“The success of these tests follows similarly successful test flights in 2000 aboard a RAAF F-111.”
https://www.defense-aerospace.com/baes-combat-rwr-flies-on-f-18/
We have evidence that ALR-2002 aka ComBat did mounted on RAAF F-111C now
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I wouldn’t say that honestly, I suppose you maybe mean the sustained (low speed, wings out) turn performance is similar? I felt that too in the dev server, it was quite alright especially with the constant small 6v6 matches, but regular live server matches are not exactly the same. In a committed 1v1 it’s pretty good for what it is. Also getting 4 kills in an unspaded plane doesn’t neccesarily have to mean anything.
The main big difference between the F-14A and F-111F has got to be the energy retention at high speed, the F-14A can keep turning with minimal speed loss, the Vark can’t quite do that unless you sacrifice your turn, people will just slow behind you easily and you will have problems.
But I am not completely disagreeing, the F-111C/F with 6x 9Ms (I hope at least the C gets the shoulder pylons…) I would say should be 12.7 by Gaijin’s standards, as the Harrier GR.7 is 12.3 with 4 9Ms in a subsonic plane that bleeds speed just as much. And the GR.7 isn’t exactly great either, so I agree with the question why you would want 9Ms on the vark anyway, at least I wouldn’t want it. But saying the Vark FM is essentially the F-14A FM is just not right.
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From mach 1.07, F-111F drops to mach 0.94 before losing control, and F-14A drops to mach 0.98 before losing control.
From mach 0.95 is not comparable due to F-111F being able to pull harder than F-14A thus will inherently bleed more speed as it turns a tighter circle.
And for F-111C vs F-14A starting from mach 1.06 instead since the F-14A struggles to start from 1.07:
F-14A drops to mach 0.97.
F-111C drops to mach 0.93.
Evidence BTW:
You are not forced to run auto wing sweep on any aircraft.
This is also with zero radar missiles on the F-14A.
“F-14A can bring less than 40 minutes of fuel.” - Potentially someone. Yeah, it can but players will never due to that TSFC of 2.72.
Hi Smin Any movement on the sidewinder pylon and Gbus for the C?
After a little bit of testing myself, I am quite suprised. Thanks for notifying me about the wing sweep part, it makes a larger difference than I thought, like a huge amount even. I only really pulled the wings out at lower speeds, I suppose because on the F-14 it was never necessary at high speed. So I guess I stand corrected, but I will have to see a bit more for myself in regular battles if it feels similar now as well.
I’m curious now though, how much more have you tested? How do the vertical perforamances compare for instance? Have you done any F-14A vs F-111F 1v1s and how close is it?
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That doesn’t mean anything, a F-14 will always win in a dogfight against any F-111 variant, the Nile is a river in Egypt. The realistic BR placement of the F-111F/C with AIM-9Ms would be 12.3 alongside the AIM-9M slinging Harrier GR.7 which has a significantly better FM (in my opinion and use) and a more practical RWR.
AIM-9Ms are incredibly easily missiles to defeat if you know what you’re doing, you’re the same guy who tells people to learn how to defeat the Fakour-90/AIM-54s so the same should apply for the AIM-9M.
The subsonic performance of the F-111F/C is were most people have issues with, not supersonic and the amount of Gs it pulls was always praised but the sheer amount of subsonic speed bleed was just too big to go unnoticed.
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I’ve done about ~2 hours of dogfights on dev server.
F-14A vs F-111F is almost a tie when fuel TIME is the same.
If the F-14A player uses their combat flaps you win.
I can’t remember if F-111F likes combat flaps or not; I think it does.
@TPS_Hydra
Didn’t know the Harrier GR7 had the performance of an F-14A/F-111F.
It’d be 12.7 MINIMUM in BR with 9Ms, likely 13.0.
Didn’t know the Harrier GR7 had the performance of an F-14A/F-111F
The first turn usually dictates the result of a engagement in which the Harrier GR.7 is significantly better than the F-111 series of aircraft, and if you didn’t notice I said “in my opinion” because I know how insufferable you can be about things like this.
I actually have played the Harrier GR.7 plenty of times and have done numerous dogfights against my friends in customs (they use the F-14A TT) and I’ve won every single encounter.
Try this with another guy, not me lmao
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Here’s a photo of the F-111Cs when they arrived at RAAF Amberley in Australia, on 1st June 1973.
The external tanks were mounted on fixed outer wing pylons.
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Is there any reason why War Thunder’s F-111Cs don’t have 750lb unguided bombs?
And when can we get some Elta ECM pods?
(left inner wing pylon)
as far as i can tell the F111C retained the use of all 8 outter pylons through its life its just that using the outer 4 was seen as combat ineffective due to limiting speed and range (range being the factor in the F111 serving for so long) not only that the F111C through its service life kept the pylons in the bomb bay for aim-9 and could theoretically fire aim9l and could fire the 9M (will need to double check the manual again)
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Here’s an air show clip with a AIM-9M equipped F-111C.
When the F/A-18As arrived in Australia in 1984 they were equipped with AIM-9Ms and AIM-7Ms. There’s a chance that’s when the AIM-9M became a standard for the RAAF’s F-111Cs as well (good economics).
When the RAAF’s F/A-18s replaced their AIM-9Ms with AIM-132s in 2004(?), the F-111Cs / Gs kept their AIM-9Ms. The RAAF decided the upgrade costs required for the F-111s to get all the AIM-132’s benefits (especially helmet sights and rear target acquisition) had poor payout / ROI. The F-111s’ maintenance costs, without additional upgrades, were probably becoming uncomfortable at the time.
Oh, and the RAAF have yet to replace the F-111s’ long range strike capabilities. An F-35 with external tanks might fit this role (albeit with a small bomb load), but the F-35s’ low RCS tanks are still in development…well, such tanks might have entered service with the Israeli Air Force in 2021 / 2022, otherwise its anyone’s guess…
I know the F111C carried 9M’s they went from 9B’s to M’s what i dont know is if it could carry them in the internal weapons bay as they still retained the launch rails but i cannot find and pictures of it carrying 9M’s (only aim-132 which was fully integrated just not adopted)
Also the Super Hornets were acquired to replace the F111’s in service.
There’s no reality where a plane carrying 6 9Ms will ever be allowed at 12.3 outside of maybe an A6 Tram variant or something even more subsonic.
The 9Ms+ 200CM + good RWR + tons of ammo + ability to bomb bases + speed on the deck/outrun everything would mean 12.7 minimum. Perfectly contrasting the Iranian F14 and where it should be(12.7).
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Glad you agree with Gaijin Entertainment that F-111C used AIM-9Ms IRL.
However, that’d make F-111C 12.7+ in BR so there’s zero reason to add the missile to it in-game when its flight performance is slightly below that of F-14A.
It’s at a good place at 11.7.
Generally that’s the case because a Harrier has substantially less speed going into aforementioned fight.
Generally that’s the case because a Harrier has substantially less speed going into aforementioned fight
Even at similar speeds the Harrier GR.7 pulls significantly more than the F-111 and maximum speed doesn’t mean much when the F-111 bleeds it all in a single turn. I’ve done extensive dogfighting against the F-14A (Early) with my Harrier GR.7 in customs and the usage of viffing and hovering usually leads to me winning 100% of the times besides rare occasions.
Overall, the Harrier GR.7 is a far superior aircraft even if subsonic, the F-111A pre-live server was a monster at dogfighting but with the new FM changes after introduction it’s basically a**.
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When you say “dogfighting” as in, flow straight to close in fights rather than timelining from BVR to close in work?
I wouldn’t go so far as to say VIFFing wins fights, though it gives you an edge, but the wings on the GR.7 are a lot bigger than on a Gen 1 Harrier, hence why its such a monster. An F-111 would, and probably should get beaten by a GR.7 in any fights that aren’t “head on, and run”
F-14 I’m not convinced, though when I last pulled the GR.7 it was very doable against a 14A. Mind you, that’s live games and I’m very rusty, so I suspect you’re perfectly right to say the GR.7 could win against a 14A in a dogfight. Only thing I can remember being distinctly scared of was M2Ks.
but the wings on the GR.7 are a lot bigger than on a Gen 1 Harrier, hence why its such a monster
The main reason I prefer the Harrier GR.7 over the F-111 series of aircraft is because how responsive the FM is and the first instantaneous turn, it pulls a ridiculous amount of Gs but you bleed a lot of speed doing so (and that’s why you use your nozzles).
F-14 I’m not convinced, though when I last pulled the GR.7 it was very doable against a 14A
These dogfights I’ve conducted include A2A missiles like the AIM-9L and AIM-9M which are guaranteed kills once you get the rear of the F-14A, that’s why I usually always win but guns only fights may be different.
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Also requires pilots to not use their AB for a vertical maneuver.
Harrier GR7 will rinse any AB jet that goes horizontal or down, many of my friends know this well.