On tapes and blocks

[sk000tch]

I admittedly do not track prerelease stuff very closely, and I know that there was some evolution of what specific bird/point in time the viper would be. However, since picking up the module, kicking the tires a bit and reviewing the future armament thread, I spent some time reading RDT&Es and TOs… is it me or do some things just not line up?

 

First - this isn't a bitch thread. Construction questions/feedback only. I appreciate the passion you all have and the sacrifices you make to pursue this labor of love. Indeed, in chatting with Nick I understand -- well first, that my list of warbirds flown is a joke-- but also the long term vision and just how niche the market really is. Thus, while you might see me argue what's best for the game issues like the carrier paywall fracturing multiplayer community, you won't see me complain about development times, prices, or the like.

 

Where I do occasionally second guess is, like I said, where things make sense for the sim. I am trying to figure out the f-16, as best I can tell its a 4.2 or 4.3. Yet, I found a screenshot of the original armament list however, with if that's the case then, well, a whole lot of stuff doesn't line up. JASSM obviously wasn't much later, like SDB later. But even JSOW & WCMD?

 

Similarly, block 50s had v5, 6 or 7 depending on when they rolled out of ft worth. V9's were around as early as 2002 with the Hellenic delivery, and though not the equal are at least approaching the Hornets 73. In 2004 Congress earmarked funds for US vipers, which then became the v10 that later died and subsequently the v9 again before everything US going AESA. I think if you were going FY and calendar year you'd have the v9, indeed your first skin 55Th FS was so equipped when they were deployed in 2009. So it was around, in some jets depending on operator, sporadically deployed in US aircraft.

 

Part of the beauty of the F-16 is its ubiquitous throughout the world. We're getting Syria map, so many conflicts and operators. F-16s with pythons, MWS, APSIS, etc? Also, weren't Iris-T and ASRAAM 4.1? Again, not critical, but that kind of stuff adds to the depth created by multipole operators - sorta like the iranian f-14s.

 

Other stuff, with all due respect looks wrong. Why nix the Sniper XR? I don't think you can dual pod litening and HTS until much later. And even then, it would require features than the litening as modelled doesn't include. So unless you've got some guy in the back coding a Rivet Joint, might want to reconsider.

 

I suppose I am just trying to ensure things have been thought out. The announcement obviously had some unrealistic armament, and caused backlash as things were cut. I understand why those things were cut given the block/tape, it should have been worse, buta the original list didn't come across as though the particular jet to be built had been thought through. Is that what you wanted to build but had to dial it back? This I would understand, otherwise an M5+ tape would make much more sense - better datalink w/ hornets, JSOW, improved ARC-210 Victor. SDBs and EGBU would be great but then you're in 120D/9x block II territory so I'm sure that's non-starter.

 

I'm not necessarily arguing for anything in particular. I like the lighter nose A/B jets, though I think the direction the game is headed is different, I like the modern self protection systems and such we're seeing from Deka, and a more capable redfor sounds great, though the direction the game is headed is much more 2000s than 1980s -Tomcat Notwithstanding. Bummed to hear the strike eagle is 80s era as well, so maybe I'm wrong.

 

Again, I like the direction, datalink in the Hornet opened up a lot. Hopefully we get locklines and shot lines in the viper, interflight sorting, GCI tasking, also please... Aegis donors -- they run the net, its nuts they aren't donors. Eventually RQ4s, Jstars providing ground targets, a deeper sim with strategic gameplay to supplement the primarily tactical fighter jet role. Take out some C2 degrades the network, or knock out ISR assets before major offensive - good stuff. I liked Wags squadron management thought, putting together more complex strikes is fun, but be nice to have a purpose that degrades enemy ability to fight.

 

But things have to make sense. I recognize you are limited in what you can simulate for a variety of reasons, the most simplistic being not having the right documentation. I've tried to help when able but unfortunately I don't know the viper well, others certainly seem to though (I'm sure half what i've said is wrong). Is the specific year/tape a strategic decision or more of a …forced/arbitrary choice?

 

Or maybe I’m way off on the vision, I see the next releases are P47 and Me262, which aren't exactly a Gripen, Typhoon or Rafale (or a 14D). I still think we should make sure its right, and I'm not sure this particular variant/year does?

[razo+r]

 

Or maybe I’m way off on the vision, I see the next releases are P47 and Me262, which aren't exactly a Gripen, Typhoon or Rafale (or a 14D). I still think we should make sure its right, and I'm not sure this particular variant/year does?

 

(Me-262 development hasn't started yet. Put the mosquito there instead of the Schwalbe)

[sk000tch]

fwiw im not really wishing for anything, or even requesting. Just asking a question.

 

A long winded meandering one, but a question nonetheless

[sk000tch]

So this got moved to wishlist (though I’m not really asking for anything), thus not much attention (my tendency to a bit wordy probably doesn’t help).

 

But the current spec doesn’t line up with any viper in existence at any time. Do we have a solid answer on what tape version they’re building?