Razbam MiG-23MLA Flogger

[+MigBuster]

 

 

[+streakeagle]

I would have preferred either the latest/best MLD following the tendency of most other modules, or the original mainstream MF that was in widespread use during the heyday of the F-4E and F-15A. But the MLA is almost as good as the MLD and will make a fine addition to my DCS collection.

[R102Delphinus]

Except it has the same SPO as MiG-21bis...and no automated swing wings, afaik MiG-23MLD had this feature...nonetheless good aircraft for DCS was kinda needed actually.

Wonder about Chaff or Flare dispensers ?

 

BTW didn't they announce in 2015 or 2016 but ED rejected it ?

[+Gepard]

The MiG-23 had had no automated swing wings. The pilot had to move the wings by "hand".

[+MigBuster]

9 hours ago, R102Delphinus said:

Wonder about Chaff or Flare dispensers ?

 

Not aware MLAs as built had any off the production line, although some may have gone to Iraq and I do know that Iraqi MiG-23MLs were modified with overwing expendables and ECM pods in the late 1980s (photos) but would literally need the serial numbers because they were all called MLs locally it seems.

 

 

[+streakeagle]

Forget differences in ECM capabilities, what you really lose by not getting the MLD is the improved maneuverability. MLA vs MLD is sort of like the difference between a hard wing F-4E and a slatted F-4E. I read on the forum that the MLA was selected because that is the version which they can access, so you can't argue with that. An MLD is pretty much equal or better than the slatted F-4E across the board, and makes it a little more competitive against US "teen" fighters. The MLA will be an energy fighter vs the slatted F-4E as a turn fighter, a fairly close match similar to the MiG-21bis (energy) vs the F-5E (turn). At least the MLA has the better radar/gunsight improvements.

[+Gepard]

With the MiG-23ML a new swing wing position was possible. For dogfight the wings was now moved to 30° which gave a much better turn rate than before. The empty weight was around 1 t lighter. I have seen MiG-23ML making a full circle in 22seconds.

[+MigBuster]

One major change on the MLD seemed to be a different flight control system and it did have auto wing slats despite the manual wing sweep. A goal seems to have been better high AoA handling at slower speed (similar to the slatted F-4E I guess) 

 

I wasn't aware that the Soviet MLDs were all converted ML/MLA/P airframes and confusingly I have there were only 60 new build MLDs actually built and they went to Syria and Bulgaria.

Even more confusingly these new build MLDs were apparently MLA airframes with full up MLD avionics (Bulgaria) and export MLA/MLU avionics (Syria) and had none of the MLD airframe handling enhancements.

 

 

[R102Delphinus]

20 hours ago, streakeagle said:

Forget differences in ECM capabilities, what you really lose by not getting the MLD is the improved maneuverability. MLA vs MLD is sort of like the difference between a hard wing F-4E and a slatted F-4E. I read on the forum that the MLA was selected because that is the version which they can access, so you can't argue with that. An MLD is pretty much equal or better than the slatted F-4E across the board, and makes it a little more competitive against US "teen" fighters. The MLA will be an energy fighter vs the slatted F-4E as a turn fighter, a fairly close match similar to the MiG-21bis (energy) vs the F-5E (turn). At least the MLA has the better radar/gunsight improvements.

Better than MS or S variant XD (Would be great for April fools)

 

Fantasy dream would be MiG-23K or MiG-23A :P

Edited June 21, 2018 by R102Delphinus