 000

Purchase:830 000

Description

By the prime of the 1970s, the East German Airforce started recieving the MiG-21bis to update their fighter-interceptor fleet from the aging MiG-21MFs and PFMs. East Germany would recieve exactly 46 of the type, with 14 of them being the "Fishbed-L" variant, equipped with the Lazur-M GCI (Ground Controlled Intercept) guidance system. The other 32 would be the "Fishbed-N" variant, equipped with the Polyot-OI guidance system instead. To diffrenciate the two variants, the aircraft recieved unique names in East German service, being called the MiG-21bis Lazur-M and the MiG-21bis-SAU respectively. The only way to visually tell apart the two aircraft is by a single antenna under the forward fuselage, which is missing on one of the variants due to its different guidance system.

Introduced in Update "Ground Breaking" as the latest East German top tier fighter in the German tech tree at the time, the ◊MiG-21bis-SAU builds upon the playstyle of the previous MiG-21MF in the tree, relying alot more on its incredible flight performance to utilize hit-and-run tactics against unsuspecting enemies, and to dogfight its way out of most trouble it finds its way in. The MiG-21bis may have great flight performance and engine power, but lacks in most other departments. Being a delta wing, its energy retention is abysmal, although that problem is slightly mitigated by the very powerful engine, which can quickly regain speed if the aircraft safely disengages and flies in a straight line. The aircraft's avionics and suspended weaponry is where the largest let-down is. While other aircraft at your battle rating will have pulse-doppler radars, powerful missiles, and very informative RWR systems, the MiG-21bis has none of that. Instead, you get what is easily one of the worst dedicated radar sets at this battle rating, subpar missiles, a complete lack of BVR capability, and the weak SPO-10 RWR system. All in all, the MiG-21bis falls under the same loop of the late Fishbed family, relying alot more on the skill of the pilot due to its strong flight performance and weak systems. It is truly a hard plane to learn, but a very rewarding one if mastered correctly.

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 240 km/h

Turn time37 s

Max altitude16 000 m

EngineTumansky R-25-300

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight10 t

The MiG-21bis-SAU has very nice acceleration, especially at lower speeds, this allows for a quick takeoff roll and quick recovery of energy after a dogfight. It also accelerates the MiG up to and exceeds the airframe limits for top speeds at medium to low altitudes regularly. The MiG-21 has a delta wing, which gives it exceptional agility, nose authority, and raw AOA. Pilots of the MiG-21bis-SAU will find the aircraft capable of "pointing" the nose at the enemy aircraft in most situations, and the raw thrust the MiG has will also allow for a degree of stallfighting. However, as a delta-winged design, it will bleed a lot of speed in high AOA manoeuvres, so prolonged dogfights will not be in the MiG-21bis-SAU's favour against more conventional wing designs.

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	2,177	2,142	16000	37.8	38.8	191.0	179.8	750
Upgraded	2,300	2,237		36.4	37.0	261.0	224.0

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	+	-
1365	700	N/A	500	450	~12	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 650	< 600	< 950	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-25-300		1	6,132 kg		371 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		10m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	34m fuel
1,140 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		6,852 kg	7,532 kg	8,232 kg	8,532 kg	10,000 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	10m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	34m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	4,040 kgf	7,344 kgf	1.07	0.98	0.89	0.86	0.73
Optimal	4,040 kgf (0 km/h)	9,068 kgf (1,200 km/h)	1.32	1.20	1.10	1.06	0.91

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 365 km/h

Gear700 km/h

Armour layout for the MiG-21bis-SAU (Germany)

• 60 mm (64°) Bulletproof glass - Central windshield
• 10 mm Steel plate - Behind the pilot's head rest

There is barely any armour in the plane to protect the pilot, fuel tanks, or engine. The little armour it has will not save you from a head-on attack with any enemy unless you are lucky.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 838 → 4 092

RB8 121 → 11 710

SB8 295 → 11 961

Total cost of modifications264 000

413 000

Talisman cost2 900

Crew training240 000

Experts830 000

Aces3 000

Research Aces1 140 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

110 / 310 / 600 %

238 / 238 / 238 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Compressor Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 New boosters Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Wings repair Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 G-suit Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Engine Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470	Airframe Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Cover Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470	Flares/Chaff Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 ZB-500 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 R-3S Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 FAB-250 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 UB-16 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 R-3R Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 ns23_belt_pack Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 FAB-500 Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 UB-32 Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 R-13M Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 ns23_new_gun Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 EFS Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 S-24 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 R-60MK Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470

As with other high-ranking jet aircraft, performance, countermeasures, and improved missiles are imperative for the MiG-21bis-SAU. These will allow pilots of the MiG to both survive longer and deal more damage to the enemy team.

The first modification recommended to unlock is Flares/Chaff, at tier 1. Then Compressor for extra acceleration. Afterwards, gaining both the R-3S and R-3R modifications, plus Airframe will lead up to tier 3 modifications. The R-13M missile is recommended as the first modification for tier 3, followed by Wings Repair and Offensive 23 mm. This will allow tier 4 research, and the R-60MK, an all-aspect IR dogfight missile. Fuselage repair, New Boosters, G-suit, Engine, and Cover will finish off performance mods and give MiG-21bis-SAU pilots the best performance possible in the aircraft. Bombs, Rockets, and EFS can come in any order, as the MiG-21bis-SAU is primarily focused on air-to-air combat.

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The MiG-21bis-SAU (Germany) is armed with:

A choice between two presets:

• 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (250 rpg)
• 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 64 x countermeasures

The GSh-23L cannon will be familiar to pilots which have already flown the MiG-21MF.

It has relatively low velocity with a high fire-rate, therefore it is recommended for pilots to engage enemies at relatively close range, or enemies that are travelling at a fairly slow speed. Pilots should be mindful that with the ammo capacity of 250 rounds, this gives a trigger time of roughly 4.4 seconds, so trigger discipline will help the aspiring MiG-21bis-SAU pilot. The GSh-23 has high damage output, so even a few rounds will usually cripple or destroy enemy aircraft.

Suspended armament

The MiG-21bis-SAU (Germany) can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

• Without load
• 2 x R-13M1 missiles
• 4 x R-3S missiles
• 4 x R-3R missiles
• 4 x R-13M1 missiles
• 4 x R-60MK missiles
• 6 x R-60MK missiles
• 64 x S-5K rockets
• 64 x S-5K rockets
• 4 x S-24 rockets
• 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs

The MiG-21bis-SAU can be outfitted with a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The R-3S and R-3R missiles are very basic missiles, both pulling a maximum of 10Gs and with very limited range. The R-3S is the IR version, while the R-3R is the SARH (Radar) version. The R-3S has very a negligible use case, as the MiG-21Bis-SAU comes with two R-13M stock. It can be used if the pilot simply wishes for two extra missiles however. The R-3R is more useful for pilots that wish to have the capability to engage enemy air targets at a further range headon, though compared to other SARH missiles of the rank, such as the R-24R or AIM-7F, it lacks the potency to reliably dispatch manoeuvring targets. The next missile carried is the R-13M1, which is the missile carried stock and one of the two recommended for use. It has greater range than the R-60MK, especially at high altitude, though it is a less manoeuvrable missile. The R-60MK is the final missile carried by the MiG-21bis-SAU. It is a highly manoeuvrable, all aspect missile perfect for use in close in dogfights. It lacks the range of contemporary missiles such as the AIM-9G or the previously mentioned R-13M1, however it is highly manoeuvrable and will begin quickly pulling off the rail, hitting most targets within around a 2 km area in front of the aircraft. The recommended loadout for most missions will be either 6 of the R-60MK, or two R-13M and 4 R-60MK using the custom loadout feature to give a mix of ranged weapons and more manoeuvrable, dogfight missiles.

Although the primary focus of the MiG-21bis-SAU is for air combat, it is also able to carry a limited selection of anti-ground ordnance. This includes a selection of 100, 250, and 500 kg bombs, along with the ZB-500 Incendiary bombs. As for rockets, it carries the S-5K and S-24 rockets. If pilots wish to use the MiG-21bis-SAU for ground strike, the S-24 rockets are a good choice as the plane also has CCIP for the rockets.

Custom loadout options

	1	2	3	4
100 kg OFAB-100 bombs		4	4
250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs		1	1
500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs		1	1
ZB-500 incendiary bombs		1	1
S-5K rockets	16	16, 32	16, 32	16
S-24 rockets	1	1	1	1
R-3R missiles	1	1	1	1
R-3S missiles	1	1	1	1
R-13M1 missiles	1	1	1	1
R-60MK missiles	1, 2	1	1	1, 2
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 570 kg

Usage in battles

The MiG-21bis-SAU will feel similar to the preceding MiG-21MF to its pilots, with even quicker acceleration and higher top speed. When playing the MiG-21bis-SAU, it is recommended to keep in mind some of the strengths and weaknesses of the aircraft. As a delta-winged design, similar to the Mirage family or Draken, the MiG-21bis can pull exceptionally hard, and can effectively "point" the nose wherever its pilot wishes. On the other hand, whilst doing so, a lot of speed is lost and sustained turning will eventually rob the MiG of the energy it had going into a fight. Therefore going into sustained dogfights is not recommended, especially against planes such as the F-5, MiG-23/27, or F-14 Tomcat. All of these planes will have much better energy retention in a sustained turn than the MiG-21bis-SAU, and in a sustained turn will eventually simply have a decisive energy advantage over the MiG. Therefore it is recommended to use the MiG-21s ability to pull inside of enemy aircraft to attempt to fire on the enemy aircraft. If unable to do so, the MiG-21bis should attempt to use the excellent acceleration to reset the fight and try again.

When on the defensive many of the same rules apply. it is recommended to run either flares or mixed countermeasures depending on playstyle. Chaff will help decoy radar-homing missiles such as the AIM-7 or AIM-54, but if pilots prefers flying low, terrain can serve that purpose instead and the extra flares can definitely be useful with standard countermeasures. As previously stated, delta wings bleed a lot of energy while turning. This can be very useful when defending against enemies with better energy retention, as a good MiG-21bis-SAU pilot can use the speed bled by manoeuvres to cause the enemy aircraft to overshoot, and then attempt to use the gun or missiles to take out the enemy. This is the preferred way to go defensive in the MiG-21bis-SAU, as oftentimes most of the enemy aircraft have better energy retention and are usually relatively easy to force an overshoot against.

The one area the MiG-21bis-SAU has an issue with is in BVR (beyond-visual-range) combat. The only radar missile the plane receives is the R-3R, which pales in comparison to the R-24R or AIM-7 that are now very common in high rank air matches. Attempting to challenge planes such as the MiG-23MLD or F-14A at long range and high altitude is not recommended, the MiG-21bis-SAU excels in close range combat and every attempt by pilots should be made to close the range to enemies, and then using the arsenal of shorter ranged, but still highly potent weapons to finish off enemy aircraft.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Stunning acceleration
• Very good climb rate
• Good high speed manoeuvrability and can make turns at a high angle of attack
• Can wield 6 x R-60MKs
• GSh-23L cannon has 250 rounds (50 more than the MiG-21MF)
• Access to countermeasures and airbrakes

Cons:

• Bleeds speed very quickly
• Bad low speed manoeuvrability
• Rudder lock above 700 km/h can be frustrating when trying to get guns on target
• Doesn't respond well to wing damage
• Can overspeed easily at sea level due to tremendous acceleration and has a low top speed compared to any contemporaries
• Low muzzle velocity for the GSh-23L cannon.
• Despite having all-aspect missiles, the armament still extremely limited to short range and both R-60MK and R-13M1 have zero flare resistance
• Primitive radar and almost useless even in spotting targets

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

• Skins and camouflages for the MiG-21bis-SAU (Germany) from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

  MiG-21bis-SAU with a recommended loadout: countermeasures pod, 2 x R-13M and 4 R-60MK.

• 

  MiG-21bis-SAU showing off the countermeasure pod and deployment pattern.

See also

Related development

• MiG-21 (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.