Numerous aircraft (mostly but not exclusively from the jet era) are missing confirmed and compatible air-to-air weaponry or capabilities.
Some of these decisions, such as omitting AIM-9P from the F-100F, were supposedly made for balance reasons. Others, such as omitting the Rb 27 & Rb 28 from the J 35XS, were likely made simply because modeling the new missiles was not considered a priority.
Furthermore, Gaijin have revised the armament of numerous planes over the last few years to make them more competitive, such as adding AIM-9J to the T-2/F-1 series and increasing the number of R-60-family missiles carried by the Su-17/22s.
I am working to compile a list of missing air-to-air weaponry across all nations. If there are particularly glaring A2G omissions, I will consider adding those as well. I have included some potentially controversial options to generate discussion.I have also included weaponry that is technically compatible, even if it would not currently fit in the game for balance reasons (e.g., R-37, Python 5, IRIS-T). Again, my goal is to compile a list and generate discussion… not imply that every plane needs AIM-9X.
Mirage IIIS C.70 - add Flz Lwf 63/80 (AIM-9P-1), Flz Lwf 63/90 (AIM-9P-4), Flz Lwf 63/91 (P-5), and adjust BR upward accordingly (likely 10.7, 11.3, ???) - Would also require fixing the Flz Lwf 63/80 to have radar slaving since it’s currently incorrectly an AIM-9J clone. - Would require modeling a new missile (63/91)
F-4F (late) - add AIM-9L, increase BR
F-4F KWS LV - add IRIS-T, keep same BR - Would require modeling a new missile
Tornado IDS SLE - add IRIS-T - Would require modeling a new missile
EF-2000 - add IRIS-T - Would require modeling a new missile
EF-2000 - add Meteor, adjust BR appropriately - Would require modeling a new missile
F-4EJ - add AIM-4D, which wouldn’t be good but would be historically accurate - Would require modeling a new missile.
F-4EJ ‘ADTW’ - add XAAM-2 - Would require modeling a new missile.
ITA
MiG-29 Sniper - add Python 3 & Magic 2 (and possibly Derby), which were theoretically compatible with its Israeli electronics, raise BR to 13.7 (if Derby included)
F-2000A (AESA) - add Meteor, adjust BR appropriately - Would require modeling a new missile
CHN
F-100F - add AIM-9P, raise BR to 9.7 - With the precedent set by the new F-6C (9.3 airframe), the prohibition against this armament for ‘balance reasons’ no longer exists.
I like the idea of adding a late version of the F-4E better than changing the current one… or even an F-4G (which I realize plays a different role and sacrifices the gun).
I think it would struggle at a higher BR with a mediocre radar, even with better missiles.
also almost every US plane with 9J should get 9P too idk why gaijin doesnt give any US planes 9p and gives them only 9j which doesnt have radar slaving
iirc its radar was improved and likely could get significantly better ground clutter reduction
and TISEO should be able to guide all of its weapons even in a full look down situation
but overall it depends on the BR, because if they put it at ~12.0 its a sidegrade to the F4J with better IR missiles and flight model in exchange for PD radar and HMS
With the FGR2 and FG1 for all intent and purposes Identical, it does present options for seperating their loadouts. In this I think the FG1 should remain as is, getting an appropriate BR seperation. The FGR2 though should get an upgraded A2A weapons fit, the question is, what?
There is actually 2 options, the first is Aim-9Ls as you have stated, but Gaijin heavily overestimates the performance of the Aim-9L when it comes to balance and it would probably end up worse for it.
But there is another option. Skyflash SuperTEMPs. Which would bring the FGR2 cleanly in-line with the US phantoms in-terms of SARH performance at the same BR.
I think my final preferred choice for weapons setup for these 3 airframes would be:
FGR2 to get BOTH Skyflash SuperTEMPs and Aim-9Ls and likely move up to 12.3
FG1 remain with current weapons fit, stuck for now at 12.0, but hopefully in the future can move to a more appropriate BR
This retains the historical accuracy of these 2 airframes broadly speaking
F4JUNK should either get Skyflash SuperTEMPs and remain at 12.0 alongside the F4J(US) or it should retain its current loadout and move down to 11.7. Either would work. Its current state though cannot remain
Other A2A weapon options to consider for British aircraft could also include.
Aim-9M for the [SQV] Sea Harrier FRS1. Limiting it to only 2 would mitigate this addition, allowing for only a minor BR increase to 11.3, but would potentially give it a reason to ever be flown over the TT version which is a lot more comfortable at the lower BR.
SRAAMs were also marketed and shown alongside various aircraft at airshows. Whilst not strictly fitted, I think these wouldnt be anyway unfair on these given airframes and could be a lot of fun. The main ones to consider would be the Hawks and Jaguars.
Jaguar GR1A should also have Aim-9Ls. Whilst I would prefer a BR reduction, if that is not fourthcoming, then a pair of Aim-9Ls would work too.
Dechirped Aim-9Ls are also a unique British Modification that has yet to be added yet. This modification significantly increases the lock range of Aim-9Ls (only lock range, not kinematic performance) for aircraft such as the Tornado F3 & GR1 as well as the Harriers. I think Jaguars too
Increased Aim-9 capacity for the Harrier IIs. Currently they only have 4x Aim-9L/Ms respectively on the T.10 and GR.7. They should have a maximum of 6, this increase isnt totally necessary for the T.10, but would go a long way to helping the GR.7. Though I do feel like this is a “modification” planned for the GR.9A.
Tornado F3 Late is also able to recieve Aim-120C5s, whilst for now I think this should be held off until after a decompression and other buffs, I do think it might be necessary some day to help it cleanly fall into a better BR overall.
Side note “addition” would also be BOL + Twin racks for the Sea Harrier FA2, whilst this addition is not directly adding a new weapon to an aircraft, it would open up new weapon configurations for what is one of the most restricted aircraft at its BR.
Mirage IIIC, IIIE, the Super Etendard and the Jaguar should be able to carry Magic 2, but it’s normal to not have them in game since it would make these plane impossible to balance
(A small clarification: the Mirage III are compatible with the Magic 2 missile and could have been equipped with it given their end-of-service date, but for obvious reasons the missiles were probably never fitted or only very rarely.)
For the Jaguar, the missiles have been carried on several occasions during different operations.
Regarding the Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM), the version in the game is a Standard 4 and can therefore carry them; however, it would still be interesting to leave the aircraft in its current configuration and have a Standard 5 with Magic 2 missiles.
The ability to carry two ventral gun pods is also missing for all Mirage F1s.
Decoy pod
I suppose we can consider countermeasure pods as important equipment for air-to-air aircraft, and it should be noted that France only has access to a very small portion of its pods in the game.
The Phimat is available on the Mirage F1, but the aircraft should be able to carry it on both sides, and the pod is missing on the Mirage III and 5.
The BOZ-103 is missing on the Jaguar A and E.
The Alkan 530 is missing on the Mirage III.
The Alkan LCIII is missing on the Super Etendard and Etendard IV.
The LLQ (tail Decoy launcher) is missing on the Super Etendard, the Etendard IV, the Jaguar and all the Mirage F1
The CEM-1 Can carry decoys on some variant and is missing from the Alpha Jet, the Jaguar and the Mirage F1
The LEM rockets are missing from every french aircraft with a SNEB rocket launcher (yes it is a rocket that is used as a chaff, don’t ask me why)
And the list goes on.
As for the future of the game, the Mirage 2000-5F, 2000 D RMV and Rafale C and M are missing the Mica IR and both Rafale are also missing the Meteor missile
F-16C, F-16D, F-16I, Baz Meshupar, F-15I, Kfir C10 all missing Python 4/5 (and Derby, Derby ER as they are compatible with their FCS), Delilah Cruise Missile
F-16I missing Air Lora ICBM and Spice 250 on internal wing pylons
F-15I missing Spice 250 on the wing pylons
F-16D missing Spice 250
Vautour IIN missing Shafrir II
Shahak missing AIM-9D on centerline pylon
The Mirage IIIS could carry multiple variants of the Sidewinder during its service:
Flz Lwf 63 = AIM-9B
Flz Lwf 63/75 = AIM-9E
Flz Lwf 63/80 = AIM-9P-3
Flz Lwf 63/90 = AIM-9P-4
Flz Lwf 63/91 = AIM-9P-5
It currently only has access to the Flz Lwf 63/75, probably because of “balancing” reasons, but imo the Flz Lwf 63/80 should be available, considering what other aircraft on that BR have in their arsenal.
Right now all AIM-9P in game, the 63/80 included, have basically the capability of the AIM-9P-1, only having a proximity fuse. The AIM-9P-3 should also have a smoke-reduced motor. This capability is missing.
Also in the game right now are the AIM-9P-4 (all-aspect) and the AIM-9P-5 (IRCCM). Those are too capable for the current Mirage IIIS and would warrant a big BR increase if introduced.
The pre C.70 upgrade Mirage IIIS, if ever introduced, should then have the Flz Lwf 63/75.
on a sidenote, I am currently reworking the Mirage IIIS topic
