MiG-27 Aligatori

History

First deployed in 1983, the close-combat-oriented @MiG-27 Aligatori is a further development of the MiG-23. While the layout and airframe remain similar to the MiG-23, 90% of the MiG-27's components and parts are entirely new designs (hence its separate unit identification number), resulting in its improved ease of maintenance and heightened operation uptime. Its Arm Sheaths have also been enlarged to accommodate larger @Close Combat Daggers for close-quarters combat.

While the MiG-27's wire cutter had been reduced in size, its maneuverability and mobility have been enhanced: an enlarged head sensor mast has also resulted in the MiG-27's improved communications and target acquisition/identification capabilities. However, despite its remarkable overall increase in performance compared to the MiG-23, its operational capabilities were within the scope of 2nd generation TSFs from other nations, and it was considered outdated at the time of its deployment.

Deployment

Despite their problems and average performance compared to other, more modern TSFs, the MiG-27 continued to support the Soviet Army's anti-BETA capabilities until the more advanced MiG-29 Lastochka and the Su-27 Zhuravlik were deployed. Even then, the Aligatori has not been retired from service; as of 2001, the @MiG-23 Cheburashka, @MiG-27 Aligatori, and their related variants account for approximately 40% of TSFs in Soviet service.

The Mig-27 also saw use in other Eastern European Socialist Alliance countries, notably East Germany as far as the 1980s. Though in the case of East Germany, they were mostly distributed among KGB-backed factions within the Stasi.