Mikoyan-Gurevich I-320

The Mikoyan‑Gurevich I‑320 was a Soviet experimental fighter developed by the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG in the late 1950s as a bridge between the early straight‑wing jet interceptors and the new generation of swept‑wing supersonic aircraft. First flown on 12 June 1958, the prototype incorporated a single Klimov VK‑2 afterburning turbojet, a 53‑degree swept wing, and a lightweight tricycle undercarriage designed for carrier‑type operations. Its avionics suite featured a compact pulse‑Doppler radar and an early heads‑up display, allowing pilots to engage targets beyond visual range—a capability that was rare for the era. Though the I‑320 never entered mass production, the test program demonstrated the viability of high‑angle‑of‑attack handling and integrated weapon‑control systems, informing the design of later MiG models such as the MiG‑21 and MiG‑23. The aircraft’s innovative airframe and electronic layout also contributed to Soviet doctrine on air superiority and interception, shaping tactical thinking during the early Cold War. Today, the I‑320 is remembered as an important stepping stone that accelerated the Soviet Union’s transition to modern supersonic fighters and cemented MiG’s reputation for cutting‑edge aerodynamic and systems engineering.

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG

Mikoyan-Gurevich I-320

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification