Tomorrow we’ll release the AGM-65F (AGM-65D and AGM-65G have been removed to make a more accurate simulation of the USN/USMC legacy Hornet). It will not be at a complete state as we’d hoped, but certainly much more accurate than the current OB version of the D/G. Here are a few notes to help you understand the system to minimize confusion/frustration:
Basic operation:
Must be in ARM Master Arm mode and A/G Master Mode.
Select MAVF from Stores page and then again for AGM-65F format page.
If missions starts from the ground, you must give the seeker time to cool down (seeker) and spin up (gyro), indicated by the TIMING countdown timer.
Set TDC to Maverick format page, left sensor control switch (assuming MAFV format on LDDI).
HOTAS Cage/Uncage button to cage the seeker to boresight.
HOTAS HARM Sequence / FOV / RAID button to toggle seeker field of view. Note: FOV change should only be possible in a non-tracking seeker state.
TRACK WHT/BLK should only toggle symbology, NOT seeker polarity. In addition to symbology color, it also will set the seeker to bias locking of white point targets (WHT) or black (BLK). TRACK does NOT indicate seeker tracking state.
To slew seeker, you must be pressing down on the TDC while giving slew commands. Note: the team is working on making the slew smoother (also for HUD TDC slew). You can also hold down the ENTER button while entering slew commands of , . / ;
To lock a target, slew the crosshairs over a target and release the TDC button. If it cannot lock, the crosshairs will expand to breaklock mode the pointing cross with flash.
If a TGT point is set, the seeker will auto-Slave to the location. Once slaved, press the HOTAS undesignate button to allow manual slew.
To Do:
Improve slew precision.
Adjust Maverick motor burn time, speed, and range.
Cage to boresight from slave mode, already fixed internally.
Note: the AGM-65F uses the existing infrared-rendering shaders, not the new one under development.
1- Datalink / SA Page / MIDS 2- GBU-10/12/16 3- HARM 4- A/A Waypoint and BRA data 5- Further radar, AGM-65F, and JHMCS debugging 6- DUD cue logic 7- FLIR renderer 8- A/G radar renderer 9- Various systems debugging __________________
A busy day! GBU-10, GBU-12, and GBU-16 also became operational today in the internal build. After some more testing, we hope to bring these to an Open Beta soon.
As with the laser-Maverick, we'll initially release these with off-board designation, like a JTAC. Once the ATFLIR is added, then self-designation will be possible.
We will later add the GBU-24, but this requires some additional work as it has some significant differences from GBU-10/12/16.
For one of the next Open Beta updates we will add the A/A Waypoint (bullseye) along with range and bearing to ownship and TDC from bulls is displayed. This can be set to any waypiont, and you'd want to have one waypoint at the same location as the bullseye set for the mission.
Additionally, the Bearing Range and Altitude (BRA) of the TDC cursor to the player ownship is displayed.
Please see the attached image.
From the HSI/DATA/WYPT sublevel, A/A WP pushbutton (2) can be pressed to have the selected waypoint be the bullseye. When selected, the following happens:
1- The A/A WP legend is boxed.
2- A bullseye symbols will be shown in the tactical region of the AA radar display (RWS, STT, LTWS, and TWS).
3- When the bullseye waypoint is also the selected navigation waypoint, the symbol appears as a diamond with arrow point to north.
4- When the bullseye waypoint is not the selected navigation waypoint, the symbol appears as a circle with arrow point to north. See attached.
5- The arrow pointer on the bullseye symbols can point to either true or magnetic north, based on the HSI/DATA/AC sublevel selection.
Bearing and Range of TDC and Ownship to Bullseye Indications
Also note that when bullseye is enabled, that the bearing and distance of the player ownship to the bullseye is displayed in the bottom center radar display.
The bearing and range of the TDC to the bullseye is displayed in the top right portion of the radar display. See attached.
015o/XX
BRA Option
From the radar DATA sublevel, the BRA option can be selected (boxed) at pushbutton 19. When enabled, BRA (baring) / (distance in miles) of the TDC to the player is displayed in the within the bottom left tactical area of the display. See attached.
DCS Warbirds Update Earlier this year we showed off a greatly updated cockpit for the DCS: P-51D Mustang that will be released next month. In addition to a beautiful, new cockpit, we’re also updating the external model to include both P-51D-25 and P-51D-30 versions! This includes improvements to both the 3D model and textures.
Along with the Mustang, we’ve also completing work on a fantastic new cockpit for the Bf 109 K-4 and a Fw 190 D-9 that takes advantage of both deferred shading and physically based rendering.
In parallel, the P-47D, Fw 190 A-8, and Mosquito are all making great progress in both the external model, cockpit, flight model and systems.
A big element also getting a lot of attention has been the new damage model we discussed in an earlier newsletter. We’ve been using the Spitfire as the test bed and the progress has been steady and good. Once we’re happy with the results, we’ll first incorporate the new damage model system into the other warbirds.
Next month, we’ll make available a wonderful P-51D Mustang campaign by Reflected Simulations.
Virtual Reality Update We see VR as an amazing tool to enjoy DCS World and the future of PC gaming for many. To make DCS World even better, we’ve been working on some great VR improvements that include:
Optimized VR performance.
Touch control that allows direct finger interaction with cockpit controls.
Touch control to allow the right and left Touch controllers to act as stick and throttle when positioned correctly in the virtual cockpit and holding down the middle-finger button.
These will provide a much more immersive VR experience, particularly for those flying warbirds and other aircraft that do not require HOTAS controls.
