MiG-23 tactical training

1982.

The MiG-23s of the Hungarian Airforce were on a tactical training in Astrahan ( Soviet Union ) where they task was to destroy 2 live targets by R-23 missiles. Three pair of MiG-23s were send against each target. The firs pair shot the target by only the targeting camera and the second one was to destroy it by missiles. If the damaged target became uncontrollable or left the planned flight direction the third pair was to destroy it before it crasshed to built up area.

After the camera shot flight the second pair got the vectors to the target. After the appearance of the target the pair broke the formation and they were directed to the target one by one by the ground radar controll. The first plane locked on the target and fired the missile. Although the shot was perfect the ground control ordered the pilot to brake off the target to early so the radar of the turning aircraft lost the target before the missile could hit it so it missed the target. The target turned back and the second aircraft was to destroy it. This pilot also locked on and fired accurately but the missile missed again du to the early brake off. As the target was undamaged but it didn't answer to the radio control sins the third pair of MiG-23 was scrambled. After a short hesitation of the ground control the pair got permission for fire against the target which was already dangerously close to them. The leader made a perfect hit on the target which was some 1800-2000m from the aircrafts in the moment of the explosion. As the pair flew in close formation by abterburner they couldn't managed to avoid area of the explosion. The leader according to the regulations for such a situations headed to the heart of the explosion and the pair flying over the speed of the sound got through the explosion after a while. Namely, when a missile explode near the aircraft the pilot is to control the plane toward the heart of the explosion because this is the most possible way to protect the aircraft against damage. After leaving the explosion the two aircrafts seemed to be undamaged and they landed safely at the airport of Astrahan. Further ground examination proved that the aircraft of the leader was not damaged and the aircraft of the wingman got some splinters.