MiG-23ML (USSR, Rank VII, BR 11.0-11.7 AB/RB/SB)
Full Description: Late-production MiG-23ML "Flogger-G" variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber (1978). Upgraded Tumansky R-35-300 turbojet (100 kN afterburner), Sapfir-23ML radar (range ~60 km), integrated GSh-23L 23mm cannon (250 rounds). Top speed Mach 2.35, service ceiling 17,000 m.
Armament Details:
- Air-to-Air: 4× R-23R/T (semi-active/radar-guided, 35 km range), R-60M IR missiles.
- Air-to-Ground: 4× Kh-23/25 laser-guided missiles, 5× FAB-500 bombs, 2× S-24 rockets.
- 76× S-8 unguided rockets optional.
Strengths:
- Excellent climb rate (310 m/s) and transonic acceleration.
- Swing-wing for dogfight (low sweep) or high-speed intercepts (high sweep).
- Strong radar + RWR for BVR engagements.
- Versatile loadouts make it a solid tech tree grinder for USSR Rank VII-VIII.
Weaknesses: Heavy (13.7 tons loaded), below-average turn rate vs. F-16s, limited AoA.
Best Modes: Air RB (boom-and-zoom), Events. Pair with Su-27 for top-tier squads.
Pack: Aircraft + 20 days Premium Account + 2500 Golden Eagles.
JH-7A Prototype (China, Rank VIII, BR 12.0-12.3 AB/RB/SB)
Full Description: Pre-production JH-7A "Flying Leopard" twin-engine strike fighter (early 2000s prototype). WS-9 Qinling turbofans (2× 72 kN), KLJ-7A pulse-Doppler radar, glass cockpit with HUD/MFD. Top speed Mach 1.7, combat radius ~1,000 km.
Armament Details:
- Air-to-Air: 4× PL-8 (IR, all-aspect), 2× PL-12 (active radar, 70 km).
- Air-to-Ground: 23mm GSh-23 cannon, 6× LS-500J TV-guided bombs, 4× YJ-9 anti-ship missiles, 90× 90mm rockets.
- Up to 9,000 kg payload across 11 hardpoints.
Strengths:
- Heavy ordnance capacity for CAS dominance.
- Good speed/altitude retention, ECM jammers resist locks.
- Multirole flexibility in mixed air/ground metas.
- Fills China's high-tier gap pre-J-10C/J-20.
Weaknesses: Large RCS (easier radar lock), average maneuverability at low speeds.
Best Modes: Air RB Ground Strike, Naval Battles support. Strong in squadron play with J-11.
Pack: Aircraft + 30 days Premium + 3000 Golden Eagles.
CF-188A Hornet (Canada, Rank VIII, BR 12.7 AB/RB/SB)
Full Description: Canadian CF-188A Hornet (Lot 1 F/A-18B, 1980s). Twin GE F404 turbofans (2× 80 kN), AN/APG-65 radar (120 km detection), fly-by-wire, advanced ECM suite (AN/ALQ-165). Top speed Mach 1.8, thrust-vectoring nozzles on some loads.
Armament Details:
- Air-to-Air: M61A1 20mm Vulcan (578 rounds), 4× AIM-120C AMRAAM (active radar, 100+ km), 2× AIM-9M Sidewinders.
- Air-to-Ground: 4× AGM-65D Mavericks (IR), 4× GBU-12 Paveway laser-guided bombs, 2× AIM-7 Sparrows.
- 13 hardpoints, total 7,000 kg.
Strengths:
- Top-tier radar/ECM locks AIM-120 first, flares beat most IR missiles.
- Fly-by-wire + high thrust/drag ratio excels in sustained turns (20°/s).
- Multirole king: dominates air RB, CAS, and Simulator Battles.
- Canada's premier top-tier jet post-2026 patches.
Weaknesses: Fuel-hungry, vulnerable in prolonged furballs without missiles.
Best Modes: Air RB/SB (meta leader), Custom Battles. Squad with Eurofighter.
Pack: Aircraft + 30 days Premium + 3000 Golden Eagles.
USS Maryland (USA, Rank VI Naval, BR 6.7 AB/RB/SB)
Full Description: BB-48 Colorado-class battleship (commissioned 1921). Triple-expansion steam engines (28,000 hp), 12× 14"/50 (356 mm) Mark 7 guns in 4 turrets. Armor: 343 mm belt, 203 mm decks. Displacement 33,000 tons, top speed 21 knots.
Armament Details:
- Main Guns: 12× 356 mm (range 35 km, 8 rpm/turret), super-heavy AP shells (1,225 kg).
- Secondary: 14× 5"/51 (127 mm), 22× 40 mm Bofors, torpedoes (early loads).
- Spotter planes for fire correction.
Strengths:
- Thick armor shrugs off most destroyer torpedoes/cruiser fire.
- Devastating HE/SP shells for island camping and destroyer hunting.
- Excellent AA suite post-1941 refit for air defense.
Weaknesses: Slow rudder/acceleration, vulnerable to aviation carriers.
Best Modes: Realistic Naval (primary), Arcade for learning. US fleet grinder to Iowa.
Pack: Ship + 30 days Premium + 3000 Golden Eagles.
Recommendations
- Aviation Priority: CF-188A Hornet (meta dominance), then MiG-23ML (value grinder).
- Naval: USS Maryland if building US fleet.
- All excellent for progression with Premium bonuses. Sale ends soon—check in-game store or Gaijin.net.
