Early in development it was often shown mounting the 4 ASM + 2 Sparrow + 2 SRM loadout, but after the mockup on the first prototype this wasn’t seen again. The part about wing cracking issues during flight testing is what I remembered from the old forum, I don’t have any sources at hand. But I’ll send it here if I find anything on it (I just ordered a mew book on the F-2, should arrive by the end of the month)
But I’m still not hopeful they would be added even if this is true, since that would still only mean they were non-functional mockups, and not prove that they can actually be mounted and used like that on armed F-2s.
Outer pylons are probably AIM-120, Super Kai leaned very heavily into integrating more US systems like F110-GE-132 EIPE engine, JHMCS, Link 16 datalink, PANTERA TGP, US built AESA radar (can’t find which) and even AIM-9X over the Japanese domestic AAM-5.
BVVD said on dev-stream, that it wasn’t even planned for this update. He also said that it will come “rather even this year”. I hope for the next update, because Japan is the only nation (well, with China, since J-11B is moved to 13.7) without 14.0 plane.
No it would definitely be 14.0 no matter what. Look at hornet, all it has going for it at 14.0 is 10 AMRAAMs. F-2 has great radar, faster than hornet, solid FM, and solid armamenr
Nah IMO, unless they bump up the AAM-3/4 to IRL levels of performance, the F-2 is gonna be 13.7 material, and not even peak 13.7. Now, if they did, then yes, it could super easily go to 14.0, but imo the F-15J(M) would still likely be the meta pick, unless gaijin finally got their thumbs out their ass when it comes to accurately modeling AESAs.
While the F-15J(M) has better BVR performance as a missile boat, the F-2’s flight performance and radar would in theory be really good and push it above. There’s also better CAS loadouts which are still factored into air BR ratings for ground attack, even if it’s more GRB (which has its own BR).
I think 14.0 is a safe bet for the F-2. I’d only argue 13.7 if it gets no HMD, but 50/50 on it since Gaijin could add it anyway, or add it later after release like they did with the OCU.
I’m not gonna lie the F-2’s flight performance is not honestly gonna be it’s selling point. Yes, it can turn incredibly well in instantaneous. But it’s lacking in speed and TWR compared to other top tier options, even the F-15. It’s A2G loadout options also aren’t great, since gaijin isn’t likely to add in ASMs, and the GCS-1 has been denied in the past.
The only redeeming thing for A2G is that it can technically have 6x 2000lb jdams (even though this would never be used irl), and even then that’s at the cost of all MRM capability, and more then likely making the plane subsonic on the deck
Yes, it’s radar would be good, but, honestly, only if: 1. Gaijin buffed the AAM-4, 2. Gaijin actually modeled the radar correctly. Without AAM-4’s getting terminal datalink functionality, a better radar honestly won’t markedly improve their performance. And without the AESA being modeled properly, it’s honestly not much of a step up over whats in game anyways.
The F-2’s radar irl is just like, kinda not the best, it’s beam control period is horrendously slow for a ESA (up to an order of magnitude slower in some cases), it’s range isn’t exceptional, it’s not effective at jamming. The only things it’s good at were being first, and some select anti-stealth capabilities, which will 100% never make it into game. If it’s performance in game was relative to other AESAs in game it’s not gonna be super hot. Literally the only way the F-2 will not be DOA is if it comes with full irl performance.
I think you are right. People are expecting it to be a strong 14.0 for some reason but it will probably end up like a f-18c with far less radar missiles, even with radar upgrades, it won’t even be a strong 13.7. Mainly due to the limited loadout and being relatively slow like the f-18c
I mean the flight performance will give it something nice in general as it will be great at dogfights, however you need to look at this not from an ARB perspective. F-15 is the best Japan is going to get for air RB. However, when it comes to anything not 16 vs 16, the F-2 will start to shine, especially with smaller dogfights.
Also talking about what ifs with whether Gaijin will add this or model that won’t get us anywhere. All we can do is wait. Even just giving it AAM-4Bs with better kinematic performance and harder notch/chaff angles and resistance will be enough to give it a good choice over F-15J(M).
