So I will agree here that I was wrong initially, I did not know we sold AIM-9Ms to Taiwan in 2002. I would like to see the source of that first purchase list since anything I can find on an AIM-9M sale to Taiwan was in 2002, which if you had read further into my comments about I said that later on the United States sold more advanced weapon systems including AAMs. But as of right now the in game Taiwanese F-16A Block 20 wouldn’t have M’s, and by the time we roll around to that period, it would have AMRAAMs and the Chinese tree will have China’s own aircraft and armament.
Here is everything we sold to Taiwan from 1990 to 2011. This was from a Congressional Research Service report to Congress. And before anyone freaks out, this is found on their website:
May I republish or use content from a report?
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Don’t worry about that. The reason XF-2B specifically is mentioned is because it (the second XF-2B to be precise) was used for the early weaponst tests and was the first fitted with a radar. The others were only later outfitted with such systems. If we want an XF-2 to stay limited to early armament such as 7F/M, 9L and AAM-3 as it would have had in the earlier testing stages this is an aircraft that could do so while staying historical.
The XF-2As only later received radar and weapons, and would end up as equals to the F-2 even in their earliest configuration unless permanently limited. The XF-2B could receive it’s full (early) weaponry, while still retaining a lower BR that a future production F-2.
The B variant would have also made the turn performance increase from the F-16s less severe, while making it even slower. This could help balance the two additional SARH AAMs compared to other contemporary aircraft.
Meanwhile the XF-2s also later tested systems that would make them interesting additions improving on the production F-2s with experimental systems that didn’t end up being adopted. So they would still have a place in game.
So you are absolutely right about the XF-2A being armed, the XF-2B is just closer to the F-16As.
Right, but now we’re at F-16Cs with AIM-9Ms, so really the only big question is what to do with AESA.
I’m more of a fan of XF-2A with 4 IR + 2 or 4 SARH for the time being, which would be balanced (again depending on how the radar is handled).
That being said, at this point F-2 itself is equally likely too as the only reason to go for the XF-2A would be to justify nerfing or experimenting with the AESA radar implementation. So maybe XF-2A itself might be an event vehicle.
Like I said, I am more than willing to admit when I am wrong, I am just going off of our actual sales records to Taiwan, I am doing my best to find out if the M’s were delivered with it. If they were, then sure bump the Block 20 to 12.3 and give it the M’s.
Here’s something from the Taiwanese archives.
It talks about test firing the AIM-9M in 1993 (1982 in ROC years). It’s just the description, it hasn’t been put online/need permission.
yes it seens F-CK-1 Ching-kuo
here’s the datum of 鷹揚
“ 鷹揚計畫：
1981年航發中心展開經國號戰機前身之高性能戰鬥攔截機原型研發工作，機型代號初取為「FX」，為求保密並取名為「鷹揚」。航發中心此時並成立鷹揚計劃辦公室。
1982年國防部指示鷹揚戰機之總體性能應不遜於F-16為原則，且以奇異 J79渦輪噴射引擎為動力。當年行政院自立小組並決議進行研製戰機，航發中心此年即成立鷹揚戰機研造處為研發計畫作準備。
1983年航發中心改隸國防部中山科學研究院，鷹揚計劃與雲漢、天箭（天雷）、天翔（天劍）等計畫合併成立安翔計畫。
Anyways, anyone have any leaks/mines for the upcoming crafting event?
Also, how does the “buying rewards” go for the crafting event? Am on console and no time to play but kinda wanna know what the main air prize would cost and how to get it. Some other events you simply buy 8 to 10 999GE stars.
Hope no one thinks bad of it. Sometimes there’s great vehicles but between work and family life I have no time to grind those events!
