MiG-21

MiG-21S (1964; Izdeliye 95; NATO "Fishbed-J")

S = Sapfir (referring to the Sapfir-21/RP-22 radar).The production version of the Ye-7S.

This was fitted with the RP-22 radar (production version of the Sapfir-21 radar) working together with a ASP-PF-21 computing gunsight.

The airframe was different from that of the MiG-21PFM by using the same saddle tank as in the MiG-21R.

The MiG-21S had an R11F2S-300 powerplant and an AP-155 autopilot featuring a 'panic button' autorecovery system.

The MiG-21S could carry the GP-9 cannon pod. It had four underwing hardpoints, with the two outboard pods being "wet", that is, they could carry drop tanks.

It could carry all weapons that the MiG-21PFM could, with the addition of the R-3R (K-13R) missile, the semi-active radar homing variant of the K-13. MiG-21S was produced from 1965 to 1968 and delivered only to the Soviet air force.

MiG-21N (1965; Izdeliye 95N; NATO "Fishbed-J")

'N = Nositel ("Carrier")Also known as MiG-21SN, this was a variation of the MiG-21S capable of delivering one RN-25 tactical nuclear weapon.

MiG-21PD (1966; Izdeliye 23-31/92)

PD = Podyomniye Dvigateli ("Lifting Engines") STOL technology demonstrator built out of a MiG-21PFM airframe.

Modernisation - Generation Three (1968–1972)


MiG-21M (1968; Izdeliye 96; NATO "Fishbed-J")

M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised")Export variant of the MiG-21S with two major differences: the RP-22 radar of the MiG-21S was substituted with the older RP-21MA radar, and featured a built-in GSh-23L cannon instead of a cannon pod.

In the air-to-air role it could only carry the R-3S IR-seeking AAM on its four pylons, as the SARH variant, the R-3R, was not cleared for export.

The type was also licence-built in India, the first Indian-built example being delivered in February 1973.