HUGE THANKS to @Shin_Kazama for providing sources!
Historical overview
Spoiler
The A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat, single-engine naval strike aircraft. Designed by Ed Heinemann, it was contracted for in June 1952 and two years later it flew for the first time. Having participated in numerous conflicts and still in service to this day, it is undoubtedly one of the most succesful designs in military aviation history.
The particular variant this suggestion is focused on is the A-4M Skyhawk II. It is the last variant of this aircraft produced by the United States and it was built specifically for the Marines, who did not want to give up on the A-4 at a time when the A-7 Corsair II was replacing it in the Navy.
Two A-4Fs were modified, serving as the A-4M prototypes, and the production of this new model started in 1969. It first flew on April 10th, 1970, and the first deliveries began taking place a year later, and gradually it was incorporated into Marine squadrons.
The last A-4M, BuNo 160264, was delivered in February 1979, marking the end of Skyhawk production.
A-4Ms remained in service with Reserve units until 1994. After that date, the only Skyhawks remaining in service with the Navy or Marines were two-seat trainers.
And another thing as well: with the latest A-4M mod (referred to as Super Mike), supposedly a few were able to carry 2x-4x AGM-65Es, though could not self-lase/designate. I would instead propose Gaijin to replace them with AGM-65F Mavericks, which are imaging infrared.
While there’s no evidence the A-4M was wired for them, there’s also no evidence against it (same for the A-4N "Ayit"s centerline LAU-88 with AGM-65As). It could be done for both balance, and as a way to make this A-4M more desirable in the US TT. We know for a fact that the LAU-117 AND LAU-88 could carry most Maverick variants (weight restrictions do apply however), and with the A-4M being capable of carrying at least two LAU-117 single racks, it would be justifiable. Plus, I believe that both the Navy AND Marines used the AGM-65E AND AGM-65F interchangeably, depending on the mission at hand.
I honestly hope that Gaijin decides to get either an updated version of this model, or just use an entirely new one if/when they add it.
I need muh ALR-45F, AIM-9L, IFF, and better HUD
Nope, as far as I know, it’s only meant to be used in a similar way to Pave Penny on the A-10.
It’s used for buddy-lasing, as as well as CCRP, but that’s about it
Absolutely. 9Bs, Ds, Gs, Hs, and Ls is a lot though, I’d think it wouldn’t have all available. Probably 2x 9Gs stock, with 9Ds at rank 1, 9Gs at 2, and 9Ls at 3/4. So no 9Bs or Hs just so there’s not quite so many modules to have to research. I love the A-4s and it would be awesome to see this, the A-4K Kahu (9Gs and Ls) for the UK and the A-4AR (Shafrir 2s and 9Ls) for Germany.
