Jan 13, 2019

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet – AGM-88C HARM SP Mode Introduction

DCS World Steam Edition - NineLine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC3fcwFO6go&feature=youtu.be

Next week we plan to release the AGM-88C HARM with the Self Protect (SP) mode. Soon after we will follow that up with the Target of Opportunity (TOO), Pre-Briefed (PB), pullback modes.

Operation of the HARM in SP mode is quite simple:

1- Master Arm Switch to ARM

2- A/G Master Mode ON

3- Select HARM from the TAC/Stores page

4- Press the HARM Sequence/RAID/FLIR FoV switch or to cycle the ground-radar emitters on the EW page / EW HUD / Azimuth Indicator (aka RWR scope)

5- Press and HOLD the weapon release button or [LEFT ALT + SPACEBAR]

6- Shout MAGNUM at the top of your lungs

Some notes:

HARM range is highly dependent on launch altitude and speed. A high and fast launch at 45k MSL at 1.3M will allow engagement out to 80 nm.

When in SP mode, no target range is provided. Have a good understanding of where the target may be before you launch that HARM.

RESET will automatically select the highest threat emitter.

Some advanced SAM systems can shoot down a HARM. It is not a magic bullet.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy the SAM payback!

Jan 11, 2019

DCS World Newsletter - 11 January 2019

DCS World Steam Edition - NineLine

Last week we discussed the many aircraft projects that will be under development in 2019. Today, let’s look at some of the non-aircraft projects. As mentioned last week, we cannot promise that all of these will be released in 2019, but they will all be under focused development.

Ships

Although we released a greatly improved and free Nimitz-class aircraft carrier at the time of the Hornet release, we are also working on a separate Nimitz-class aircraft carrier module. This product will have an incredible level of detail and include such features as a detailed and operable LSO and Air Boss stations, detailed modeling of the hangar, animated deck crew, briefing room, and control of the carrier.

Once this project is complete, the team will finish up the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and then return to and release the updated Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier.

Radio Communications
The biggest radio communications task are the aircraft carrier communications that includes CASE I, CASE II, and CASE III for departure, marshal, approach, and the Landing Signal Officer (LSO). Once this massive task is complete, we will move on to an overhaul of the airbase radio communications.

New Maps

With 2018 we saw the release of the DCS: Persian Gulf Map. For 2019 we and our partners are working on two new World War II maps, a Syria map, a Falkland Islands map, and a new free map that we’ll discuss later in the year.

In parallel, we will be finishing up the Persian Gulf map with the addition of Liwa Airbase and Ras Al Khaimah airport; Al Ain Air War College; ruins near Shiraz, Kerman, and Bam; and fix remaining bugs. Once complete, it will be the largest DCS World map as measured from airfield to airfield.

Dynamic Campaign
While a hangar of great aircraft is certainly a wonderful thing, having an engaging, exciting, and dynamic combat environment is equally important. We have been developing the inner-workings of a dynamic campaign system which will continue into 2019. Based on the strategic goals and tactical situations, the systems will create dynamic Air Tasking Orders (ATO) that players then join to help their side to victory. This work is non-trivial, but we believe the addition of this system should be exciting for DCS users.

DCS World Multiplayer

In the closing weeks of 2018, we made the Dedicated Server software available to a handful of trusted 3rd party online servers. Based on their feedback, we have been tuning and expanding the software to best suit customer needs.

One aspect of the Dedicated Server we are also exploring is the availability of free maps to Dedicated Server hosts.

In addition to this new Server software, the team has also been at work developing an integrated Voice Over IP (VOIP) system for DCS World which is based on the growing Web RTC standard. The first phase will allow users to use and create “rooms” and the second phase would integrate the VOIP into in-cockpit radio controls.

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter about Modern Air Combat (MAC), we also plan to include leader boards, rankings, and other online statistics for DCS World online players.

DCS World Foundation
In parallel to all the above, the team continues to work on the foundation items of DCS World like air and ground artificial intelligence, performance optimization, more detailed damage models for all unit types, Vulkan implementation, improved VR optimization and improved Touch Controller support, aircraft wake turbulence.

DCS World Steam Edition to DCS World e-Shop Transfer
You can now transfer modules purchased on Steam to your DCS World e-Shop installation. Note that this method only applies to Steam DLC that uses Steam protection, not StarForce keys, Starforce keys can be transferred as before. All keyless DCS World DLCs released on Steam from 12th May 2017 can be transferred.

Here are some modules released on Steam after 12-May-2017:
DCS: M-2000C
DCS: NEVADA Test and Training Range map
DCS: Spitfire LF Mk.IX
DCS: AJS-37 Viggen
DCS: Normandy map
DCS: WW2 Assets pack
DCS: Su-33 for DCS World
DCS: AV-8B Night Attack V/STOL
DCS: F/A-18C Hornet
DCS: Persian Gulf map

Please see this link for complete directions:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/500/#1510447

Given that Steam no longer accepts our 3rd party license keys, binding of keys purchased on the E-Shop cannot be transferred to the DCS World Steam Edition.

Hornet Missions of the Week
In our quest to bring more and more great, new content to the Hornet, we are now providing a Hornet Mission of the Week! The first two missions can be found here:

River Run:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3744076&postcount=105

Strike Fighter:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3752412&postcount=107

These missions will also be integrated into the Hornet Instant Action list of missions.

Sincerely,
The Eagle Dynamics Team

Jan 10, 2019

Hornet Mission of the Week

DCS World Steam Edition - NineLine

Hornet Mission of the Week
Situation
Over western Iraq on day one of Operation Desert Storm, United States Navy F/A-18C Hornets operating off the USS Saratoga in the Red Sea racked up the first air-to-air kills by Hornets. This mission also showcased the Hornet’s ability to rapidly transition from an air-to-air engagement to delivering bombs on target. This mission is not a recreation of that mission, but rather takes inspiration from it.

An outstanding insight into the historical engagement can be found here on the Fighterpilot Podcast:

https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/podcast/017-desert-storm-mig-kill/

Ahead of you at waypoint 1 is Shiraz airbase with the Sector Operations Command (SOC) as your primary target. Bullseye MANNY is 20 nm to the northwest at your waypoint 4. The second element is assigned the POL facility. Fight your way to the target and destroy it with Mk-84 bombs to accomplish your mission. Bringing up the rear is a flight of Hornet’s with AGM-88 HARMs to suppress SA-6 SAMs in the area.

Objective

Destroy the SOC at waypoint 1, ref briefing images.

Multiple SA-6 SAM sites are situated in the Shiraz area. These will be targeted by the SEAD flight. Short-range air defenses in the target area include 23m AAA and SA-13 SAMs.

This mission requires the DCS: Persian Gulf Map.

Have fun and good luck!

Download the mission here:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3752412&postcount=107

Jan 9, 2019

Steam Transfers now available via DCS Account Profile

DCS World Steam Edition - NineLine

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/500/#1510447

How to transfer keyless DCS modules purchased on STEAM?
Please note, all future DCS World DLC released on Steam from 12th May 2017 on will now use Steam Keys instead of Star-Force keys.

Here are some modules released on Steam after 12-May-2017:
DCS: M-2000C; DCS: Nevada map; DCS: Spitfire; DCS: AJS-37; DCS: Normandy map; DCS: WW2 Assets pack; DCS: Su-33; DCS: AV-8B Night Attack V/STOL; DCS: F/A-18C; DCS: Persian Gulf map
as well as many new campaigns starting from the Museum Relic campaign.
You always can find the date in the Steam store - Sort by Release date

These modules can be bound and activated on the DCS World e-shop version from the site.

To do this, on the DCS website, on the profile page, find a special Steam account block
please use the link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/profile/

1) You need to link the Steam account to your DCS account.
After clicking on the "BIND" button, you will be redirected to the Steam website, where you must log in and agree to share publicly available information from your profile with us.

2) After logging in to the Steam site, you return to our site and, if successful, the "GET LICENSES" button will be available.
Click the "Get licenses" button.

3) As a result, you can obtain a list of the products whose licenses that:
1. Already have a DCS account (Steam or not Steam)
2. Can be transferred to your account from Steam
3. Can not be transferred because they are in different types of protection

4) Click the "Transfer licenses" button.
As a result, the licenses available for transfer will be bound to the DCS account.

5) When you re-enter this page, the Steam license list will be displayed.

6) You can request licenses again to replenish them if you purchased new DCS products on Steam. New licenses also can be bound, as in the previous paragraph.

7) When you click the "Unbind" button, all your Steam transferred licenses will be revoked and the binding removed.

* Display name in Steam: "your name" - is not a login but rather information permitted by the Steam user to display on a public profile.

Please note that the transferred products will now be available in your Standalone install and also remain available in your Steam Version.
You may also only transfer from Steam to Standalone, Standalone to Steam transfer is not available.

Jan 4, 2019

DCS World Newsletter - 4 January 2019

DCS World Steam Edition - NineLine

Happy New Year!
From all of us at Eagle Dynamics, we want to wish you a happy new year and every success and happiness for 2019! We look forward to sharing it with you, and we have many exciting projects during 2019! What follows is a listing of aircraft projects that we and our valued-partners will be working on in 2019. We do not expect for all these projects to be released in 2019, but this is where our focus will be this year.

In next week’s newsletter we’ll talk about the non-aircraft projects that we’ll be working on during 2019.

DCS: MiG-19P by RAZBAM Simulations

The DCS: MiG-19P by RAZBAM will be coming later this month! This early, Russian supersonic fighter further completes the line of MiG fighters in DCS World. MiG-15bis, MiG-19P, MiG-21bis, and MiG-29. Named “Farmer” by NATO, the MiG-19 was the first production, Russian fighter capable of supersonic flight and comparable with American “Century Series” fighters like the F-100, F-105, F-106 and others.

The MiG-19 is a great addition to the stable of 1950s fighters, with more to come.

DCS: F-14 by Heatblur Simulations

Before the end of winter will see the release of the eagerly-awaited Tomcat! Brought to you by the same team the developed the extraordinary AJS-37 Viggen, the Tomcat will set new benchmarks in PC flight simulations. Following the initial release with the F-14B, the Heatblur team will follow that up with the F-14A version and a free USS Forrestal-class aircraft carrier!

Featuring front-seat and back-seat play for single and multiplayer, the Tomcat is a dominate fighter with the capability to also devastate ground targets.

Sharing the deck with Hornet’s DCS, World naval combat operations will take off in 2019.

DCS: F-16C Viper

Our next marquee title from the Eagle Dynamics studio will be the famous F-16C multi-role fighter! An aircraft we’ve long wanted to simulate, we are excited to bring this legendary aircraft to the skies of DCS World. The F-16C is already well into development alongside the F/A-18C, and both aircraft share significant technology that will benefit both.

Specifically, we will be offering the F-16CJ Block 50 variant that includes the HARM anti-radar missile and HARM Target System (HTS) pod, laser- and GPS-guided munitions, advanced air-to-air systems like the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and AIM-9X and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, data link systems, Sniper targeting pod, AN/APG-68 radar, and other systems.

DCS: Mi-24P Hind

We have certainly not forgotten about all the rotor-heads! Work continues the deadly Mi-24P HIND. Using many of the same systems as the Mi-8MTV2, this project is well underway and will be a great addition to the stable of DCS World helicopters.

With the advancements in our terrain technology and the ability to create much more detailed low-altitude environments, the HIND will be a joy to fly. Combining both gunship and troop-carry abilities, the Mi-24P will certainly result in outstanding missions and campaigns.

Being a two-seat aircraft, the HIND will be a particularly interesting aircraft to fly with a friend online.

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, DCS: de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI, and DCS: Fw 190 A-8 Shrike

These three of these aircraft are well underway and we plan to release or more in 2019. With the addition of the new damage model, dynamic campaign, new World War II maps, and more units added to the World War II Assets Pack like the Ju-88, Bf 109G, C-47, A-20G, and others, DCS World War II will continue to grow and bring great new gameplay!

Other Aircraft

Other new aircraft in development for 2019 are the DCS: JF-17 by Deka Ironworks and the DCS: I-16 by OctopusG.

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet

Although not a new aircraft for 2019, the Hornet will certainly be a huge focus for us with the addition of the AGM-88 HARM, ATFLIR targeting pod, datalink and IFF systems, GPS- and INS-guided weapons, standoff weapons like Harpoon, SLAM, SLAM-ER, and Walleye, as well as continued work on the flight dynamics, navigation system, air-to-surface radar, Track While Scan and other air-to-air radar modes and sub-modes, and defensive systems.
The Hornet has been and will continue to be a massive and complex project.

Updating the Hangar, A-10C and Ka-50
Although we have a large set of new aircraft being worked on, it by no means that the older aircraft have been forgotten. Quite the contrary. Just like the recent update to the P-51D, Bf 109 K-4, Fw 190 D-9, and Spitfire LF Mk.IX, we will continue to update older products as their technology lags behind our current capabilities. The two biggest such projects being worked on for 2019 are overhauls of the cockpits and external models of the DCS: A-10C Warthog and DCS: Ka-50 Black Shark.