The current base load out on the F-15C is badly though out because it makes researching AIM-9L and AIM-9M useless
Currently the base load out has two AIM-120 and 2 AIM-9M mounted on the wing pylons:
This means that alle the mounting points for AIM-9L are taken by better missiles from the beginning, so researching the Ls just drags out progression as you are never going to mount them. And it’s the same with the Ms because you research them before the AMRAAMS there is no point in removing your only FOX-3s even if you plan on running 4 AIM-9Ms and 4 AMRAAMS later. Running 4 AIM-7s and 4 AIM-9s are just going to put you at an disadvantage.
So the position of the AMRAAMS should be moved to the dedicated fuselage points like on the F-15A. Then you would have a clear progression and improvement as you grind modifications.
First you go from 4 to six missiles but have to suffer 2 AIM-9Ls then you go to 8 but you still have 2 AIM-9Ls and 2 AIM-7Ms, then you get all AIM-9Ms and then you can get all AIM-120s in the end if you want.
Not really, the main weakness of the F-15 seems to be it’s maneuverability so by reducing the long range load out for longer means you are still in a weak position for longer as 9Ls are easy to flare and hard to employ.
honestly 9Ls as a whole even being a researchable after 12.7 is a crime, theyre practically useless since everyones using magic 2s / R73s / 9Ms at that point
Why compressor?
Why are you researching fuselage repair?
Both of those mods are low-impact improvements to flight performance compared to Cover & Wings repair.
Airframe increases G-load tolerance.
I am an rightly considered an ARB noob so my modifcations choices are probably not optimal.
But even in your case researching AIM-9Ms to unluck rank 4 provides no benefit, that modification it’s just a hurdle, when I research a modification it should provide me some benefit. As it stand its a just a possible downgrade.
It’s annoying yeah.
And very much intentional, sadly.
Others have mentioned it already, but after chaff you should put the most priority to missile unlocks, all the way up to the AIM-120.
To fill up the requirements get new boosters asap, the plane will feel more reactive because of that, then go for cover and wing repair to get rank 4 unlocked. ( Missile unlocks take take 1 slot in there as well)
After you unlock rank 4 and AIM120 go back for G suit then engine and finish off the rest of the performance modifications.
