ptldM3
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2009
- Messages
- 5,586
- Reaction score
- 19
- Country
- Location
Mig-21 is NOT and will NEVER be equal to F-16. Kinematically it is an inferior aircraft, not to mention the small nose inlet limits the size of the PD radar you can place on it. It was designed as a high speed interceptor, hence the delta wing design. On the other hand, F-16 is optimized for sustained manoevures as subsonic speeds. Thanks to a powerful turbofan engine however, its performance at supersonic speeds exceed that of the Mig-21. In short, the F-16 is an entire generation ahead, actually two generations ahead.
The Indian Mig-21 uses the same radar as Israeli F-16's--EL/M-2032, those radars are also intergraded in the large random of upgraded F-4's. As for Mig-21 performance, it has a very fast role rate, climb rate, acceleration, and speed, the one draw back of the Mig-21 is that it bleeds excessive speed below 400 knots; however, at 500 knots and above it can sustain high G turns of 6+ G's.
The Mig-21 has over 200 air-to-air kills, mostly at the hands of mediocre pilots/air forces. Given that a Mig-21 is upgraded with modern avionics and equipped with modern long range missiles such as the R-77 it is a serious threat to any aircraft. Now factor in the Mig-21's positive attributes such as performance, rcs, size and you have a real winner. Just like all aircraft the Mig-21 has its drawbacks such as range and payload due to its role and size but other than that the aircraft is excellent and to this day continues to serve as a front line fighter in many air forces, that is a testimate of how well put together the aircraft is.