I re-tested everything and my previous comments about the AAM-4 pulling more were wrong, so I deleted the replies to avoid misinformation around here.
The AAM-4 is almost on par with the new AIM-120 on short range HOBS when it comes to the min distance each need to hit the target under the same conditions, but the AAM-4 bleeds more speed doing the turn, while the AIM-120 can intercept at the same range while going faster in a sharper turn.
Right off the rail they are more or less similar in AoA. But since the AIM-120 does the same interception with more energy, I would say its the better one. The AAM-4 is closer to what the AIM-120C does now in a sharp turn lol.
The only advantage the AAM-4 has over the AIM-120A is a tiny bit more acceleration in a straight line (if any), and slightly better glide at range. But that is hardly an advantage because long-distance shots are unreliable.
Right now, in order of short-range HOBS performance:
Derby < AIM-120C/D </= AAM-4 < AIM-120A/B < PL-12 = PL-12A < R-77-1 </= R-77 < MICA
The difference between the AIM-120A and PL-12 is not big
In this update, the AAM-4 and Derby seem to have essentially the same turn capability as before, but at least the Derby issue where it could not pull more than 20G (similar to PL-12) seems to be gone, because I saw it make some hard corrections in a match where it could not do before.
I was surprised to see the AIM-120C/D to pull more than the and Derby. In the case of the F-15JM and the F-16C barack II I would now run a full AIM-120A loadout instead.
Also because of the Derby/R-darter, the British Gripen C went from the best 13.7 Gripen to the worst now.
Here are some comparisons, I tried my best to start launching at 2.5km, any closer, and most if not all, of these missiles would start to miss.
AAM-4 (On the F-2A because it spawns at the same speed as the other F-16’s in the test drive)
AIM-120C
Derby
AIM-120A
PL-12 (I tried to match the speed because it spawns at much higher speeds)