@killroywuzhere03how are the smart missiles any different from the radar missiles that the jet has? To me they sound stronger than the ones that need to lock on before they fire.
@UP_Hawxxeye I believe your question was about the Smart Rockets? And how they differ from radar missiles?
So from what I have noticed while they function very similar they do have small adjustments that have major impact. First, the Radar Missiles have a faster velocity than the rockets. So their time to target is much quicker. That said, Radar missiles seem to deal more damage, and have a more flexible targeting system. When locking with a Radar missile not only can I do this farther away, but I don't have have my cross hairs exactly on target just near it. Lastly Radar Missiles can only be fired in pairs where as the smart rockets I believe (without checking) fire up to 7 times.
The Smart Rockets in my experience are slightly more finicky. You have to be much closer to the target before they reach a lock and you must maintain your aim on the target or your rockets will miss. It requires much more precision to aim the smart rockets than the Radar Missiles. Additionally they deal less damage, have a slower travel time, but has a higher rate of fire.
The reason for AA Smart Rockets on the Panther rather than Radar Missiles is because the Panther is designed to kill choppers. 2 radar missiles is not enough to down a chopper. With Smart Rockets however, when in VTOL would be able to deal initial damage to the chopper. The Chopper flares and the Panther switches to their guns until the flare wears off. Then switches back to rockets to kill. While it might take 4 or more rockets to down a chopper. The rate of fire compensates for the lower TTK of the rockets. That in addition to the guns of the plane would allow for a rapid destruction of a chopper that doesn't immediately take evasive action or immediately turns to attack the Panther. However the Rockets would be almost useless in an engagement against a fighter jet. Because of the Rockets targeting needs and the proximity required to effectively engage a target. Dog fighting with smart rockets would be in almost all situations completely useless. So yes they are strong against choppers but not all aircraft.
Hope that cleared up your concerns!
