What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

Currently, if you want to make links that automatically open in new tabs, you need to add "|tab" to a URL bbcode entry. However, with the convenience of Autolinking and similar features, I am reluctant to not use it. Even if it's simply adding more modular uses (such as adding "|tab" to the end of an autolinked/manual-linked article), or even having a toggle, that I think would bring this feature to life.  

How does this feature request address the current situation?

Not only "|tab", but other options that you can perform in other bbcode would be amazing to modify how the autolink/manual article links behave.  

What are other uses for this feature request?

See previous answer. C: