Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8

The Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8 was a supersonic jet fighter developed in the Soviet Union, intended to replace the MiG-21 (originally named MiG-23). Only two prototypes were built in 1960–61. The original MiG-21's air intakes were moved under the fuselage, freeing up the nose where a larger and more powerful radar, able to deliver longer range air-to-air missiles, could be built in. Canards were built to both sides of the nose, in front of the cockpit, (the horizontal stabilizers of MiG-21 were left at their original position).

Ye-8
Role Fighter aircraft
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 1962
Status Prototypes
Number built 2
Developed from Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

The two prototypes flew in 1962. On 11 September 1962, the Tumansky R-21F-300 engine, also under development, exploded in midair at a speed of Mach 2.15.[1] Test pilot Georgy Konstantinovich Mosolov, then one of the leading Soviet test pilots, was severely injured by debris from the compressor and had to eject at Mach 1.78.

Due to unsolved technical problems, the aircraft's development was abandoned; some parts were used on the MiG-23, including R-23 missiles and their associated Sapfir-23 radar.

Specifications

Data from MiG: Fifty Years of Secret Aircraft Design[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 14.9 m (48 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 23.13 m2 (249.0 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 6,800 kg (14,991 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 8,200 kg (18,078 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Tumansky R-21 turbojet, 46.05 kN (10,350 lbf) thrust dry, 70.55 kN (15,860 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,386 km/h (861 mph, 748 kn) at 12,000 m (39,370 ft)[3]
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.15
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. "A&S Interview: Georgy Mosolov". AirSpaceMag.com. 2009-01-22. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  2. Belyakov and Marmain 1994, pp. 318–319.
  3. Gunston 1995, p. 206.
  • Belyakov, R.A; Marmain, J. (1994). MiG: Fifty Years of Secret Aircraft Design. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-488-4.
  • Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
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