If they’re gonna add a premium F2, then we will get 3 F-2s - XF-2 in TT, F-2A early as premium and F-2A late in TT.
I once discussed my opinion on the weapons for it. Since the F-2A will have a limited loadout (4x ARH, 4x IR), I wouldn’t consider it too out of question to give the F-2 the AAM-4B. The AAM-4 we have in game atm is artificially nerfed anyway, so the new AAM-4B would be too, but it would be a nice gimmick if it had high notch, chaff and multipath resistance to compensate for the low number of missiles. Because if it gets the same A2A weapons as the F-15JM, then it won’t be really better than the F-15, not at all.
Also can’t but throw this little fact here, since you already mentioned the R-77-1 - the missile is about 20 years younger than the most modern US missile in the game. Remember this when Gaijin says NATO can’t get more modern missiles yet.
Since apparently AAM-4B is similar kinematically to AAM-4, I don’t see a reason not to, to be honest.
I think this would be a good compromise if it ends up not having HMD. With a proper AESA radar not having HMD isn’t a huge deal (doubly so if we have access to vertical ACM). However being able to secure a kill with use of AESA TWS+ and datalink would be great.
As for the premium, I really hope to see an F-2 early premium with sparrows and AAM-3, though realistically it might just be AIM-9Ls.
Maybe they add XF-2A, maybe they keep it for event. Second is most likely for me.
I also expect 6+2 loadout, since at least XF-2A was able to carry 6 AIM-7. Most likely cracks issue was fixed, but they decided to not use 6+2 loadout during peaceful time to increase operating time. We don’t need to do this, so 6+2 is possible. So, loadout is equal to EF/J-10.
Another thing with AAM-4B - Gaijin need to add smth comparable to AIM-120C-7/8. Also, nobody can stop Gaijin from reworking and rebalancing missiles. Delete AAM-4 from F-15J(M), improve their stats, keep it only on F-2A Late.
It’s not about age, it’s about their game performance. AIM-120A/B on F-15E/EF are more comfortable and generally better than R-77-1 on Su-30SM.
Missile is good, yeah. F-15J(M) is the best F-15 in tournaments because of AAM-3/4 (also, it’s slightly lighter, but not a big deal). However, in random battles F-15J(M) is lacking of speed and dynamics compared to F-15E/EF/Rafale.
People keep forgetting that the difference in the maximum range of the AAM-4 and AAM-4B is really just because of updated software. The only time the AAM-4B will have more range is when engaging in BVR combat at 10 km altitude. There is no speed increase, no fuel mass increase, just better trajectory and lofting.
Yea I think that’s an inevitability unfortunately due to them being top in class, which lets them adapt to the craziness that is top tier air RB.
Though with the F-2, I’m just so looking forward to having essentially the “F-16AJ but better” in ground RB so I can keep the skies clear like no other SPAA could.
I feel like people are expecting too much of the F-2, what it will be in game is probably a worser f-16c. Probably worse FM than the block 10/AJ (while being slower), while its weapon suite will be much worse than a MLU blk 15/50. From what I can tell, F-2 is meant mostly for striking ships, not ground targets like tanks. It doesnt get those sweet lau-88 launch rails for mavericks (who knows if it even gets mavs), will only be able to carry 4 ARH missiles compared to the 6 of the f-16c, and and worst of all no HMD. This thing should’ve been added ages ago, will likely be DOA. Gonna be worse than the F-15 J (M) for ATA.
It’s possible as Gaijin can do whatever they want.
However, given all what we know, that shouldn’t be the case. It’s the pinnacle of the F-16 air frame’s design along with some native upgrades. It should be very maneuverable (assuming it’s not lugging around 4-6 AAM-4s), especially at low speed fights, but it all comes at the cost of higher drag and as a result lower top speed.
The real question is what A2G weapons it will get because it could range from average with L-JDAMs to being pretty competitive with ASMs.
And to add to what @Fireraid233 said, nobody really is expecting this to be best jet to topple the EFT/Rafale. That being said, considering how close the B10 F-16 is to the EFT, something as good or slightly better will be competitive with it at least, even if not the best (especially with all the AoA limiter toggles).
Most who expect it to be a super plane are those who know nothing of it. Im pretty confident the majority here and maybe R an R know how late it is by now.
I’m assuming like the F-18C early it will only get AIM-9Ls which kinda sucks since flares are super abundant at that tier, but maybe they’ll give them AIM-9Ms which would open it up for the possibility of F-2A early with AAM-3s
They won’t sadly, reason, people spent GE on it and there are skins. They are either going to leave it. Or do the same as they did for the R2Y2 and lock it off
Who knows what Gaijin do, but at least if done right it should at least have agility over these. Speed would still be worse for the increase in drag, but T/W is similar to the F-16As.
Then there’s the FCS with different maneuver modes and the option to override it that the F-16s don’t have, but again this depends if Gaijin implement any of that.
Nothing on Mavs as far as I know. The best in-game air to ground armament for the F-2 is a total of 8 (L)JDAM. We could get IOG/IIR ASM-2, or ASM-2B that adds GPS, but unlikely considering they didn’t add Grom either. Same thing for ASM-3, except even more unlikely with longer range, higher speed and passive radar homing mode.