Fictional machines in Nuclear Option is rather an advantage, because if you have a plane that doesn't exist in reality, no one will say that it flies wrong. It just should fly like a plane, obeying to the laws of aerodynamics, flight dynamics, flight control system. There still could be something to fix in the flight model/flight control system, but this is just general thing.

So, abstract heavy fighter jet like Ifrit should behave like a heavy fighter jet, with proper characteristics
Heavy bomber like Darkreach should behave like a heavy bomber... subsonic, less agile
You can continue describing every aircraft in Nuclear Option in this way and it will make perfect sense
But plane called F-14... Should it fly like a real F-14? I can assure you, if a plane with this name and corresponding look will come into play, people immediatelly will start arguing about how close its flight model to the real one.

Moreover, most planes in Nuclear Option already represent, to some degree, the real planes.
CI-22 Cricket -> OV-10 Bronco
FS-12 Revoker -> JAS-39 Gripen
KR-67 Ifrit -> Su-27/35/57 (+ note how similar the names are)
SFB-81 Darkreach -> B-2
SAH-46 Chicane -> represents modern and future USA attack helicopters

In fact, we can put any aircraft with similar characteristics instead of the SAH-46, Apache, and instead of the Ifrit. As you said, Su-27\35, as they have similar features (extreme angles of attack, super maneuverability). And instead of Tarantula, put V-22 Osprey, V-280 Valor. I would really like to see an airplane with a variable wing sweep.

I think it's a good idea for the developers to use concept planes or prototypes and planes similar to the real ones. On the one hand you give the game some originality and on the other hand you avoid paying brand image. From my point of view I prefer to see more futuristic things like the tarantula (similar to edge of tomorrow quad tiltrotor) or the air vehicles of avatar but always within the real limitations of the physics of the game. more sci-fi planes...

I have no expertise in mod development, but isn't the main concept in the process is that, a modded model will replace an existing asset?
this for that

Originally posted by reuben360:

I have no expertise in mod development, but isn't the main concept in the process is that, a modded model will replace an existing asset?
:ISShelicopter: this for that :SPStealth:

Not necessarily. While yes, some mods do that, there also mods in games like VTOL VR and DCS that add entirely new planes whilst keeping the old ones

Ifrit is based on the Northrop YF-23

Originally posted by swatkats radical squadron:

Ifrit is based on the Northrop YF-23

Think yep butt...