Where an AGM-65 will self-destruct upon loosing sight of the target, either via smoke or cover. The KH-38 (and AASM) will continue to the targets last known position/estimated position. This does mean to succesfully defend against these threats requires far far more effort than an AGM-65.
(This is why I think removal of 0 drift IOG from all AGMs is the fairest thing to do at this time, for every reason given to the removal of FnF from the Brimstone, applies perfectly to an AGM with 0 drift IOG)
Additionally, the KH-38s have a warhead 3x larger than an AGM-65. which is capable of killing some MBTs let alone light tanks/SPAA with near hits rather than just the direct hit that sometimes doesnt even one shot an MBT with the AGM-65. AASMs are slightly smaller at about 2.5x the warhead size of an AGM-65 which is another reason why KH-38s are superior.
You also have the speed. KH-38s are fast. Fast enough to hit a target before it could get into cover (either intentional or unintentionally) and significantly reduces your reaction time. Whilst yes, AGM-65 and AASM cant always be seen coming, you at least have a chance at reacting to them in time more often than not.
Finally… and this does go for both KH-38s and AASM. Their max range is 3x greater than that of the AGM-65. Realistically you wont be firing off an AGM-65 past about 15-20km. With the recent buffs to TPod ranges, its entirely and completely possible for an KH-38 or AASM to be fired at more like 30km.
Between the 2. KH-38s though are far far more common and you are more likely to encounter at least 1x KH-38 slinger every single match. I cant even recall the last time I saw someone playing france at top tier.
the likelihood of an IR missile loosing track is a function of travel time and approach angle, as travel time is increased such as using a slower missile (like the agm65) the chance of losing lock increases. This can be counteracted by the missile lofting (like the Hammer) so there are less obstetrical on the map that break line of sight.
Because of this having a missile that travels many times faster is much more likely to hit, when that missile is also carrying a warhead with a significantly increased probability of killing and ability to kill with near misses it is a significant advantage. And yet in game this missile has an additional advantage of very effective IOG allowing it to often reacquire lock.
You are wrong with your use of fallacy because there is a direct correlation between effectiveness and how many people will play it.
By leaving your spawn when the f15 launches weapons you nullify all of those weapons at a cost of zero of your own missiles, if you dont understand how good of a trade that is you should go back to school.
Yes they have the same seeker but the many other advantages of KH38 make it so much better to the point where it shouldnt have been added to the game
Oh yeah, also unless you are at very high altitude the statcard range of AGM65 is very incorrect, if launched from low alt they struggle to hit targets at 5-6km
@Alpharius11348
The best MBT from 2019 - 2025 has been Abrams series of tanks [1 - 3].
What was the most popular in 2023? Not the Abrams.
The best light tank in War Thunder is CV90120 and HSTVL?
Which are more popular? Not those.
And yes, F-15E trading nothing to nullify SPAA for his entire team is a massively good trade; glad you agree with me that it’s a good trade.
And @Morvran the max range advantages of missiles won’t come into effect until Python 5 SPYDER is added to the game alongside equivalently long-range SPAA systems. THEN AGM-65s stops being OP the same way GBUs stopped being OP when Pantsir was added.
Also @Fanta_3412
I’ve been hitting 12 - 15km targets with AGM-65Ds since 2022 and into later 2024, with the 2024 shots mostly being at 17km.
Su-34, F-15E/I, and Rafale are OP monsters incapable of dying to Pantsir S1 no matter what anyone says. That fact will always be reality.
In theory the Martel would be just as good as the Kh-38 as it outranges all SPAA in the game, when was the last time anyone complained about it or even died to one?
In practice Mavericks are not even close to the Kh-38 in performance
1- I never aimed at Pantsirs.
2- I quit playing CAS consistently due to spawn point cost being worse than spawning more tanks right before the Pantsir got its missile range fixed from 13km to ~17km.
3- Today I’d decoy with glide bombs because then they can’t intercept anything from any team mates.
And 4- I launched from 8km as that’s the best altitude for CAS runs from my experience.
@llSolitairell-psn
I’m glad you agree with me that Kh-38s are superior to AGM-65s when comparing the two.
The same way AGM-65s are more powerful than GBUs but that didn’t matter in 2022 when the maximum range of SPAA was 12km and GBU range was over 16km cause you could drop them supersonic.
They also move slow and don’t get into your radar deadzone. There’s a reason you rarely see Mavericks scoring these kind of multi kills we used to see with KH-38. Mavs also SD when you simply smoke or drive in cover. Its also possible to survive AGM-65 hits. KH-38 is just alot more powerful, huge craters, alot splash damage, rather large guaranteed death zone.
@Alpharius11348
Why would you force the SPAA to become a tank?
No seriously, what advantage do you think that gives the team?
An MBT cannot die to the SPAA, an MBT can capture points and destroy all other ground vehicles.
Destroying SPAA only threatens your team, it’s a net negative for your team that’s actively able to win if enemy SPAA dies. You don’t know how much SP that SPAA has.
I get that I know a lot about this subject as I’ve done everything I’ve talked about in-game first hand and second hand.
Also F-15E/I bring 4 AIM-120s each, they easily first-launch on enemy aircraft before they even know the F-15’s location.
CAS is much more useful when it doesnt have to play around an AA, and given your repeated statement of tactics only viable in F15e/F15i it is a safe assumption that your team includes multiple CAS players, if there arent opposing AA up then it is safe to close into the range where AGM 65 is actually effective and can hit moving targets.
you are assuming that while moving extremely slow at high altitude you will be able to find the target on radar, get nose on and launch before a plane that already spawns nose on can find you (when you have a giant contrail) and launch. additionaly the fresh spawned plane with be moving faster so they can get away with a launch further off boresight