Will the R.550 always be inferior?

[skywalker22]

Ok, got it. Thank you.

[Cytarabine]

To a 9X? Sure. It’s from an entirely different era. 
 

Compared to contemporaneous weapons it’s same ballpark. I’ve never found it a particular problem. 

 

You can’t just ‘put MICA’s on a 2000C’, it doesn’t carry them. That would require a -5F which is a different aircraft with different avionics. If RAZBAM make one one day I will order it day one, but let’s not end up with a frankenmirage. 

[Hodo]

The magic 2 is far better than the PL-5 and the 9L.  It is by far one of the better ACM missiles.

[F-2]

http://web.archive.org/web/20080421234945/http://www.network54.com/Forum/248068/thread/1146665867/last-1147702616/Mirage+2000+-+5+mkII+news!!
 

Quote

“When I served, HAF M2Ks bore the Magic II. The latter was indeed superior to the AIM-9L/M that HAF F-16s were packing - but only marginally, not drastically.
The Magic II had a more sensitive IR sensor which resulted in a somewhat quicker lock buzz signal than respectively the AIM-9L. Also, the sensor head had a greater angle of movement (+/- 10 degrees if I'm not mistaken) which resulted in a slightly greater forward lock cone. That, coupled with the MagicIIs great aerodynamic performance made it possible to score a Fox2 at slightly greater angles and shorter moments than with the AIM-9 series.

But like I said all the above constitute marginal differences. I find it hard to believe that the predecessor of the Magic II was already better than the Lima (it would mean no real improvement from Magic I to Magic II). Especially since I never saw it referred to as an "all aspect" IR missile anywhere, contrary to the AIM-9L”

Sounds like they should be more or less the same with the R550 being a little better then at least Lima and maybe mike but only very slightly. So it seems current implementation is broadly correct.

[Dragon1-1]

Magic II was pretty great for its time, but it's no R-73. It should be compared with AIM-9L, P and M, or with R-60M. It is all aspect, but don't expect front quarter shots to work very well (or flare-equipped helicopters from any angle, for that matter).