📊Comparison of Missile Parameters

Today we’re continuing our coverage of the new features coming in the upcoming major update, this time focusing on aircraft weapons!

🚀Comparison of missiles

Recently, we added a ballistic comparison interface and armor penetration curves at different ranges to the Protection Analysis tab in the hangar for all shells and bullets in the game. In the upcoming major update, we’ll be introducing a comparison feature for guided weapons: air-to-air missiles and guided bombs!

The missile parameter comparison interface is designed as a single window. On the left side is a settings section where you can set the initial launch conditions, which are consistent across all calculations: the altitude and speed of the launch vehicle and the target, as well as the distance at launch. In this section, you can also select guided missiles for comparison, and add or remove munitions from the aircraft and helicopter armament lists to compare the parameters of all missiles on a single screen.

The central part of the window is occupied by a multi-layer trajectory graph, displaying curves for each selected munition in the “Trajectory” (change in the altitude and distance) and “Telemetry” (distance-time and speed-time curves) tabs. The graph dynamically changes as input data changes. This will allow you to see the missile’s characteristics at each point, including altitude, distance traveled, distance to target, and flight time, as well as observe changes in speed. Air combat in a single graph!

❗️You can find the missile comparison interface by clicking the new button in the missile stat card in the Secondary weapons menu in the hangar.

🎯Aiming Points for Salvo Firing Guided Weapons

Today we’d like to talk about how we’re expanding the functionality of points of interest on top-tier aircraft!

It’s hard to surprise anyone with “smart” weapons in War Thunder anymore, but we’re going to try! In the upcoming major update, we’re implementing another feature for modern weapons systems: multiple aiming points!

Previously, the game only had a single, current point of interest. This made it difficult to fire guided weapons at multiple targets in a salvo, as manual targeting of each subsequent target required reorienting and finding it before launching, which increased the exposure to counterattacks from SAMs. With multiple aiming points, the time between launches, and consequently the time spent in the air defense zone is reduced, increasing the carrier’s chances of successfully returning to base.

How will it work? All aircraft with GNSS-guided weapons will have the ability to set new waypoints — called aiming points — new markers independent of the point of interest. Essentially, these are simply saved coordinates. You’ll be able to set up to 10 aiming points (numbered 0 to 9), switch between them, delete and edit them, and move the point of interest to the current aiming point. This can be done either by using the assigned keys or via the tactical map.

Aiming points can be used for navigation purposes, for example to mark route points or danger zones, or to measure the range to specific targets, such as an airfield, as well as in combat for weapon launch. Now, it will be possible to first detect targets and “remember” their coordinates, and then, by switching between pre-marked points, guide and launch guided weapons. While weapons with IR or TV seekers will still require target acquisition before launch, and laser-guided munitions will require target designation, switching between multiple targets will be faster. This mechanic will be especially helpful against static or slow-moving enemies.

However, this mechanic will expand the capabilities of satellite-guided weapons more than any other, as bombs and missiles guided by GNSS data can be linked to aiming points and launched in a single salvo (with the option of the carrier being hidden from view by terrain). Ammunition can be linked in two modes: manual and automatic. In manual mode, you link a specific munition to the current aiming point, with the ability to link multiple munitions of different types to each if you want. In automatic mode, you simply set aiming points and launch a salvo of the selected weapon. This way, the drop will expend one munition per each aiming point, starting with 0.

You’ll be able to try out the expanded point-of-interest functionality in the game and bomb ground targets very soon! That’s all for now, see you in the next dev blog.

❗️Please note! The mechanic is WIP. This is a non-final variant of the interface. That the mechanics may be refined and changed before being added to the game.

🗺Ground Locations Reworks & Arresting Gear in the Heavy Cavalry Update!

Today we’re talking about the graphical rework of the Ash River, 38th Parallel, and Ardennes (Winter) locations and arresting gear at ground airfields!

The Heavy Cavalry major update brings great news for tankers and pilots! First, we’d like to show you the first screenshots of the locations for Ground Battles. The game environment, objects, buildings, and roads have been completely redesigned for the 38th Parallel and Ash River locations, and a new version of the winter Ardennes map will be added. On all maps, we’ve strived to preserve the navigation and gameplay players are familiar with, while also implementing a major visual update aimed at creating a more realistic, atmospheric, and cinematic combat environment. We hope you enjoy!

▪️Ash River
▪️38th Parallel
▪️Ardennes (Winter)

➡️LEARN MORE

🏁Arresting Gear

Another piece of good news is the addition of arresting gear at ground airfields! An arresting gear is a system of cables arranged in a series, connected to the braking system, that simplifies aircraft braking on aircraft carrier decks and short runways. An aircraft equipped with an arresting hook attaches to one or more sequentially arranged cables, significantly reducing the landing run. Now, at land-based airfields for aircraft with the arresting hook, it will be deployed automatically when the landing gear is lowered — press “G” by default to lower the landing gear!