I was made aware that only the F/A-18C(early), an 80(eighty) USD premium, will receive the AIM-7P SARH missile. The main advantage of the P over the F/M sparrow is the improved seeker with datalink capabilities, which helps it not go dumb right after launch - a very common issue among non-datalink SARH missiles with a CW seeker.
The problem here, however, is that the F/A-18A does NOT get the AIM-7P, while also now being the same BR as the C(early) on the dev server. Why did Gaijin have to put a paywall on US TT’s best SARH missile?
It honestly baffles me how there’s outrage about the R-77-1(A whopping 15% difference compared to the base R-77), thrust vectoring(A very niche and not very useful mechanic in actual dogfights), F/A-18C being 14.0(A plane with a very good radar and ten of the best ARH missiles in the game), but the AIM-7P being exclusive to a very expensive premium plane AT THE SAME BR AS THE TECH TREE VARIANT is completely ignored. Did everyone just pre-order the pack so it doesn’t affect them? What’s going on?
And no, the C(late) having the AIM-7P doesn’t count - because at this battle rating you’re already using the AIM-120, which makes the aforementioned SARH missile completely irrelevant, since the AMRAAM is better in every single way.
that would be really good, kinda like a sidegrade to the F-4EJ kai: more AoA, turn and the ability to carry more IR missilse in exchange for far worse acceleration, energy retention and less flares
As it stands right now, you are functionally researching the same missile twice on the 18A as the F and M are nearly identical bar the slight guidance lockout bonus the M has.
The 7P is currently in the same exact boat as all it’s stats are identical bar it having IOG (which is going to be removed) and DL which will just allow it to re-acquire targets for longer.
As it stands right now, the 7P is a minor if best upgrade to the 7M and F which are already identical in function.
I see no reason currently for the A to not get 7Ps, or at least have the 7F removed from research so its not just a direct detriment to it’s grind.
From a A2G perspective as well, I also see no reason as to why the A should not be 12.3 if it stays as is. The C early is trash at 13.0 but the A is irrelevant if the C early exists at 12.7, and as already stated, there are aircraft at lower BRs with vastly superior weapons to the A already like the premium Mirage F1.