Exposition | Riga Airmuseumhttp://ru.airmuseum.lv/blog/2014-09-10T07:58:15+00:00Riga Airmuseum is unique in the Baltic countries and one of the largest in Europe. It's collection of Soviet aircraft is also the greatest in in outside of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).MiG-23MF - fighter aircraft2014-09-10T07:58:15+00:00aleksiy/blog/author/aleksiy/http://ru.airmuseum.lv/blog/mig-23mf-fighter-aircraft/<p>(Flogger-B) This was another export derivative of MiG-23M, 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 rather primitive MiG-23MS. It actually came in two versions: first one was sold to Warsaw Pact allies, and it was essentially identical to Soviet MiG-23M, with small changes in IFF and communications equipment. Second variant was sold outside Eastern Europe and it had different IFF and communications suite (with datalink usually removed) and downgraded radar, which lacked the anti-ECM features and modes of the baseline 'High Lark'.</p>
<p>This variant was more popular abroad than MiG-23MS and considerable numbers were exported especially to Middle East.</p>
<p><img src="http://img.airmuseum.lv/media/uploads/img/000131.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></p>MiG-23M - fighter aircraft2014-09-09T20:57:23+00:00aleksiy/blog/author/aleksiy/http://ru.airmuseum.lv/blog/mig-23m-fighter-aircraft/<p>('Flogger-B'). This variant first flew at June 1972. It was the first truly mass-produced version of MiG-23, and the first VVS fighter to feature look down/shoot down capabilities (although this capability was initially very limited). Wing was modified again and now featured leading-edge slats. R-29-300 engine was now rated for 12500kp.</p>
<p>It finally had the definitive sensor suite: improved Sapfir-23D (NATO codename 'High Lark') radar, TP-23 IRST sensor and ASP-23D gunsight. The radar had a detection range of some 45km against a high-flying fighter-sized target. It was not a true Doppler radar, but instead utilised less effective 'envelope detection' technique, similar to some 1960s Western fighter radars. The infrared system had detection range of around 30km against high-flying bombers, less for fighter-sized targets. The aircraft was also equipped with Lasur-SMA -datalink. Standard armament consisted of two radar- or infrared guided R-23 (NATO codename: AA-7 'Apex') BVR missiles and two R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') short-ranged infrared missiles. From 1974 onwards, double pylons were installed for R-60s, enabling up to four missiles carried. Bombs, rockets and missiles could be carried for ground attack. Later, capability for radio-guided Kh-23 ground attack missile was added. Most Soviet MiGs were also wired to carry tactical nuclear weapons. Some 1300 MiG-23M's were produced for VVS and PVO between 1972-78. It was the most important Soviet fighter type from mid-to-late 1970s.</p>
<p><img src="http://img.airmuseum.lv/media/uploads/img/000121.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></p>