The 12.7 F-18s are under BRed, they really should be 13.0, possibly without any upgrades, but 2-4 Aim-9M would probably be okay (6 might be an issue though)
Aim-120 would make it 13.7/14.0 instantly.
The 12.3 F-18s are equally under BRed and they lack the Aim-7Ps and are generally slightly weaker overall, there is no way in hell the Premium F-18s could go down without massive loadout nerfs
Loadouts are always used as a balancing decision and many many aircraft do not operate their IRL loadouts (for example Sea Harrier FRS1 at 11.0 and Tornado F3 at 12.0 are missing Aim-9Ms)
Though compare to something like the Gripen A or the F-16, 6x Aim-9M + 4x Aim-7P is very strong for the BR, though yeah, probably comprable to the Su-27 overall.
Was just comparing directly to the F-18s already in-game at 14.0. Sure if they had reduced loadout they would be lower, but I dont think that much lower.
But this is ultimately the issue, whether any 12.0s bar maybe the F3 should even be able to see the premium F-18s is a debate to be had.
well, sure, but unlike Gripen, it has only 60x CMs dropped in pairs (the swiss one has 120x) and lacks HMD and is slower.
and unlike the belgian 13.0 F-16, it still lacks HMS (tho im not seeing one in Xray currently, shouldnt it have IR only HMS?) its still slower so it cant leverage the position that aggresively.
Su-27/33 absolutely blows 12.7 Hornets out of the water with their kits, and F-15A isnt far behind.
shouldve specified i understood it as “only AIM120A” not “both 9M and 120A”. Both yes, it would be higher, with 120As only, it would likely be the same as F-16 ADFs which too have 120As but no 9Ms.
And M4K can carry up to 8x Magic 2s, much more CMs, is faster, and can carry both CW and pulse variant of 530.
current 12.7 hornet ultimately not, but neither should current hornet see 14.0. ergo decompression is needed.
9M equipped Hornet wouldnt be that bad against 14.0, and for 12.0s it would be full uptier; meaning they would only see 4 of them (or something like that, correct me if im wrong).
moreso 9M Hornet wouldnt be all that different to the F-15A, Su-27/33 or M4K for 12.0 in full uptier.
Eh… without HOBS I dont necessarily consider HMD a balance worthy mention, only a QoL upgrade.
Though that is fair.
Ah yes, I see, in that case, I could potentially see 13.3, though only if it was also capped to 6 AMRAAM or something, I doubt the F-18s are using many Aim-9Ms
18C earlys cant carry more radar missiles anyway, but can always carry 2x 9Ls on wingtip pylons. so it would have some advantage over ADF in missile count.
tho again, it would be slower.
on something like F-4S or even KWS id agree - F-4S missiles dont do anything for HMS, and KWS post-merge wouldnt be saved even if it had the most modern HMD in game.
However premium F-18 thanks to its manueverability would massively benefit from HMS/HMD. Without it, it would be fine with 9Ms at 13.0.
How so?
F18 is slow, has mid missiles and is good for 1 turn. Any rate fight and its over.
F16AJ > and the AJ is also struggling. Have you played many games at 12.7 recently?
90% of games are 12.7- 13.7 (13.7 is best / most fun high tier BR in game RN)
the fact that i paid 80euros for a “handicapped” plane because at the time there was a non-ARH premium doctrine… which in the mean time was changed and now there are 80euros premiums with FOX3 is a slap to the customers. Add at least Aim-120A to the premium Hornets. this is not fair at all !
