 |
Artem MikoyanAircraft designer
Date of Birth: 05.08.1905
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Biography of Artem Mikoyan
Artem Ivanovich Mikoyan, an aviation designer, was born on August 5, 1905, in the village of Sanain, Bochalin District, Tiflis Province. He passed away on December 9, 1970, in Moscow. Mikoyan was an academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1968) and a Major General of the Engineering and Technical Service (1967). He was honored with the title of Hero of Socialist Labor twice (1956, 1957) and received the Stalin Prize six times (1941, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953).
Education and Early Career
Artem Mikoyan graduated from the H.E. Zhukovsky Military Air Engineering Academy in 1936. After completing his studies, he worked as a military representative at an aviation plant. In 1938, he became the Deputy Chief of the Design Bureau under aircraft designer H.H. Polikarpov. Mikoyan served as the Chief Designer of the Experimental Design Bureau for Aircraft Construction starting in 1940.
Contributions to Aviation
In collaboration with M.I. Gurevich, Mikoyan designed the MiG-1, the fastest serial fighter of its time, in the same year. The MiG-1 and its modification, the MiG-3, were successfully used in the Great Patriotic War and performed well in the air defense system. From 1941 to 1943, Mikoyan's team created a series of experimental fighters, including the MiG-7, which achieved a maximum speed of 690 km/h, and the high-altitude aircraft I-224, which reached a ceiling of 14,000 meters.
In March 1945, the testing of Mikoyan's design of the I-250 fighter with a combined power plant began. He was one of the pioneers of jet aviation in the Soviet Union. In the spring of 1946, the first Soviet jet fighter, the MiG-9, was created under his leadership. At the end of 1947, Mikoyan's team developed the MiG-15, a fighter with swept wings and tail, and later the MiG-17, which first exceeded the speed of sound.
The MiG-19, designed by Mikoyan in 1954, became the first Soviet serial supersonic aircraft equipped with air-to-air guided missiles. The MiG-21, introduced in 1958, with its triangular wing, reached a speed that was more than twice the speed of sound. Mikoyan's leadership also led to the development of the E-6, E-166, and E-266 aircraft, which set several world records. His final creation as the Chief Designer was a multi-purpose light fighter with variable wing sweep.
Awards and Recognition
Artem Mikoyan served as a Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR during the 3rd to 8th convocations. He received the State Prize of the USSR (1941, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953) and the Lenin Prize (1962). Mikoyan was decorated with six Orders of Lenin, Orders of the Red Banner, Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, two Orders of the Red Star, and various medals.