Mar 18, 2026
View on Steam↗Meet the “Ninth Wave” Major Update!
5/5 Game-Changing
War Thunder v2.41 'Ninth Wave' introduces Rank IX aircraft like the F-16CM PoBIT, the return of White Rock Fortress, and a massive procedural water physics overhaul.
Key Changes
- 1Introduction of Rank IX aircraft including the F-16CM PoBIT with AIM-120D missiles
- 2Procedural water deformation physics added for all locations
- 3White Rock Fortress map returns with significant gameplay and visual reworks
- 4New high-tier ground vehicles: AS90 (UK) and Pantsir SM-SV (USSR)
- 5Addition of the Hungarian air sub-tree to the Italian nation
- 6Implementation of DLSS 4.5 and Ray Reconstruction technology
- 7Expanded Air RB airfield defense system with 7 distinct BR-based AA sets
- 8New stereo headphone output mode for improved spatial audio positioning
- 9Interactive vehicle stat cards and updated crew training UI
- 10Standardized runway lengths across all Battle Ratings
All Changes
✈️Aircraft(14)
- newF-16CM PoBIT: Added F-16CM PoBIT at Rank IX featuring AIM-120D missiles and AGM-154A1 JSOW bombs.
- newF/A-18F (Australia): Added F/A-18F (Australia) featuring 12 AIM-120D AMRAAMs and AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles.
- newHungarian Air Tree: Introduced Hungarian domestic aircraft: Héja I, Héja II, WM-21, and WM-23.
- newMiG-29M (9-15): Added MiG-29M (9-15) as a new Squadron Vehicle.
- newMiG-29 (9-12): Added MiG-29 (9-12) to the USSR tree.
- newJ-15T: Added J-15T to the Chinese tree.
- newJAS39D: Added JAS39D as a new Squadron Vehicle for Sweden.
- newF-16A (Norway): Added F-16A (Norway) to the Swedish tree.
- newAlpha Jet A: Added Alpha Jet A (JaboG 41) as a premium pack for Germany.
- newMe 210: Added several Me 210 variants for Germany, Italy, and Japan.
- buffF/A-18: Added AGM-84H SLAM-ER guided missiles to F/A-18C Late and F/A-18E.
- buffEC-665 Tiger UHT: Added pods with 2x PARS 3 LR ATGMs.
- buffESA Radar: ESA radars now use separate signals for search and track in TWS mode, improving tracking of targets above/below the horizon.
- changeAircraft Damage Model: Control cable failure is no longer tied to the loss of stabilizer surfaces, allowing partial control of remaining surfaces.
🚜Ground Vehicles(16)
- newAS90: Added AS90 self-propelled gun with a 155 mm cannon.
- newPantsir SM-SV: Added Pantsir SM-SV featuring new 95Ya6M missiles with increased range.
- newM1296 Dragoon: Added M1296 Dragoon with an unmanned 30 mm autocannon turret.
- newsWaTrgInf: Added sWaTrgInf (Boxer) with 30 mm autocannon and Spike-LR II ATGMs.
- newHo-Ni II: Added Ho-Ni II featuring a 105 mm howitzer.
- newGBT 155: Added GBT 155 (Pack) featuring a 155 mm gun on a Vickers Mk.3 chassis.
- newCentauro II (P): Added Centauro II (P) to the Italian tree.
- newEitan (P): Added Eitan (P) to the Israeli tree.
- buffF1 HE Shell: Added F1 high-explosive fragmentation shells to Leclerc, MSC, Ariete, and Centauro variants.
- buffVT4: Type 1985-I APFSDS shell is now available as a stock round without research.
- changeTurret Basket Rework: Reworked turret drive models to include turret baskets for Leclerc, Type 90, and Type 10.
- changeT-72A: Corrected hull armor geometry and converted several sections to volumetric armor.
- changeStarstreak Missile: Updated flight model to a fully physical system.
- changeStormer AD: Autocannon rate of fire increased from 1800 to 2200 RPM, but active scouting was removed.
- nerf35 mm Oerlikon KDA: Firing accuracy decreased by approximately 15%.
- nerfAMX-30: Engine power reduced from 720 HP to 680 HP.
⚓Naval Fleet(5)
- newUSS Helm: Added USS Helm as a premium destroyer.
- newGerman Navy: Added Z52 and S-61 to the German naval tree.
- newJapanese Navy: Added IJN Kagero and IJN Tade (Premium) to the Japanese tree.
- newItalian Navy: Added RN Vincenzo Gioberti and RN Saetta (Premium) to the Italian tree.
- newVerdun: Added Verdun to the French naval tree.
🗺️Locations & Missions(5)
- newWhite Rock Fortress: White Rock Fortress returns to rotation with reduced elevation differences, re-planned roads, and protected spawn points.
- changeArdennes: Ardennes has been completely graphically updated with modern models and interactive objects.
- fix38th Parallel: Blocked a slope in grid G6 that allowed sniping into the northern spawn point.
- changeAir RB Missions: Expanded airfield AA/SAM sets from 3 to 7 distinct brackets based on Battle Rating.
- changeAirfields: Standardized runway lengths: 3 km for high BRs and 1.6 km for low/middle BRs.
🎨Visuals & Audio(4)
- newWater Physics: Implemented procedural height map water effects that deform based on explosions, wakes, and impacts.
- newDLSS: Added support for DLSS 4.5 and DLSS Ray Reconstruction for improved ray tracing quality.
- newAudio Engine: Added a stereo headphone output mode with 6 expanded panorama modes for better spatial positioning.
- changeEnvironment Physics: Improved tree falling dynamics and vegetation destruction effects.
🖥️UI/UX(3)
- changeStat Cards: Updated vehicle stat cards with interactive tooltips and direct links to X-Ray/Armor views.
- newRadar UI: Added cursor control for ground vehicle radars and NCTR target type recognition in TWS mode.
- changeCrew UI: Crew training window now features an X-ray view highlighting parts affected by specific skills.
Summary
The 'Ninth Wave' major update significantly expands the high-tier meta with the introduction of Rank IX aircraft and advanced weaponry like the AIM-120D and AGM-84H SLAM-ER. Ground forces receive heavy reinforcements including the British AS90 and the Soviet Pantsir SM-SV, while the Italian tree gains a substantial Hungarian air sub-tree. Beyond content, the update features a technical leap with procedural water deformation, DLSS Ray Reconstruction, and a complete graphical rework of the Ardennes and White Rock Fortress maps.