Mikoyan MiG-27

The Mikoyan MiG‑27 is a Soviet‑designed, single‑seat, variable‑sweep wing fighter‑bombardment aircraft produced by the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Developed in the early 1970s as a specialized ground‑attack derivative of the MiG‑23, the MiG‑27 replaced the air‑to‑air radar with a more robust navigation/attack system and a flatter wing profile to improve low‑altitude performance. Powered by a Khatchaturov R‑29B‑300 afterburning turbofan, it could reach speeds above Mach 2.2 and carried up to 4 000 kg of ordnance on seven hardpoints, including unguided rockets, laser‑guided bombs, and the Kh‑31 anti‑ship missile. The aircraft’s distinctive nose‑mounted “Nose‑Radar” was removed, making room for a pitot‑type air‑data probe and a sophisticated PNK‑28 targeting pod. First entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1975 and later served in the air armies of Russia, India, Iraq, Libya and several other nations. Its rugged airframe, high speed, and ability to conduct low‑level strike missions earned it a reputation as a versatile workhorse throughout the Cold War and post‑Cold War eras. The MiG‑27’s export success and prolonged operational life underscore its importance in the evolution of dedicated strike fighters. Even after retirement, many air forces continue to assess the type for potential secondary roles.

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG

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