We probably will get eurofighter with AESA somewhat the same time, no reason to add F-2 without ARH. I have no doubts we will see F-2 with AAM-3(we already have) and AAM-4(very similar to AIM120) and at least basic advantages of AESA(And also disadvantages such as only about 60km max scan range)
They might add F-2 before other AESA just because it’s the first AESA production aircraft. Outside of AESA, there’s nothing special with the F-2, especially without ARH. If F-2 didn’t have AESA, it would have been in the game back in September 2023 with the F-16C Block 50.
They also have a good incentive to split the F-2 into multiple variants. They’re already doing that with the F-15J. If they do an XF-2A or F-2 early, then it’d definitely not come with ARHs and in that case. Stuff like the EFT with ARH would outclass the F-2 without ARHs, which makes the best time to add the F-2 early would be before ARHs. Then it’ll have some time to shine before F-15J MSIP with ARHs and then F-2 late after with EFT and the rest.
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Will be earlier. The first CAPTOR-E AESA was fitted just a few days ago
With the program in Germany and Spain taking even longer there is no point to introduce 2024 aircraft with a 2000s aircraft
AESA should have no problem being detected by RWR in STT or CW Illumination modes.
While the AESA is in search things might get complicated, but that depends on how exactly J/APG-1 is set up.
Possibilities:
Range is erratic. One LPI method is to reduce power. This will make it seem on the enemy RWR as if it were further away than it really is. And the range would change often.
Type is unknown. The radar switches frequency and tries to match itself to a different radar maybe. One second you see a Su-27 on the RWR, the other it’s an F-5 and the next thing you know, there is an F-2 next to you.
Different waveforms. Depends if the J/APG-1 is capable of that. Instead of radiating a sine wave you can radiate some random (not actually random) shit and use computing power to make sense of it. (https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1443827/FULLTEXT01.pdf)
Idk I’m not a radio technician but in War Thunder it may be good to have J/APG-1 with no LPI capabilities and J/APG-2 later with full LPI.
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To be fair, date of introduction isn’t generally factored into when or if something is added, just capabilities. However, I do agree that there’s no reason for the EFT to be added at the same time as the F-2 early as the EFT would outclass the F-2 early.
That’s interesting and good information to know, thanks!
I don’t think it’s fair to compare an AESA fighter like F-2 to an AESA+IRST+MAWS+LWS fighter like the Eurofighter. To boil them both down to just being AESA fighters isn’t fair and dismissive of other factors.
The F-2 is gonna be in a weird spot because of the capabilities it has, and lacks. I think it will have very lethal ordnance but weak self-protection. Gonna feel like the MiG-23M when it was first added.
Yeah it’ll be awkward to balance it and we may see more done with F-15J. And why is the AAM-4 allegedly weighing 222kg but only having a stated range of 100km? Something is off.
What is the sources?
Not sure where 100km comes from though but the weight seems accurate though this is for AAM-4A not sure if AAM-4B is different
Seems like AAM-4B is only marginally heavier
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Can you expand on what you mean by weak self-protection?
Compared to the F-16C, it’d have the same number of countermeasures (120 flares/chaff, popping 2 at a time so mixed is 30 pops). Unless we’re comparing it to say the Gripen with its absurd amount of countermeasures lol.
I presume it’s maneuverability will be at minimum like the F-16AJ but realistically better? since it pulls more Gs and has more wing area.
I have no idea about their RWR but I’d assume it’d be better than J/APR-4 and actually pick up the K band for stuff like the Pantsir.
Overall, at least for the F-2 early, I think the deadliest part of it would be (if modeled) good TWS that doesn’t ping other RWR and smokeless AAM-3 (for ground RB/sim). Otherwise being stuck with sparrows, and only carrying 4 AAM-3 max means it has the same firepower as the current F-15J. Meanwhile the F-16C can carry 6 AIM-120s or 6 AIM-9Ms.
Will it be that more awkward to balance?
I feel like it’s more of a case of modeling the AESA radar that’s holding up the F-2 at this point. Considering how in-depth the existing radar mechanics are, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re taking their time and trying to do due diligence, even if the final result on initial release is far from actual final state of AESA.
He’s referring to the so far not found lack of MAWS, LWS etc…
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Ah, I see. I thought there was something else that I didn’t know about that was unique to the F-2.
Yeah…i have been trying to find if they do have MAWS at least but its hard to tell
My gut feeling is no, however if the F-15J has it, then I don’t see why the F-2 wouldn’t.
Do we have any idea on the RWR it uses?
Unrelated, but I just realized the F-2 early has access to JDAMs and the FLIR pod so in theory we could have that as our CAS option. It wouldn’t track a target and would fixate in a ground position but at least we could use the pod to designate where to lock. Good for stationary targets and still possible to hit moving targets with good lead and a little luck.
Neither of the mentioned aircraft stack up anywhere close to the self-protection suite of the Eurofighter. The F-2 doesn’t either to the best of my knowledge. We’re talking forward warning, electronic warfare, jamming, etc.
Calling the AESA radar an “improved TWS” is the understatement of the year.
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Gotcha. I thought you were referring to its self-protection compared to already existing aircraft in the game.
Haha, perhaps. Though I was more referring to how the combination of situational awareness and decent smokeless IRCCM AAM would be deadly in modes like GRB where you could essentially be a hidden assassin picking off targets that don’t even know they’ve been targeted.
From what i could find it seems they do have it both MHI and Lockheed mention them i would assume Jamming as well
“integrated electronic warfare system”
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Not sure on the names specifically but its this if im not mistaken
One on each wing
Im also trying to figure out what some other antennas are such as these
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Yea, the name in particular I was curious, but I couldn’t find anything on that either. The antennae I’m at least a bit familiar with seeing as it’s on the F-15J as well.
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