Not confirmed at all, but there are a few faint signs.
AV-8B+'s APG-65Q displayed on RWR as F-18, while there is no other aircraft uses this radar.
Three of the four decals in the previous battle pass are emblems of the VFA-27, VFA-87, and VFA-125 that operated F/A-18. VFA-125 is also notable for being the first U.S. Navy Hornet squadron.
F/A-18A and F/A-18C MLU 2 (Finland) suggestions were simultaneously passed to the developers in December.
However this is not a definitive proof. It’s worth keeping an open mind, but I’m not convinced it will happen in few months.
I recommend y’all review the primary source material available for the F-18 via the NSAID reports. The sustained turn rate for conditions is given, and it is superior to some F-16 variants… I fail to see how y’all are saying it will only rely on high alpha.
I was discussing Gripen, in Gripen thread. This is unrelated to anything you’ve said, stop baiting and attempting to derail threads. No need to bring your nonsense into the F/A-18 thread… the discussion is on the topic of the F/A-18s engine and performance.
He is not capable of explaining how a heavier F-18C is going to outrate the lighter, smaller, far better thrust to weight, more aerodynamically equipped F16.
Sure, it might have a better sustained turn rate at 200 knots at landing speed for a moment, but will immediately die out in any real kinetic dogfight engagement because it has no thrust to weight comparable to any F-16.
@acroute posted the wonderful references for us all the way back up near the top…
There is plenty of available performance data for comparisons, I’m not making this stuff up or guessing at all. There is no “I think–”… It simply performs as im saying because I am referencing real data.
At 60% fuel with 2x AIM-9 and 2x AIM-120 performs on par with a clean F-16C w/ 30 minutes fuel.