The MiG-27K variant of the MiG-27 family is a variable geometry wing fighter bomber. The primary mission of the aircraft is the destruction of moving and stationary, fixed and mobile ground targets including hardened targets.

NAVIGATION AND AIMING

The MiG-27K is equipped with the PrNK-23K integrated navigation and aiming system which consists of an Orbita-20-23K airborne digital computer, an optical television indicator with a Kaira-1 laser and television sighting system. The target lock-on range is 7 to 8 kilometres. The Kaira-1 system allows the aircraft to use the guided aerial bombs type KAB-500L and KAB-500KR.

The KN-23 navigation system installed on the MiG-27K incorporates a Radical navigation system in place of the RSBN-6s short range radio navigation system.

The MiG-27K does not carry any airborne radar.

AIR-TO-SURFACE MISSILES

The aircraft carries three types of air-to-surface missile: the Kh-23M, the Kh-25ML(MP), and the Kh- 29L(T).

The Kh-23M air-to-surface missile is one of the group of missiles known by the NATO codename Kerry and designation number AS-7 and which is supplied by the Zvezda-Strela State Research and Production Center, Moscow.

The Kh-25ML is the laser guided version of the Kh-25 air-to-surface missile family, with the NATO designation Kegler AS-12. It is supplied by Zvezda. The missile has a semi-active laser homing head. The range is between 2.5 to 10 kilometres. The missile is equipped with a high explosive (HE) 86 kg warhead and the speed of flight is 400 to 450 metres per second.

The Kh-29ML, built by Vympel, is the laser guided version of the Kh-29, NATO designation AS-14 Kedge. The missile uses semi-active laser guidance and has a range up to 10 kilometres. The missile is equipped with a 317 kg penetrating warhead and the flight speed is from 250 to 350 metres per second.

ANTI-RADAR MISSILE

The anti-radar missile is the Kh-27PS. The Kh-27 built by Zvezda is one of the missiles with NATO designation AS-12 Kegler.

AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE

The air to air missile carried on the MiG-27K is the R-60M supplied by the Vympel. The missile weighs 43 kg and has the capability to engage targets manoeuvring at an acceleration up to 12g. The R-60M has a range of target designation angles to +/- 20 degrees and an infrared homing head with photodetector cooling. Both the R-60 and R-60M carry the NATO reporting name Aphid and codenumber AA-8.

GUIDED BOMBS

The aircraft can carry two types of controlled air bombs, the KAB-500L laser guided bomb and KAB- 500KR television guided bomb which are supplied by the Region State Research and Production Enterprise in Moscow. The KAB-500L has semi-active laser homing, weighs 525 kg is armed with a 380 kg high explosive warhead.

The KAB-500KR television guided bomb operates on the "drop and forget" principle. Target lock-on for a parked aircraft is achieved at a range of 15 to 17 kilometres in meteorological visibility distance of 10 kilometres. The warhead can pierce a reinforced concrete barrier up to 1.5 metres thick and average density soil to a depth of 10 metres.

UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND BOMBS

The aircraft can also carry S-24, S-25, S-8, S5 unguided rockets and a range of aerial bombs up to 500 kg size, cluster bombs and incendiary devices.

GUNS

The aircraft has a built-in gun, the 30 mm Sh-6-30 gun with 260 rounds of ammunition. The gun supplied by the Instrument Design Bureau based in Tula, fires HEFI rounds and AO-18 cartridges. The maximum fire rate is 5,000 rounds per minute and the muzzle velocity is 850 meters per second.

The aircraft is also equipped with an SPPU-22 two barrel 23 mm gun pod with 200 rounds of ammunition. The SPPU-22 pod houses a GSh-23 aircraft gun, both supplied by the Instrument Design Bureau in Tula. The gun fires 23 mm calibre ammunition and AM-23 cartridges. The maximum fire rate is 3,000 rounds per minute and the muzzle velocity is 715 metres per second.

RADIO COMMAND SYSTEMS

The radio-command systems installed on the MiG-27K are the Delta-NM and the Viyuga anti-radar missile control system which is installed in an externally mounted pod. The Viyuga system allows the aircraft to use the anti-radar missile Kh-27PS which has a passive radar homing head.

COUNTERMEASURES

The MiG-27K aircraft is equipped with a modern electronic countermeasures suite including a new passive jamming system.

PROPULSION

The aircraft is equipped with an internally installed single turbojet engine with afterburn. The box- shaped air intakes are forward of the wing roots. The engine has a single exhaust. The aircraft can carry up to four external fuel tanks, model PTBB-800.

PERFORMANCE

The aircraft is capable of a maximum speed of 1,800 km/hr at altitude and 1,250 km/hr with a normal mission missile payload flying at low altitude. With high altitude flight the aircraft's operational range is 2,100 kilometres, while low level flight gives an operational range of 1,080 kilometres. The aircraft is rated for a maximum g loading of 7g.

The aircraft can be based on second category airfields and operate from unpaved runways with a soil strength of 8 kg per square cm.