Want to suggest adding new aircraft

[Chuck_Attack]

Hello Gaijin, I am Chuck_Attack, I play War Thunder and i have a few vehicles i want to suggest for you to add, ill give you 5 for now for USA: A-37 Dragonfly, F15EX Eagle II, FJ-3M, FJ-1, American Captured MiG-21F-13

[gfdsa_killer]

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[Chuck_Attack]

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet (Early & Late Variants) for the US Tech Tree

Description

This is a proposal to add the two-seat variant of the Legacy Hornet, the F/A-18D, to the US Aviation Tree. While primarily utilized by the US Navy as a trainer, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) uniquely designated the F/A-18D as a frontline tactical strike and Night Attack aircraft.

Because the D-model utilizes a two-man crew (Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer), it would offer unique survivability advantages in War Thunder, allowing the aircraft to remain flyable if one crew member is knocked out. To avoid a massive capability jump in a single vehicle, the F/A-18D should be introduced as two separate variants: an F/A-18D (Early) representing the Gulf War era, and an F/A-18D (Late) representing the modernized, Fox-3 capable Night Attack configurations.

F/A-18D (Early)

• Proposed Placement: Rank VIII, USA Tech Tree (Following the AV-8B Plus line)
• Estimated Battle Rating: 12.7 - 13.0 (Air RB / Ground RB)

History

Entering service in late 1989, the early production blocks of the two-seat F/A-18D were quickly deployed by USMC squadrons during Operation Desert Storm. These aircraft functioned primarily as fast forward air controllers (FAC(A)) and tactical strike assets, utilizing their dual-crew layout to manage heavy workloads in high-threat environments.

General Specifications

• Crew: 2 (Pilot, Weapon Systems Officer)
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofans
  • Dry Thrust: 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) each
  • Afterburner Thrust: 16,000 lbf (71.2 kN) each
• Max Speed: Mach 1.8 at 35,000 ft (1,060 knots / 1,960 km/h)
• Rate of Climb: 50,000 ft/min (254 m/s)
• Avionics: AN/APG-65 Radar, AN/ALR-45(V) RWR, AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk Targeting Pod
• Countermeasures: 2× AN/ALE-39 dispensers (60 total large-caliber slots)

Weaponry & Loadouts

• Internal Gun: 1× 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan nose cannon (578 rounds)
• Hardpoints: 9 total (2× wingtip, 4× under wing, 3× fuselage)
• Air-to-Air Missiles:
  • Up to 2-6× AIM-9L / AIM-9M Sidewinder
  • Up to 4× AIM-7M Sparrow
• Air-to-Ground Ordnance:
  • AGM-65E/F Maverick
  • GBU-10/12/16 Paveway II laser-guided bombs
  • Mk 82/83/84 General Purpose and Snakeye bombs
  • Hydra 70 / Zuni unguided rockets

F/A-18D (Late) “Night Attack”

• Proposed Placement: Rank VIII/IX, USA Tech Tree (End of the Marine Strike Line)
• Estimated Battle Rating: 13.7+ (Air RB / Ground RB)

History

By the mid-to-late 1990s, the USMC heavily upgraded the F/A-18D fleet into dedicated Night Attack platforms. These late-production lots received completely modernized cockpits, completely re-engineered radars, and advanced data-links allowing for night precision-guided strikes. Some variants were adapted into the ATARS (Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System) configuration, swapping the nose cannon for recon cameras, though standard Night Attack variants retained the gun.

General Specifications

• Crew: 2 (Pilot, Weapon Systems Officer)
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-GE-402 turbofans
  • Dry Thrust: 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) each
  • Afterburner Thrust: 17,600 lbf (78.2 kN) each
• Max Speed: Mach 1.8 at 35,000 ft
• Rate of Climb: 50,000 ft/min (254 m/s)
• Avionics: AN/APG-73 Radar, AN/ALR-67(V)3 Advanced RWR, AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Targeting Pod, JHMCS (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System)
• Countermeasures: Upgraded internal dispenser suites (Up to 120 countermeasures depending on operational standard)

Weaponry & Loadouts

• Internal Gun: 1× 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan nose cannon (578 rounds)
• Air-to-Air Missiles:
  • AIM-9M / AIM-9X High-Off-Boresight Sidewinders (Paired with JHMCS)
  • AIM-120A/B/C AMRAAM (Full active radar homing “Fox-3” capability)
• Air-to-Ground Ordnance:
  • GBU-31/32/38 JDAM (GPS-guided bombs)
  • AGM-88 HARM (Anti-radiation missiles)
  • AGM-154 JSOW
  • APKWS II laser-guided rockets

Why it should be added

The US tree heavily emphasizes Navy single-seat air superiority (F/A-18A/C) and Air Force strike assets (F-15E). Adding the USMC twin-seat F/A-18D bridges a gap for Marine Corps aviation fans, introduces a unique dual-crew mechanic to top-tier US jets, and gives Ground RB players a phenomenal dual-role platform that balances close-air support with self-defense BVR capabilities.

Sources

1. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet Naval Strike Fighter Flight Manual (NATOPS)
2. United States Marine Corps Aircraft Characteristics Performance Data - F/A-18D
3. Hughes/Raytheon AN/APG-65 and AN/APG-73 Radar Systems Manuals