Hi everyone,
I want to propose a realistic, easy-to-implement fix for the LOSAT’s underwhelming performance, backed by official historical sources. Currently, the vehicle suffers from artificial limitations in both its damage model and its survivability.
1. The Damage Solution (Using existing HE/Overpressure mechanics):
Currently, the MGM-166 is treated like a standard, thin APFSDS dart. This leads to frustrating “no damage” hits where an 80 kg missile traveling at Mach 4 (1500 m/s) passes through light vehicles or tracks without doing any meaningful structural damage.
The Fix: Instead of developing a new mechanic, Gaijin should simply assign a TNT equivalent value to the missile in the files to simulate its massive kinetic energy impact (approx. 90 Megajoules).
The Result: This would trigger the game’s existing Overpressure and HE-fragmentation code upon impact. It would reliably crush light armor, blow off tracks, and create realistic internal spalling without requiring any new programming effort.
2. Crew Size Correction (Historical Buff to Survivability):
In-game, the LOSAT is heavily handicapped by only having 2 crew members, making it an instant one-shot kill. However, historical documentation shows this is inaccurate.
The Fact: The standard operating configuration for the M1114 HMMWV-mounted LOSAT system was a crew of three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
The Fix: Gaijin needs to add the third crew member to the vehicle layout, which would drastically improve its tactical survivability.
3. Penetration & Launch Wobble:
The 600mm penetration at 1000m feels artificially capped. For a 2.8-meter kinetic penetrator at hypersonic speeds, this should be adjusted to match its historical capability to defeat any contemporary main battle tank armor at extended combat ranges.
The initial launch instability (wobble) needs to be toned down slightly to make the vehicle viable on standard, close-quarter War Thunder maps.
Sources supporting these changes:
GlobalSecurity / FAS (Military Analysis Network): Documents the tactical integration, physical dimensions (2.85m length, 80kg weight), and the standard 3-man crew configuration for the heavy HMMWV chassis variant.
Designation-Systems.net (Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles - MGM-166): Confirms the hypersonic speed of 1500 m/s and hit-to-kill kinetic energy parameters.
Official Technical Reports (DTIC / 2003 Annual Report): Outlining the Line-of-Sight Antitank system’s operational parameters.
Utilizing the existing HE/Overpressure code for damage and adding the historically accurate 3rd crew member would instantly fix the LOSAT with minimal developer effort. What are your thoughts?