Aster’s max alt is stated to be 20km, far within atmosphere limits, and while it has to go ballistic for long range shots (60-120 km) its apogee would still be inside troposphere, maybe stratosphere at max
as for manoeuverability, it’s still a hit to kill with lateral thrusters, so it can technically still maneuver in a complete void, although for a limited amount of time
the biggest problem with integrating an aster on an air platform would be the weight (450kg, phoenix equivalent) and the difference of diameter between the booster (380mm) and the terminal dart (180mm).
There’s also the risk of the missile overspeeding if air launched, since it can reach M4.5 from a stand still in 3.5s, it means it could probably go M5.5-M6.0 if launched high at mach 2, and i don’t know if it can withstand it or not
I have a question: Regarding the CAPTOR-C radar, the only info I found about its range was 185km against targets with a RCS of 2.5m^2. I however have seen people claim that this radar is comparable with the Zhuk-M of the Mig29SMT which has noticeably less than that.
Are there any good public sources to read up on that?
Thanks and yes, I thought that as well when I read it. The only russian fighter carried radar I know of which starts to be comparable is the one on later modifications of the SU-30.
Though when it comes to War Thunder, its going to be funny since I am pretty sure that no aircraft in the game and which would come at the same time with the exception of the Rafale can get far enough to be undetected on a typical 128x128km map and the gimbal of the radar will basically allow it to light up the entire side of the enemy team’s map.
It’s a AIM-54 on steroid , it could be dangerous still.
If you’re focused then it should be alright but still a 60kg warhead exploding near you will be dangerous.
It depends on how will mutltipath be implemeted by then.
And also if they’ll model its loft into the stratosphere to achieve its range and so the fact that it cannot maneuvers when its so high.
it is just a slightly upscaled phoenix yes. so it has the same restrictions. those claimed ranges are at max alitude and speed, probably from a mig 31. you’re never achieving that
so in a fight between an EF with Meteor and a su-35 with an AA-13 its not gonna end well for the flanker.
and tbh i think the meteor might even get to the flanker faster
those wont be coming anytime soon imo. The current fox 3’s being added are being nutered hard already, if we cant even add AIM-120A’s with MPRF and reduced smoke motor, there’s no chance were seeing a properly modelled meteor anytime soon.
R-37M is the primary danger to ukrainian pilots in the skies over ukraine according to them, downplaying its capabilities is silly.
entirely different scenario. Russian jets have no contest aside from SAMs. they can approach from far away, at high altitude and speed. that is not possible in war thunder.
Manouverability? Just looking at the airframes Meteor should be way superior
And btw, the rest is also true for Phoenix. R-37 seems very similar in Concept and execution, a 500ish kg rocket in boost substain with a rather thick airframe for shooting down non manouvering targets like bombers, tankers or AWACS at extreme range
Do not evaluate the rocket only by its dimensions. I have written to some extent. Therefore, when the meteor’s engine is running, it will not be able to perform maneuvers with large angles of attack and glide
Nevertheless, the R-37M is capable of shooting down highly maneuverable targets
The limit isnt on angles of attack per se, but on rolling before turning to avoid starving the ramjet of air. So in midcourse, where manouverability matters the least. In terminal the missile should have enough energy to not require the ramjet.
The only exception is short range shots, but the R-37 would have issues there as well, after all its a heavy and draggy missile. Probably the reason why German Eurofighters are somewhat often seen with 4 Meteor, 2 AMRAAM (and 2 IRIS-T).
