Update brings dozens of new vehicles, including World War II legends and the most modern models
Gaijin Entertainment announces that the “Ninth Wave” major update for the online military action game War Thunder will be released in mid-March. It introduces Rank IX and the most modern generation 4+ aircraft, such as the F/A-18F and Su-30SM2. The major update will also feature Hungarian planes, redesigned classic maps like “White Rock Fortress” and “Ardennes” and dozens of new ground, air, and naval vehicles, including the American destroyer Helm, which was one of the first to fight back against the enemy at Pearl Harbor.
The Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet is a two-seat modification of the renowned fighter-bomber, capable of carrying a large number of AMRAAM active radar-homing missiles for long-range air combat and a vast arsenal of air-to-surface weapons for ground attack. These aircraft were delivered to the Australian Air Force from 2010 to 2012, and were used in Iraq in 2014.
White Rock Fortress, one of War Thunder’s first ground battle locations, was essentially rebuilt from scratch according to modern graphics standards, with an abundance of fine visual details, while maintaining the navigation familiar to veterans. A similar graphical overhaul awaits fans of the Ardennes map, with abandoned gun emplacements, collapsed buildings, and trees covered in autumn gold now look significantly better, while all approaches, bypasses, and terrain layout remain unchanged. There are also some gameplay innovations: abandoned vehicles (bulldozers and tractors) can now be used as temporary mobile cover by pushing them forward.
Hungarian combat aircraft will be added to the Italian aviation research tree, starting with the Héja I and II fighters, based on the all-metal Reggiane Re.2000 monoplane from the Second World War. The Héja I features an 8mm steel backplate, which adds some weight but significantly increases survivability. In the Héja II, Hungarian engineers installed a new domestically produced propeller-engine system, redistributed the fuel tanks, and installed Hungarian Gebauer 1940.M GKM heavy machine guns with a higher rate of fire.
The M1296 Dragoon is an American combat vehicle based on the Stryker platform, featuring a new unmanned turret with a 30 mm XM813 cannon. Its shells can effectively destroy light vehicles and helicopters, and even penetrate the side of any main battle tank. Its fast wheeled chassis allows it to accelerate to 100 km/h on hard surfaces, maneuver quickly, and flank the enemy.
More information about the “Ninth Wave” update can be found on the game’s official website.
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