#jet_fighters
The Rafale, developed by Dassault Aviation, is the centerpiece of the French Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (Air and Space Force), and is arguably one of the best multirole aircraft in service today. However, developing such an advanced machine was no easy task. France chose to create a combat aircraft that could replace a wide array of legacy platforms, from reconnaissance and nuclear deterrence to air superiority and naval operations. The Rafale embodies the concept of, as Dassault calls it, an “omnirôle” aircraft, designed to excel in every mission, performing multiple roles in a single flight, and doing so without requiring major modifications to the aircraft itself. In this article, I will explore the history of its development, from the prototypes to the pre-production models.
The F-15 Eagle was made to combat the growing national threat of the USSR, and the MiG-25 Foxbat. The F-15 can carry a variety of useful munitions, and is still being used today by the US military. To this day, there isn’t a clear date for when all F-15s will retire.
This MiG-21S is a jet fighter for the Russian tech tree. It has many perks, like a good airframe and loadout, early radar missiles, and incredible acceleration. However, it has one major flaw — you get no countermeasures. This doesn’t make the plane unplayable; however, it requires a bit more thinking than other MiG-21s. So, how is it played?
The F-4E is an American 3rd generation fighter jet built to address the significant flaws found in the earlier F-4C, most notably its lack of a built-in cannon armament and countermeasures. The upgrades it received gave the F-4E a very wide appeal with export customers and made it the baseline for the vast majority of export variants to the air forces of Western-aligned nations. While many of these exports, like those to Germany and Japan, would receive downgraded avionics, a lack of radar-guided missiles, or reduced flight performance, Israel’s F-4E “Kurnass” fighters are almost identical to their American counterparts, excluding the switch to AIM-9D/G Sidewinder missiles used by the United States Navy. Regardless, American and Israeli players can benefit from the F-4E’s very user-friendly playstyle, with a very high skill ceiling that provides all the tools necessary for success when flying it.
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.
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.
The Romanian MiG-29 Sniper was a cancelled program to upgrade Romania’s fleet of MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft with modern Western technology. These upgrades include the addition of a digital radar warning receiver and a modernized cockpit with colored MFDs and a western-style HUD. In the skies, the Sniper performs like its Soviet, Hungarian, and German counterparts, but it has the added advantage of being equipped with more modern avionics.
The Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger was Nazi Germany’s desperate last-ditch attempt to field a cheap, easily produced jet fighter in the closing months of World War II. Designed in a matter of weeks, it was meant to be the savior of the crumbling Luftwaffe, a mass-produced miracle piloted by barely trained teenagers. Instead, it became a symbol of the Reich’s technological ambition outstripped by harsh reality, a war machine built in frantic haste as Germany spiraled into defeat.
