Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
A MiG-21 Lancer at Farnborough 2002
Description
Role	Light interceptor
Crew	1
First Flight	14 June 1956
Entered Service	1959
Manufacturer	MIG MAPO, Russia
Dimensions
Length	15.76 m	51 ft 8.5 in
Wingspan	7.15 m	23 ft 5 1/2 in
Height	4.12 m	13 ft 6.2 in
Wing area	m²	ft²
Weights
Empty	5350 kg	11,795 lb
Loaded	kg	lb
Maximum takeoff	9661 kg	21,299 lb
Powerplant
Engines	One Tumanskii R-25-300 turbojet
Thrust	7,100 kgf 70 kN	15,700 lbf
Performance
Maximum speed	2230 km/h	1385mph
Combat range	450-500 km	280-311miles
Ferry range	km	miles
Service ceiling	19,000 m	62,366 ft
Rate of climb	7200m/min	23,622 ft/min
Wing loading	kg/m²	lb/ft²
Thrust/Weight
Avionics
Avionics
Armament
Guns	One centreline twin-barrelled GSh-23 23mm cannon or one single-barrelled NR-30 cannon
Ordnance	2000 kg (4409 lb) on four underwing hardpoints

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It is the most common post-World War II aircraft, with the exception of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

The first delta-wing prototype (named Ye-4, written also E-4) flew in 14 June 1956, and the production Mig-21 entered service in early 1959.

The MiG-21 saw frequent action in the Vietnam War and was one of the most advanced aircraft at the time. However, many North Vietnamese aces preferred flying the MiG-19, due to the wingload on the MiG-21's wings. Employing a delta wing configuration, it was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 speed using a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet, and is thus comparable to the American F-104 Starfighter and French Dassault Mirage III.

MiG-21 3-view

It was also used extensively in Middle East conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, by the air forces of Egypt, Syria and Iraq against Israel. The plane was completely outclassed by the much more modern F-15 Eagle, which was acquired by Israel in the 1970's.

It was used also in early stages of the wars in Afghanistan but soon outclassed by the newer MiG-23 and MiG-27.

Versions

• E-4 - first prototype
• MiG-21 - first series of fighters
• MiG-21F (prototype E-6T)
• E-66 - record breaking version
• MiG-21F-13 - export version (type 74)
• MiG-21PF - (prototype E-7, type 76)
• MiG-21FL - (type 77)
• MiG-21SPS - (East German version)
• MiG-21PFM
• MiG-21S - (incorrectly identified by NATO as MiG-21PFMA; E-8, type 88)
• MiG-21PFV - (North Vietnam version)
• MiG-21M - (version with R-13 engine)
• MiG-21MF - (version with R-13 engine)
• MiG-21SMT - (E-9, block 94 and 96) (version with R-13 engine)
• MiG-21bis - (version with R-25 engine)
• MiG-21U - two seater version (type 66), NATO reporting name "Mongol"
• MiG-21US - two seater version (type 68)
• MiG-21UM - two seater version (type 69)
• MiG-21-93 - (also the Bison)

Foreign versions

The production of MiG-21s (bis variant) under license by HAL of India lasted till 1984. Despite a series of crashes over the last decade, and acquiring the nickname "flying coffin", the Indian Air Force has decided to upgrade about 125+50 of the Mig-21bis in its inventory to the Mig-21 Bison standards which will serve the Indian Air Force till the year 2015.

Unlicensed Chinese copies of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export).

Israeli Aircraft Industries manufactures an upgrade package for Mig 21 called the MiG-21-2000.

A joint venture between Aerostar SA and Elbit have developed the Lancer upgrade pacakge for Mig 21. 102 Mig 21s have been upgraded to Mig 21 Lancer for the Romanian Air Force .