The MiG-27 shares the basic airframe of the MiG-23, but with the revised nose — referred to as "Utkonos" ("platypus") in Russian service — introduced on the MiG-23B that deletes the radar in favor of a downward-sloping profile that improves pilot visibility and contains a laser rangefinder and marked-target seeker. Additional cockpit armor is installed, along with a totally new nav/attack system. Because the MiG-27 is intended to fly most of its missions at low altitude, the MiG-23 fighter's variable intake ramps and exhaust nozzles were deleted in favor of a simpler, fixed configuration, reducing weight and maintenance requirement. The aircraft also has larger, heavy-duty landing gear to facilitate operation from poorer-quality airfields.
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