update · March 18, 2025
War Thunder Hornet's Sting Major Update Patch Notes
War Thunder update Hornet's Sting introduces the F/A-18 Hornet, the thrust-vectoring Su-30SM, the battleship HMS Warspite, and graphics overhauls for classic maps.
War Thunder's Hornet's Sting major update brings top-tier jets like the F/A-18 and Su-30SM, new ground units, naval powerhouses, and system upgrades.
New Aircraft and Thrust Vectoring
The F/A-18 Hornet joins the United States and Sweden tech trees across multiple variants, while the USSR receives the Su-30SM with 12 hardpoints and thrust vectoring engine nozzles. The Harrier T.10 arrives for Great Britain as a premium strike aircraft. A new Maneuver and limits mode lets pilots temporarily exceed standard angle of attack limits.
Ground Forces and Naval Additions
Britain fields the Tracked Rapier air defense platform with SACLOS proximity missiles, alongside the premium CLOVIS light tank for Germany and France. The USSR receives the 2S19M1 and M2 autoloading howitzers. Naval battles welcome the battleship HMS Warspite, along with updated reserve boats for multiple nations.
Graphics Overhauls and Location Updates
Advance to the Rhine, Sinai, and Jungle receive complete visual reworks with new materials and asset replacements while retaining their core layouts. Tactical tweaks include removing specific trenches on Eastern Europe and low concrete gabions on Normandy to ease vehicle navigation.
Quality of Life and Interface Upgrades
Players can recycle unwanted inventory items at a 2:1 ratio for random rewards or Silver Lions. Weapon stat cards for ammunition and secondary weapons have been redesigned to highlight muzzle velocity, penetration, and TNT equivalent. UAV feeds now operate in a picture-in-picture mode that lets players drive their tanks while monitoring the drone camera.
Vehicle Balance and Combat Adjustments
Ground vehicle damage models, turret rotation speeds, and sight magnifications have been adjusted across units including the OTOMATIC, Fox, and various Abrams and Leopard variants. Destroying enemy bomb payloads now grants Silver Lions, Research Points, and a dedicated combat award.
Why this patch matters
Hornet's Sting is a quarterly update that modernizes high-tier air and ground combat while introducing long-requested interface and inventory features.