OVERVIEW: The MiG-23M Flogger B is a single engine, variable-geometry, supersonic 3rd generation fighter aircraft. It had a secondary mission of ground attack.

DETAILS:  The Flogger was intended to replace the MiG-21, and featured improved landing and takeoff performance, range and weapons capability over its predecessor.    
The Flogger B was designed to be more reliable, maneuverable, and lighter than earlier Mig-23s.  It achieved these goals by removing a fuel tank and improving aerodynamics, modernizing the avionics and flight control and up-rating the power plant. The Flogger G was equipped with the J-band (10-15 Ghz) Sapfir-23D-III aka HIGH LARK 2 radar giving it a "look-down shoot-down" capability and maximum detection range of 65km against a fighter-sized target at high altitude, reduced to 25km in look-down mode.

The aircraft was powered by an R-29-300 turbojet engine, producing 27,500 lb of thrust.

The MiG-23M could maneuver up to 8.0 g.  However, control issues at high AOA reduced the theoretical maneuverability of the MiG-23. Overall, the MiG-23 was a poor dogfighter.  While its turning capability was comparable to an original F-4E Phantom, the F-15 or F-4E with slats could out-turn a MiG-23. Further, its low speed dogfighting characteristics were poor. The MiG-23 had excellent acceleration characteristics, particularly below 10,000 ft and could out-accelerate any American fighter, making it a good hit-and-run interceptor.  The MiG-23's small profile made it hard to visually spot. 

NOTES: IOC 1973 (approx.) The most produced variant of the first-generation 'Floggers.  Wing sweep mechanism failures and cracks in the wing pivots resulted in 5g limits being placed on the airframe until 1977, resulting in only BVR intercept and no basic fighter maneuvering training during this period.  


SOURCE: "MiG-23M." Airwar.Ru. Accessed September 20, 2021. https://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig23m.html. ; Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017. ; Newdick, Thomas. "This Myth-Busting Walk-Around Of The Soviet MiG-23 Flogger Fighter Is A Must-Watch." The Drive. Last modified March 18, 2021. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39824/this-myth-busting-walk-around-of-the-soviet-mig-23-flogger-fighter-is-a-must-watch. ;  "MiG-23ML." Airwar.Ru.Accessed September 20, 2021. https://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig23ml.html ; Davies, Steve. Red Eagles: America’s Secret MiGs. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2008 pg. 167 ; "Mikoyan MIG-23." Weapons and Warfare. Last modified November 14, 2020. https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2020/11/25/mikoyan-mig-23/.
