The Mikoyan MiG-27 “Flogger” and the Sukhoi Su-17 “Fitter” are classic Soviet ground-attack aircraft.
Each has unique design elements and operational histories that reflect what these aircraft might have been used for in Cold War and post-Cold War conflicts.
The MiG-27 was a variant of the MiG-23, designed specifically to stress low-altitude air-to-ground missions.
Its variable-sweep wings enhanced maneuverability and versatility in terms of speed.
Shared the same airframe as the MiG-23 but had a simplified nose cone; heavy-duty landing gear for possible use on rougher airfields; armed with the big Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-30 cannon.
Robustly designed, the MiG-27 never has been said to be particularly fast, typically only Mach 1.09 at sea level. It was very seldom used in real combat, and only in Soviet invasions of Afghanistan. Out of service today.
It was a production variant of the Su-17 series, and its NATO codename is “Fitter-K”.
The first flight was on June 19, 1980. Avionics were heavily improved, among them also the “Sirena” SPO-15LE radar-warning system, which had power from the Lyulka AL-21F-3 engine.
The Su-17M4 could travel at a top altitude speed of Mach 1.7 and had a combat range of 715 miles. Armament consisted of a plethora of air-to-surface missiles and bombs, making the Su-17M4 an extremely versatile ground-attack aircraft.
Export models were termed Su-22M4 models. The Su-22M4 was produced between 1983 and 1990. Later on, Su-22M5s were upgraded to include advanced avionics and compatibility with TV and laser-guided munitions.
The Su-17 series was used by various countries in Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, and South America, where some are still in operation up to this day.
The MiG-27 was used during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and was augmented by the Su-17, although not a low-level attack aircraft, carried an extensive range of ordnance.
Nevertheless, the South Asian desert environment was not kind to such sensitive inner components.
The shoulder-launched SAMs made it incumbent for the aircraft to fly at increasingly higher altitudes, further sapping combat capability away.
The MiG-27 and the Su-17 remain notable in military aviation history, representing the Soviet effort to develop multirole robust ground attack aircraft.
Even their operational histories and technical specifications still attract the attention of military enthusiasts and experts today.