MiG-23 Flogger fighter-interceptor

The variable-sweep wing MiG-23 Flogger was the first modern multi-role aircraft in Soviet service. This fighter-interceptor variant once constituted the bulk of the Soviet (later Russian) strike fighter inventory (see separate database entry for the MiG-27 ground attack variant).

The Flogger features a shoulder-mounted variable-geometry wing capable of three sweep angles: 16, 45 and 72 degrees. When swept all the way back, the wings still leave a gap between the trailing edges and...