Hey everyone,

As mentioned in earlier posts, we are at work on a detailed Aircraft Settings capability through the Options, F/A-18C, Special Tab. This consists of two primary elements: Aircraft Systems and Mission Card. Both will allow you to pre-configure the Hornet before flight in both single and multiplayer. As such, you would be able to setup your own aircraft defaults.

Aircraft Systems include all functions that are NOT specific to mission (.miz) file or Mission Computer settings. This includes such items as lights, bingo fuel, various cockpit switches, altimeter, etc. In this way, you can have your aircraft setup just that way YOU want it.

The Mission Card allows you to set up software options for all missions that includes such items as radar settings, countermeasures, AG weapon programs, and navigation settings.

The third element of mission configuration MUST apply directly to the specific mission file or there will conflict between Aircraft Settings and the mission file… these are the waypoint settings. As always, a mission is created with a set of waypoints and properties when the mission is created by the mission designer. For the Hornet though, we are greatly adapting this to account for a much more realistic Hornet waypoint system that accounts for up to 60 waypoints in the database, of which waypoints can be assigned properties of sequence 1, sequence 2, sequence 3, initial point, A/A waypoint, Pre-Planned (PP), or Pre-Briefed (PB). In the Mission Planner, the player would be able to then adjust these if desired on a per-mission basis. We are also looking to making the Mission Planner available in multiplayer.

This will also include a new waypoint user interface that we’ll share a bit later once it is more solid.

This is all deep in development and very much subject to change. We have no release time frame in mind yet… it will be released to an Open Beta once we feel it’s ready.

- Wags

A new datalink / SA page element was added today to support for SAM threat zones. These are determined before hand and are static indications based on Mission Editor settings. If the unit is hidden it will not appear on the SA display, if it is not hidden, it will display. Just like the real system, this is NOT a dynamic indication based on RWR or any sensors. It simply alerts the pilot of a reported SAM threat that was entered in the mission file before they even took off.

- Wags

DCS: F-16C Block 50 and Other News

DCS: F-16C Update

As mentioned in our yearly wrap up, one of our biggest projects for this year is the legendary F-16C Fighting Falcon, also called the Viper. In parallel with the Hornet, we already have a sub-team working on the Viper that includes programmers who have completed their Hornet tasks. Much of their focus is currently on the flight model, Flight Control System (FLCS), cockpit and the external model. Using much of what we learned with the Hornet, progress has been good, and is in no way slowing down Hornet completion.

As we pour the concrete, we can start to pass along some of our plans. Please remember they are plans, not timeline promises.

Our Viper will be an F-16C with the Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) upgrade. We feel this to be the most versatile version of the F-16 with capabilities for SEAD, precision attack, close air support, anti-ship, and of course air-to-air. We will be taking great care though to develop a very accurate simulation of the F-16C Block 50 operated by the United States Air Force and Air National Guard circa 2007.

Core systems of our F-16C include:

• F-110-GE-129 turbofan engine
  
• AN/APG-68(V)5 multi-mode radar
  
• AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver
  
• AN/ALQ-131/184 ECM pods
  
• CCIP (Common Configuration Implementation Program) update
  
• ALE-47 countermeasure system

This will be a massive project, so we will separate it into two phases: Phase 1 Early Access release and then Phase 2 Product Sustainment.

Phase 1 Early Access Release:

• Color Multifunction Display (CMFD) symbology, Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) format, and Head-up Display (HUD) symbology
  
• Digitally TACAN and Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI)
  
• BDU-33, BDU-50LD/HD, Mk-82LDGP, Mk-82AIR, Mk-84LDGP, BLU-109/B, CBU-87 CEM, and CBU-97 SFW unguided bombs
  
• 2.75” rockets LAU-68 and LAU-131
  
• Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)
  
• AIM-9L/M/P/X Sidewinder
  
• AIM-120B/C AMRAAM
  
• M61A1 20mm cannon

Phase 2 Product Sustainment:

• Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)
  
• Link 16 Data Link
  
• AGM-65D/G/H/K Maverick
  
• AGM-88C HARM
  
• AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targeting System (HTS)
  
• Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod
  
• GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24A/B laser-guided bombs
  
• BRU-57/A Smart Rack
  
• CBU-103 CEM and CBU-105 SFW Inertially Aided Munitions (IAM)
  
• GBU-31/A, GBU-32, and GBU-38/B JDAM
  
• AGM-154/A and /B JSOW
  
• AGM-158/A JASSM
  
• Integration of the JHMCS with the HARM Targeting System (HTS), Link 16, and AIFF
  
• ALE-50 towed decoy

As this project accelerates, we will be providing updates to keep you abreast of our progress to this much awaited addition to DCS World.


DCS: C-101 AvioJet by AvioDev Now on Steam
DCS: C-101 Aviojet will include both the C-101EB and C-101CC models. The C-101EB model is the primary jet trainer and aerobatic display aircraft of the Spanish Air Force, whilst the C-101CC model, with its 7 hard-points and uprated engine, is a versatile light attack aircraft that has seen combat with the Honduras Air Force against drug traffickers. It is also in service with the Jordanian and Chilean air forces. The two models of the C-101 have many similarities that include cockpit layout, core-systems operation, and aerodynamic design. This commonality brings something for everyone to include lead-in jet training, advanced aerobatics, and light attack.
Features of DCS: C-101 include:
C-101EB and C-101CC:

• Realistic flight model that represents the actual performance and flight mechanics of the aircraft at a professional level and with absolute accuracy
  
• Highly detailed, six-degrees-of-freedom, clickable cockpit
  
• Complete and accurate aircraft systems implementation (electrical, fuel, hydraulic, pressurization, oxygen, radio, navigation)
  
• Complete circuit breaker simulation with correct failed systems behaviors
  
• TARSYN gyro system replicated with exacting detail
  
• Accurate flight director system
  
• Custom air data simulation (airspeed/altimeter behaviors, etc.)
  
• Pitot system icing implemented as well as many other specific features and effects
  
• Multiplayer two-seater controls
  
• Realistic implementation of all systems (radios, navigation, etc.) on both cockpits, including interaction between front and rear seats
  
• Realistic GPU model

C-101EB:

• Realistic smoke system

C-101CC:

• Weapons system with air-to-air short-range IR missiles, gun pods, bombs, rockets and Sea Eagle anti-ship missile

DCS World Open Beta Update
Please find the complete change log for this week’s Open Beta update here.
Notable items in the update this week include:

• Increased the JTAC laser designation range to 3,000 meters to match real-world equipment.
  
• Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) option is now server-side enforced.
  
• Adjusted Su-33 aircraft carrier takeoff weight.
  
• Corrected network play performance impact when no sound card is present.
  
• Added infantry to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
  
• Added Cuba to country list.
  
• Kazakhstan MiG-29 skins added.
  
• Several crash circumstances fixed.
  
• M-2000C external model updated and wing vapors added.
  
• Fixes to the AV-8B NA, Christen Eagle II, and MiG-21bis.
  
• Numerous improvements to the C-101.
  
• Hornet improvements including improved unguided weapons accuracy, DUD cue logic, pullup cue and Break X logic, and high drag bombs. An option for Maverick TDC slew that does not require TDC press has been added. Time on Target HUD cue has been fixed.
  
• Spitfire canopy corrected.
  
• Now able to rearm and refuel from all locations at Al Dhafra airbase in the Persian Gulf map.
  
• Several campaigns have fixes and improvements.

Sincerely,
The Eagle Dynamics Team

Check out this review from our friends at Mudspike!

https://www.mudspike.com/dcs-the-enemy-within-3-0/

Watch Jiutian Cai put the DCS: F/A-18C through its paces on the Instant action mission River Run (Found in sim under Hornet/Caucasus). Enjoy! -NineLine/Norm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezuOy_4ATfE&feature=youtu.be

https://store.steampowered.com/app/316966/DCS_C101_Aviojet/?curator_clanid=4471395

Tolicha Peak Shootout
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3798495&postcount=129

This week’s Hornet mission is back in the Nevada map and focuses on SEAD. I have included both a single player version and a heavily modified 4-player coop version.

Operated as part of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) between Groom Lake and Tonopah Test Range (TTR) is the Tolicha Peak Electronic Combat Range (TPECR). Operated by the 554th Range Group, it is located on the Pahute Mesa and in the middle of nowhere. The TPECR is reported to operate a large array threat air defense radars and associated Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems. The facility is used to evaluate these systems and allow aircrews to train against them. Just as the Air Force has the Red Eagles flying Soviet aircraft out of the Tonopah, the TPECR is the Soviet SAM equivalent.

In this mission, you will takeoff from Tonopah Air Force base and fly south to the TPECR and engage SAM threats as they activate. As you kill one, another will activate. You are loaded with four AGM-88C HARMs, and if you’re good, you can go four for four on the threats. If not, you can rearm at Tonopah.

Good luck!

The Data Link (D/L) Situational Awareness (SA) page and new radar functions are making steady progress, so I thought I’d make another little update using images. This all very much work in progress and subject to change.

The first image shows the radar format on the left DDI with Latent Track While Scan (LTWS) selected and the TDC hovering over a brick. The brick now displays the selected weapon Launch Acceptable Region (LAR) as well as target Mach (left of HAFU) and altitude in thousands of feet (right of HAFU). The next step would be to designate the target as the Launch and Steering (L&S) target and the ability to set a secondary Designated Target (DT2). Along with a hover over contact, you can get additional information up to three contacts in LTWS mode. With MSI enabled, you’ll also then have D/L information available. Once LTWS is done, then we’ll take care of Track While Scan (TWS) mode.

On the right DDI is the SA page five unknown contacts at the top of the page., They are yellow because they have no ownship IFF interrogation (hover over contact and depress sensor hat switch to interrogate). The staple at the top of the HAFU indicates the player has no IFF on a target, but the lower chevrons indicate friendly donor aircraft (F/F) have set the targets as hostile. Once both the player interrogates the contact and comes back negative, then the HAFU would change to red and be a diamond. In this way, the color and top and bottom of the HAFU tell you a lot about the classification of the contact.

Remember: staple = unknown, chevron = hostile, and semi-circle = friendly. Yellow = unknown, red = hostile, and green = friendly based on ownship.

In the second image the left DDI now shows a target locked in STT with Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) enabled. A successful NCTR print of the target depends on range and aspect angle into the intakes of the contact.

On the right DDI we see that the target is identified as an IL-76 and the star HAFU indicates the STT L&S track. It is yellow because no ownship IFF interrogation has been made. Because the radar is in STT, it is not scanning for other targets. As such, all other contacts on the SA page are from F/F and SURV sources over the D/L. The smaller red triangles are SURV tracks from an AWACS that only the AWACS is seeing. The red lower chevrons with the dot is from a friendly donor (F/F) source.

- Wags

DCS World

• JTAC has very short designation range - range is increased.
  
• Added binocular with laser to units that assigned for JTAC task.
  
• BDA setting can be enforced now from server to clients.
  
• AIM-9X: AIs will not use the missile to engage targets well outside the range of the missile.
  
• AGM-65: Missiles launched from sides of Triple Rack will have proper trajectory.
  
• Fixed crash related to BGM-109 Tomahawk usage.
  
• AI’s Su-33 will be able to take off from deck of Kuznetsov with proper weight.
  
• MP Server. Slightly corrected the banned list window.
  
• MP Server. Fixed gradual performance loss when there’s no sound card.
  
• ME. Armament HMMWV added to Georgia
  
• ME. Soldiers added to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
  
• ME. Added Cuba to country list.
  
• Kazakhstan Air Force will speak in Russian, not English.
  
• MiG-29A. Added Kazakhstan KazAADF 2008 skin by Asker Askerov.
  
• Radar missile usage crash fixed.
  
• Wingmen air refueling crash fixed.
  
• Ground units - crash on recon mode fixed.
  
• Missile launch warning system crash fixed.
  
• Aircraft Big formations. Crash appearing in case of destruction of the leading flight is fixed.
  
• Fixed crash when switching maps.
  
• Function "onPlayerTryConnect" now send correct message to a client when connection has been refused.

DCS M-2000C by RAZBAM

• Added Overwing Vapor
  
• External model updated

DCS AV-8B by RAZBAM

• Fixed: NRAS Cannot be entered and does not display NRAS cue.
  
• Fixed: Pitch Caret can not be changed on the ODU.
  
• Fixed Helmet decal showing on the visor and oxygen mask of the pilot

DCS Christen Eagle II by Magnitude 3 LLC

• Fixed pilots' textures showing on 3D mesh.

DCS MiG-21bis by Magnitude 3 LLC

• Fixed collision lines' naming convention.

DCS C-101 by AvioDev

• Fixed MPR power as a function of altitude (MPR doesn't decrease power at high altitude anymore).
  
• Added oil pressure drop when engine damaged.
  
• Added C-101CC engine fire when damaged.
  
• Improved engine failure when damaged.
  
• Rudder, aileron, elevator, horizontal stabilizer, flaps and speed brake flight model damage implemented.
  
• Added engine fire for C-101CC to flight model damages.
  
• Batteries, inverters, generator, starter, engine oil leak, engine fire, hydraulic leak, gunsight lamps flight model damage implemented (WIP).
  
• Fixed wheels damaged collision model.
  
• Added batteries and inverters destruction when the nose detaches.
  
• Added generator destruction when engine section is damaged.
  
• Added aerodynamic drag increase when nose is teared.
  
• Added starter destruction due to engine section damage.
  
• Fixed IFR mission #2, which was broken due to new advanced flight model.
  
• Added failures set in Mission Editor (WIP) for: generator, starter, batteries, inverters, oil pressure drop, fuel leak, engine seized, hydraulic leak, elevator loss, aileron loss, rudder loss, pitot tube blocked, static port blocked and gunsight lamps failure.
  
• Front-rear cockpits synchronization in multiplayer: fixed batteries isolation pushbuttons, added essential circuit transfer, added engine anti-ice and engine computer pushbuttons (partially), fixed pitch trim synchronization (partially).
  
• Fixed hydraulic pressure in AFM. It's now zero at cold start and increases/decreases during engine start/stop or crank.
  
• Added PART. METAL. (CHIP DETECT) warning light to C-101EB.
  
• Crank will not work if there is starter failure.
  
• Pilot’s arm patches are not visible when pilot body is not showing.
  
• Rework on aircraft numerals (changed color for Chilean numeral).
  
• Fixed Spanish patches for Matacan and Claex skins.

DCS F/A-18C

• TOT HUD indicator is reversed - fixed.
  
• BRA bearing should not change based on azimuth setting
  
• When the player selects a different radar azimuth setting, the BRA bearing will not changing.
  
• Added Realistic/Unrealistic TDC Slew option for compensate issue with hardware TDC of the Thrustmaster Warthog.
  
• Fixed High Drag Bomb Fuze Errors.
  
• Fixed some errors in the Early Access Guide.
  
• Adjusted pullup cue and Break X logic.
  
• Corrected unguided weapons accuracy.

DCS Mi-8MTV2

• Spring Tension Campaign:13th miz - Mi-28 doesn't attack targets - fixed.

DCS Spitfire IX

• Cockpit. Corrected Pitot heat switch marking.
  
• The glass material of canopy will not be detached from the canopy frame.

Persian Gulf Map

• Al Dhafra Airbase. Player will able to call the Rearming and refuel panel even from the farthest parking.

Campaigns

• The Enemy Within 3 Campaign by Baltic Dragon:
  Mission 01- corrected typo in coordinates given by Overlord (text).
  Mission 04 - corrected rare bug where Axeman would send radio messages after being killed, corrected F10 menu items not disappearing when they should, corrected some overlaping radio messages.
  
• F-15C Aggressors BFM Campaign by Mapple Flag. Some minor briefing text updates and unit repositioning.

Hey everyone,

After our meetings today, I can update you on our current near-term planning for the upcoming Hornet features. For the 27 February update we plan (not promise):
JDAM basic operation minus dynamic launch zone
HARM TOO and PB modes
Latent Track While Scan (LTWS) and Track While Scan (TWS) air-to-air radar modes

Following those, priority items will be:
Data Link / Link-16 / MIDS. This has been a huge undertaking and will take a bit more time to get right, particularly for multiplayer data-sharing and creating a unified picture between clients. We want to get this right.
New IFF system tied to D/L
NCTR tied to D/L
JDAM dynamic launch zone.
Data Card. This won’t just be a data card but allow you to customize many aspects of your aircraft set up.
Lightening II Targeting Pod
JSOW

Again, I need to emphasize that this is planning and not a promise. Things can certainly change. We try to be open and provide you insight into our planning, but with the understanding that this is not set in stone.

- Wags