War Thunder “Ninth Wave” Update Introduces Rank IX Jets

Recently, Gaijin Entertainment announced the next War Thunder update, “Ninth Wave”. This update, due in “mid-March,” will introduce Rank IX jets, the “most modern generation of 4+ aircraft” to the free-to-play war shooter. This includes the F/A-18F and the Su-30SM2. The former is a two-seat modification of a fighter-bomber armed with quite a few AMRAAM radar-homing missiles.

On the topic of new aircraft, players can expect Hungarian combat aircraft to be added to the Italian aviation research tree. The first of these will be the Héja I and II fighters based on the Reggiane Re 2000 monoplane. The Héja I boasts an 8mm steel backplate – meaning it will be heavier but more difficult to take down. The Héja features a new propeller-engine system, and Hungarian Gebauer 1940.M GKM heavy machine guns.

In addition to the new plane, the Ninth Wave update also features redesigns of certain maps, such as White Rock Fortress and Ardennes. Both were more-or-less rebuilt from the ground up to meet modern graphic standards. That said, experienced players should have no difficulty navigating them.