ZF/A-5E-13A Wasp
Under testing for the USN, the ZF/A-5E-13A is a design that first emerged following the widespread introduction of the F-5E. A dual-role fighter/attacker concept was underway in the late 70s, with the second VFAX program. It was designed to be cheap and smaller than the F-14 for massed use, and able to replace the F-4 in strike roles.
In other words, it was to be a cheap(er), multirole naval fighter that could perform both secondary air defense roles and strike roles.
The ZF/A-5E-13A is the initial product of that design process. A lightweight aircraft based on the F-5E, but with purpose built strike capability, the "Wasp" is able to fit into essentially any role required of it. However, these abilities come with the compromise that it is too small to carry a significant amount of payload, as the proponents of the project forbade "major modifications" to the airframe, for simplicity.
It features expanded weaponry capability compared to its progenitor, and also the new AN/APG-67 multimode radar with both air-to-air and air-to-ground uses. A variety of ordnance can be used to place the aircraft into a diverse set of scenarios, with capability up to and including SEAD and Anti-Shipping.
There are rumors that a similar aircraft is under development in Iran, possibly as an attempt to produce a domestic version of the MiG-28.
The Wasp was born out of a really dumb idea that I had, and is essentially a TEMU F/A-18A. The structure is based on the Saeqeh, a very real Iranian fighter jet that looks suspiciously like another jet you might know of. With no Hornet, I felt compelled to create the Wasp as basically a mini-Hornet. It can be used as a pretty good stand-in, I think, but it is not placed on any carriers by default.
Thanks to Nils for letting me use his F-5 model, and thanks to the several people that helped me with the rest of the mod. I hope you enjoy the Wasp, as I spent way too much time on this.
Requires SeaLifter and Anchor Chain, both of which require manual installs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PTAQYOCjcw
Guide for installing both, relevant links are in description of that video.
UPDATE: Carrier capability but it requires the TEMU carrier mod:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3405367163
It is only on Variant 1, MV New Zealand Pacific. Powerful Iranian Navy rises
Required items:
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Anchor Chain — Steam Workshop
SeaLifter — Steam Workshop
