The MiG-23M/ML is a Soviet fighter aircraft available to PACT forces.
History[]
The MiG-23M is a single-engine, single-seat, variable-geometry wing fighter produced by Mikoyan-Gurevich for the Soviet Air Force. The MiG-23M (NATO Reporting Name: FLOGGER-B) was the first production variant of the MiG-23 air-combat fighter, first schemed in the late 1950's to early 1960's as a variable-geometry successor to the MiG-21. The MiG-23M entered service in 1971 with the R-27 turbojet engine and "High Lark" radar.
The MiG-23ML (NATO Reporting Name: FLOGGER-G) is a dedicated air-combat fighter version of the MiG-23MF (an upgrade production model delivered from 1975 with the R-29 engine and upgraded look-down/shoot-down High Lark radar) delivered from 1978 with simpler avionics. The type saw a reduction in radar weight, revised under-nose sensor blister, a smaller dorsal fin, and a revised nosewheel leg.
Overview[]
AirLand Battle[]
The MiG-23M is a relatively inexpensive air superiority fighter available to Soviet and PACT decks. It is armed with twin GSh-23 cannons and six R-60 Molniya air-to-air missiles, making the type ideal as a helicopter hunter. The Molniya has relatively low HE power, but a good fire rate, and the fact that the MiG-23M carries six makes it dangerous even to high-end heloes, as well as strike platforms or fighters that get in close. The chief drawbacks of the MiG-23M are its lack of ECM and lack of a long range missile, making the type vulnerable to long range SAMs and enemy fighters in general. Given the MiG-23M's cost, these drawbacks are far from prohibitive.
Red Dragon: The MiG-23ML[]
The MiG-23ML is a relatively inexpensive air superiority fighter available to Soviet and REDFOR decks. It is armed with a single GSh-23 cannon and six R-60 Molniya air-to-air missiles. The type is almost identical to the MiG-23M of AirLand Battle, but with one cannon instead of two. It carries no ECM, and has otherwise the same characteristics as the "M". Its strengths and weaknesses, then, are also the same between the two games.
Weapons[]
AirLand Battle[]
| Weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gatling Gun | AAM | No Weapon |
| Name | GSh-23 | R-60 Molniya | |
| Caliber | 23mm | AoE, F&F | |
| Ammo | x 200 | x 6 | |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = 1400 m  Airplanes = 2100 m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = 1750 m Airplanes = 2800 m
|
|
| Accuracy | 6 | 8 | |
| AP Power | 0 | 0 | |
| HE Power | 1 | 3 | |
| Suppression | 53 | 120 | |
| Rate of fire | 857 r/min | 60 r/min |
Red Dragon[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Autocannon | AAM | No Weapon |
| Name | Gsh-23L | R-60 Molniya | |
| Caliber | 23mm | Infrared AoE, F&F | |
| Ammo | x 200 | x 6 | |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = 1575 m Airplanes = 1750 m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = 2100 m Airplanes = 3500 m
|
|
| Accuracy | 30% | 40% | |
| Stabilizer | 30% | 40% | |
| AP Power | N/A | N/A | |
| HE Power | 1 | 3 | |
| Suppression | 46 | 120 | |
| Rate of fire | 857 r/min | 1 s r/min |
Gallery[]
