THE FLYING COFFIN

MIG-21

The Mikoyan -  Gurevich  MIG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft , designed by the Mikoyan Gurevich design bureau in the soviet union.

What Is a Supersonic Jet Fighter?

Supersonic aircraft are planes that can fly faster than the speed of sound.

usually ,supersonic planes can travel at a speed of 900 kmph , twice the speed of normal aircraft.

Features Of MIG-21

MIG-21 was the first soviet aircraft that was both an interceptor as well as supersonic fighter jet.

MIG-21 has a delta wing which allows the aircraft to take turns  without any rapid loss of speed.

The aircraft has an operational range of 1210km and a flying speed of  2175kmph .It has a surface 

ceiling of 17.8km, which makes it one of the best aircraft in it's third generation league.

IAF has introduced over 874 MIG-21's out of which 657 have been built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

• Nick name; Fish bed
• Range; 1210km
• Missiles; R-73, R-77
• Combat radius; 370km
  

Why it is called Flying Coffin?

Since their introduction , over 400 accidents involving the jet have been reported which caused the death of about 200 piolets .

Due to the high number of crashes ,MIG-21 aircrafts are criticized as "Flying Coffin".

IAF and MIG-21

• They have been IAF's frontline jet for a long time.
• Currently there are four MIG-21 bison squadrons in service, each squadron consists of 16-18 aircrafts.

Future of MIG-21

IAF officials have stated that there is technical life still left in them.

Even though they have been upgraded , they are still old.

One of the squadrons are planned to be phased out in the next three years.

Even if they are continuing they need proper technological upgradation.