Outside of magazine depth, they’re basically a sidegrade to the existing F-16C/D that those trees already have in terms of BVR capabilities, since various AESA configurations (APG-63(V)2 / APG-83 -81, -82 etc.) are not yet on the table (even though there might be questions about some stores availability for said configuration(s), and the assumption that the Block -50 we have could also include " PoBiT " related airframe changes, though that would likely be a separate Vehicle (F-16V) at this point to help bridge the gap between a “Late” F-15E / F-15EX and F-22 / F-35). and there is still a number of yet to be actioned report for their radars. or otherwise odd choices for said implemented configuration that limit performance.
And post-merge WVR maneuvering is where the most significant improvements will occur due to the engines, and there’s not really any improvement to stores in this area until we get access to Block II AIM-9Xs, since all the AIM-9R / AIM-9X Block I improves on is the Seeker, and so still cedes ground to the R-73 due to the larger minimum range and poor G loading.
Really past a point the airframe’s importance is diminished and positioning and pilot awareness becomes key, It’s an improvement sure, but only to degrees that don’t directly relate to A2A combat.
The F-15E and F-15I have flight models that give them a massive edge in BVR, we aren’t even talking about AESA configurations.
And you should be, at least as things should stand between a faceoff with the AIM-9M vs the R-73. Which should also have better IRCCM and should also have better flight performance. Gaijin is not going to add better IRCCM for anything, likely for a while. We’re still digesting the ARH’s, and now we’re flirting with true-blue Gen 4+ and 4++'s.
F-15E and F-15I will be the GOAT of the patch for anything (all game modes) outside of supreme standoff with the GROM-2’s out of the Su-34 in GRB. Su-34 will finally have WVR near enough to be able to survive a WVR merge in GRB for the first turn. Su-27SM, J-11A, and the F-4F ICE are all going to be stuck in the hell they exist in (Su-27SM can go rat mode, admittedly). The idea that I could go 12km, at nearly 2200km/h, launch my SPAMRAAMs and collect a few kills before I land and do it again is un-paralleled. WVR in those airframes will be great as well. Just like the F-15A was a sleeper in the “Air Superiority” patch even with the wing rip “issue”.
Its currently in the files, they key buffs it should bring are slightly less drag, and an improved rocket motor. It starts with a 2 second rocket booster and followed by a 5 second sustainer. Overall this would give it more power than the current R-77 and 1 second more burn time. It wouldn’t be a HUGE difference but would help close the current range gap between it and the AIM-120
Obviously we’ll have to see how things play out on the live server but I feel like that would be a fair compromise for the Su-34, since it has a better radar than any other Russian plane but no HMD, heavier airframe, and no double rack center pylons like the SM.
Maybeee. I think it will be trade off, and personally I’m looking forward to taking both out for a spin in Ground RB.
The F-15E is gonna have a lot of tools at its disposal, and I think the combination of decent mavericks, a lot of guided bombs, a nice thermal targeting pod, AIM-120’S, a great radar, and ofc some of the best flight prefromance for keeping your energy up.
On the other hand the Su-34 is gonna have 6 of the best air to ground missiles in the game, with the Kh-38MT,s. It’s radar will also be fantastic, and it’s flight prefromance will still be good, just not the best. Also you don’t have to worry about the massive engagement distance of the Pantsir, which is nice, just don’t get within range of an ITO tho
I think the big deciding factors will be what gets spammed out the most tho. Personally I think the 34 will but also think a lot of good US CAS pilots might go back and take the strike eagle for a spin
It’ll still be missing a few key items like the AGM-130 (GBU-15 w/ rocket motor, a rough counterpart to the KH-38MT) or AGM-158A, etc. And assorted Paveway / JDAM alternate warheads and functionality (e.g. Loft) are missing.
It’s a shame some of the cooler weapons are missing, but even still with the tools we do have, I suspect it will have no problem racking up kills.
Something I’m personally excited to try out is the GBU-39 glide bombs as radar distractions and a way to blanket the Spawns in bombs to make it unsafe for a SPAA to sit still. Considering that the pantsir will see many of these on his screen, it would be a great time to throw a maverick or two at him
J-10AH is not a carrier-based fighter. J-10AH is operated by naval aviation at coastal bases. J-11BH is J-11B operated by naval aviation, etc.
But in recent years, the PLA Navy is transitioning towards only fielding carrier-based aircraft, moving away from the Russian-style and more closer to the American-style. All aircraft with H designation is now being transferred to PLAAF.
They don’t have a massive damage radius (worse than a Mk. 81 250lb bomb though it is larger against light amour) so it’s not a significant area, 6x GBU-38 would probably do better in terms of area coverage, though take up the same CFT stations as the BRU-61 and preclude more than 4x AMRAAM .
The key thing to do is to make sure the target point of the ordnance offset slightly from the Pantsir to induce parallax and to complicate the gun / missile solution. but then expending so much on a single target is probably quite wasteful from a stowed kills perspective.
All fair and good points. Both look like really fun aircraft, even if I’m not close to top tier Russia air (yet).
The main reason why I gave the Su-34 the edge is also in part matchmaking, because it barely has to face pantsirs.
So not only does it get the best air to ground missile, it can also get much closer to the battlefield than the F-15E would in a lot of the battles. Also the SPAA that the Su-34 will face will have a harder time locating and shooting down the Kh38s, while mavericks are laughably easy to find and shoot down for a Pantsir.
I think its still a viable strategy against SPAA in particular and especially the Pantsir simply because they have to now focus on moving or shooting down a bunch of small targets, or they focus on you and potentially die to a glide bomb.
Normally I would say it’s a bit wasteful on ordnance, but considering that you can carry a whooping 20 GBU-38’s and then still Carry 6xAGM-65D’s, I’d say it’s worth bringing atleast 18 of the small glide bombs so that way any time an SPAA spawns in you can immediately toss 4 or more at it and close around the vehicle to force it to move or die.
Yeah, Pantsirs usually soak up more time for me when I’m playing my F-16C, and usually I like to focus them with multiple mavericks at different angles.
That being said as I was saying in my other posts, I think the spam of GBU-39’s can be a real nuisance for Pantsir players, as they will fill up your radar screen with a bunch of contacts and force you to either move or waste a bunch of missiles, all while the F-15 gets to relocate and fire off mavericks. Not to mention he can still bring 4 AIM-120’S with the Mavs and glide bombs
I won’t deny tho, at this point the ADATS has become a rather sad SPAA, and is easy pickings for most good strike planes. Even the Ito has better luck intercepting missiles and is much more effective at shooting down fast jets
