I know REDFOR players arent the largest chunk in the game, but there are quite a few of us and im always stuck feeling like REDFOR is a step behind when it comes to CAP. sure you got your shorter range r-77s on the mig, and J-11, but they are super easy to defeat and unless u own the JF-17 the R-77 is all you got more or less. the R-27 family just doesnt stand up to the SPAMRAAM, and i think itd be nice to see maybe a Su-27M or a Su-35S with R77-1s. The Su-30SM mod is a great start and have been able to dig up a plethora of information on Su-35 and Su-30 aircraft, and they are just dudes making cool stuff in their free time, the Su-30SM mod adds quite a lot including R77-1s, R77Ms, even the hypersonic R-37M, and a 80ish% clickable cockpit. I feel like giving REDFOR a flaming cliffs style, or full fidelity standalone module would be a big win and possibly bring back REDFOR mains who are waiting for something new.
Ive seen many servers who just edit the default su-27 and su-33 loadouts to give them things like PL-12s and R77s just so they can keep up with the more advanced BLUFOR jets. I believe this will mend the gap and even the odds a little more between BLUFOR and REDFOR when it comes to BVR engagements. The Su-27M and Su-35S would also open up to better A/G configurations similar to the F-15E and other BLUFOR jets.
As far as balancing goes, I'm not sure if any BLUFOR aircraft have a PESA radar or not, and I know the earlier Su-35S had one. I'm not some Radar guru but im sure PESA would beat out a PD radar and for the sake of keeping things fair that'd be hard to get around. I suppose there must be a Su-27M or Su-35S that at least had a PD radar at one point, and maybe that block can be the one in the game. I suppose thats for the devs to figure out if they like the idea.
For me personally it was the Su-27 that got me into the game, and I still love the flanker, But I find that Just to get a chance jousting a BLUFOR jet, I gotta use R77-1s, and even then im still usually outranged by the AMRAAM. I've found with the Su-30SM mod's configuration of the missile at high altitude youve got about 40-60kms in a head on engagement, and watching replays it seems the amraam floats around the same area. Is the Su-30SM mod's version totally accurate? probably not, but its the best I have to go off of at the moment.
All im saying, I think it'd be huge to get another REDFOR module that can keep things spicy against BLUFOR's more modern fighters.
