Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Facts for Kids

MiG-23

The MiG-23 Flogger is a famous Soviet fighter jet. It was designed to intercept enemy aircraft and attack targets on the ground. This powerful aircraft first joined the Soviet Air Force in 1970. It was known for its unique "variable-sweep wings," which could change position during flight.

The Amazing MiG-23 Flogger
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The Amazing MiG-23 Flogger

The MiG-23 Flogger was a very important aircraft during the Cold War. It was built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. This jet was designed to be faster and more powerful than earlier Soviet fighters. It could fly at very high speeds and carry many weapons.

What is the MiG-23?

The MiG-23 is a type of fighter aircraft. Fighter jets are planes built for air-to-air combat. They can also be used for attacking targets on the ground. The MiG-23 was designed to do both. It was a single-engine jet, meaning it had one powerful engine to push it through the sky.

Key Features of the MiG-23

The MiG-23 had several special features that made it stand out. These features helped it perform well in different situations.

Variable-Sweep Wings

One of the most interesting parts of the MiG-23 was its "variable-sweep wings." This means the wings could move backward and forward. When the wings were swept back, the plane could fly much faster. This was great for high-speed chases or escaping danger. When the wings were moved forward, the plane could fly slower and land more easily. This design gave the MiG-23 a lot of flexibility.

Powerful Engine

The MiG-23 was powered by a very strong jet engine. This engine allowed the aircraft to reach incredible speeds, sometimes more than twice the speed of sound. This made it a very fast interceptor, able to quickly reach and engage enemy planes.

How the MiG-23 Was Used

The MiG-23 was mainly used by the Soviet Air Force. It was also sold to many other countries around the world. It served as an interceptor, meaning its job was to stop enemy aircraft from entering Soviet airspace. It also had versions that could attack ground targets, like tanks or buildings. The MiG-23 was involved in several conflicts, showing its capabilities in real combat situations.

The MiG-23 Around the World

Even after the end of the Cold War, many countries continued to use the MiG-23. It was a reliable and powerful aircraft. You can still see some MiG-23s on display in museums today. They remind us of an important time in aviation history.

Images for kids

MiG-23M "Flogger-B" armed with R-23 and R-60 missiles.
MiG-23 cockpit in high resolution
KM-1 ejection seat
MiG-23 wing-sweep mechanism
MiG-23M
MiG-23 on display in Israel after defection from Syria
Ex-Iraqi MiG-23ML in Belgrade
Libyan MiG-23 over Gulf of Sidra in August 1981, being followed by an F-4 just before the first Gulf of Sidra incident.
Libyan MiG-23
A Hungarian MiG-23MF in flight.
MiG-23BN used in Operation Safed Sagar
MiG-23ML 332 at the Information Centre for History and Technology, Peenemünde
Soviet MiG-23MLA "Flogger-G"
Soviet MiG-23MLD "Flogger-K"
World operators of the MiG-23 (not including evaluation-only operators)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23UB.
Hungarian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MF.
An Indian MiG-23MF on display at a crossroads in Gandhinagar.
Polish Air Force MiG-23
Ukrainian MiG-23 on display at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, Kyiv
MiG-23 on display at the Minsk World theme park in Shenzhen, PRC.