#jet_fighters
In the early Cold War era, the Belgian Air Force (Force Aérienne Belge, FAB) faced the challenge of modernizing its fighter fleet to meet escalating NATO air defence demands. During the 1950s, Belgium operated subsonic fighters such as the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak and the Hunter F.6, which were increasingly seen as inadequate against emerging high-speed threats. In response, NATO initiated a coordinated effort to equip several of its European members with a supersonic multi-role platform capable of both interception and tactical strike duties. Belgium opted to join this programme by selecting the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, a derivative of the original Lockheed F-104 designed with enhancements tailored for European operations.
The Mirage IIIC is an iconic French single-seat delta-wing jet fighter from the late 1950s. The aircraft is highly maneuverable with excellent flight performance, capable of flying at supersonic speeds at any altitude. Its primary armament consists of two 30mm DEFA cannons and air-to-air missiles, initially carrying only one Matra R530 radar-guided missile while later versions could also carry two AIM-9B or Magic 1 IR-guided missiles. For its time, the Mirage IIIC was equipped with a very modern radar, the Cyrano Ibis. This was the first radar in the world capable of automatically slewing its antenna onto a target, which meant that the pilot simply had to press a button, and the radar would acquire and lock onto the target. This reduced the workload of the pilot drastically, which is always of crucial importance in actual combat engagements.
The Kfir C.10 (Block 60) is a modernized variant of the Israeli Kfir multirole combat aircraft, which is in turn a derivative of the French Dassault Mirage 5. With the addition of four DERBY active radar-homing missiles and a top-of-the-line avionics suite, combined with the excellent airframe of the Kfir C.7, the Kfir C.10 is a force to be reckoned with in air battles, and it excels in medium to close range engagements. However, a small missile payload limits the Kfir C.10's ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
The Su-33 is a carrier-based air superiority fighter developed from the Su-27 to meet the needs of the Soviet Navy. It features reinforced landing gear, folding wings, an arrestor hook, and canards to improve low-speed handling during carrier operations. Designed for operations aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov, the Su-33 is optimized for long-range interception and high-maneuverability combat. Despite its increased weight, the Su-33 maintains decent maneuverability and is capable of employing a wide range of air-to-air missiles, making it one of the most capable carrier-based fighters of its era.
The NF-5A aircraft were acquired by the Netherlands in the late 1960s to replace the ageing F-84F Thunderstreaks that were still serving in the strike and close-support role within the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu). The Netherlands initially considered multiple fighter-bomber options, including the Mirage III, but ultimately selected the F-104G for interceptor duties. A second procurement program was then launched to find a more affordable tactical fighter to support ground forces, leading to the choice of a uniquely Dutch variant of the F-5 Freedom Fighter.
The F4D-1 is the only carrier-capable delta-winged fighter which was employed by the US Navy. The plane itself represents the era of early jet aviation when designers experimented with unusual solutions. In the game, the F4D-1 Skyray differs significantly from other jet fighters and aircraft with similar wings. Like the latter, it can turn sharply toward the enemy, and it carries good weapons. However, its low maximum speed is disappointing, and like other delta wings, it quickly loses energy. So, how do you play it?
The Starfighter, the Lawn Dart, the Widowmaker, the Missile with a Man it it; regardless of what you may know it as, it’s impossible to deny its influence on military aviation. The first mass-production airframe to ever reach Mach 2, the F-104 was, and still is, used across the globe by both numerous national air forces and private owners alike. Its design echoed the role it was made for, trading complexity and a wide selection of ordnance for a simple design, made for raw speed. While its many nicknames earned it the dubious honor of being an accident-prone aircraft in popular media, it was still an incredibly unique and capable fighter for its time, only being roughly matched in speed by the MiG-21 a few years later.
The Netz (נץ, or Hawk) is the dedicated Israeli export version of the feared F-16A Block 10 single-seat fighter aircraft. With its large plethora of both air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance options ranging from the mighty Python to the AGM-65B, it has a loadout for most situations you will come across at this BR. Additionally, its 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan autocannon is a force to be reckoned with, being able to shred any air target it faces with ease. Thanks to its agility and strong thrust-to-weight ratio, the Netz also shines in dogfights, able to hold energy well and out-turn many opponents.
The SAAB 29, commonly known as the "Flygande Tunnan" or "Flying Barrel", was Sweden's first mass-produced jet fighter. Developed in the aftermath of World War II as Europe's first swept-wing jet fighter, its remarkable performance, adaptability, and family of variants extended its operational life from the early 1950s into the late 1970s, and propelled Sweden to the forefront of jet fighter development in the years to come.
Did you know that the F-14A, the original variant of the legendary naval fighters, served with the U.S. Navy until 2004? Throughout its long and distinguished service, the F-14A underwent a series of significant upgrades that transformed it from a dedicated fleet air defense interceptor into a versatile multi-role fighter. This topic explores the key enhancements made to the A-model since 1977, tracing its evolution into a formidable platform with both potent air-to-air and precision air-to-ground capabilities.
