# Mikhail Gurevich

> Soviet aircraft designer (1893–1976)

**Wikidata**: [Q353552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q353552)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Gurevich_(aircraft_designer))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mikhail-gurevich

## Summary
Mikhail Gurevich was a Soviet aircraft designer who co-founded the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) design bureau and created iconic military aircraft including the MiG-1, MiG-3, and later missile systems like the Kh-20, which formed the backbone of Soviet air power during and after World War II.

## Biography
- Born: December 31, 1892
- Nationality: Soviet (formerly Russian Empire)
- Education: Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute and National University of Kharkiv
- Known for: Co-founding MiG design bureau and creating iconic Soviet aircraft
- Employer(s): Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG
- Field(s): Aircraft design, engineering, aerospace technology

## Contributions
Mikhail Gurevich co-designed numerous aircraft and missile systems that became central to Soviet military aviation:
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 (1940): A high-performance fighter aircraft that formed the basis for subsequent MiG models
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 (1940): Improved version of the MiG-1 with enhanced high-altitude capabilities
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-11 (1941): Prototype high-altitude fighter aircraft developed during World War II
- Mikoyan-Gurevich I-270 (1945): Experimental Soviet fighter aircraft based on German jet technology
- KS-1 Komet: Anti-ship air-to-surface missile developed for Soviet naval aviation
- Kh-20: Air-launched anti-ship nuclear-armed cruise missile designed for strategic bomber aircraft
- K-10S: Anti-ship air-to-surface missile system developed for the Soviet Air Force

These contributions established the MiG series as one of the most recognizable aircraft families in the world, with many models serving as primary fighter aircraft for numerous countries during the Cold War and beyond.

## FAQs
**What aircraft models did Mikhail Gurevich design?**
Mikhail Gurevich co-designed several notable aircraft including the MiG-1 and MiG-3 fighters of World War II, the experimental I-270, and various subsequent MiG models that formed the backbone of Soviet air power.

**When was Mikhail Gurevich born and when did he die?**
Mikhail Gurevich was born on December 31, 1892, and passed away on November 25, 1976, living through the Russian Empire, the Russian Republic, and the Soviet Union periods.

**Where did Mikhail Gurevich receive his education?**
Gurevich graduated from Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute and the National University of Kharkiv, two of Ukraine's most prestigious technical institutions.

**What missiles did Mikhail Gurevich help develop?**
He contributed to several missile systems including the KS-1 Komet anti-ship missile, the Kh-20 nuclear-armed cruise missile, and the K-10S anti-ship missile system.

**What awards did Mikhail Gurevich receive during his career?**
Gurevich received numerous Soviet honors including the Order of Lenin (highest decoration of the USSR), the Hero of Socialist Labour title, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, the Lenin Prize, and the Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945."

## Why They Matter
Mikhail Gurevich fundamentally reshaped military aviation history through his innovative aircraft designs that gave the Soviet Union a competitive edge in aerial warfare. His MiG series fighters not only formed the backbone of Soviet air power but were also exported to numerous countries, influencing global military balance during the Cold War. The technologies developed under his leadership in missile systems, particularly nuclear-capable cruise missiles like the Kh-20, represented significant advances in strategic weaponry that affected international relations and military doctrine worldwide. Without his contributions, the landscape of aerospace engineering and military aviation would be dramatically different, with Soviet air capabilities potentially lagging behind Western advancements during the critical decades following World War II.

## Notable For
- Co-founding the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) design bureau in 1939, which produced some of the most iconic military aircraft in history
- Designing the MiG-1 and MiG-3 fighters that saw extensive service during World War II
- Developing the I-270 experimental fighter based on German jet technology after the war
- Creating nuclear-capable missile systems including the Kh-20 air-launched cruise missile
- Receiving the highest Soviet decoration, the Order of Lenin, for his contributions to aviation
- Being honored with the Hero of Socialist Labour title, one of the Soviet Union's most prestigious awards
- Winning the Lenin Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the Soviet Union
- Being awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for achievements in technological development
- Contributing to Soviet victory in World War II through aircraft design and production

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Mikhail Iosifovich Gurevich was born on December 31, 1892, during the Russian Empire period. He received his technical education at prestigious institutions, graduating from both Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute and the National University of Kharkiv. These educational institutions provided him with the engineering foundation necessary for his later groundbreaking work in aircraft design.

### Career Development
Gurevich began his career as an aircraft designer during a period of intense technological development in aviation. His professional journey led him to join the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (Mikoyan-Gurevich), where he would make his most significant contributions to aerospace engineering. The MiG design bureau, established on December 8, 1939, became the primary platform for Gurevich's innovative work in military aviation.

### Major Aircraft Designs
During his career at MiG, Gurevich co-designed several aircraft that would become legendary in military aviation history:

**Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 (1940)**
The MiG-1 represented a significant advancement in fighter aircraft technology when it was introduced. As a high-performance interceptor, it featured innovations in aerodynamics and engine performance that set new standards for Soviet aircraft design.

**Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 (1940)**
Building upon the MiG-1, the MiG-3 incorporated improvements that enhanced its high-altitude capabilities. This aircraft saw extensive service during World War II, serving as an important component of Soviet air defense throughout the conflict.

**Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-11 (1941)**
Developed during the critical early years of World War II, the MiG-11 was designed as a prototype high-altitude fighter aircraft. This design demonstrated Gurevich's continued innovation even under the pressures of wartime production requirements.

**Mikoyan-Gurevich I-270 (1945)**
After the war, Gurevich worked on the I-270, an experimental Soviet fighter aircraft based on German jet technology captured during the war. This project reflected his ability to adapt and incorporate international technological advances into Soviet aviation development.

### Missile Systems Development
In addition to aircraft design, Gurevich made significant contributions to Soviet missile technology, developing several systems that enhanced military capabilities:

**KS-1 Komet**
The KS-1 Komet was developed as an anti-ship air-to-surface missile, representing an important advancement in naval aviation capabilities. This system allowed Soviet aircraft to engage naval targets from safer distances.

**Kh-20**
Gurevich contributed to the development of the Kh-20, an air-launched anti-ship nuclear-armed cruise missile. This system gave the Soviet Union a strategic capability that significantly influenced Cold War military dynamics and international relations.

**K-10S**
Another notable contribution was the K-10S anti-ship air-to-surface missile system, further enhancing Soviet aviation's ability to engage naval targets effectively.

### Recognition and Awards
Throughout his career, Gurevich received numerous honors from the Soviet government that recognized his exceptional contributions to aviation technology:

**Order of Lenin**
As the highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union, receiving the Order of Lenin placed Gurevich among the most honored figures in Soviet aviation history.

**Hero of Socialist Labour**
This prestigious title, established in 1938, recognized Gurevich's outstanding contributions to socialist construction through his aircraft designs that strengthened the Soviet Union.

**Lenin Prize**
Awarded for achievements in science, technology, and literature, the Lenin Prize acknowledged Gurevich's significant innovations in aerospace engineering.

**Order of the Red Star**
This military honor recognized Gurevich's contributions to Soviet defense capabilities during World War II and the subsequent Cold War period.

**Order of the Red Banner of Labour**
This award honored Gurevich's achievements in technological development and industrial production that supported Soviet aviation capabilities.

**Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"**
This campaign medal recognized Gurevich's contributions to the Soviet victory in World War II through his aircraft design work.

### Professional Affiliations
Gurevich maintained professional connections with several important institutions throughout his career:

**Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute**
His alma mater, one of Ukraine's oldest and most prestigious technical universities, continued to recognize Gurevich's contributions to engineering and technology.

**National University of Kharkiv**
As one of Eastern Europe's oldest universities, this institution counted Gurevich among its notable alumni, reflecting the quality of its technical education programs.

**Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG**
As a co-founder and leading designer at MiG, Gurevich played a central role in establishing this organization as one of the most successful aircraft manufacturers in history. The company, headquartered in Moscow, employed over 10,000 people by the time of Gurevich's later career, producing aircraft and missile systems that served numerous countries worldwide.

### Legacy and Historical Context
Gurevich's career spanned multiple political eras, beginning in the Russian Empire, continuing through the brief Russian Republic and Ukrainian People's Republic after the 1917 revolutions, and flourishing during the Soviet Union period established in 1922. His work occurred during critical moments in history including World War I (though his most significant work came after this conflict), World War II, and the early Cold War period.

The aircraft and missile systems Gurevich designed continued to influence military aviation long after his death in 1976. The MiG series, in particular, became one of the most recognizable aircraft families worldwide, serving in numerous air forces and participating in conflicts across the globe. His contributions to Soviet aviation technology helped establish the Soviet Union as a major aerospace power and influenced the global balance of military capabilities during the Cold War.

Gurevich's work demonstrates how individual engineers can shape military technological development and influence international relations through innovative design and engineering solutions. His legacy continues to be studied by aerospace engineers and historians as an example of how technical expertise can have profound impacts on national capabilities and global politics.

## References

1. Chambers Biographical Dictionary
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013