The Su-30 is more like the pre-2007 F-15E (rather than just a F-18C), they’re both meant for air superiority and missile-bussing; the Su-30 has a PESA radar, whereas the pre-2007 F-15E only uses PSP pulse-Doppler (AN/APG-70). Not to fear monger, but PESA radars are in the realm of Rafale, Patriot (missile system), B-1, and B-2 territory.
The other stats of the airframes seem decently similar everywhere else.
If the Hornet comes before AIM-120, I’d support the option of adding pre-1993 F/A-18C first and update it with AMRAAM later.
Considering we already have F-14B, F-15A and F-16C, I don’t really think we have to stick with the F/A-18A with inferior engine and only a handful of countermeasures.
Fully agree
I dont see the early F/A-18A competing very well against other toptiers
And its hard to balance because of its other aspects such as 9M and good turning performance
Plus i dont want to have to research yet another jet without amraam capability
People were saying the same thing about the F-15A and if AMRAAMs were coming in the last update.
The Hornet would be absolutely fine in an early ARH meta without AMRAAMs, especially if only like 2-3 other plane types total were getting them.
There is a chance Gaijin may delay further ARH missiles for certain top tier aircraft (not saying they’d be delayed again in general, just for addition to specific aircraft) due to balancing issues, which would allow an AMRAAM-less F/A-18A to be just fine.
Still I don’t really prefer F/A-18A over F/A-18C, since 60 flares are very insufficient for defeating missiles with IRCCM capability. Evading single AIM-9M or R-73 will use up more than half of flares.
For F/A-18C, there would be a possibility for tested LAU-138 BOL.
However there is no mention about testing BOL on F/A-18A, and the Australia is the only country that has ever fitted a BOL dispenser to F/A-18A/B, so it is highly unlikely. This is another reason why I don’t prefer F/A-18A over F/A-18C.