Despite the fact that it was the first Soviet fighter capable of sustained supersonic speeds (and second only to the US F-100), the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 'Farmer' was produced in fewer numbers than the MiG-17 that preceded it and the MiG-21 which replaced it. It was the last aircraft which followed the classic MiG design of highly swept, mid-mounted wings and split nose intakes. However, it was noticeably different to its predecessors by having a slab type all-flying horizontal tail and a host of other structural improvements including the first Soviet turbojet engine that was not based on a previous German or British design. Like its predecessor, the MiG-19 was built in both day fighter and all-weather versions some of which were equipped with anti-air missiles in place of fixed armament. Those with armament could pack a serious punch with some variants having three 30-mm NR-30 cannon. The MiG-19 was exported to over 20 nations which included local production in Czechoslovakia and China which has the distinction of having built more units than the USSR itself. Like most Soviet aircraft of its time, it was used over Vietnam though in lesser numbers than the MiG-17 or MiG-21 and mostly in the later stages of the conflict. But it was a formidable dogfighter and gave a good account of itself against the more modern US F-4, which it could both out-turn and out-accelerate. MiG-19s also saw combat during the Arab-Israeli and Indo-Pakistani wars and were frequently found intercepting Western aircraft along the USSR and Warsaw Pact borders during the 1960s.

The I-360 prototype had its maiden flight on 24 May 1952 and entered service as the MiG-19 'Farmer-A'. Handling problems prompted the development of an improved type, the MiG-19S 'Farmer-C' with more powerful cannon as well as ground attack capability. A reconnaissance variant with a more powerful engine was known as the MiG-19R; this same engine was used on the MiG-19SF upgrade of the -19S. Radar-equipped variants began with the MiG-19P 'Farmer-B'. It featured the same Izumrud radar as the MiG-17P and included all the structural improvements of previous versions albeit with only two cannons (restored to the original three in the MiG-19PF 'Farmer-D'). Some later aircraft could carry air-to-air missiles as well. Other versions included the MiG-19PM 'Farmer-E' with all-missile armament, the limited production MiG-19SV built as a high altitude interceptor, the MiG-19R reconnaissance platform, and the MiG-19UTI two seat trainer. Foreign variants included the Czech built units known as the S-105 while Chinese units were designated as the J-6; these were based on the MiG-19S and are described in separate entries.