Eh, close up definitely but for BVR no. R27ER was just better, if i stayed high alt most F16’s would avoid coming after me since id normally catch them well before they could. Though close quarters dog fight was essentially a death sentence since you dont have the performance the F16 gets.
Kinda the reason i stopped playing the F16 was just how boring the gameplay meta was for hugging the ground. I know a lot of people attribute the F14 for the ground meta but for me it was the dominance of the R27ER.
Idk with the multi path nerf id say they are more balanced but thats besides the point.
I think the trade off was more fair though, only problem was how easy multi path was to use to defeat the R27. Imo now they are both a better match, only thing is id rather see R73 get a buff or 9M get nerfed. 9M is definitely the best IR missile but if the R73 was less prone to spin out and seeking flares it may give the slight balance for those Mig 29 vs F16 dogfights.
Just a simple fact that if it was designed to counter C-4, I am guessing it is better, and considering the fact that it is under optimistic assumption, I said C-5. I know C-5 was a very large step up, but the worst assumption I found on media was C-4, many stated C-7 even, although I am 99% sure they have 0 sources.
This year’s air show we actually saw PL12AE, so I guess it does have improved versions, with GPS on top of IOG.