History

The MiG-21 'Fishbed' was schemed as a clear-weather interceptor and first flew in 1957 in the form of the Ye-6 prototype. The type entered production in 1958 with the Tumanskii R-11 turbojet, but reached its definitive form in the following year with the MiG-21F 'Fishbed-C' with an engine uprated tp 56.39 kN (12,676lb st). This paved the way for the MiG-21PF 'Fishbed-D' of 1960 with the uprated R-11F engine and an enlarged inlet to allow the incorporation of R1L 'Spin Scan-A' radar in the centrebody, the MiG-21PFS 'Fishbed-E' with blown flaps and a ventral pod carrying a 23mm GSh-23L two-barrel cannon, and the MiG-21PFM 'Fishbed-F' incorporating all the sequential improvements of earlier models.

The second generation MiG-21PFMA 'Fishbed-J' featured additional fuel, 'Jay Bird' radar, an internal GSh-23L cannon, and four rather than two underwing hardpoints for air-to-surface, as well as air-to-air weapons, which made this a dual-role fighter.

The first of the third-generation types was the MiG-21bis 'Fishbed-L' with a stronger yet lighter airframe and updated avionics. The final MiG-21bis 'Fishbed-N' has the R-25 turbojet and provision for more modern weapons. There are also three tandem two-seat trainers models, and from the mid-1990s on there is a market for the revision of in-service aircraft with modern western avionics.