Mikoyan-Gurevich, commonly known as MiG, stands as one of the most iconic aircraft design bureaus in aviation history. Founded by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich in 1939, the bureau has produced some of the most recognizable and widely-deployed fighter aircraft ever built. From the MiG-15 that challenged UN forces in Korea to the legendary MiG-21 "Fishbed" that became the most-produced supersonic fighter in history, MiG aircraft have defined air combat for generations.
Historical Background
The Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau was established in the Soviet Union during a period of rapid aviation development. Artem Mikoyan, brother of Soviet politician Anastas Mikoyan, partnered with engineer Mikhail Gurevich to create a design bureau that would focus on high-performance fighter aircraft. Their first production aircraft, the MiG-1 and its improved variant the MiG-3, served during World War II as interceptors.
The bureau's true breakthrough came in the jet age. The MiG-15, introduced in 1947, shocked Western air forces with its performance during the Korean War, proving that Soviet aviation technology had reached world-class standards. This success established a pattern that would continue for decades: MiG fighters combining high performance, relative simplicity, and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal for both Soviet forces and export to allied nations.
Production Aircraft
MiG-1 (1940)
Type: Fighter
First Flight: 1940
Status: Production
The MiG-1 was the first production aircraft from the Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau. Prototypes were designated I-200. Though it had some handling issues, it represented the beginning of the MiG legacy.
MiG-3 (1940)
Type: Fighter and interceptor
First Flight: 1940
Status: Production
An improved version of the MiG-1, the MiG-3 served as a high-altitude interceptor during World War II. It also served as a testbed for numerous experimental variants, most notably the I-211/MiG-9E.
MiG-9 "Fargo" (1946)
NATO Designation: Fargo
Type: Fighter
First Flight: 1946
Status: Production
MiG's first jet fighter, originally designated I-300 as a prototype. The MiG-9 marked the bureau's entry into the jet age and served as a testbed for numerous variants.
MiG-15 "Fagot" (1947)
NATO Designation: Fagot
Type: Fighter
First Flight: 1947
Status: Production
Prototype: I-310
The world's most-produced jet fighter, the MiG-15 revolutionized air combat. Its performance shocked Western forces during the Korean War, where it proved capable of challenging the best American fighters. Over 18,000 were built, making it one of the most successful fighter designs in history.
MiG-17 "Fresco" (1950)
NATO Designation: Fresco
Type: Fighter
First Flight: 1950
Status: Production
Based on the MiG-15 but with improved aerodynamics and performance, the MiG-17 became a highly effective fighter that saw extensive combat in Vietnam and other conflicts.
MiG-19 "Farmer" (1952)
NATO Designation: Farmer
Type: Fighter
First Flight: 1952
Status: Production
Prototype: I-360
MiG's first supersonic fighter and the world's first mass-produced supersonic fighter. The MiG-19 represented a major technological leap and established the Soviet Union as a leader in supersonic aviation.
MiG-21 "Fishbed" (1959)
NATO Designation: Fishbed
Type: Fighter and interceptor
First Flight: 1959
Status: Production
The most-produced supersonic fighter in history, with over 11,000 built. The MiG-21 was widely exported and served in air forces around the world. Originally planned to be based on the Ye-5 but instead developed from the MiG-19 variant SM-12, it became the basis for many other variants and remains in service in some countries today.
MiG-23 "Flogger" (1967)
NATO Designation: Flogger
Type: Fighter and fighter-bomber
First Flight: 1967
Status: Production
The most-produced variable-geometry (swing-wing) aircraft in history. Originally planned to be based on the Ye-2A or Ye-8, the MiG-23 provided the Soviet Union with a versatile multi-role fighter capable of both air-to-air and ground-attack missions.
MiG-25 "Foxbat" (1964)
NATO Designation: Foxbat
Type: Interceptor and reconnaissance-bomber
First Flight: 1964
Status: Production
The fastest mass-production aircraft ever built, capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.8. Designed to intercept high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and bombers, the MiG-25's performance capabilities shocked Western intelligence when a defector flew one to Japan in 1976.
MiG-27 "Flogger-D/J" (1970)
NATO Designation: Flogger-D/J
Type: Ground-attack aircraft
First Flight: 1970
Status: Production
A dedicated ground-attack variant derived from the MiG-23, optimized for close air support and battlefield interdiction missions.
MiG-29 "Fulcrum" (1977)
NATO Designation: Fulcrum
Type: Air superiority fighter and multi-role fighter
First Flight: 1977
Status: Production
A highly maneuverable fourth-generation fighter designed to counter American F-15 and F-16 fighters. The MiG-29 combined excellent performance with advanced avionics and remains in widespread service.
MiG-29K "Fulcrum-D" (1988)
NATO Designation: Fulcrum-D
Type: Carrier-based multi-role fighter
First Flight: 1988
Status: Production
Naval variant of the MiG-33/MiG-29M, designed for operations from aircraft carriers with reinforced landing gear and folding wings.
MiG-29M "Fulcrum-E" (2005)
NATO Designation: Fulcrum-E
Type: Multi-role fighter
First Flight: 2005
Status: Production
Improved variant of the MiG-29 and MiG-33 with enhanced avionics, increased range, and improved weapons systems.
MiG-31 "Foxhound" (1975)
NATO Designation: Foxhound
Type: Interceptor
First Flight: 1975
Status: Production
Based on the MiG-25 but with significantly improved capabilities, including a powerful radar system and the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. Designed to defend Soviet airspace against cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft.
MiG-35 "Fulcrum-F" (2007)
NATO Designation: Fulcrum-F
Type: Air superiority and multi-role fighter
First Flight: 2007
Status: Production
Based on the MiG-29M, the MiG-35 represents the latest evolution of the Fulcrum family with advanced avionics, improved engines, and enhanced multi-role capabilities.
MiG-41 (Planned)
Type: Stealth interceptor/heavy fighter
Status: Design phase
Under development as the Mikoyan PAK DP (Prospective Aviation Complex of Long-Range Interception), the MiG-41 is expected to be introduced around 2028 as a sixth-generation interceptor.
Experimental Projects and Prototypes
MiG-5/DIS (1941)
Type: Escort fighter
Status: Prototype
MiG-6 (1940)
Type: Reconnaissance/ground attack aircraft
Status: Design (remained a paper project)
MiG-7 (1944)
Type: Fighter
Status: Prototype
Description: MiG-3 re-engined with an AM-38 inline engine. The designation was also reserved for an unbuilt production version of the I-222.
MiG-8 "Utka" (1945)
Type: Liaison aircraft
Status: Prototype
MiG-33 (1980)
Type: Multi-role fighter
Status: Prototype
Description: Eventually delivered as MiG-29. The designation was also used for development of some MiG-29 variants and marketed as "Super Fulcrum."
LMFS
Type: Stealth light multirole fighter
Status: Cancelled in favor of the Sukhoi Su-75
MiG 18-50
Type: Convertible regional airliner/business jet
Status: Proposal, early 1990s (not built)
MiG I-3 Family (1956-1958)
Fighter prototypes developed in the mid-1950s.
MiG I-7 (1957)
Heavy interceptor fighter prototype developed from the I-3.
MiG I-75 (1958)
Swept-wing interceptor developed from the I-7. Lost the competition to the Sukhoi T-43.
MiG I-210 (IKh) (1941)
MiG-3 re-engined with an ASh-82A radial engine. Also known as MiG-3-82 or MiG-9 (not to be confused with the later MiG-9 jet fighter).
MiG I-211 (E) (1943)
High-altitude fighter prototype, refined version of the I-210.
MiG I-220 (A) (1943)
High-altitude interceptor prototype.
MiG I-221 (2A) (1943)
I-220 with longer wingspan and an AM-39A turbo-supercharged engine.
MiG I-222 (3A) (1943)
I-221 with an AM-39B-1 turbo-supercharged engine and other changes. Production version would have been designated MiG-7 (not to be confused with the MiG-3 variant of the same name).
MiG I-224 (4A) (1944)
I-222 with an aluminum cockpit and special high-altitude propeller.
MiG I-225 (5A) (1944)
I-220 with AM-42B or AM-42FB engine, all-metal wings and cockpit. The heaviest and most powerful of the I-220 family.
MiG I-230/MiG-3U (D) (1942)
Improved MiG-3 powered by an AM-35A engine.
MiG I-231 (2D) (1943)
I-230 with AM-39 engine and all-metal fuselage.
MiG I-250 (N) (1945)
Motorjet fighter prototype. Also known as the MiG-13.
MiG I-260 (K) (1945)
Initial MiG-9 design with wing-mounted engines. Cancelled in favor of the I-300.
MiG I-270 (Zh) (1947)
Rocket-powered interceptor prototype.
MiG I-300 (F) (1946)
Prototype for MiG-9. MiG's first jet fighter design.
MiG I-301 (FS)
Production version of MiG-9.
MiG I-301T (FT) (1946)
Experimental two-seat trainer version of MiG-9. First Soviet aircraft with an ejection seat.
MiG I-302 (FP)
Experimental version of MiG-9 with the N-37 cannon moved to the side of the fuselage.
MiG I-305 (FL) (1947)
Experimental version of MiG-9 powered by a Lyulka TR-1A engine.
MiG I-307 (FF) (1947)
Prototype version of MiG-9 powered by afterburning RD-20F engines.
MiG I-308 (FR) (1947)
Prototype version of MiG-9 with RD-21 engines and a pressurized cockpit.
MiG I-310 (S) (1947)
Prototype for MiG-15.
MiG I-312 (ST)
Prototype for MiG-15UTI trainer.
MiG I-320 (FN) (1948)
Version of MiG-9 with a Rolls-Royce Nene engine.
MiG I-320 (R) (1949)
Twin-engine, all-weather heavy fighter-interceptor prototype.
MiG I-330 (SI) (1949)
Prototype for MiG-17.
MiG I-340/SM-1 (1952)
Prototype version of MiG-17 with two Mikulin AM-5 engines. Led to the development of the MiG-19.
MiG I-350 (M) (1951)
Fighter prototype. First Soviet fighter to maintain supersonic speed.
MiG I-360/SM-2 (1952)
Derivative of I-350, powered by Mikulin AM-5 engines.
MiG I-370/I-1 (1955)
Swept-wing supersonic fighter prototype.
MiG LFI Project
Light Frontline Fighter project.
MiG MFI objekt 1.44/1.42 (1986-2000)
Multifunctional Frontline Fighter prototype, an advanced fifth-generation fighter project.
MiG PBSh-1 (1940)
Proposed attack aircraft. Cancelled in favor of the Ilyushin Il-2. Also known as the MiG-4.
MiG PBSh-2 (1940)
Biplane derivative of PBSh-1. Also known as the MiG-6.
MiG SVB (1990-94)
Proposed regional airliner and tactical transport (not built).
MiG-105 Spiral (1965)
Crewed test vehicle for a spaceplane project. Cancelled in favor of the Buran project.
MiG-110 (1995)
Proposed cargo/passenger aircraft (not built).
MiG-2000 (1990s)
Ramjet-powered SSTO (Single-Stage-To-Orbit) spaceplane. Lost to the Tupolev Tu-2000.
MiG-AT (1996)
Advanced trainer/light attack prototype. Lost the competition to the Yakovlev Yak-130.
Skat
Stealth UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) demonstrator.
Ye-8 (1962)
Supersonic jet fighter aircraft prototype. Planned replacement for the MiG-21.
Ye-150 Family (1950s)
Prototype interceptors developed during the 1950s.
Engineering Legacy
The Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau's impact on aviation history cannot be overstated. The bureau's aircraft have served in over 60 countries and participated in virtually every major conflict since the Korean War. MiG fighters established the Soviet Union and later Russia as a major force in military aviation, with designs that emphasized performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
The MiG-15 and MiG-21 alone account for production numbers that dwarf most other fighter aircraft families. The bureau's philosophy of creating fighters that could be produced in large numbers while maintaining high performance made MiG aircraft accessible to nations around the world, fundamentally shaping the global balance of air power during the Cold War and beyond.
From the piston-engine MiG-3 of World War II to the advanced MiG-35 and the planned sixth-generation MiG-41, the bureau has continuously evolved its designs to meet changing operational requirements. The emphasis on high speed, excellent maneuverability, and robust construction has remained constant throughout MiG's history, creating a distinctive design philosophy that is instantly recognizable.
Documentation and Research Resources
For researchers, restorers, and aviation historians interested in Mikoyan-Gurevich aircraft, comprehensive technical documentation remains essential. Online Aviation Library maintains curated collections of historical manuals, technical drawings, and engineering documentation for various Soviet and Russian aircraft, providing valuable resources for understanding these remarkable machines.
The legacy of Mikoyan-Gurevich continues to influence modern aviation, with the organization remaining active as part of the United Aircraft Corporation. From the MiG-1 of 1940 to the MiG-41 currently under development, the MiG name represents over eight decades of fighter aircraft excellence and innovation in aerospace design.