Note: BRs are for ARB and assuming no BR decompression between now and when the vehicles are added.
- Great idea!
- Good idea, needs tweaks
- Terrible idea!
The F-15 is one of the most anticipated 4th gen fighters for War Thunder. For good reason- IMO it’s the coolest aircraft ever built.
However, with the exceptional flight capabilities of the F-15 and its ability to carry AMRAAMs means it would be a significant step up in vehicle capabilities, causing compression and powercreep. Otherwise, there would need to be a significant wait for the vehicle.
I have a suggestion of how to implement the F-15A sooner than later without it being OP- don’t give the F-15A AMRAAMs.
The F-15A:
The F-15A is the first variant of the F-15. Its most similar in-game equivalent is the F-14B, but with dramatically improved flight performance.
3,000km/h vs 2,200km/h
1.85TWR vs 1.24
342m/s climb vs 224
55lb/ft^2 vs 94 (lower is better)
It entered service in 1976. I would have it armed with AIM-7F (1976) and AIM-7M (1982) as well as AIM-9L (1976) and AIM-9M (1983). This would create a highly capable vehicle with great flight performance but without having to introduce newer, more capable missile types. The F-15A would then be available for adding at 12.7 soon™️ along with the Su-27, which conveniently uses already in-game R-73s and R-27s rather than the more advanced R-74s and R-77s.
The F-15A could historically carry AMRAAMs, yes. These entered service in late 1991. The F-15As were relegated to the National Guard starting in 1979 when the F-15C entered service. While the last one was decommissioned in 2009, by 1991 F-15As were exclusively used in secondary roles. For example, no F-15As flew in Desert Storm.
The F-15C:
The F-15C is an improved version of the F-15A. Flight performance is similar and the primary upgrades were in armament. New radar, AIM-9M and AIM-120A and B AMRAAMs. This would be at a TBD BR of ~13.3 or 13.7 depending on how compressed top BR becomes and the performance AMRAAMs demonstrate on less capable aircraft such as the F-4F ICE that should come first.
F-15C (Late):
This is the version of the F-15C is still in service today. Multiple-target-tracking radar, C and D AMRAAMs as well as AIM-9Xs at a TBD BR.
F-15J:
Japanese F-15 based on F-15C. Entered service in 1981. Same armament as the F-15A, same BR. AAM-3s can be carried, but probably shouldn’t to simplify balance.
F-15J Mid Service Improvement Program (early):
2004 upgrade of F-15J. New radar, AAM-3s (IR missile better than 9M) and AAM-4s (early AMRAAM equivalent). Same or similar BR as F-15C.
F-15J Mid Service Improvement Program (late):
2010 upgrade to the F-15J. AAM-4B (late AMRAAM equivalent) and AAM-5 (AIM-9X equivalent). Same or similar BR to F-15C (late).
F-15E:
Huge upgrade. Not gonna bother.
F-15I:
Israeli F-15E variant.
In conclusion: F-15A and J WITHOUT AMRAAMs or other more modern missiles could come in only a couple updates at 12.7 without excessive powercreep. Models such as the F-15C and F-15J MTDP with those more capable missiles could come in the next year or so at a higher BR.
Let me know your thoughts!