Recently there has been an increase in aircraft with another aircraft as an unlockable module, with the Su-24M2 in the Su-24M and Tornado ASSTA3 in the ASSTA1, both merely adding GPS bombs. Gaijin’s explanation is that GPS bombs are the only change that would have an impact on gameplay and that they don’t want research to take too long for these weapons, and that such modifications are not new, with for example the Jaguar GR.1B on the GR.1A. However, these aircraft are more than just GPS bombs- the Su-24M2 has an all-new cockpit, Kh-29TEs and TDs, Kh-38s, and R-73s. The ASSTA3 has Litening III, a new RWR, MAW, and AIM-9L(I). So not only are there significant model changes that are simply not in game but also a number of armaments not present- in short, the vast majority of what makes an Su-24M2 an M2 or an ASSTA3 a 3 are not present in-game.
But what do you think about the matter? Is Gaijin justified or should they change this?
Upgrade models should have only their most significant points modelled and be modules to reduce research time
Upgrade models should be their own aircraft, perhaps foldered under the original, for accurate representation
If an upgrade model isn’t a dramatic departure from the previous model it shouldn’t be in the game to reduce research time and copy paste
It would be very nice if aircraft were just the base model of itself that was first used/made/tested/whatever and once unlocked you could unlock upgrade versions of the aircraft which change the stats/model/weapons/etc of the vehicle without filling the tree out with 500 versions of every single aircraft. For example, If I unlock the Bf-109 it starts off as the Bf-109A and the E/F/G/K/etc variants are unlockable modules that can be equipped. “But what about lineups???” Fuck lineups, you can already spawn the same vehicle twice with backups, or 3 times for reserve vehicles, and you are limited in the amount of times you can spawn anything in most modes by SP costs. Air RB only lets you spawn once, and AAB is mostly dead so who gives a fuck about that game mode.
I think upgrades like this should be separate vehicle, but in folder with significantly reduced RP needed for unlocking and reduced modules cost. Simply because you will be able take 2 vehicles with different BR’s and capabilities (maybe even roles). But if upgrades were modules - we should have dynamic BR’s, depending on which modification you’re using.
And in the latest update trailer it’s happening again. The Typhoons have air-to-ground ordinance of a Tranche 3 (the latest model) but air-to-air weapons and presumably avionics and systems of a Tranche 1 Block 2 (the earliest model). Similar story with the Rafale, with air-to-ground ordinance of an F3 but otherwise an F1.
This is frankly unacceptable, putting CAS performance over accuracy. Especially when it means that such crucial and significant aircraft, with a number of progressively better iterations, are likely to be only represented as a single vehicle in-game! Gaijin, why the hell are you doing this!!!