F-14E or aka ST21... What greatness would've been

The F-14s in Warthunder:

Currently, the Tomcat is a very controversial plane (this is by design by Gaijin but I'll explain later). The F-14A that we have ingame right now (both Early and IRIAF) are in very tough spots at the moment. Due to their airframe and complete lack on survivability in terms of engines, avionics, and countermeasures, they're not very good aircraft in an uptier to 13.0-13.7. Now the F-14B fixes all those problems, but to be honest. It's the least of the issues all of the Tomcats have right now.

Loadouts:

Leaving out their ARH's, the tomcats have pretty meh capabilities outside of them. At their best, the F-14s can carry these SARH and IR missiles:

(12.7) F-14A: Aim-7F, Aim-9H

(12.7) F-14 IRIAF: R-27R1/Sejil, Aim-9P

(13.0) F-14B: Aim-7M, Aim-9L

If we look at the IR missiles, I think we can start to see the issue. (I think the SARH missiles are actually fine especially the IRIAF). For these BRs the IR missiles are not sufficient. I think it's time we talk buffs.

F-14 overall changes:

Some things I didn't get to say, but lets talk about the Aim-54 in real life versus ingame.

Real Life: Mach 5 (C), 22G(A)- 25G (C) pull (with decent AOA even at extreme ranges), better acceleration, better lofting angles, not affected by multipath since it was designed to hit cruise missiles 20-5m off the ground at a minimum), smokeless motor, and the A model wouldn't inertial guide until around 26km if the pilot lost lock.

Ingame: Seeing Mach 4 period isn't feasible for the average map, 16-18G for both Aim-54A+C, Very little AOA, slow acceleration (evidence here the phoenix doesn't accelerate slowly like ingame), worse lofting than Aim-7s for some reason???, Affected by multipathing, no smokeless motor for some reason???, A model can still lose lock at 30km and somehow hit.

Specifically, I want to talk about the Loft Profiles. These missiles should climb up at around a 30-50 degree angle to around 60,000-100,000 feet and then come down on top of the enemy at mach 4-5 given the conditions are right. (Making traditional means of decoying the missile beyond 16km ineffective)

Summary: Aim-54s need buffs to their IRL performance. This easily warrants a 0.3 BR increase for every F-14.

We also need to talk about how ridiculous the F-14's engine heat is. At 0% throttle, manuvering, and dropping flares in quick drops of 4 reinforced flares, you still can't dodge Aim-9Ls within 1.2km. This is because Gaijin's modeling of engineheat in completely wrong and doesn't even make sense. To put it very simply, the engine heat doesn't double when there's 2 engines on an aircraft. It's the same heat as a single engine. Gaijin models this incorrectly, fix it on all double engined planes it affects.

Next, Give the F-14A Aim-9Ls, the IRIAF R-73s and the F-14B Aim-9Ms. These are all accurate configurations for these jets and should already be in the game another 0.7 BR increase. Because of these increases, the F-14A Early and IRIAF both should have 90 counter measures and launch warning RWR (These are purely balancing buffs and not accurate how they are IRL, but it would be appropriate for their BR.)

Another thing the F-14B (and F-14D) should be able to supercruise. Im not specifically sure if it can since I don't have it unlocked currently, but from the footage I've seen ingame it's not able too. It should get that engine buff to allow it to do that since it's accurate to real life.

F-14 BRs after these changes:

A: 13.3 BR

IRIAF: 13.3 or 13.7 BR

B: 13.7 BR

F-14D: Prob 14.0 or higher.

F-14D - Hopefully not a premium:

Give it Aim-120As. Besides what all the deniers try to pull. There's more than enough evidence. There's more evidence that the F-14D successfully fired and tracked with Aim-120 than there is of the Yak-141 having any AtA missiles at all. Or the Japanese F-16 existing. OR the F-16C having Aim-7s. Or the F-14A IRIAF having R27s, Or even the early mig-29s having R27Rs. So add them. There are zero reasons not to. Give the community the D with Aim-120s :)

As always, please discuss below if you agree or disagree and tell me what you think.

"I think things, AND THEY HAPPEN!"