- Yes
- No
Hello, I thought I’d present the close-range “cousin” of this event suggestion where instead of BVRAAM, it is based solely around “knife fights” with modern/next-gen IR/IIR missiles.
Disclaimer
This suggestion assumes War Thunder already features nations/aircraft capable of carrying next-generation IR and Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) missiles. The aim is not to demand these weapons (and if applicable, aircraft) immediately, but to propose a public, weekend-only test event (similar to the SEAD event) where these systems can be trialled in a simplified environment. This allows players to experience next-gen IR/IIR missiles in a limited capacity before widespread addition to the game, while giving devs insight into how effective they are in close-range engagements and adjusting accordingly (if needed) for future implementation.
TL;DR
Spoiler
- Event to test next gen IR/IIR missiles before widespread implementation.
- Limited to aircraft of BR 13.7 and up to top BR (currently 14.7) that can carry these new missiles
- LOAL and DL disabled for the missiles in first iteration of event
An Overview of the Event
- Format: Normal non-EC RB match
- Matchmaking: Standard RB mechanisms, with an optional “Blufor vs. Redfor” (NATO vs. Russia/China) matchmake.
- Maps: High-intensity, smaller-scale maps. Suggested: City, Denmark, Dover Strait, Vietnam, and Golan Heights.
- Spawning: Both teams will spawn in the air at normal altitude/speed as in normal Air Realistic Battles matches.
- Rules: Only aircraft historically capable of carrying these missiles are permitted. Each aircraft spawns with its historical/technical maximum IR/IIR loadout. As this is “next-gen”, it would be restricted to 13.7+ aircraft only. Lastly, to “win” a team must accumulate 75 destroyed planes.
- Respawns: Enabled and number of respawns depends on how much SL a player has (though as this event would last a while, I’d say the SL cost should be low), similar to Nuclear Thunder’s and other events before.
Aircraft / Armament
🇺🇸 USA
- F-16C Block 50/52: Up to 6 AIM-9X Block II
- F-15C MSIP II/Golden Eagle: Up to 4 AIM-9X Block II
- F/A-18E Super Hornet: Up to 12* AIM-9X Block II
Note: still checking for the Super Hornet, be back soon
🇷🇺 Russia
- Su-35S / Su-30SM2 / MiG-29SMT: Up to 6 R-74M/M2
Note: while the R-74M2 is indeed made for the Su-57 (not yet in-game), it is technically feasible for it to be mounted on existing aircraft
🇬🇧🇩🇪🇮🇹 UK / Germany / Italy
- Eurofighter Typhoon: Up to 6 IRIS-T (GER/ITA) or 6 ASRAAM (GB)
- AF/A-18A Hornet (GB): Up to 6 ASRAAM
🇫🇷 France
- Rafale C/M: Up to 8 MICA IR
- Mirage 2000-5F: Up to 6 MICA IR
🇸🇪 Sweden
- JAS39C/E: Up to 6 IRIS-T
🇨🇳 China
- J-10C / J-15T / J-16: Up to 2-4 PL-10
🇮🇱 Israel
- F-16I Sufa / F-15I Ra’am: Up to 4-6 Python 5
🇯🇵 Japan
- F-2A / F-15J(M): Up to 4 AAM-5B
Note: The list of aircraft here does not include every sub-tree vehicle, however if applicable and down to developer’s discretion, they can be allowed to as well
Missile Information Table (Most values here are placeholders)
| Missile | Seeker Type | Lock Range (Rear) | Maximum Speed | Maximum Range | All-Aspect Lock Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIM-9X Blk II | IIR | 12 km | Mach 3 | 35 km | 9 km |
| IRIS-T | IIR | 12 km | Mach 3.0 | 25 km | 9 km |
| ASRAAM | IIR | 12 km | Mach 3.5 | 50 km | 9 km |
| MICA IR | IIR | 12 km | Mach 4.0 | 60 km | 9 km |
| Python 5 | IIR | 12 km | Mach 2 | 20 km | 9 km |
| PL-10 | IIR | 12 km | Mach 4.0 | 20 km | 9 km |
| R-74M/M2 | Dual-Band IR | 12 km | Mach 2.5 | 40 km | 9 km |
| AAM-5B | IIR | 12 km | Mach 3.0 | 35 km | 9 km |
Note: if details here are incorrect, do not hesitate to provide up-to-date information
Future Iterations & Mechanics
I have opted to exclude Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) and Datalink (DL) updates that most of these missiles have in this initial proposal. The goal for “Phase 1” is to experience the raw seeker technology and the kinematic performance of these missiles (and if applicable, airframes). If the event is successful, subsequent iterations could incrementally introduce more complex features like LOAL and DL updates for these new IR missiles.
Changelog (as of 20 May 2026)
Spoiler
- Corrected USAF F/A-18E/F Super Hornet AIM-9X missile count.
- Updated Missile Table, added a disclaimer that not all info is final and subject to change.
- Added Australian F/A-18A to GB with ASRAAM.
- Updated rules of the event, mainly how a team wins.
- General grammar corrections.
- Added TLDR section.
Why this event?
This event allows players to experience next-gen missiles in a limited capacity before widespread addition to the game to experience how they play and how effective they are in close-range engagements. Likewise, devs can see how effective or not as effective they are and adjust accordingly in time for a potentially future implementation. Testing these weapons in a “controlled” environment such as this event ensures that when they eventually arrive, players are not caught too off guard at how effective they are.
As always, any and all feedback welcome.
