The MiG-23ML is a Soviet exported version of the MiG-23 that was introduced in Wargame: Red Dragon for North Korea.
History
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML is a single-engine, single-seat, supersonic interceptor designed and developed for the Soviet Air Force. The MiG-23 was intended to provide improved combat capabilities over the MiG-21, including a better radar, longer-range missiles, and shorter field takeoffs achieved through a variable-geometry wing. The "ML" variant of the MiG-23 is an upgrade of the basic MiG-23M. It is lighter by 1250kg, has a more powerful engine, and features revised and improved avionics. The MiG-23ML was exported by the Soviet Union to a variety of Warsaw Pact and allied nations, including North Korea.
Overview
The MiG-23ML is a relatively inexpensive fighter available to North Korean and REDFOR coalition decks. It carries four short-range R-60M fire-and-forget missiles, two long-range R-23R semi-active radar guided missiles, and a GSh-23L autocannon. The type has a good top speed and time over target. It is an excellent choice as an inexpensive helicopter hunter or expedient interceptor over friendly territory.
The MiG-23ML does have several drawbacks, however. The ECM is very poor, rated at 10%, which makes the aircraft highly vulnerable to enemy SAMs and AAMs. The MiG-23ML carries only two long-range R-23R missiles, and the R-23 is less accurate and shorter ranged than the BLUFOR AIM-7M. It is, however, more accurate than the AIM-7E carried by comparable-cost BLUFOR aircraft. At only 95 points per fighter, these drawbacks are far from prohibitive, and the MiG-23ML provides a good cost-effective fighter option to REDFOR decks.
Weapons
Red Dragon
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Autocannon | AAM | AAM |
| Name | GSh-23L | R-60M Molniya | R-23R Vympil |
| Caliber | [AoE] 23mm |
[AoE] [F&F] Infrared |
[AoE] [SA] Semi-Act Radar |
| Ammo | x 500 | x 4 | x 2 |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = 1575 m  Airplanes = 2275 m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = 2100 m Airplanes = 3500 m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = 7000 m
|
| Accuracy | 30% | 50% | 40% |
| Stabilizer | 30% | 50% | 40% |
| AP Power | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| HE Power | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Suppression | 46 | 160 | 200 |
| Rate of fire | 1071 r/min | 2s r/min |
0s r/min |
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Gallery
See also
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