A lot of people have been pushing for the Aim-7P to be implemented onto the F-14B/D since the F-14D got announced. Yes I do know that in real life the Aim-7P acted like an Aim-7M on the Tomcats due to them not being able to use the Datalink feature, so it would be “unrealistic” to add the Aim-7P with the Datalink feature, hence why the Developers won’t add the Aim-7P to the Tomcats arsenal.
However, the F-14A IRIAF uses the R-27R, which uses Datalink, and gives IRIAF the ability to switch targets with its SARH missile, while still using the AWG-9 radar.
So for balance the Developers should consider to add the Aim-7P to the F-14B/D, because they allowed the IRIAF to use Datalink on the R27R, so they should let the F14B/D to use Datalink on the Aim-7P
AIM-7P had 2 versions anyway.
It had 7P block1 and block 2.
Block 2 was the one with mid cource correction with DL.
Block 1 however , wasn’t the 7M-H. It had upgraded computer from the analogue M-H had , Block 1 had digital and that means better low altitude performance and better ECM/Chaff protection.
And different proxy fuse , 7M-H had DSU-26/B with a basic active RF proximity circuit .
AIM-7P Block 1 had digital active RF DSU-34/B with DSQ-37 Target Detection Device and could hit even sea skimming targets.
Block 1 could be used by 14B and
Now Block 2 without DL mid course updates would still be superior to both since it fielded WGU-23D/B which is even faster and more accurate and ECM resistant.
7M-H to 7P block 2 without even DL involved is like… 2 generations of upgrades.
So yes , it won’t be “like shooting 7M-H” . It’s a better missile.
HOWEVER , it might not be that much different in WT CURRENTLY. But from the time ECM (which say they want to introduced and did a try with B-52 and Tu-95 ) , let’s say the difference from M-H to 7P block 2 would be VERY BIG.
However i’m figuring that 7P Block 2 had the same digital data link wave form with 120A , effectively F-15s that could use AIM-120 could use 7P block 2 if they wanted.
And that was the upgrade F-14D didn’t receive.
While the upgrades in 54C+ made it behave similar to 120A (because of the digital PSP and Strap-down INS it changed the way it operated and "see " things and calculate fligt paths etc.) and used data link for 54s, it wasn’t the same waveform . Let’s say it spoke 54, never learned to speak AMRAAM and in an extend 7P block 2. That was on the software upgrade it didn’t receive.
But in the end, even without the DL 7P block 2 is just a better missile. It’s not " like 7M-H" . It’s an upgrade to 7M-H.
And the more electronics the game will try and showcase, the bigger the difference it will be from 7M-H to 7P block 2 even without DL.