Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27M

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

Aircraft: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27M [NATO Designation: Flogger-J]

 

Classification: all-weather ground-attack jet with variable wing sweep geometry

 

Visuals: 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description: At its emergence in the late ‘70s, the MiG-27K was one of the most advanced aircraft in the VVS inventory. However, it was also prohibitively expensive to produce, so it was decided that the type be downgraded into a cheaper version that could carry out most of the same duties. This version would be known as the MiG-27M, with its most significant difference being the much simpler Klyon-PM laser designator and rangefinder being used for guided missile and bomb control. In addition to the substitution of a different designator/rangefinder, the MiG-27M also lacked a television camera and the Fon laser target rangefinder - systems that could otherwise be found on the more advanced MiG-27K.

 

Due to these changes, the MiG-27M’s nose was shaped differently than the -27K’s. The pitot probe and SP-50 ILS antenna were moved up, while there was now only one window in the nose now due to the removal of the TV camera. The modifications made a positive impression on pilots despite the avionics’ diminished capability as the MiG-27M’s lighter laser designator and removal of nose armor made it less nose-heavy.

 

Beyond changes to the avionics and nose, the MiG-27M and MiG-27K were largely identical, being able to carry the same range of weapons with the same payload. The airframe and engine were also the same, and by now the Gsh-30A cannon’s problems had been alleviated via the use of a muzzle fairing and enlarged deflector plates. 

 

The first MiG-27M prototype was a converted MiG-27 (sans suffix) and flew in April 1976. State acceptance trials commenced over the rest of the year and into 1977, with production taking place from 1978 to 1983. Unfortunately, many MiG-27Ms suffered from quality control issues on the manufacturing line with poor welding of the airframe structure, ill-fitting panels, leaking fuel tanks, and fractured pipes representing just a few of the production problems.

 

Despite this, the MiG-27M was still considered a success due to its cost to capability ratio, seeing as that it offered much of the MiG-27K’s efficacy at a fraction of the cost. In fact, it was considered such a good ‘value’ that ultimately the VVS decided that 305 older MiG-27s (sans suffix) should be upgraded to the MiG-27M standard and called the MiG-27D.

 

Fuel and Oil Data:

Internal Fuel Capacity: 5750 liters (1265 imp. gals)

Oil Capacity: ? liters (? gallons)

Fuel Grade: Kerosene T-1 or TS-1 

Maximum Fuel Load: 3970 kg (8750 lbs)

 

Engine Data:

Manufacturer: Tumansky

Designation: R29B-300

Type: axial-flow afterburning turbojet           

Compressor Stages: 2-spool, 5-stage LP / 6-stage HP

Combustors: Annular

Turbine: 1-stage HP / 1-stage LP

 

Power Data:

Afterburner Power: 11500 kgf (25358 lbf) ? RPM 

Dry Max Power: 8300 kgf (18302 lbf) @ ? RPM

 

Dimensional Data: 

Length: 17.14 m (52.75 ft)

Height: ? m (? ft) 

Wing Span @ 16º Sweep: 13.97 m (45.83 ft)  

Wing Span @ 72º Sweep: 7.78 m (25.83 ft)  

Wing Area @ 16º Sweep: 32.27 sq meters (347.35 sq. ft)

Wing Area @ 72º Sweep: 34.16 sq meters (367.70 sq. ft)

Wing Loading: 530 kg/sq.m (108.6 lbs/sq.ft) @ normal takeoff weight w/ 72º degree wing sweep

 

Weight Data:

Empty Weight: 11908 kg (26257 lbs)

Normal Takeoff Weight: 18100 kg (39910 lbs)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 20500 kg (45200 lbs)

 

General Performance Data:

Max IAS (at 12500 m): 1810 kph (1125 mph)

Mach No. above 11000 m: 1.7M

Maximum Rate of Climb @ SL:  ? m/s (? ft/min)

Power-off, flaps-up Stall Speed: ? kph (? knots)

Unstick Speed: 290 kph ( 180 mph)

Takeoff Distance @ SL: 900 m (2950 ft)

Service Ceiling: 15600 m (51180 ft) 

Landing Speed: 250 kph (155 mph)

 

Maximum Combat Load Factor:

...up to Mach 0.85: 7G

...above Mach 0.85: 7G

 

Maximum IAS Speeds (clean configuration, normal takeoff weight):

At SL: 1350 kph (839 mph)

At 12500 m: 1810 kph (1125 mph)

 

Note: Climb data is currently unavailable for the MiG-27M. Should any such data make itself available, a climb performance section will be added here.

 

Armament: 

Guns: 1x Gsh-30A rotary 30mm cannon (265 rds)

Maximum Warload Weight: 4000 kg (8820 lbs)

Additional Ordnance: (spoilered below)

 

Spoiler

 

 

Avionics (all not specified):

Radar:

• PrNK-23M navigation/attack system (w/ KN-23 navigation system)

• Klistron SHORAN
• Klyon-PM laser rangefinder

Electronic Countermeasures Equipment: 

• SPS-141 Siren-Fsh + SB-1 Bar’yer jammers 
• SPO-15L Beryoza-L passive radar homing and warning device
• KDS-23 chaff/flare dispensers 

 

Sources:

[1] MiG-23/27 Flogger Soviet Swing-Wing Fighter/Strike Aircraft by Yefim Gordon and Keith Dexter, Aerofax, Midland Publishing, 2005, ISBN: 1 85780 211 X

[2] MiG-23/27 Flogger in action, Aircraft Number 101 squadron/signal publications, 1990, ISBN: 0-89747-244-6

[3] MiG-23/27 Flogger by Bill Gunston, Combat Aircraft Series, Osprey Publishing, London, 1986, ISBN: 0-85045-718-1

 

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Open for discussion.

[ColdMatches 943]

Yes please, I would like a versatile or more maneuverable late game CAS jet whenever we dare to explore that area, although the MiG-27K is the better option I will say yes just to allow for more options to be out there.

+1

Edited April 4, 2020 by ColdMatches

[Milocat 4,857]

I'll support this aircraft.  +1.

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

+1 

[IIIBlitzIII 17]

+1

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

+1

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Dula Peep 1,655]

Sorely needed to counter the big amount of NATO side CAS. +1

[whosmans 70]

+1 

here's some more information: Микоян,Гуревич МиГ-27М (airwar.ru)

[굴러온 310]

https://warthunder.com/en/news/7299-development-mig-27m-and-guided-bombs-in-war-thunder-en

 

Congratulations.

[littleleeches 38]

Congrats!

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the MiG-27M has been implemented with update 2.9 Direct Hit,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.