I believe you are correct, but I remember the old forums had a document showing that the AN/APG-68 was suggested/considered if the J/APG-1 wasn’t ready by the time the prototypes were ready.
I will keep searching for the document not that it will change much, I’m really just looking for anything that may bring the XF-2 to the game quicker.
Seems like the development of J/APG-1 might of helped a bit or at least it was some extra research and data to help in the future APG-77 radar that would go on the F-22. APG-77 was first fully tested in 1997 so it kind of adds up. Interesting to see J/APG-1 might have ties to the F-22 in some way.
So with the Block 50 coming, XF-2, even the F-2 is more of a possibility now right?
I’m hoping we’ll see something soon as the Block 50 looks to have a limited loadout compared to IRL, which is what we’d oringally proposed for XF-2… im a little out the loop on where we currently are with it
Yeah, I helped fireraid find info for the suggestion.
I took a break after the F-16AJ Gear door debate, so I was more curious where we were with XF-2, as the arguement of it being too advanced is slowly closing with the Block 50 coming, and that it could be revisited with the limited armament like the block 50 seems to have in the devblog video
The differences between Block 50 & XF-2 are too massive.
Block 60 & XF-2? Closer.
In-fact, both might come out at similar times.
I think we’re within a year of F-2 tho. We’ll have plenty of F-15J time until then.
I wouldn’t say the differences are massive and I’m curious where you are getting that impression? This just feels like all the doom saying back when people were asking for the Type 10 and everyone said it would be the best tank in the game impossible to pen with 700mm+ armor, etc.
Last time the XF-2 was brought up it was purely the difference in engine power that would make the flight performance too good on the XF-2 compared to F-16As, but with the F-16C using the same engine, those arguments are not relevant anymore.
The only unknown is AESA radar, but it’s only unknown in how it will be modeled. It’s combat effectiveness in war thunder is going to be irrelevant, if there is a difference at all. There are many things war thunder simplifies for the sake of gameplay and AESA will just be one of those things. On top of all that, we can limit X/F-2 to IR only missiles and balance it that way as worst case.
They could also simply “Nerf” the radar or save the AESA Radar set to the actual release of the regular F-2A. They could thus add the XF-2A with the F16C Radar (AN/APG-68). Since I do recall a discussion about the earliest version of XF-2A having it before J/APG-1 Was completed however this is considered a speculation since I do not have any source for it. In this configuration it would not be better than the F16C and simply a trade-off. Maneuverability for Speed.
Right, it was speculation and that’s why I’m not suggesting it, but if it ends up being true, then even more reason to bring the XF-2 in with the F-16C radar.
Precisely and it fits, in my opinion, with the nickname it has of Viper Zero. One of Japan’s iconic planes and bane to anyone who turnfights it, carrying it over to top tier with the X/F-2.