Possibly only if it’s through TWS and not like true multi lock. More like you can fire a SARH using TWS and then it’ll turn into a hard lock on the UI but still let you use TWS to find other targets. Some jank way of doing it with the existing game code.
I do agree, no point in making it super complex. Just unique and different, but not necessarily stronger/better.
Most aircraft should have ground scan. Even the basic f4 has ground scan. Aesa just makes it so the radar can scan the ground and air without needing to switch modes
Well, I’m thinking this is the likely Japan addition for next major.
The AESA radar will likely have the same counter flaws as normal PD radars.
Only gets 4x AAM-4s [with 4x AAM-3s as compliment].
A BVR performance that’s slightly worse than F-15’s.
Maybe… It’d annoy me that Typhoon’s equivalent would be added this soon, and be blatantly OP.
It’d also make the F-2 a sidegrade if that’s added later.
Already F-2 early would be a sidegrade compared to the F-15J pre-MSIP.
Now that we might have the F-15J MSIP, F-2 early is a bit of a downgrade. It has no CAS capability nor ARHs, though it would be a good dogfighter.
F-2 late also would be pretty sluggish until it got rid of its AAM-4s, so it’s not like it would be immediately superior to the F-15J MSIP. However, it would have some good guided CAS with L-JDAMs.
AAM4 is a big missiles, which means a larger motor, warhead, ans seeker, all those things help. It will however be a hell of a lot heavier, but Japan wanted something compatabile with aim7 mounts. Imagine a suped up active Aim7M if you want an easy comparison.
In Japan, the following theories are often mentioned
・The AAM-4 uses 1Ghz (UHF band) for its command transmitter, guidance head, and proximity fuse, which are not in the threat library of the RWR (optimized for SHF and X-band) and therefore cannot be detected. This command is transmitted from the AAI Intellogate Antenna on AN/APG-63.
・The AAM-4 uses frequency hopping spread spectrum.
This would explain why it cannot be detected by RWR, but the problem is that there is naturally little public documentation to prove this. Mitsubishi has a patent on this, so there may be some information if you look into it.
Sources of research documents on guidance systems and special modulation schemes by TRDI.
I can already see myself opting to use the stopgap amraams over the aam4 when it gets modelled as a heavier amraam, but its still really cool to see the aam4 coming
So now that we have the F15J (M), and the Fox 3 door being blown wide open, what version of the F2 should we get?
IMO, considering that any vehicle without Fox 3s are just gonna absolutely suffer, I’d say the F-2A variant that does have the capability to guide AAM-4s should be added. Otherwise, the non-upgraded F2 should sit just below the main Fox 3 carriers like where the F15A/J/Baz, F4F ICE, or Tornado ADV late sits.
What it brings to the table is mainly guided A2G ordinances, better IR missiles, and is mostly a sidegrade to the AJ in terms of flight performance.