#strike_aircraft
Designed as a joint venture between Romania and Yugoslavia, the IAR-93 Vultur (known in Yugoslavia as the J-22 Orao) was their answer to the SEPECAT Jaguar. First taking to the skies in October of 1974, the IAR-93 was the primary strike fighter of the Yugoslav and Romanian air forces for a time, and even today is still in service with Serbia. In War Thunder, the IAR-93B is a good strike platform, but can also be a deceptively capable fighter if played correctly.
When we think of twin-boom aircraft, the iconic American P-38 Lightning instantly comes to mind. Yet in the shadow of this legend, Italy’s Savoia-Marchetti crafted its own ambitious take on the design: the SM.91 and SM.92. Born from the Regia Aeronautica’s demand for a versatile multirole fighter, these aircraft blended Italian engineering with striking aesthetics. Though largely forgotten today, their unique story and untapped potential make them fascinating footnotes in aviation history and in War Thunder.
Developed back in the 1930s by Pyotr Dmitrievich Grushin, the Tandem-MAI was an experimental Soviet attack aircraft with a really unique tandem wing setup. Mostly built out of wood and without a vertical stabilizer, it was all about being quick on its feet and packing a punch with its weapons. It’s a pretty cool alternative to more traditional ground-attack planes like the Il-2. Even though it never went into mass production, its distinct design and armament make it stand out in War Thunder. Its nimble handling and five fast-firing ShKAS machine guns give players a thrilling, high-stakes experience. Whether slicing through ground targets or dodging enemy fire, the Sh-Tandem delivers a one-of-a-kind combat vibe that’s both wild and fun.
The Beaufighter Mk X is a versatile two-seat heavy fighter. Featuring strong armament and decent survivability, it excels in both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions. Its mix of cannons, machine guns, and suspended armament allows it to handle various targets, while its solid durability gives it an edge in prolonged engagements.
The F-84G is often one of the first jets for many players. It can be used for both air combat and ground attack, making it a solid multi-role aircraft. Although it is a bit older compared to jets like the MiG-15 or F-86, it can still hold its own and compete well against these more modern aircraft.
With a distinctive engine sound that players either love or hate, the Wyvern S4 has made a name for itself as a formidable aircraft. Aside from its sea-level speed, it is capable of carrying up to 3×1000 lb bombs, rockets of various types, and even its excellent Hispanos Mk.V cannons with ample ammunition capacity. In addition to its firepower for ground attacks, it is perfectly capable of performing boom-and-zoom, features that undoubtedly give it the tools to tip any matchmaker in its favor for victory.
The Swedish AJ37 Viggen is a strike aircraft boasting a deadly armament of missiles and guns, combined with an extremely powerful engine. In the hands of a good pilot, it can cause chaos on the ground forces below. It is a huge upgrade from the previous strike aircraft in the Swedish tech tree, the A32A Lansen, with much better capabilities including its weaponry, radar, RWR, and more.
The F-105 Thunderchief was an American supersonic fighter-bomber that served during the Vietnam War. Originally an advanced derivative of the RF-84F Thunderflash, the F-105 was a large attack aircraft designed for both nuclear and conventional strike. F-105s would see extensive service in Vietnam as the USAF’s primary attack aircraft until high loss rates forced it to be retired from active service. A total of 833 aircraft were built.
The Israeli F-15I Ra'am, meaning "Thunder of god" in Hebrew, is to this day the go-to plane for the Israeli air force, ever since 1998. It was developed from the American F-15E Strike Eagle, found in the US tech tree. They are extremely similar, and function practically identically in-game.
