Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8
The Mikoyan -Gurevich Je- 8 (Russian Микоян - Гуревич E-8 ) was a Soviet fighter aircraft prototype of 1962. Should be the regular successor to the MiG -21, with the series name later used for another aircraft MiG -23 provided. Non detachable engine problems and thus caused crash of the first prototype led to the discontinuation of the program.
Development
During the series production of the MiG -21 the potential of their further development was evident. Thus, the MiG -21 seemed to be the ideal foundation for implementing a government decision, which called for a fighter aircraft for shorter distances that could destroy air targets successfully under all conditions. Through the proposed acquisition large assembly of the MiG -21 major adaptations in production should be avoided.
In the machine designated as Je -8 they tried to combine the best features of all the MiG -21 with advanced electronics and a new aerodynamic knowledge. So decreed the Je- 8 via the PLC ( ru: сдува пограничного слоя - System for influencing the boundary layer), which was not yet ready for production at this time and should the in development Feuerleitkomplex sapphire receive 23 of the later MiG -23. Originally a radar should be installed on the type basalt, but which also was not available in time. In its place, several mass points and telemetry blocks were installed to simulate the installation dimensions. In order to improve the flight characteristics and for compensating the inertia that brought the heavy fire control system with it, the Je- 8 had designated by the designers as destabilisers slats, such as those found in similar form today on modern aircraft. The effectiveness of such slats had been detected already on the third copy of a MiG -21F -13 (E -6T / 3). They were arrested at supersonic speed in neutral and resulted in the supersonic flight between Mach 1.5 and Mach 2, an increase of buoyancy by the factor 2 This resulted in a high maneuverability in supersonic flight. The stabilizing surface (false keel) below the rear works the same as the MiG -23 and worked at extending the landing gear to avoid soil touches off to the right. The wings, the cockpit, the main landing gear and the 13.5 cm deep set tailplane came from the MiG -21 PF. The fuel supply of Je- 8 was 3,200 liters in rigid tanks much larger than the MiG- 21st The air inlet was ( as in the subsequent F-16 ) to the cockpit; the air flow rate was controlled with a hydraulically actuated wedge in three stages. This made it necessary to shorten the nose gear against the MiG -21 dramatically. The first copy of the aircraft ( Je- 8/1) was completed in January 1962 and in March 1962 the test team to the pilot Georgi Mosolov and Alexander Fedotov and engineers Vano Mikoyan and Kotschkin was entrusted with the tests. On 6 April 1962 the design office gave its approval for flight tests and on 17 April 1962, the first flight with Georgi Mosolov on board. He graduated with the Je -8 total flight time of 16:22.
Developed under the direction of engineer Mezchwarischwilli engine R-21 F-300, which was more powerful, but also heavier than the R-11 F2S -300, proved to be unreliable. During testing it was composed of eleven times. It bowed to the dreaded surging of the compressor, causing sympathetic vibrations in the entire plane. During the test flight of the first prototype Je- 8/1 on September 11, 1962, denied the engine in over 15,000 m altitude at Mach 1.7. Investigations showed that the sixth stage compressor had broken explosively at about 11.000-12.000/min and their debris after the penetration of the outer skin is damaged the right wing and the aileron had put out of action. Mikoyan's Chief Test Pilot Mosolov was able to escape with the ejection seat, but was seriously injured. He used yet already outdated SK ejection seat, as the intended modern ejection seat KM -1 was not available in time for the first prototype. Due to the spin and the high speed he crashed after leaving against aircraft parts and suffered fractures of both arms and a leg. In addition, he suffered severe head injuries. The accident ended Mosolov previously successful fliers career. Alexander Fedotov, who had Je- 8/2 tested the second prototype with 13 test flights until 4 September 1962 became the new chief test pilot with Mikoyan. The testing program was not resumed, although the Je- 8 aircraft was a successful and encountered no problems in prototype Je- 8/2.
Officially, it was caused by the engine lateral vibration, resulting in the recruitment of the project substantially. Unofficially, was probably the changed military doctrine because its focus from nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in air combat maneuvers, the project 's undoing. Meanwhile, Mikoyan was already working on a tiltrotor, who received the original for -8 The proposed designation MiG -23 and should be made for over a decade in large series. The armament, including the fire control system "Sapphire 23", was incorporated into the MiG -23. It is armed with the Je -8 air - to-air missiles R -3S and R- 23T and GP -9 gondolas with 23 -mm cannon AO -9 ( GScha -23) were provided.