With the introduction of Russia’s Kh-38MT/ML series in War Thunder, NATO aircraft are currently missing a direct counterpart in terms of speed, guidance, and tactical strike range. This suggestion proposes a new guided missile, the AGM-X38, as a realistic but balanced NATO equivalent.
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[table]
| Attribute | AGM-X38 Specification |
|---|---|
| Role | Tactical precision strike missile |
| Range | 35–40 km |
| Speed | Mach 1.8–2.0 (supersonic terminal) |
| Guidance | Multi-mode: IR + TV + GNSS/INS |
| Warhead | ~200–220 kg HE-FRAG / Penetrator |
| Launch Profile | Fire-and-forget, LOAL/LOBL |
| Weight | ~550–600 kg |
| Platforms | F-16C, F/A-18C, Gripen C, Eurofighter |
| [/table] |
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Kh-38 Advantages in Game:
[list]
[] Supersonic delivery, difficult to intercept
[] Advanced seekers (IR, TV, GNSS, Laser variants)
[] Fire-and-forget capability
[] Large warhead for multi-role use
[/list]
Current NATO Limitations:
[list]
[] AGM-65 Mavericks – Shorter range, limited seekers, subsonic
[] Brimstone – Smart, but small warhead (6.3 kg)
[] Glide bombs (GBU-12/24, SDB) – Unpowered, vulnerable to SPAA
[] SPIKE NLOS – Good seekers, but subsonic and niche
[/list]
The AGM-X38 fills this gap with comparable range and guidance while staying true to Western design philosophy.
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[spoiler=“Implementation Ideas”]
[list]
[] Available as a new weapon for F-16C, F/A-18C, Gripen C, Eurofighter Tranche 1
[] Could share visual models with AGM-154 (JSOW) or AGM-158 (JASSM) scaled down
[] Lock-on Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-on After Launch (LOAL) variants possible
[] Seeker modes could be selectable per missile loadout (IR / TV / GNSS variants), or combined
[/list]
[/spoiler]
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This missile is carefully designed to match the Kh-38’s effectiveness without surpassing it:
[table]
| Feature | Kh-38MT/ML | AGM-X38 Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Supersonic (~Mach 2) | Supersonic (~Mach 2) |
| Guidance | TV / IR / GNSS | TV + IR + GNSS combo |
| Range | 30–40 km | 35–40 km |
| Warhead | ~250 kg | ~200–220 kg |
| Platforms | Su-25SM3, Su-34 | F-16C, F/A-18C, Gripen |
| [/table] |
Advantages: NATO-specific design, comparable in role
Limitations: Slightly smaller warhead than Kh-38, no laser variant (for now)
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This proposed missile would give top-tier NATO jets a much-needed response to Russia’s Kh-38 without breaking balance or introducing unrealistic performance. It’s grounded in existing technologies and fits modern Western CAS and SEAD roles.
Would you support the addition of the AGM-X38 or similar to the game? Share your thoughts below!
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