I would like to raise the issue of the F/A-18C Hornet’s Battle Rating in Combined Realistic Battles.
Let me state right away that the Hornet is by no means a weak aircraft. It is an excellent multi-role fighter with good maneuverability, responsive handling, and potent air-to-air combat capabilities—especially in close-range dogfights.
However, when specifically considering Combined Realistic Battles, a question arises regarding its capabilities in the Close Air Support (CAS) role.
A typical F/A-18C Hornet weapon loadout consists of:
4 AGM-65 Maverick missiles for engaging ground targets;
1 AIM-7P Sparrow medium-range missile;
2 AIM-9L short-range missiles;
A targeting pod.
This configuration allows for the effective destruction of individual targets and engagement with enemy aircraft, though the weapons payload is limited.
By comparison, the Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2—operating at a similar Battle Rating—offer significantly greater capabilities in terms of the quantity and weight of their armament.
Possible Su-30 loadouts include:
up to six Kh-29 missiles for engaging ground targets;
KAB-1500 bombs for powerful precision strikes;
R-73 missiles for close-range air combat;
medium-range missiles with active radar homing (such as the R-77 or PL-12, depending on the specific version and implementation).
The Su-30 can also alter its loadout to carry more air-to-air missiles while maintaining high effectiveness against enemy aircraft.
It has become apparent that the Hornet outperforms its adversaries in dogfights but falls short of certain multi-role fighters with a similar Battle Rating (BR) in terms of ground support capabilities and weapon loadouts.
Therefore, I propose considering a reduction in the F/A-18C Hornet’s Battle Rating from 12.3 to 12.0 for Combined Realistic Battles. This proposal is not based on the aircraft being underpowered, but rather on the fact that its performance—particularly in Close Air Support (CAS) roles—does not quite match the capabilities of other aircraft at this BR level.
Hornet owners and players who frequently encounter it in battle, please share your thoughts. Do you consider a battle rating of 12.3 fair for this aircraft?