Rank VII

With the release of the upcoming War Thunder update Red Skies, we are introducing a new top rank VII for aviation to group up the more advanced aircraft in the game, both new and already existing in the game. We are also expanding the battle ratings to 11.0 for this branch. These changes will make top ranking battles more balanced, and will allow us to add new aircraft with superior fight and combat characteristics. The planned changes to the rank positioning of the existing top tier aviation can be seen in the list below.

• F-4E Phantom II
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• A-7D
  — moved after AV-8C from rank VI to VII
• MiG-21MF
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• MiG-21SMT
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• MiG-21bis
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• Su-17M2
  — moved from rank VI to VII

• Yak-38
  — moved from rank V to VI
• Phantom FGR.2
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• Phantom FG.1
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• Harrier GR1
  — moved from rank V to VI
• AV-8A
  — moved from rank V to VI
• F-4EJ Phantom II
  — moved from rank VI to VII

• F-104G
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• F-5A
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• Mirage IIIC
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• Mirage IIIE
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• J35D
  — moved from rank VI to VII
• F-4F Early
  — moved from rank VI to VII

MiG-23M, jet fighter, USSR, rank VII

Pros

• The best maximum speed in the game
• Infrared search-and-track
• Long range R-23T missiles

Cons

• Limited number of weapon suspension points

Today, on the anniversary of the first flight of the MiG-23 series, we’re proud to announce a legendary aircraft in War Thunder. The MiG-23M will become one of the first rank VII aircraft and the fastest fighter in the game at the time of its release into the game, marginally surpassing the American Phantom II and British Lightning in maximum speed. The MiG-23M has a variable sweep wing with three positions, the fighter's power plant is one Khachaturov/Tumansky P29-300 engine with a static thrust with the afterburner of 11.500 kgf. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.4 (this is about 2,500 kph), while maintaining controllability and decent maneuverability throughout the entire speed range.

In addition to the excellent flight characteristics, the Soviet fighter boasts a good selection of guided and unguided weapons, as well as specialized equipment for the efficient use of its arsenal. In addition to the usual bombs and rockets, here we have the Kh-23M air-to-surface guided missiles, already familiar to our pilots from the Yak-38 series, as well as several types of air-to-air guided missiles, including the maneuverable R-60, the new R-23R with its radar homing head and and the R-23T with a thermal seeker. The MiG-23M infrared search-and-track device is capable of capturing the thermal signature of an operating engine from an enemy aircraft at a very large distance and covertly launching a missile without alarming any enemy radar warning system. The suspended armament is complemented by the GSh-23L twin autocannon with 200 rounds.

Compared to the Phantom II - perhaps the main opponent of the MiG-23 - the Soviet fighter has fewer weapon suspension points and, due to the wing design, all of them are located on the fuselage and centre section. The payload of the MiG is also inferior to the American fighter, although it cannot be called too little. The advantages of the MiG-23 are its higher maximum speed and R-23T missiles with a lengthy launch distance. The Phantom however, has more weapons, a better climb rate and greater speed at low altitudes. Well, let's see who will hold the War Thunder skies!

MiG-23M and other rank VII aircraft will be waiting for you in hangars with the "Red Skies" update quite soon. Stay tuned to our news!

The War Thunder Team