IRL, there is strong evidence that the AIM-54C had all-aspect target-geometry capability, or at least something much closer to all-aspect than a simple front-aspect-only seeker. This is mentioned several times during development, and post-development sources also describe capability against “retreating” or “opening” targets.
Gaijin has already accepted that the AIM-54C had front-aspect and beam/side-aspect capability. If a missile can engage front-aspect, beam/side-aspect, and opening/receding targets, then in War Thunder’s simplified seeker categories it should logically be treated as all-aspect, or at least not as front-aspect-only.
Also, pulse-Doppler does not automatically mean all-aspect, and continuous-wave does not automatically mean front-aspect-only. Those are waveform/guidance labels, not the same thing as seeker aspect capability. In game, the AIM-54C+ may be described as CW in game, but the code/datamine shows Doppler-related seeker parameters, so the stat-card label should not be treated as the full technical explanation.
Maybe i’ve been looking at datamine that’s out of date, but from what i’m seeing right now it’s coded much like a CW seeker, it’s missing the “distgate” and “distance” parameter that you’d see on a pulse doppler missile like the aim-120a. I don’t know if it’s identified as cw or HPRF/MPRF in enemy rwr either.
Yes, the AIM-54C is currently missing the same distance / distGate range-discrimination logic. The AIM-54C file shows an active radar seeker with dopplerSpeed and dopplerSpeedGate. By contrast, the AIM-120A has dopplerSpeed, dopplerSpeedGate, distGate, and distance which prove Gaijin can integrate range discrimination.
I would not call it “coded as CW” though. In the file it is not just a CW/SARH seeker; it is marked active: true and has Doppler-speed filtering. So it is coded like a Doppler-only active radar seeker, without range-gate/distance discrimination, not necessarily “CW.” Pulse-Doppler means the radar/seeker uses pulsed emissions and Doppler processing to measure/filter by radial velocity. It does not automatically prove that the seeker has strong, unambiguous range discrimination or a War Thunder-style distance / distGate function. However, if some sources describe target discrimination, then that supports more advanced seeker filtering than simple Doppler-only front-aspect behavior. We have some sources for this and I am making a report with someone at the moment.
A whole new generation of US mains that know only how to fly up and press missile launch button 6 times will be born from this update. And I’m all for it.
I know, can’t wait to bully entire lobbies worth of people in F-14B. I missed the train back in the days when F-14A was just added, so it will be glorious. And the best part is that F-14s won’t go up because there will be an enormous amount of F-14D wallet warriors keeping statistics nice and low
nope its going to make them not a meme weapon, probably will replace the aim7s in most situations. i dont think its going to push the f14s into being the best though, imo the aim9m is going to be the best buff cause the f14b will finally have a way to engage cold targets
I also agree with that, I am kinda more happy that 9M was added to F-14B over AIM-54 buff (probably because I still don’t know how good will buffed AIM-54 will be, but i do know aim 9m are good)
