The Strike Eagle is an American strike fighter derived from the F-15 Eagle under a private venture by the McDonnell Douglas company, slated to arrive to War Thunder in the Firebirds major update!

At a glance:

• Greatly expanded ordnance options.
  
• Excellent flight characteristics!
  
• Precision munition.
  
• Mach 2.0 capable.

Vehicle History
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Immediately after the F-15 entered service, McDonnell Douglas began studying the possibility of converting the aircraft into an effective ground attacker on its own initiative, based on the assessment that the aircraft possessed good potential for this. Despite lacking initial interest from the Air Force, this soon changed with the announcement of the competition for the Enhanced Tactical Fighter, whose aim was to identify a replacement for dated aircraft serving in the interdiction role. Although the program had been briefly suspended due to financial reasons, it resumed in early 1982.

While pitting the so-called “Strike Eagle” against modified and regular F-16 fighters, the Air Force eventually chose the F-15E as its preferred choice for the replacement of the F-111. As a result, an order for 392 aircraft was initially signed by the USAF, which was later cut down to 227. The first production aircraft entered service in April 1988. Shortly after entering service, the F-15E Strike Eagle took part in the Gulf War as well as in operations on the Balkans during the 1990s. In the early 2000s, the F-15E also took part in combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. The F-15E remains in service with the USAF to this day as one of its main strike aircraft.
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The F-15E Strike Eagle is on course to join the top rank of the American aviation tree as one of the highlights arriving to War Thunder with the Firebirds major update. Building on the superb performance characteristics of the base fighter variant, the F-15E features a true plethora of modifications and upgrades all with the aim of substantially bolstering the Eagle’s ground attack capabilities. Keen to find out how successful American engineers were in this undertaking? Then join us on answering this question as we take a closer look at this new bird of prey!




Although the F-15E greatly resembles its dedicated fighter counterpart, you won’t miss the first indication of this bird’s designated role as a strike aircraft. Namely, the F-15E features a twin seater cockpit, accommodating the pilot as well as the weapon’s officer. Nevertheless, being modified into a dedicated strike aircraft doesn’t mean that the F-15E suddenly turned into a cumbersome bomber capable of only lifting a sizable payload. In fact, thanks to its two familiar Pratt & Whitney F100 afterburning turbofan engines, the F-15E can achieve a top speed of well over Mach 2 at higher altitudes while its sleek airframe enables it to perform sharp maneuvers. In other words, with the right weapon selection, the F-15E is just as capable of a dogfighter as the dedicated fighter variants, especially thanks to its access to the more advanced AIM-120B missile.

Interesting: Open sources mention a case of an Iraqi Mi-24 being destroyed by a GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb that was dropped by an American F-15E Strike Eagle!




However, where the F-15E really stands out from its close relatives is in its ground attack capabilities. Namely, the aircraft’s payload capacity has been increased by around 50%. On top of this, the F-15E can’t just carry more ordnance in general, but it also has access to a much wider assortment of suspended weapons options than the dedicated fighter variants.

For instance, the Strike Eagle is able to mount AGM-65 Mavericks, new to the game GPS-aided GBU-39 bombs (up to 20 at a time!), various variants of laser and guided and JDAM bombs in addition to more conventional 250, 500 and 2000 lb bombs, the former of which also come in Snakeye configuration, turning them into retarded bombs. Also available is a new ground targets radar. As a result of this superbly flexible arsenal, the F-15E is sure to become the ideal choice for pilots in both air and combined arms battles at the top ranks.



The F-15E Strike Eagle will soon be making its way to War Thunder in the Firebirds major update, becoming the new ground attacker of choice for seasoned US pilots. That’s all for today’s devblog. Until the next one, make sure to stay tuned to the news for the latest information regarding the upcoming update! Clear skies and happy hunting pilots.

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

The Saab 35 Draken first took to the skies on October 25th 1955 and made history for many reasons. It was the first supersonic combat aircraft built in Western Europe, the first aircraft with double-swept wings, the first aircraft to perform a cobra maneuver, and the first to reach Mach 2 in level flight.

This aircraft is available for 4,545 Golden Eagles.

When: From today until October 28th (09:00 GMT).
Where: Sweden > Aviation > Premium vehicles.

About this aircraft

• The J35A is a very fast, durable and maneuverable aircraft, but due to its lack of countermeasures, it has to dodge air-to-air missiles the old fashioned way! It can quickly gain speed and altitude and is armed with 30 mm Akan cannons, as well as missiles and rockets of your choosing.

Happy Halloween! The spooky season is upon us, and this year we’ve introduced a variety of activities and pumpkin decal rewards. Take part in tank races through spooky places and aircraft races with “Night Witch” aircraft which are returning this Halloween. New decals have been added to the already familiar decals in the Dead Man’s Chest trophy — including four pumpkins, specially carved for the occasion.

When: From October 25th (11:00 GMT) until November 1st (07:00 GMT).

Our team of pumpkin carvers have carved these magnificent War Thunder pumpkin decals ready for you to display on your vehicles. Check out the requirements for obtaining each one below!






The Dead Man’s Chest and Witch’s Cauldron trophies are once again available to purchase in the in-game shop! In them, you’ll be able to get Halloween decorations and decals from previous Halloween events.

Take part in fast-paced races through creepy places in the spooky M18 “Witch” tank! Those who earn 300 rating points will receive the unique “Carved Turret Drive Pumpkin” decal.

Welcome to the dangerous Po-2 “Night Witch” aircraft race! Her path lies between rocks and is full of dangers. If you manage to survive and earn 300 rating points, the “Carved Flame Pumpkin” decal will be added to your collection!

Make sure to earn those rating points, as 1,000 pilots with the highest rating at the end of the air event will be awarded with the Po-2 (USSR) aircraft. This aircraft will be added to your account within 48 hours after the event ends. You can track your rating by clicking on the “Award” button in the “Events” window. The update time of the table can take up to 15 minutes.

You can get the “Carved Engine Pumpkin” decal by simply playing 3 battles with any vehicle at rank III or higher with an activity of at least 70% during the event. To get the “Carved Crew Pumpkin” decal, keep an eye on our social media accounts, as we’ll publish the code to get it on there!

Happy Halloween, have fun racing and have a fantastic spooooooky holiday!

Welcome to a special event dedicated to the 12th anniversary of War Thunder! In this event, you can get a trophy with nice bonuses, decals and a decoration, as well as the main reward, the KV-7! This is an experimental Soviet heavy vehicle from the Second World War.

From November 1st (11:00 GMT) until November 13th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Ground Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards!

The KV-7 is an experimental tank destroyer featuring three, yes three, guns on the chassis of the KV-1 heavy tank! This vehicle was developed in 1941, and one of its unique aspects is the U-13 gun system that features a 76 mm gun plus a pair of 45 mm guns on either side. Inheriting excellent armor, the KV-7 can take effective APHE shells with a decent amount of explosives into battle, familiar from the T-34-76 series of tanks. The premium KV-7 will be an excellent addition to low-rank lineups and will help speed up research of the Soviet ground forces tree from ranks I to IV!



Amongst the rewards in the event is also this chest, where, when opened, brings the chance to receive one of the following items:

• 50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions
  
• Silver Lion and Research Point boosters
  
• Random Wagers and Orders
  
• Universal Backups (1 - 3)
  
• A random camouflage for a vehicle you own
  
• 1 day of Premium Account

Each stage can be obtained for 35,000 mission points, where every new stage obtained will give you a new reward.

Please note: After finishing a stage, you need to collect the reward manually. To do this, click on your name in-game, go to “Dreams Come True: KV-7” and click the “Get Reward” button.

You’re able to earn mission points in Ground Battles at Rank III or above in Arcade, Realistic and Simulator Battles. The number of mission points to complete a stage depends on the game mode and the maximum Rank of the vehicle that you use in battle. There’s a multiplier for earning mission points, which is shown in the task description in-game.

You can also earn mission points by using event vehicles that are Rank I and II. Event vehicles that can be used have the name of the event that they were obtainable in on their stat card.

Stages change every two days at 11:00 GMT on November 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th.

Rewards are given when you complete a specific number of stages:

• For 1 Stage: trophy with a random reward
  
• For 2 Stages: one of the decal rewards
  
• For 3 Stages: trophy with a random reward
  
• For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards
  
• For 5 Stages: “Three-barreled experimental assault rifle” decoration
  
• For 6 Stages: the premium KV-7

You can track the progress of completing stages by clicking on your Nickname > Achievements > Dreams Come True: KV-7. If you don’t manage to complete a stage on time or would like to purchase a stage, until November 18th from the Achievements window, you can purchase each stage with Golden Eagles which will give you the corresponding rewards.

Today we’re taking a look at the F-117A stealth aircraft that’s coming to War Thunder in the Firebirds major update as a new squadron vehicle!

At a glance:

• Reduced radar and IR seeker signature!
  
• Air-to-surface guided weapons.
  
• No guns at all.
  
• No countermeasures.
  
• Subsonic.

Vehicle History
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The F-117A Nighthawk program began in the United States in the 1970s, under pressure from the high performance of Soviet anti-aircraft missiles in Vietnam and the Middle East. The U.S. Air Force and DARPA conducted classified research into stealth combat aircraft, with Lockheed being awarded a contract to develop the project. The first F-117A prototype made its maiden flight in 1981. Officially accepted into service in 1983, the aircraft remained classified for a long time. Between 1988 and 1995, the F-117A was upgraded under the OCIP II program, receiving an improved cockpit with digital displays and more sophisticated flight control systems.

Being the world’s first stealth aircraft, the F-117A Nighthawk took part in several operations, including the invasion of Panama, the Gulf War, as well as combat operations against Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
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A quite unusual aircraft is coming to the game in the Firebirds major update, and that’s the F-117A Nighthawk! This is an American strike aircraft joining the game as a squadron vehicle and will also be the first aircraft in War Thunder to feature stealth technology. Let’s have a closer look!

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Visually stunning, the F-117A is a highly specialized aircraft that was supposed to perform a very limited number of combat missions, but perform them better than any other aircraft. When the enemy has modern anti-aircraft systems, radar stations and IR missiles, the best chance of mission success is when the aircraft being used remains undetected for as long as possible.

Did you know? During Operation Desert Storm, the F-117A flew over 1,200 sorties and suffered zero aircraft losses.



To reduce radar visibility, the Nighthawk is made with as few protruding elements as possible. The geometry of the fuselage and wing is formed by flat panels placed in a special way to help reflect electromagnetic waves away from the radiation source. In addition to this, the F-117A uses radar-absorbing materials and ferromagnetic paint, and the engine nozzles are hidden by complex shielding mechanisms!

So, will the F-117A’s real-life stealth aspects help in War Thunder? Yep! In-game, this aircraft will have a significantly smaller IR and radar signature compared to aircraft of the same size. In practice, this will mean anti-aircraft vehicles will detect the Nighthawk at a much shorter distance than conventional aircraft, plus anti-aircraft and air-to-air missiles will have a trickier time locking onto it. In Ground Battles, this means when you spawn in with the F-117A, you’ll have more opportunities to drop weapons closer to ground targets, hit them, and return to the airfield without even being noticed.



Important to note: Stealth does not prevent detection entirely, it only makes it harder for aircraft to be detected.

Being stealthy is cool n’ all, but what about weapons? The F-117A has no machine guns or cannons whatsoever. It also has no air-to-air missiles and no countermeasures, meaning it’s completely unsuitable in any sort of air combat engagement. Being a dedicated stealth attack aircraft, the F-117A can only use a variety of bombs which are located in an internal bay, however only two can be carried at once. To get into the specifics, the F-117A can launch high-precision weapons, including laser guided bombs such as the GBU-12, GBU-16, GBU-10, GBU-27 and satellite bombs such as the GBU-31 and GBU-38. In addition to these laser-guided bombs, the F-117A can also carry conventional bombs with aiming assisted by a ballistic computer.



Interesting: Only one F-117A has ever been shot down, occurring in March 1999 during the Kosovo War. The man responsible, Zoltán Dani and the F-117A pilot who was shot down, Dale Zelko, met after the incident and are now friends. The wreckage of Zelko’s F-117A is now at the Belgrade Aviation Museum.

As for performance, the F-117A is quite difficult to control, is subsonic and in general does not boast any outstanding flight characteristics. Due to its very specific role and somewhat poor flight performance, the F-117A will be at rank VI with a fairly low Battle Rating when the Firebirds major update is released. Ultimately, this is a special aircraft with special capabilities, making it a suitable squadron vehicle. And just like other squadron vehicles in War Thunder, the F-117A can be yours by collecting enough squadron activity points or purchasing it outright with Golden Eagles if you’d prefer.



Intrigued? That’s it for today, but there’s still a lot more to come. Keep an eye on our website for more dev blogs coming soon to the Firebirds major update. See you around and have fun!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

The next major update for War Thunder — 'Firebirds'!

The “big fin” gets an upgrade with the Tornado GR.4! Today, we’ll be taking a look at this new top rank British strike aircraft that will let you rain Hellfire (or in this case Brimstone) down on your opponents!

At a glance:

• A modernized Tornado GR.1 with more advanced ordnance.
  
• Improved LITENING targeting pod with Gen 2 thermals.
  
• Equipped with Dual-Mode Brimstone (SAL) Semi-Active Laser guided precision weapons and Paveway IV!

Vehicle History
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Tornado GR.4 was born from experience gathered in the 1990s from the Gulf War. Lessons learned from Operation Granby coupled with the need for more advanced and sophisticated weapons lead at the time to an extensive upgrade program beginning in 1996 by Panavia for the RAF. An all-weather and Night flight capability was added to the aircraft, allowing it to operate in all conditions and at any time, with Night Vision Goggles (NVG) for the crews. Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) was added under the aircraft, replacing one of the 27mm Mauser cannons. A host of new weaponry was introduced and integrated, including more advanced countermeasure pods and sophisticated air-to-ground smart munitions like Paveway IV with GPS guidance, Storm Shadow cruise missiles and Brimstone missiles all became part of the Tornados expanded arsenal.

GR.4s were used extensively in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya, accounting for most RAF strike operations and taking over many duties from the Harrier after its retirement in 2010. The famous WW2 “Dambuster” 617 Squadron, made famous by its raids with the Lancaster, was among the units to utilize this aircraft in combat. Tornado GR.4s were still flying operational combat missions just a few months before their retirement, taking part in Operation Shader and conducting precision strikes, reconnaissance and other mission roles. The Tornado was retired entirely from Royal Air Force service in March of 2019, with its role being taken over jointly by both F-35B and Typhoon FGR.4s upgraded to carry existing Tornado GR.4 air-to-ground weaponry. 
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The Tornados are staple strike aircraft for many higher rank ground battle lineups, but you’ll most definitely want to be adding this one to your British roster! The Tornado GR.4 is a modernized Tornado GR.1, trading one 27 mm cannon away to gain a host of gameplay improvements and some deadly new weapons for its arsenal. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect!  



Equipped with FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) under its nose and more powerful RB199 Mk 103 engines compared to the 101 of the GR.1, the GR.4 improves just about every aspect of its predecessor. The impressive array of traditional Tornado bombs and guided bomb payload remains, but with some welcomed improvements. Mainly in the form of the LITENING targeting pod, featuring better resolution and thermal generation and also with Paveway IV and EGBU-24B Paveway III smart bombs. These munitions feature combined GPS and laser guidance and allow you to drop precision ordnance on a fixed point without putting your aircraft too much in harm’s way. 

Did you know?  RAF Tornado GR.4s alone amassed over 30,000 flying hours using the LITENING III targeting pod. RAF GR.4s can be used for photo reconnaissance as well as strike roles utilizing LITENING III. 



Besides this, the Tornado GR.4 will also introduce a brand new type of air-to-ground missile to the game in the form of Dual-Mode Brimstone (SAL)! This precision missile in its Semi-Active Laser mode will behave like a much more advanced Hellfire in game, but with more range. The Tornado GR.4 also carries an impressive number of nine alongside its targeting pod all on its centerline stations.

Developer comment: We’d like to mention that Brimstone will only have semi-active laser homing (SAL) mode in the game. The fire and forget mode and the active radar homing seeker will not be available for a few reasons. The primary reason is that this seeker utilizes the “lock-on after launch (LOAL)” mode, this mode allows the weapon to be fired in the general area of a target without needing any direct line of sight to the target from the operator, who can remain at long range in complete safety without any need to expose themselves during every stage of attack.

We feel weapons that can be used outside of the direct line of sight of the target without needing any preliminary reconnaissance or direct user targeting are not currently workable for the game. Weapons such as Brimstone, AGM-114L cause a particular problem and similarly to other ATGMs that have lock after launch modes like the Spike and AJ.168 will not have such abilities in the game.

These weapon types present several issues all at once, they require no challenge to use effectively and have no counterplay options for those being attacked. The attacker can operate outside of the range of any anti-air system in the game, Brimstone is also immune to smoke, so this won’t help either.

ARH modes for air-to-ground weapons won’t be workable until natural and artificial interference to these guidance systems can be implemented, as there are no electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems in the game. Adding these weapons now would allow them to operate perfectly without any counter, which we don’t want to do. Additionally, in closer combat zone sizes like our tank battles, ATGMs with ARH cannot distinguish between allied and enemy targets, and this would lead to a large amount of accidental teamkills as well.

For self defense, the Tornado GR.4 features two AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles and a pilot Helmet Mounted Display. Should you find yourself in the firing line, you can also rely on the upgraded Terma pod, which features MAWs and countermeasures. All of these new toys do however come at the cost of the loss of one 27 mm cannon on the GR.4, but we think you will agree that’s a worthwhile tradeoff!



The Tornado GR.4 will be taking to the skies in the next major update for War Thunder! We hope you will enjoy this upgraded British strike aircraft. That’s all for now, but be sure to stay tuned to the news for more information on what to expect in the upcoming Major Update!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Check out the Warbond shop selection that you can earn by completing Battle Pass challenges! As usual, there’s decals, decorations, player icons, camouflages, a stylish pinup that continues the new series, and six premium vehicles for you.

Be sure to take a look at the Chinese F-47N-25-RE fighter that’s suitable for both ground attack and high-altitude air engagements. It was added to the game in the Seek & Destroy major update and is now available for Warbonds for the first time.

• More about Warbonds

A captured Ki-43-II in U.S. Air Force service with U.S. markings. Agile and with a good turn rate, this aircraft gains speed and altitude quickly, making it suitable for both fly-by attacks and maneuvering combat.


HMS Jervis can be considered a “glass cannon” in Britain’s Bluewater fleet. Featuring six fast-firing 4.7 inch (120 mm) guns in three turrets, HMS Jervis can inflict quick damage on enemies and can maneuver out of harm’s way thanks to its excellent top speed of 69 km/h.


The T-126 is classed as a light tank but is still well-armored for close-range combat. This tank is capable of ricocheting several shots and can fire its powerful shells to take out a range of enemies at its rank.


Featuring eight powerful 12.7 mm Browning machine guns, the F-47N-25-RE is excellent at high altitude air battles thanks to its engine performance. For ground attacks, this aircraft can take up to three 1000 lb bombs and ten HVAR rockets!


The VS-8 brings with it a whopping 16 EMC moored contact mines each capable of sinking a destroyer, with its excellent top speed allowing it to maneuver into good positions to achieve this! Additionally, the VS-8 is ready to stand up against enemy boats thanks to its four 15 MG 151 machine guns.



A unique Sherman I in the Italian tree due to its hybrid configuration, featuring good sloped front armor, a decent top speed and a vertical stabilizer that allows for aimed fire while on the move. An M61 shell is this tank’s primary choice of ammunition.



We’ve lined up some decals for you this time round and have included a trophy with decals from the 2019 Warbond shop, as well as a new “Voodoo” pinup, continuing the series of themed decals. In the “Camouflage” trophy, you will find decorations that will help reduce the visibility of your tank. There’s also player icons that this time include US tankers, and trophies with random camouflages, as before, are available when new levels of the shop are unlocked.

A large number of useful items are also available in the shop: boosters, universal backups, wagers and orders, premium vehicle rentals, and at high shop levels are talismans!

Take a look at the full list of items available in this season’s Warbond shop as well as the conditions for receiving them in game by opening the Battle Pass window, or Shop → Warbond Shop from the hangar.

Today we’re launching the celebrations of the 12th anniversary of War Thunder! In honor of this anniversary, discounts on vehicles, modifications, talismans, backups and Premium Account time are available in the game. This means you’ll be able to purchase new vehicles, upgrade your existing vehicles and get consumables at a good discount.

This is just the beginning! Coming soon are special decals, Gaijin store discounts, a new event to get a vehicle and other surprises which we’ll be announcing soon.


When: From October 23rd (11:00 GMT) until October 29th (11:00 GMT).

• 50% discount on vehicles for all nations for Silver Lions and Golden Eagles.
  
• 50% discount on all modifications, talismans and backups.
  
• 50% discount on a Premium Account in-game for 90 and 365 days and in the Gaijin.net store for 180 days.

Discounts do not apply to vehicles released in the Seek & Destroy and Dance of Dragons major updates, as well as squadron vehicles and modifications, talismans, and backups for these vehicles.

• The preset trim position set in test flight is now applied only once when the aircraft is respawned and only if full-real controls are enabled. When switching the control type from “Mouse aim” to “Full-real controls”, the preset trim position is not applied.
  
• A bug in Air Realistic Battles that made it impossible to respawn again after leaving a repaired and refueled aircraft on the airfield has been fixed. (Report).

• A bug that caused lag spikes when trying to apply the “Davy Crockett” decoration has been fixed. (Report).

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.