Mig-23-98 Project

[cubanace]

Mig-23 HUd

 

Hud.

[cubanace]

Rockets.

 

Using Rockets at close range.

 

Everything is under development.

At the moment i am working at the mod core FM and Engine table of the Mig.

 

"NOTE"

also the video shot was using the normal su-25 pit and dcs mig-23 external model not the new 3d model.

At the moment this is the testing bed to test weapons and performance untill i release the first preview of the new pit and external model.

 

 

 

Edited April 23, 2017 by cubanace

[=OPS=Slider]

About making things better and better, I'm pretty sure you will achieve that level of experience to make mods at level of DCS modules. I'm still waiting to get PAK-FA when it will be finished, but MiG-23 will be perfect opponent for F-14 (when it comes out...). TBH I'll have hard decision to make between these 2 birds, which one should I choose. It looks very promising, and I'm sure you can get that external model look much better, we know you too good :). And last thing, you should think about cooperating with Hawkeye and his friends/team, or maybe he's working alone idk xD.

[Stratos]

I know about the HUD, sorry was my fault, I want to ask about CCIP mode, is there?

[kdc]

You have been busy))))))

[RAZBAM_ELMO]

That is my goal now,the Pak Fa will remain nothing but a project due to the lack of information, lets face it its going to take years,but the Mig-23 that is a different story.

 

 

I will continue on the Pak Fa but the MIg-23 is my main Goal now.

What will your plan be if this gets shut down by ED? Seeing as how three other devs have cancelled it's kinda got me a bit skeptical about the future of this module. Don't think I don't want it. It just seems like there's something going on that we users don't know about that might kill this project before it takes off.

 

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Automan]

What will your plan be if this gets shut down by ED? Seeing as how three other devs have cancelled it's kinda got me a bit skeptical about the future of this module. Don't think I don't want it. It just seems like there's something going on that we users don't know about that might kill this project before it takes off.

 

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

He already talked with Wags, just some post over you:

 

I spoke to Matt the mig-23-98 project is a "GO" no problems as long as i follow the rules :D.

[cubanace]

Air to ground Armament coming to the MIg-23-98.

 

"Note"

Ignore the Air to Surface Guided Missiles At this moment....:music_whistling::D

[cubanace]

GunPod.

 

This is just to Test out How the Gunpod Code Responds with the Aiming Pickle.

 

 

 

[WRAITH]

 

:thumbup:

 

Reading some of your posts earlier in thread i hope you make a B1-B Lancer or B2 Spirit or a F-117 Night Hawk would be cool for western aircraft mods the way you make them is sweet.:joystick:

[Tirak]

Air to ground Armament coming to the MIg-23-98.

 

"Note"

Ignore the Air to Surface Guided Missiles At this moment....:music_whistling::D

 

Should we also ignore the laser guided bomb?

[flanker1]

by the way, very nice engine sound and spooling!!! really looking forward to this beauty of the skies and some cold war scenarios!

[cubanace]

by the way, very nice engine sound and spooling!!! really looking forward to this beauty of the skies and some cold war scenarios!

 

We are Making a Afghanistan campaign to come with the mig-23-98.

[Stratos]

Who is we? Will be amazing to have Pakistani F-16A skins. The 23 flew escort missions to prevent Vipers to shoot down soviet planes.

[=OPS=Slider]

Yeah I just noticed that, you are posting now as "We". So who are you guys? I really want to know :D.

[frixon28]

Yeah I just noticed that, you are posting now as "We". So who are you guys? I really want to know :D.

 

Yah me too...so is this campaign going to be set in an alternate universe due to this being the upgraded Flogger in the 90's?

[cubanace]

Yeah I just noticed that, you are posting now as "We". So who are you guys? I really want to know :D.

 

 

A New Project is on the Horizon,

 

Mikoyan Mig-23-98 Flogger is Been Developed By Cubanace Simulations.

 

 

Mig-23-98 Information Background.

 

The Mig-23-98 is a TRUE upgrade for The MiG-23.

The Moskit-23 airborne radar is interfaced with the upto- date R-27R(T), RVV-AE and R-73 air-to-air missiles and allows the use of the R-23T and R-24T missiles, Kh-31A air-to-ship missiles, as well as the KAB-500Kr aerial guided bombs, unguided rockets, gun armament and unguided aerial bombs.

Equipping the aircraft with the Moskit-23 multifunction radar makes it possible to markedly enhance aircraft combat efficiency, first of all, due to:

- increasing the aerial target detection range up to 90 km and using the mapping mode to employ the Kh-31A antiship active-homing missiles (with an effective range of up to 100 km against sea targets) and the KAB-500Kr guided aerial bombs. The aircraft new HUD, What they did is that they only upgrade the HUD it's self to display the upgraded radar on the screen. They also added the same Helmet - mounted sight from the MiG-29 for the R-73 Archer. Also Airframe life extension was offered as well. Other upgrade was to Angola had the upgrade of the Saphir radar fitted to their MiG-23MLs.

Mig-23-98 Development Team are as follows.

 

#1 Cubanace

#2 Javelina1

#3 Kryuchkov Oleg

#4 Abood aljbori

[kdc]

best of luck with this one as well )))))

[cubanace]

best of luck with this one as well )))))

Thank you kim!.

[Seaeagle]

The aircraft new HUD, What they did is that they only upgrade the HUD it's self to display the upgraded radar on the screen.

 

Interesting project :)

 

I don't know anything about this upgrade and I have never seen a photo of the cockpit, but are you sure that it only has a HUD?.

 

What little info I could find on the MiG-23-98 upgrade mentions the installation of two color LCDs(supposedly MFI-68 - same as in MiG-29SMT), which sounds more likely considering the mention of radar air-to-ground mapping modes.

[Buzzles]

Good luck with your new project.

 

Can I suggest you keep a bit quieter about this one and consolidate updates into less posts when you've actually got meaningful work done?

 

Your Pak-Fa topic reached 80+ pages of mostly you going "I did a small thing" in single posts, which actually made it quite hard to follow the progress.

[Schmidtfire]

I don't agree. I suggest that you keep updating as much and often as you can, keep people interested in the mod and the progress.

[cubanace]

Interesting project :)

 

I don't know anything about this upgrade and I have never seen a photo of the cockpit, but are you sure that it only has a HUD?.

 

What little info I could find on the MiG-23-98 upgrade mentions the installation of two color LCDs(supposedly MFI-68 - same as in MiG-29SMT), which sounds more likely considering the mention of radar air-to-ground mapping modes.

 

Mig-23-98 does not have MFD only displays radar on hud.

Mig-27 was the one that got that Upgrade into production due to its ground role.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mig 23

 

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-23; NATO reporting name: "Flogger") is a swing-wing fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet "Third Generation" aircraft category along with similar-aged Russian-produced fighters like the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the first Soviet fighter with a look-down/shoot-down radar and beyond visual range missiles, and the first MiG production fighter plane to have intakes at the sides of the fuselage. Production started in 1970 and reached large numbers with over 5,000 aircraft built. Today the MiG-23 remains in limited service with various export customers.

 

Design and development

 

MiG-23 on display at Le Bourget.

 

 

The MiG-23's predecessor, the MiG-21 (NATO reporting name 'Fishbed'), was fast and agile, but limited in its operational capabilities by its primitive radar, short range, and limited weapons load (restricted in some aircraft to a pair of short-range air-to-air missiles). The MiG-23 was to be a heavier, more powerful machine designed to remedy these deficiencies, and rival Western aircraft like the F-4 Phantom. The new fighter was to feature a totally new S-23 sensor and weapon system suite capable of firing beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.

A major design consideration was take-off and landing performance. Existing Soviet fast jets required very long runways, which combined with their limited range, limited their tactical usefulness. The Soviet Air Force demanded the new aircraft have a much shorter take-off run. Low-level speed and handling was also to be improved over the MiG-21. This led Mikoyan to consider two alternatives: lift jets, to provide an additional lift component, and variable-geometry wings, which had been developed by TsAGI for both "clean-sheet" aircraft designs and adaptations of existing designs.

The first prototype, called "23-01" but also known as the MiG-23PD, was a tailed delta similar to the MiG-21 but with two lift jets in the fuselage. However, it became apparent very early that this configuration was unsatisfactory, as the lift jets became useless dead weight once airborne. The second prototype, known as "23-11", featured variable-geometry wings which could be set to angles of 16, 45 and 72 degrees, and it was clearly more promising. The maiden flight of 23-11 took place on 10 June 1967, and three more prototypes were prepared for further flight and system testing. All featured the Tumansky R-27-300 turbojet engine with a thrust of 7850 kp. The order to start series production of the MiG-23 was given in December 1967.

The General Dynamics F-111 and F-4 Phantom were the main Western influences on the MiG-23. The Russians, however, wanted a much lighter, single-engine fighter to maximize agility. Both the F-111 and the MiG-23 were designed as fighters, but the heavy weight of the F-111 turned it into a long-range interdictor and kept it out of the fighter role. The MiG-23's designers kept the MiG-23 light enough to dogfight with enemy fighters.

The U.S. Air Force operated a small number of MiG-23s, officially designated YF-113, as both test and evaluation aircraft and in an aggressor role for fighter pilot training, from 1977 through 1988 in a program codenamed "Constant Peg".[1]

 

First-generation

 

 

Flogger-A

 

 

• The Ye-231 was the prototype built for testing, and it lacked the sawtooth leading edge that later appeared on all MiG-23/-27 models. This experimental model was the common basic design that both the MiG-23/-27 and Sukhoi Su-24 were based on, but the Su-24 experienced much greater modification.
  
• The MiG-23 was the pre-production model that lacked the hardpoints on later production versions, but the sawtooth leading edge appeared on this model, and it was also armed with guns. This model marked the divergence of the MiG-23/-27 and Su-24 from their common ancestor.
  
• The MiG-23S was the initial production variant. Only around 60 were built between 1969-70. These aircraft were used for both flight and operational testing. The MiG-23S had an improved R-27F2-300 turbojet engine with a maximum thrust of 9980 kp. As the Sapfir-23 radar was delayed, the aircraft were installed with the S-21 weapons control system with the RP-22SM radar — basically the same weapons system as in the MiG-21MF/bis. A twin-barreled 23 mm GSh-23L gun with 200 rounds of ammunition was fitted under the fuselage. This variant suffered from various teething problems and was never fielded as an operational fighter.
  
• The MiG-23SM was the second pre-production variant, which was also known as the MiG-23 Type 1971. It was considerably modified compared to the MiG-23S: it had the full S-23 weapons suite, featuring a Sapfir-23L radar coupled with Vympel R-23R (NATO: AA-7 'Apex') BVR missiles. It also had a further improved R-27F2M-300 (later redesignated R-29-300) engine with a maximum thrust of 12,000 kp. The modified "type 2" wing had an increased wing area and a larger sawtooth leading edge. The slats were deleted and wing sweep was increased by 2.5 degrees; wing positions were changed to 18.5, 47.5 and 74.5 degrees, respectively. The tail fin was moved further aft, and an extra fuel tank was added to the rear fuselage, as in the two-seat variant (see below). Around 80 examples were manufactured. The overall reliability was increased over the previous variant, but the Sapfir radar proved to be still immature.
  

 

Flogger-B

 

MiG-23M Flogger-B on display at the Museum of the Great Patriotic war in Kiev.

 

 

 

• MiG-23M. This variant first flew on June 1972. It was the first truly mass-produced version of the MiG-23, and the first VVS fighter to feature look-down/shoot-down capabilities (although this capability was initially very limited). The wing was modified again and now featured leading-edge slats. The R-29-300 (R-29A) engine was now rated for 12,500 kp. It finally had the definitive sensor suite: an improved Sapfir-23D (NATO: 'High Lark') radar, a TP-23 infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor and an ASP-23D gunsight. The 'High Lark' radar had a detection range of some 45 km against a high-flying, fighter-sized target. It was not a true Doppler radar, but instead utilized the less effective "envelope detection" technique, similar to some radars on Western fighters of the 1960s.
  
• MiG-23MF ("Flogger-B"). This was an export derivative of the MiG-23M originally intended to be exported to Warsaw Pact countries, but it was also sold to many other allies and clients, as most export customers were dissatisfied with the rather primitive MiG-23MS. It actually came in two versions. The first one was sold to Warsaw Pact allies, and it was essentially identical to Soviet MiG-23M, with small changes in "identify friend or foe" (IFF) transponders and communications equipment. The second variant was sold outside Eastern Europe and it had a different IFF and communications suite (usually with the datalink removed), and downgraded radar, which lacked the electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) features and modes of the baseline 'High Lark'. This variant was more popular abroad than the MiG-23MS and considerable numbers were exported, especially to the Middle East.
  

The infrared system had a detection range of around 30 km against high-flying bombers, but less for fighter-sized targets. The aircraft was also equipped with a Lasur-SMA datalink. The standard armament consisted of two radar- or infrared-guided Vympel R-23 (NATO: AA-7 'Apex') BVR missiles and two Molniya R-60 (NATO: AA-8 'Aphid') short-ranged infrared missiles. From 1974 onwards, double pylons were installed for the R-60s, enabling up to four missiles to be carried. Bombs, rockets and missiles could be carried for ground attack. Later, compatibility for the radio-guided Kh-23 (NATO: AS-7 'Kerry') ground-attack missile was added. Most Soviet MiGs were also wired to carry tactical nuclear weapons. Some 1300 MiG-23Ms were produced for the Soviet Air Force (VVS) and Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO Strany) between 1972-78. It was the most important Soviet fighter type from the mid-to-late 1970s.

Flogger-C

 

 

• MiG-23U. The MiG-23U was a twin-seat training variant. It was based on the MiG-23S, but featured a lengthened cockpit with a second crew station behind the first. One forward fuel tank was removed to accommodate an extra seat — this was compensated for by adding a new fuel tank in the rear fuselage. The MiG-23U had the S-21 weapon system, although the radar was later mostly removed. During its production run, both its wings and engine were improved to the MiG-23M standard. Production began at Irkutsk in 1971 and eventually converted to the MiG-23UB.
  

 

• MiG-23UB. Very similar to MiG-23U except that the R-29 turbojet engine replaced the older R-27 installed in the MiG-23U. Production continued until 1985 (for the export variant). A total of 769 examples were built, including conversions from the MiG-23U.
  

 

Flogger-E

 

 

• MiG-23MP. Similar to the MiG-23MS (described below), but produced in much fewer numbers and was never exported. Virtually identical to MiG-23MS except the addition of a dielectric head above the pylon, which was often associated with the ground-attack versions — for which it might have been a developmental prototype.
  

 

• MiG-23MS. This was an export variant, as the '70s MiG-23M was considered too advanced to be exported to Third World countries. It was otherwise similar to MiG-23M, but it had the S-21 standard weapon system, with a RP-22SM (NATO: 'Jay Bird') radar in a smaller radome, and the IRST was removed. Obviously, this variant had no BVR capability, and the only air-to-air missiles it was capable of using were the R-3S (NATO: AA-2a 'Atoll') and R-60 (NATO: AA-8 'Aphid') IR-guided missiles and the R-3R (NATO: AA-2d 'Atoll') semi-active radar homing (SARH) missile. The avionics suite was very basic. This variant was produced between 1973-78 and exported principally to North Africa and the Middle East.
  

 

Second-generation

 

 

Flogger-G

 

 

• MiG-23P. This was a specialized air-defense interceptor variant developed for the PVO Strany. It had the same airframe and powerplant as the MiG-23ML, but there is a cut-back fin root fillet instead of the original extended one on other models. Its avionics suite was improved to meet PVO requirements and mission profiles. Its radar was the improved Sapfir-23P, which could be used in conjunction with the gunsight for better look-down/shoot-down capabilities to counter increasing low-level threats like cruise missiles. The IRST, however, was absent. The autopilot included a new digital computer, and it was linked with the Lasur-M datalink. This enabled ground-controlled interception (GCI) ground stations to steer the aircraft towards the target; in such an intercept, all the pilot had to do was control the engine and use the weapons. The MiG-23P was the most numerous PVO interceptor in the 1980s. Around 500 aircraft were manufactured between 1978-81. The MiG-23P was never exported and served only within the PVO in Soviet service.
  
• MiG-23bis. Similar to the MiG-23P except the IRST was restored and the cumbersome radar scope was eliminated because all of the information it provided could be displayed on the new head-up display (HUD).
  
• MiG-23ML. The early Flogger variants were intended to be used in high-speed missile attacks, but it was soon noticed that fighters often had to engage in more stressful close-in combat. Early production aircraft had actually suffered cracks in the fuselage during their service career. Maneuverability of the aircraft was also criticized. A considerable redesign of the airframe was performed, resulting in the MiG-23ML (L - lightweight), which made it in some ways a new aircraft. Empty weight was reduced by 1250 kg, which was achieved partly by removing a rear fuselage fuel tank. Aerodynamics were refined for less drag. The dorsal fin extension was removed. The undercarriage was redesigned, resulting in a lowered nose attitude on the ground. The airframe was now rated for a g-limit of 8.5, compared to 8 g for the early generation MiG-23M/MF 'Flogger-B'. A new engine model, the R-35F-300, now provided a maximum dry thrust of 8550 kp, and 13,000 kp with afterburner. This led to considerable improvement in maneuverability and thrust-to-weight ratio. The avionics set was considerably improved as well. The S-23ML standard included Sapfir-23ML radar and TP-23ML IRST. The new radar was more reliable and a had maximum detection range of about 65 km against a fighter-sized target (25 km in look-down mode). The navigation suite received a new, much improved autopilot. New radio and datalink systems were also installed. The prototype of this variant first flew in 1976 and production began 1978.
  

Soviet MiG-23MLA Flogger-G

 

 

 

• MiG-23MLA. The later production variant of the 'ML' was redesignated the 'MLA'. Externally, the 'MLA' was identical to 'ML'. Internally, the 'MLA' had an improved radar with better ECM resistance, which made co-operative group search operations possible as the radars would now not jam each other. It also had a new ASP-17ML HUD/gunsight, and the capability to fire improved Vympel R-24R/T missiles. Between 1978 and 1982, around 1100 'ML/MLA's were built for both the Soviet Air Force and export customers. As with the MiG-23MF, there were two different MiG-23ML sub-variants for export: the first version was sold to Warsaw Pact countries and was very similar to Soviet aircraft. The second variant had downgraded radar and it was sold to Third World allies.
  

 

Flogger-K

 

Soviet MiG-23MLD Flogger-K

 

 

 

• MiG-23MLD. The MiG-23MLD was the ultimate fighter variant of the MiG-23. The main focus of the upgrade was to improve maneuverability, especially during high angles of attack (AoA).The pitot boom was equipped with vortex generators, and the wing's notched leading edge roots were 'saw-toothed' to act as vortex generators as well. The flight-control system was modified to improve handling and safety in high-AoA maneuvers. Significant improvements were made in avionics and survivability: the Sapfir-23MLA-II featured improved modes for look-down/shoot-down and close-in fighting. A new SPO-15L radar warning receiver was installed, along with chaff/flare dispensers. The new and very effective Vympel R-73 (NATO: AA-11 'Archer') short-range air-to-air missile was added to inventory. No new-build 'MLD' aircraft were delivered to the VVS, as the more advanced MiG-29 was about to enter production. Instead, all Soviet 'MLD's were former 'ML/MLA' aircraft modified to 'MLD' standard. Some 560 aircraft were upgraded between 1982-85. As with earlier MiG-23 versions, two distinct export variants were offered. Unlike Soviet examples, these were new-build aircraft, though they lacked the aerodynamic refinements of Soviet 'MLD's; 16 examples were delivered to Bulgaria, and 50 to Syria. These were the last single-seat MiG-23 fighters made, and the last example rolled off the production line in December 1984.
  

 

Ground-attack variants

 

 

Flogger-F

 

 

• MiG-23B. The requirement for a new fighter-bomber had become obvious in the late 1960s, and the MiG-23 appeared to be suitable type for such conversion. The first prototype of the project, "32-34", flew for the first time on 20 August 1970. The MiG-23B had a redesigned forward fuselage, but was otherwise similar to the MiG-23S. The pilot seat was raised to improve visibility, and the windscreen was armored. The nose was flat-bottomed and tapered down. There was no radar; instead it had a Sokol-23 ground attack sight system, which included an analog computer, laser rangefinder and PBK-3 bomb sight. The navigation suite and autopilot were also improved to provide more accurate bombing. It retained the GSh-23L gun, and its maximum warload was increased to 3000 kg by strengthening the pylons. Survivability was improved by an electronic warfare (EW) suite and inert gas system in the fuel tanks to prevent fire. The first prototype had a MiG-23S type wing, but subsequent examples had the larger "type 2" wing. Most importantly, instead of an R-29 variant, aircraft was powered by the AL-21F-3 turbofan with a maximum thrust of 11,500 kp. The production of this variant was limited, however, as the supply of AL-21 engines was needed for the Sukhoi Su-17 and Su-24 production lines. In addition, this engine was not cleared for export. Only three MiG-23B prototypes and 24 production aircraft were produced in 1971-72.
  

 

Flogger-H

 

 

• MiG-23BK.These were exported to Warsaw Pact countries — but not to Third World customers — and thus had the PrNK-23 navigation and attack system. Additional radar warning receivers were also mounted on the intakes.
  
• MiG-23BM. This was a MiG-23BK upgrade, with the PrNK-23M replacing the original PrNK-23, and a digital computer replacing the original analog computer.
  
• MiG-23BM experimental aircraft. The MiG-23 ground-attack versions had too much "fighter heritance" for an attack aircraft, and a new design with more radical changes was developed. This was eventually redesignated as the MiG-27 (NATO: 'Flogger-D'). The MiG-23BM experimental aircraft served as a predecessor to the MiG-27 and it differs from the standard MiG-23BM and other MiG-23 models in that its dielectric heads were directly on the wing roots, instead of on the pylons.
  
• MiG-23BN. The MiG-23BN was the definitive fighter-bomber variant. It was otherwise the same as MiG-23B, but had the same R-29-300 engine as contemporary fighter 'Floggers'. They were also fitted with "type 3" wings. There were other minor changes in electronics and equipment, and some changes were made during its long production run. This variant proved to be fairly popular and effective and it was extensively exported. As usual, a downgraded version was sold to Third World customers. Serial production began in 1973 and lasted until 1985, with 624 examples built. Most of them were exported, as the Soviets always viewed it as an interim type and only a small number served in Frontal Aviation regiments. The most distinctive identifying feature between the MiG-23B and MiG-23BN was that the former was rather a developmental aircraft and had the dielectric head just above the pylon, but this was removed from the MiG-23BN.The last of the MiG-23 BNs were flown by 221 Squadron (Valiants) of Indian Air Force and were decommissioned on 6 March 2009. Wing Commander Tapas Ranjan Sahu, was the last pilot to land the Mig-23 BN on that day.
  

 

Proposed variants and upgrades

 

The MiG-23R was a proposed reconnaissance variant; the project was never finished. The MiG-23MLGD, 'MLG' and 'MLS' were further fighter upgrades with new radar and EW equipment, partly the same as in MiG-29; these variants were also fitted with helmet-mounted sights and were basically MiG-23MLD subvariants. They were abandoned in favor of the then ongoing MiG-29 program. The MiG-23K was a carrier-borne fighter variant based on the MiG-23ML, and the MiG-23A was a multirole variant based on the 'K'. It was planned to develop the MiG-23A into three different subvariants: MiG-23AI, MiG-23AB and MiG-23AR. The MiG-23AI was to be a dedicated fighter, the MiG-23AB was to be an attack-dedicated variant, and the MiG-23AR a dedicated reconnaissance variant. However, cancellation and subsesquent redesign of the Soviet aircraft carrier project also caused cancellation of the MiG-23A and MiG-23K variants and subvariants.

There were other MiG-23 variants such as the MiG-23MLK that was planned to be powered by either two new R-33 engines or one R-100, and the MiG-23MD was basically a MiG-23M fitted with a Saphir-23MLA-2. The MiG-23ML-1 was a variant with several possible powerplant and engine choices; its single-engine options were either one R-100 or one R-69F engine, while its twin-engine arrangement was two R-33 engines. It was planned to be armed with a new air-to-air missile, the R-146[citation needed].

In the late 1990s, Mikoyan, following their successful MiG-21 upgrade projects, offered a MiG-23-98 upgrade which featured new radar, new self-defense suite, new avionics, improved cockpit ergonomy, helmet-mounted sight, and the capability to fire Vympel R-27 (NATO: AA-10 'Alamo') and Vympel R-77 (NATO: AA-12 'Adder') missiles. The projected cost was around US$1 million per aircraft. Smaller upgrades were also offered, which consisted of only improving the existing Sapfir-23 with newer missiles and upgrades of other avionics. Airframe life extension was offered as well.

So far these upgrades have been met with little interest. However, in 2005, Angola had the upgrade of the Saphir radar fitted to their MiG-23MLs; this radar upgrade allows the Angolan MiG-23s to fire new types of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. This radar upgrade seems to be the same offered as part of the MiG-23-98-2 radar upgrade.

Total production of MiG-23 fighter, attack and trainer versions was 5047 aircraft (not including the MiG-27), of which 3630 were fighter variants.

MiG-23 and MiG-25 were used as first jet fighter platforms to test a new in-cockpit warning system with a pre-recorded female voice to inform pilots about various flight parameters. A female voice was chosen specifically to provide a clear and intuitive distinction between communications from the ground and the messages from internal systems, since ground communications virtually always came in male voice in Soviet service. The idea proved successful for many reasons besides the original one, and was later heavily borrowed by Western aircraft manufacturers, eventually becoming standard in all jet fighters around the world.

Edited April 24, 2017 by cubanace

[JunMcKill]

This ^^^ you can base your work for the 23-98 using the ML/MLD platform because is the same! In fact the HUD modes are similar to the MIG-29A, the Saphir-23ML-2 radar was intended to be fitted in the MIG-29A, but was abandoned to make a new radar.

 

http://www.seeninside.net/sapfir23_radar.html

 

In this video you can watch the original MIG-23ML HUD in BVR mode, minute 2:00

 

iJ6NRV7zyHk

Edited April 24, 2017 by JunMcKill

[JunMcKill]

ASP of the MIG-23MLD

 

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Bulgaria---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-23MLD/1427515/L?sid=704aa70dc371191251ac3a632e5db0fe

 

In this post you can find a good discussion about the MIG-23 modes

 

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,25.0.html

Edited April 24, 2017 by JunMcKill