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

DETAILS:  The MiG-23MLD Flogger K was a mid-life update of the MiG-23ML, intended to increase the air combat capability of Flogger, particularly in particular its handling at high angle of attack.  To accomplish this, a vortex generators, fight control limitters and automatic slat deployment features were added to delay stall at high AOA. The wing pivots were also strengthend. To enhance combat survivability, two downward firing and one upward firing chaff despensers were added. The Flogger K was equipped with the J-band (10-15 Ghz) Sapfir-23MLA-II aka N008 aka HIGH LARK 2  radar giving it an improved "look-down shoot-down" capability over rough terrain and increased maximum detection range to 40.5 nm against a bomber sized targets and 28 nm afighter-sized target at high altitude, reduced to 12.5 nm (bomber) and 8 nm (fighter) in look-down mode.

The aircraft was powered by an R-35-300 turbojet engine, producing 28,600 lb of thrust.

The MiG-23MLD could maneuver up to 8.5 g.  Despite this, the MiG-23 remained 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, including the F-16 and F/A-18, making it a good hit-and-run interceptor.  The MiG-23's small profile made it hard to visually spot. 

NOTES: IOC 1982 (approx.) Most MiG-23MLD are upgraded from MiG-23ML/MLAs instead of new builds.


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/.
