So ive done some research and figured out that the F-16C Block 50 should get the AGM-88 upon the ARM arrivals. As it has been around since the early 80’s. And been on F-16’s since the 80s, preferably the not highly upgraded version (AARGM-88G-ER) and more preferably the AGM-88C
And also with the confirmation of the AIM-120D making its arrival, the F-16C Block 50 either needs its upgrade (Block 52 F-16CM) or it needs to be highly upgraded to simple standards. I shouldnt be at 13.7 with AIM-120A’s
The AIM-120C is a need for the BVR phases ahead of us. Atleast give it its real medium range missile.
and the change on the AIM-9L/M pylon is needed, it isnt the correct version, only blocks below 30 use those pylons. The correct pylon is the LAU-129.
The AIM-9X upon arrival should ALSO come to the F-16C Block 50 as that is upon its armament
Along with the AGM-88 we would need the HTS pod on the F-16, (AN/ASQ-218)
And then either the CM block 52 comes and gives us aj AESA radar or not
120C would just make it go up to 14.0 where it would face more uptiers. F-16 won’t perform good at top tier even with its good FM and acceleration since it would only be able to carry six missile. 120C/D and 9X will most likely be given to F-16 PoBIT and not to F-16C. PoBIT would also get AESA radar
Why ruin a borderline OP 13.7 (i jest but its really good) by giving it a bunch of missiles that wont solve its FM issues but will inevitably raise its BR?
Loadouts have been and always will be a balancing decision, it can be incredibly frustrating at times, but that is the reality we are in.
F-16C with Aim-120C5 would more than likely join the F-16I at 14.0 which would probably do more harm than good given the current state of the C5, it is not good enough to justify that change.
Aim-9X would only increase its BR further.
More likely is that the F-16C at 13.7 is pretty much set in stone in terms of loadout, bar new weapons being added such as ARM and instead there will be a new F-16 added with upgraded radar, more advanced missiles, etc etc.
As for ARM, we know its coming Soon™ and we’ll have to wait and see what they will add, but I think AGM-88 HARM is likely, but im not sure about AGM-88-ER as not every nation has a direct equivalent, though quite frankly ARM like AGM-88 and ALARM will have more than enough range for both the current map sizes and my personal guess on how they’ll function.
AGM-88-ER most likely won’t be added in first update that would introduce ARM but the reason might not be that other nations do not have a direct equivalent. Gaijin has added vehicle and weapons to some nations without a direct equivalent present in other nations
Um so are we not seeing the AIM-120D-1 making its appearance or am i stupid? BVR is BEYOND visual range. We will soon enough have maps that are 250-400 miles long
Do you realize that it doesnt matter if the A/B is better than the C at CLOSE range. I want the C/D on my jet so i can have first of all its REAL loadout and second of all its MEDIUM to LONG range loadout. Im not firing an AIM-120A past 25 Miles. If it was an AIM-120C-5 then i’d be in the comfortable zone of firing past 25 miles and maybe even up to 50 ish. Its not a nerf because i play sim most of the time. And not in the F-16 which is my favorite jet. It shouldnt be hard to give a jet its real loadout no matter the BR. Its kindof unfair the F-16A ADF has AIM-120A’s and the F-16C doesnt have AIM-120C. Its kind of blatant yall people dont understand the basics of reality and cant grasp the concept of it. All yall think its gonna always be close range fights, i wanna be at 40,000+ feet firing off 120C-5’s at Mach 1.5+ in my favorite jet, which is very anticipated to get 120C’s.
If the F-16C did get Aim-120C5s it would likely increase its BR, you are way better off waiting for a new F-16 to be added, ideally also with an AESA radar that way you get both the F-16C at a usable BR and still get an F-16 with Aim-120C/Ds
Even firing at Mach 1.5+ at 30k ft, I rarely fire Aim-120C5s past 25 km (15 miles) at most maybe 40km (25 miles) if I dont mind maybe wasting a missile, but its very very rare for them do anything.
