I’m actually looking forward to it as much as a major update, as, since 2016, April Fools days have been used as a testbed events for future content and mechanics hahah
2024 was underwhelming because it was just some *rcade thing (the exit zones for Ground AB planes), but we will see what it will be this year soon enough!
Personally I’m pretty content with the air additions and would prefer to see more ground.
The A-4M would definitely be fun. From the suggestion post for the A-4M, it could get 9Ls.
It would honestly be pretty cool as 2 separate aircraft:
The A-4M Early could just get AIM-9D/Gs, AGM-65As, etc. It would probably be the same BR as the Ayit in the Israeli tree.
The A-4M Late could get AIM-9Ls, AGM-65Ds, etc. What would make it cool is if it got the triple-rack Mavericks on the centerline pylon. That would allow it to take up to 7x AGM-65Ds. But a more multirole loadout would be 5x AGM-65Ds and 2x AIM-9Ls. Hell, even if it was just AGM-65Bs it would be incredible. In Ground RB it would probably be 10.7 or 10.3 alongside the A-10As, which specific BR just depends on the type of Mavericks it gets. In Air RB it would probably be 10.7 (again assuming it gets 9Ls).
So a naval overhaul with the introduction of sub warfare?
😜
It was very heartwarming to see F-2 spam even in the RU stream and it was clearly not from the EN folks as this was typed in Russian.
At least it has been leaked so any update could be the one…
The A-4Ms can’t use AGM-65A/B or D. They were only ever wired for AGM-65Es due to being USMC aircraft (and even then, the ones wired for them were few and far between due to being decently specialized, to the point they almost had their own designation).
I find that surprising considering the A-4N Ayit has wiring for AGM-65As. Of course the A-4M lacks self-lasing capabilities, so AGM-65Es would be useless unless they added buddy-lasing :/
Truth be told, I have no idea what source Gaijin used for the A-4N getting Mavs. Only pic I’ve ever seen of an Israeli Ayit with Mavs was actually an A-4F (and it had the centerline triple rack).
I could see Gaijin justifying AGM-65Fs for the A-4M, though
65Fs would definitely be nice, although I’d expect it to be ~11.0 or 11.3 in Ground RB. Granted, it would probably “only” get 4x 65Fs, but those are pretty nasty.
Retain J52-P8A engine same A-4E (late) and A-4F early ?
Personally, F/A-18E Block II (late) beginning in 2005
A-4Ms only ever had the J52-P-408. It wouldn’t get a HUD, IFF, or the same RWR as the later A-4M though (APR-25 instead of ALR-45F on early, ALR-45F on A-4M late)
A-4M early RWR and avionics older A-4M (late)
A-4M armed Walleye I ER/DL only
But AGM-65D mounted on F-16C/D Block 30, F-4E Block 60 (ANG) and F-15E
Going to be another bullpup carrier.
I would presume it can take hold over loadout from The F and have have triple mount where the fuel tank is as well?
No triple mav racks, sadly. USN/USMC never used them.
I believe just 2-4x Mavericks on the wing pylons (one per each), tops.
Shame I know Israel’s A-4F did mount triple racks.
Also wasn’t the reason USN/USMC never used triple racks because they never used AGM-65Ds.
Yeah. USMC/USN only ever used the AGM-65E (mid-80s) and AGM-65F (I think late-80s to early 1990s).
There was also the AGM-65C, but that was a prototype and never entered service (and was also laser-guided)
Yeah the warheads on those are too heavy for LAU-88s I am sure.
