Our Lunar Sale 2021 has started and will run until the 15th of February 15:00GMT. We will also take part in the Steam Lunar New Year sale which starts on the 11th of February. Most modules are offered with a 50% discount.
Modules with a 30% discount:
P-47D Thunderbolt
The Channel
F/A-18C Hornet
F-16C Viper
A-10C II Tank Killer
Supercarrier
Exceptions:
F-14A/B Tomcat will have a 15% discount
JF-17 Thunder will be only $59.99
New Campaigns are not on sale
DCS: Syria
The Free to Play event will commence shortly and will give you free access to all we have to offer for the next ten days. We have put together a trailer showcasing what’s in store for 2021, please check out our 2021 Lunar Sale trailer.
Using the official template found here, we are holding a Thunderbolt livery contest. Only the top ten submissions will be chosen and included with the module. Your name will also be included in the official manual.
The contest will run until the 5th of March. All ten winners will also receive a free copy of DCS: Mosquito FB. Mk. VI when it releases to Early Access.
Third Party
Campaign Developers
DCS World continues to offer new opportunities for our third-party campaign makers to produce world-class content. Please take a look at the joint letter below. It is written by all the campaign makers and gives you a good idea for what they are trying to achieve as a community. Great stuff!
“Dear virtual pilots,
This is a joint letter from all 3rd party campaign developers to the entire DCS World community. You know, we do not look at each other as competitors. We’re more like a virtual team of mission building enthusiasts. Although we work on our projects separately, we constantly help and support each other.
The most essential part of our success is you, the community. We’re forever grateful for the support and enthusiasm.”
- Gregely Gal Third-party campaign developer
Very soon you can expect the release of the Ka-50 Pandemic campaign for the Persian Gulf. Another campaign for the Mi-8 helicopter in Syria is in progress.
Armen Murazyan
F/A-18C Rise of the Persian Lion campaign comprises 15 story-driven missions.
BADGER633
We are working on the release of A-10C Iron Flag campaign taking place in Nevada Test & Training Range.
We’re also working with “Rain” Waters, former F-16 demo pilot and host of the afterburn podcast on F-16C The Gamblers campaign, recreating his experience during deployment in Syria, 2014. Kevin Miller and ‘Jell-O’ Aiello from Fighter Pilot Podcast are preparing the next Raven One campaign, taking place in Syria.
There will also be goodies for the Harrier in the Ottoman Courier campaign.
A-10C Operation Persian Freedom campaign is in the making and will carry on the events of Persian Freedom into the Syrian theatre. This campaign will be for the Hornet and following 6 months of research and story writing aims to be an incredibly detailed scenario.
Ground Pounder Simulations
Our first project, Rising Squall, launched as the bridge between arcade and realism. We hope that Rising Squall will help to bring new players from other combat fighter genres. Experiencing the realistic flying characteristics of the jets while having a cinematic blast.
We are working on a tutorial campaign for DCS: F/A-18C. A series of detailed training missions that focuses on practicality and replayability, the idea is very similar to Laobi’s “1-minute DCS” series. It will be FREE for those who own Rising Squall.
A second campaign for the UH-1H on the Caucasus map will be released.
In 2021 we will also start work on a campaign for the SA-342 Gazelle. However, completion is planned for the end of 2022. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the helpers from the community.
LOW-LEVEL HEAVEN
We plan to release the A-10C II versions of our Basic Flight Training (BFT), Advanced Aircraft Training (AAT) and Tactical Training Qualification (TTQ) campaigns.
We also expect to complete the following: F-15C Basic Flight Training Qualification, F-15C Aggressors Air Combat Maneuvering, F-5E Aggressors Red Flag and FA-18C Aggressors Air Combat Maneuvering campaigns.
The F/A-18C Operation Pontus campaign in cooperation with Baltic Dragon offers a new story-driven concept.
Currently, we are working on an F-16C Campaign project, which we plan to finalise soon. The campaign takes place in Persian Gulf and is supported by extensive research of HAF/ NATO Operations. Later this year, we plan to finalise the sequel of UH-1H Argo campaign which will take part in Syria.
The community response from the F-14A Zone 5 campaign has been motivating.
P-47D Wolfpack campaign is based on real-life combat reports of the 56th fighter group. Another F-14 project is nearing completion after over a year’s work.
A thirteen mission campaign for F/A-18C set in the Persian Gulf and featuring SuperCarrier. In the midst of a geopolitical scenario, each mission will test your ability to fly and fight in a true to life modern battlespace.
SELDO
Black Sea Resolve ‘79 is a 25 mission campaign set in 1979. UN forces are supporting the newly formed Eastern European countries fighting for independence. Download now.
SorelLa
Part 2 of the Crew campaign. A series of campaigns for the Persian Gulf map are in development for the UH-1H Huey, Ka-50 Black Shark 2, Mi-24P Hind, and AH-64D Apache modules. The beginning of 2022 is exciting for helicopter enthusiasts in DCS World.
Stone Sky
These very dedicated third-party campaign providers are really throttling up and delivering exceptional content. We are very grateful to them all and wish them great success. We hope you will take the opportunity of purchasing and are confident that you will enjoy them.
Crash on unit collision with static map object in some cases - fixed
Updated French localization
Updated Japanese localization
Updated Russian input translations
DCS AV-8B N/A by RAZBAM Simulations
Update: LHA Tarawa search radar definitions
Fixed: ground roll stutter when moving from stopped position
Fixed: aircraft rolling forward when chocks removed
Fixed: position of AN/AAQ-28 LITENING on wing pylons
Fixed: Corrected issue where refueling empty external tanks and then dropping them would result in aircraft unrecoverable spin
Fixed: AG Gun gunsight boresight
Ottoman Courier Campaign:
Prologue M02: fixed rare issue where mission would not progress after radio switch to range
Fixed issue with truck hitting the Georgian UH-1
Fixed issue with N14 not taxiing
DCS M-2000C by RAZBAM Simulations
Fixed: Flood Light effects
DCS JF-17 by Deka Ironwork Simulations Added: Radar elevation slew rate in special option (need to re-check your previous settings) Fixed: c701 weird axis behavior when zoom in Fixed: gun limiter preset not work Fixed: oesp program type mismatched Fixed: wmd7 on wing station causes laser guided weapon impact deviation Fixed: throttle axis movement when M>=1.35 Fixed: crash in campaign 02
China Asset Pack by Deka Ironwork Simulations
Fixed: ZTZ-96B collision model Adjusted: JF-17 can carry only one of the same pod
DCS F/A-18C Hornet by ED
Crash cockpit::F18::avArmamentControl_AYK22_F18 - fixed Datalink on Attack Radar only showing on max range - fixed
DCS P-47D Thunderbolt by ED
Cockpit. Some labels missing proper name - fixed
Campaigns
A-10C Basic Flight Training campaign by Maple Flag Missions:
A-10C BFT Campaign voice overs replaced and various triggers updated to improve playability.
A-10C II BFT Campaigns created and included in the campaign package.
Memory of a Hero Campaign by Stone Sky:
Mission 13. Fixed escort route for Mi-24.
Mission 15. Fixed the number of enemy armored vehicles.
DCS: AV-8B Sky Warrior Campaign by Eagle86:
Added missed Doc folder into campaign folder.
DCS: F-14 Zone 5 Campaign by Reflected Simulations:
Accidental WWII asset unit removed from mission 4.
Documentation adapted.
Player can RTB even after losing an engagement.
QuickStart practice missions added.
F/A-18C Operation Pontus Campaign by 373vFS_Greg, 373vFS_Petritis, Baltic Dragon:
Re-designed squadron task assignment concept. Now it's working through the F10.
Radio menu to solve the zone encryption issues
Updated manual - F.A.Q. docs with the new functionality.
Our third-party campaign developers have been working tirelessly to bring you innovative and advanced missions with original and engaging storelines. We encourage you to review the new offerings below, there are a variety of challenging campaigns for the modern classics. These are now available in Open Beta 2.5.6.
Zone 5
Reflected Simulations
This campaign is a cooperation between Reflected Simulations and Tomcat radar intercept officer Dave 'Bio' Baranek. ‘Bio’ entered the US Navy in 1979, and he boasts a 20-year long career. Barnek has over 2,500 F-14 Tomcat flight hours with 688 carrier landings. His logbook also records 450 instruction flight hours in the F-5F Tiger II. This campaign gives a taste of 1980s air combat training, it is a fun and challenging campaign for virtual Tomcat pilots.
Key Features:
13 campaign missions
Realistic challenges of increasing difficulty based on real life training
Over a thousand specially recorded voice-overs, featuring the voice of Jester AI
Custom squadron paint schemes
Briefings and debriefings written and read by Bio himself
Unique kneeboard graphics
Detailed briefings and briefing cards, including separate PDFs for each mission
Checklists, and in-flight guides available in game as well as in PDF format
In this Harrier campaign, you are assigned the role of a US marine corps pilot, in which you fly the famous AV-8B NA Harrier attack aircraft. You will participate in the liberation of Georgia.
Key features:
11 exciting missions with the use of a wide range of weapons
Briefings, kneeboards, maps, photos of objects from UAVs and from the ground
Musical accompaniment in each mission
Interact with the wingman, UAV and other characters by the F10 radio menu
Operation Pontus is a story driven campaign for the F/A-18C Hornet. As the Commanding Officer, you will plan, design, and execute demanding missions for your squadron. This campaign has day and night missions with different weather conditions against an intelligent and adaptive enemy.
"Operation Pontus” main campaign features:
Up to 30 missions (total number is based on your success rate)
Dynamic Briefings and SITREPs
Decision making and planning
Over 1000 voiceovers creating a dynamic environment
Black Sea Resolve is a fictional, story-based campaign that will test your A/A and A/G skills. Set March 1979, you will fly as part of an F-5E Tiger II squadron and support the independence of the former Soviet Union provinces.
Campaign Features:
25 story-driven missions
Over 300 voiceovers
Late 1970's units set
Full-scale conflict that will progress throughout the campaign
A large variety of missions; CAP, CAS, RES-CAP, Iron Hand
Detailed briefings, kneeboard files, and supporting documentation
The Rising Squall campaign is driven by an intricate storyline and represents an intense fantasy conflict. This campaign has a smooth learning curve for beginners with missions that progressively become more difficult. It also includes professional voice-actors.
Key Features:
No SPACEBAR pressing or F10 menu for dialogue
Artistic briefing pictures with comic-style drawings
Complementary visual novels before each mission (English subtitled)
Mission checkpoints and checkpoint autoloading after a crash
Objective display bar, no more getting lost
Pre-recorded intro and controls for a cinematic experience
Dozens of unique liveries
Professional voice-actors
Original soundtrack by Keiki Kobayashi
Check out the DCS: F/A-18C Rising Squall Campaign trailer.
We hope that these third-party campaigns will provide you with engaging entertainment over the coming weeks, and we trust that you are keeping safe and warm.
Some of the new features and changes to look out for include;
DCS: F/A-18C Hornet The target designation (TXDSG) functionality has now been added. It allows you to see ground designation points and Launch & Steering (L&S) targets for flight members and friendly aircraft on the same Link-16 network. If you have not already seen Matt’s video on this, please check out DCS: F/A-18C Hornet | Transmit Designate (TXDSG).
New Features
The ASPJ (Jammer) functionality
GMT A/G radar mode
SEA A/G radar mode
Added BDU-45 and BDU-45B Practice bombs
Fixes
Hat symbol added to RWR for aerial transmitters
Error in offset function logic of RWR
Countermeasure programs can now be created with weight on wheels (WoW)
Radar sweeps stuck under high G load
Radar contacts no longer in the Angle on Track (AOT) zone, only jammig contacts
DCS: F-16C Viper
New features
Improved shutdown sounds
Fixes
Radar sweep that sometimes became stuck has now been fixed
With no waypoints set, TGP would not slew in CCRP
AIM-54 showing as ‘U; in RWR
DCS: A-10C II Tank Killer Additions
HOTAS CMS functionality updated to reflect real aircraft
Implemented jammer auto OFF function in AUTO when threat is no longer valid
DCS: UH-1 Huey When using a head tracking or VR devices, the gunner view and gun direction are automatically uncoupled. The gun can also be assigned to axis controlling devices.
DCS World
Some of the most notable highlights and bug fixes from the recent Open update 2.5.6 include:
M45 Quad-mount armour has been improved
Corrections to Auto-loft for Aim-120
A desert livery for the BTR-82 has been added
NS-430 brightness controls added
Revised Multiplayer Redout/Blackout Pilot behaviour
The ‘Handy Wind’ bulk carrier ship with functioning helipad is now available
Campaigns We have been working closely with our third party partners to bring you exciting Campaigns that will test your skills:
DCS: F-14 Zone 5 Campaign by Reflected Simulations
DCS: AV-8B Sky Warrior Campaign by Eagle86
DCS: F/A-18C Operation Pontus campaign by 373vFS_Greg, 373vFS_Petritis, Baltic Dragon
DCS: F-5E Black Sea Resolve '79 Сampaign by SorelRo
DCS: F-16C Red Flag 21-1 Campaign by Bunyap
DCS: F/A-18C Rising Squall Campaign by INVERTED
These new campaigns are coming to DCS World Steam Edition soon.
Rising Squall
F/A-18C Campaign
The Rising Squall campaign is driven by an intricate storyline and represents an intense conflict. With a smooth learning curve for beginners and missions that progressively become more difficult, the campaign includes professional voice-actors.
Our current focus is tuning Multi-Crew compatibility and AI co-pilot and pilot features that we plan to deliver with the Early Access release. We are also testing and connecting the sounds from the engines, systems and rotors.
The unguided weapon systems for the cannon and rockets are already operational in automatic mode. We are currently developing the operators ability to direct guided missiles using the mouse, keyboard and joystick.
We are also working on improvements to the 3D cockpit, as well as an English set of labels.
We trust this finds you well and firing on all cylinders. Thank you again for your passion and support,
Added: if M>=1.35, cannot move the throttle from AB zone to [IDLE, MIL] zone unless the throttle emergency button is pushed down. Otherwise, it may cause engine surge or even flameout.
Added: gun sight/limiter preset in special option panel.
Added: more keyboard binding for knobs.
Fixed: number of tracked contacts in TWS mode (up to 10).
Fixed: SD10 not track jamming target after radar burn through.
Fixed: if radar not burnt through jam, SD10 can still loft.
Fixed: radar un-notchable (need more tuning).
Fixed: radar HOJ contact status not updated if jam after lock/track.
Fixed: SMS program not reset if DTC updated after rearm.
Fixed: pod still works after disappearing from pylon.
Fixed: campaign 07/09 localization.
Adjusted: chaff/flare program burst can be salvo (check your special option panel).
Adjusted: if born in air, it will not trigger foggy canopy, until land and open canopy then fly high (if relative humidity is high on ground).
Adjusted: zeroizer seat function switch turned on by default in cold start (Don't forget to turn it off before repair!).
Adjusted: throttle keyboard control step size.
Updated: localization (CN, RU, DE, ES, and FR) and credits.
Updated: cockpit model and texture.
China Asset Pack by Deka Ironwork Simulations
Adjusted: all ground units use WSTYPE_PLACEHOLDER as wstype4.
Adjusted: weapon rcs.
DCS AV-8B N/A by RAZBAM Simulations
Added: Missing keybinding for seat height adjustment.
Added: JDAM Terminal Parameters are enabled.
Added: AGR20 - APKWS II guided rockets.
Updated: USS Tarawa: Changed the missiles from Sea Sparrows to RIM-116 RAMs.
Updated: Changed Course Knob to Course Switch functionality.
Updated: Rocket options: FFAR rockets (Mighty Mouse) have been deleted.
Updated: JDAM LAR representation on the EHSD.
Updated: Added 1.5 sec delay for JDAM release. This is the time the AC computer takes to send the bomb the target coordinates and terminal parameters.
Updated: High quantity bomb loadouts for consistency in weight and drag.
Improvement: Engine sounds with the assistance of 112th_Rossi.
Improvement: MPCD converted to Stroke (SVG) symbology.
Improvement: JDAM Data Block enabled in the EHSD.
Fixed: Course line not appearing for target points.
Fixed: WYPT and WO/S position when map is North-UP and Magnetic Heading selected.
Fixed: Map rotation when it is North-Up and Magnetic Heading selected.
Fixed: TCN and TO/S position when map is North-Up and Magnetic Heading selected.
Fixed: AWLS station position when map is North-Up and Magnetic Heading selected.
Fixed: SEQ. not displaying correctly on EHSD.
Fixed: Analog clock shows only ZULU time regardless of cockpit time set in ME.
Added ammo type selection for the SA-342L’s GIAT M621 cannon to the mission editor loadout screen and ingame rearm / refuel screen.
DCS UH-1H Huey by ED
Gunner setting (for both modes - single player and multicrew).
Added advanced view settings for gunner view and gun direction. Now the player can uncouple them from each other using two presets: with the head tracking devices (such as TrackIR or VR) and without such devices, and also assign the gun to other axis controlling devices. In addition, with a head tracking device, the gunner view and gun direction are automatically uncoupled.
Also fix some bugs, rename input profile for VR and TrackIR, and without VR and TrackIR.
UH-1H UN Mission 2. Trigger zone too small - fixed.
DCS Black Shark by ED
Ka-50. corrected single missions received except Ka-50 - Night Patrol.miz.
Courier single mission. Removed a soldier running through the nose of a helicopter.
An issue where RWR Contacts displayed on the wrong azimuth has now been resolved. We fixed an issue where moving the TDC caused the radar beam to stick. We also fixed a JSOW A/C manoeuvre error that caused a miss.
Fuel Low BIT has been added, as well as auto-lase for the GBU-24 Paveway III. We are planning for these features and many more to be released in the next update to DCS World Open Beta 2.5.6.
Ground Moving Target (GMT) Radar Mode Locating ground targets can be a difficult task, an important tool that can assist you is the Ground Moving Target (GMT) Air-to-Ground (A-G) radar mode. When enabled, this mode detects moving ground units and allows you to designate them for tracking. Note that GMT will not detect stationary targets.
When paired with the AGM-65F Maverick and laser-guided bombs, GMT can be a useful tool for detecting, tracking, and engaging mobile targets.
SEA Radar Mode Whilst the general MAP Air-to-Ground radar mode has been available for some time, we will soon introduce the SEA A-G mode. This mode allows the radar to detect and track ships out to 80 nm. This is particularly useful for engaging ships using the AGM-84D Harpoon anti-ship missiles with specific range and bearing targeting. SEA mode can also be interleaved to display MAP ground returns.
When a target has been designated in SEA mode, the targeting pod can also be slaved to the target.
Defensive Systems Update We are pleased to announce several new defensive features planned for the next update. These include the addition of Semi/Automatic (S/A) and AUTO expendable countermeasure programs, the Airborne Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ), and jammer effects on the radar.
Transmit Designate We’ll be adding the Transmit Designate (TXDSG) option on the Situational Awareness (SA) display. When enabled, it allows you to transmit suits to ground designation points and Launch & Steering (L&S) targets for flight members and friendly aircraft on the same Link-16 network.
As well as the substantial push to complete the Hornet’s new features, we would like to mention a notable addition:
Handy Wind Bulk Carrier A new civilian ship equipped with a functioning helipad for:
DCS: UH-1H Huey
DCS: SA342 Gazelle
DCS: Ka-50 Black Shark 2
F-5E Tiger II The headwind and tailwind anomalies have now been fixed.
Mission Editor AI escort aircraft not engaging targets correctly issues have been resolved.
DCS World We have added more realistic cockpit sounds when using weapons. The F-10 Ruler in VR and multi monitor mode has now been fixed. The SA-2 Guidance has received a necessary accuracy improvement. Also, user created ground units now show in white in F10 view.
You can expect these minor fixes and many more additions to be included in the next Open Beta 2.5.6 update planned for next week. We are incredibly optimistic about where we’re heading, and we believe that the opportunities for developers and the creative community are endless, as are all the positive and meaningful benefits to our customers.
We will no longer be supporting Windows 7. Users who do not want not to change their operating system can still enjoy DCS World 2.5.6. However, new updates will not be available. In order to attend to your needs more diligently, please download the latest version.
The Channel
Development Progress
The latest addition to the Channel map will be the fighter base that protected South East England from Luftwaffe bombers during the Battle of Britain. Over the course of the war, fighters based at Biggin Hill claimed thousands of enemy aircraft, at the cost of hundreds of aircrew lives.
Please note that DCS: The Channel will soon be moving to Release state. Don’t miss the opportunity of enjoying the 20% Early Access discount while it lasts. Check out the In Development Screenshots.
New Unique Objects England:
Leeds Castle
The Parish Church of All Saints Birchington
St Augustine's Abbey, Ramsgate
Holy Trinity Church, Broadstairs
St Laurence's Church, Ramsgate
Deal Castle
St Mary The Virgin Church, Ashford
South Foreland Lighthouse
St Mary's Church, Dover
Dover Town Hall
St Mary and St Eanswythe's Church, Folkestone
St Leonard's Church, Hythe
Hastings Pier St Leonards Church, Deal
New Unique Objects France:
Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer
Belfry Of Dunkirk
Church of Saint-Éloi, Dunkirk
Hôtel de ville de Dunkerque
Column of the Grande Armée
Fort d'Ambleteuse
Église Saint-Pierre, Calais
Town Hall, Calais
Lighthouse, Calais
Eglise Notre-Dame de Calais
Saint-Omer Cathedral
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Boulogne
We are making fine edits to building and terrain textures and final testing is now progress.
WWII
Missions
We have now introduced a difficulty selector option used in conjunction with the F10 Comms Menu. Options "EASY" "MEDIUM" or "HARD" will allow you to revisit missions and test your improved skill set. Singleplayer and campaign missions include new briefings.
Mission sets are wide and varied and will include: Bomber Escort Flight/Section Scrambles Anti-Shipping Strikes Photographic Reconnaissance Airfield Strikes Train Strafing Close Air Support Bomber/Fighter Intercepts
In some Single Player missions we have introduced FWAF (Fly With A Friend). It allows you to upload the mission to your own server and fly it with a friend or virtual squadron. Ideal for training and for those not quite ready to venture into multiplayer just yet. This is a great way to share the experience with those of you who are just getting started in DCS World.
Before we discuss the new projects, let’s first touch on the support of existing products in 2021:
DCS: F/A-18C Hornet Finalising this fantastic module is one of our top-priorities and our goal is to have the project out of Early Access by the end of the 1st quarter. In January, we will be adding new functions for expendable countermeasures, Electronic Attack (EA), radar jamming effects, SEA and Ground Moving Target (GMT) radar modes, designated target sharing (TXDSG), the FUEL page BIT, BDU-45 and BDU-45B practice bombs. Following these items, principal items remaining include: the ATFLIR targeting pod and the AGM-88C HARM Pre-Briefed (PB) mode, AGM-84K SLAM-ER, coupled (CPL) autopilot modes. Once out of early access, Hornet support will continue with the addition of the AIM-7P, ACLS mode, WIDE ACM mode, and the Data Transfer Cartridge functions. Thereafter, we will be maintaining and polishing this module on an ongoing basis.
DCS: F-16C Viper Once the Hornet is out of early access, some of the developers will be allocated to the Viper team in order to enhance their capabilities. Based on customer feedback, their highest priorities includes completing air-to-air radar modes and functions, additional AGM-88C HARM modes, GPS/INS-guided weapons, expanded defensive systems, air-to-surface radar modes, mark points, additional ICP and MFD options, new weapon delivery modes, and more.
DCS: A-10C II Tank Killer The Hawg is already nearly complete, but we do plan to deliver some additional features in 2021 that include the ARC-210 radio, updates to the Tactical Awareness Display (TAD), changes to optically guided Maverick slewing, and the long version of the AN/ALQ-184 ECM pod.
DCS: Supercarrier Most of our effort on the Supercarrier has been focused on creating the 3D environments for the Ready Room, Air Boss Station (PriFly), and the hangar deck. Other tasks for 2021 include plane directors to marshal aircraft to the catapults and off the landing area, the “burble”, deck crew light wands for night operations, unique radio channels for different controllers, and manual LSO control.
New Aircraft
DCS World
DCS: Mosquito FB MK.VI Our first new product of 2021 will be the impressive Mosquito. This will be our first multi-engine, multi-crew World War II aircraft for DCS World, and it will mark an important capability for future projects. The Mosquito is planned to be released into early access by the end of the 1st quarter of 2021.
DCS: Mi-24P Named the Hind by NATO, this Russian attack helicopter is a deadly player on the battlefield with an array of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, twin-barrel 30mm cannons, unguided rockets, and more. Featuring cooperative multiplayer in the front and back seat, the product will offer an even higher level of detail and accuracy than our Mi-8MTV2. With the ability to also act as a troop and cargo transport, the Mi-24P will add an all-new dimension to attack helicopter operations in DCS World. The Mi-24P is planned for release in the 2nd quarter of 2021.
DCS: AH-64D Perhaps our biggest new aircraft project for 2021, the AH-64D will be the most accurate and detailed simulation of this iconic American attack helicopter. Like the Mi-24P, it will feature front- and back-seat operations in single player and multiplayer. Based on a 2002 Block II version, the AH-64D will be armed with Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles, unguided rockets, and a head-tracking 30mm cannon. The early access AH-64D is planned for release in the 3rd quarter of 2021 and will be available for pre-sales as of February 2021 with a 30% discount.
Note: Due to new Russian Federation laws pertaining to the gathering of information of Russian military equipment, we have had to reconsider our plans to add new systems to the Ka-50. We continue to update the cockpit, as well as a highly detailed updated external model.
M.A.C
Modern Air Combat (MAC)
Despite the lack of updates on this project, it is still very much alive and we are making continued progress. Much of the work remains on the new gameplay modes, updating the 3D models and cockpits for the MAC aircraft, creating a new input manager “wizard”, and continued work on a new Graphical User Interface. We are shooting for 3rd quarter 2021 release, but latest Q4 2021.
Maps
For our maps, we will continue to address bugs and map improvements to the Persian Gulf, Caucasus, and Nevada maps. Most of our map work though is focused on The Channel map and the upcoming, free Mariana Islands map.
The Channel We continue to expand this map with additional airfields, including the famous Biggin Hill RAF and Eastchurch airfields in England, two new advanced landing group airstrips, and numerous new landmarks. We plan to release the final version of the Channel map in the 1st quarter of 2021.
Mariana Islands Slated to release in the 2nd quarter 2021, this map will first be a modern-day depiction, and it will include Andersen AFB and several other airfields along the island chain. Combined with the Chinese Assets Pack, we see interesting single player and multiplayer possibilities. This is still planned as a free map, and it will later serve as the foundation for our first World War II Pacific Theater map.
New Clouds
Volumetric
The wait is almost over, and the new clouds for DCS World will be introduced in the 1st quarter of 2021. In addition to being visually stunning, the new clouds will block visual and optical sensor line of sight and be synchronized online. We will initially release the new cloud system with an array of weather presets that will cater to most mission building scenarios. Later in the year, we will update the Weather Tool in the Mission Editor that will allow finer control of the clouds with a dynamic weather system based on a more advanced meteorological engine.
New Visual Effects
Some of the new / improved visual effects in development for 2021 includes:
Improved helicopter rotor wash over water and ground.
Missile flame and smoke.
Ground unit dust clouds.
Trans-sonic shock cones.
Fuel explosions.
Weapon water splash.
Further explosion improvements.
Smoke grenades.
We hope to have many of these available in stages throughout the year.
Dynamic Campaign
This massive task has been underway for over two years, and the progress has been exciting. The campaign is built around a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) foundation that factors resources, zones of control, logistics, available forces, and a strategic decision-making system. While we believe internal testing will continue in the 1st quarter of 2021, it is too early to estimate a release date. However, external Beta testing is planned hopefully in Q2/Q3 2021.
Vulkan API and Multi-threading
With the integration of these libraries, DCS will benefit from improved performance throughout, including in virtual reality. This has been a substantial task to develop and integrate into our codebase, but we are nearing the end of this journey, and expect it to be available in the 3rd quarter of this year.
Damage Modeling
Progress
In the end of 2020, the new damage model system for our World War II aircraft was released. Although some tuning remains, most of our work on this front in 2021 will focus on bringing the technology to our modern aircraft like F/A-18C Hornet, F-16C Viper, and A-10C II Tank Killer. This is an ongoing process which we hope to deliver in stages during the latter half of 2021.
Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Over the past year, our primary ATC focus has been on the Supercarrier. Now that the Supercarrier ATC system is nearing completion, we will next move on to airfield ATC radio communications. Given the scope of DCS World, this is not a simple task, and it will require three separate ATC systems: Western Modern Day, Eastern Modern Day, and World War II. Because this effort will require a large amount of new radio voice overs, we will also take this opportunity to update the radio communications for other entities like flight members, other flights, AWACS, tankers, etc.
This will continue to be developed in 2021, but we do not have an estimated release date.
FLIR
New and Improved Forward Looking Infrared In the modern battlefield, a realistic rendering of FLIR sensors is mandatory, not just for aircraft but also for ground units, unmanned systems, and weapon sensor video. Given the need to create the underlying technology and then create thermal maps for all the world objects, terrain surfaces, and units, this has been quite a large task. We will continue to develop this well into 2021 and we hope to deploy this new FLIR enhancement in Q3 2021.
AI Units
New and Updated assets
Because DCS World is built on a project spanning almost two decades, some units now show their age and will be updated throughout the year. It is also important that we add new units to better fill the battlefields. Here are some of the items that we intend to create or update in 2021: Large Aircraft: B-52H, Tu-95MS, Tu-142, B-1B, IL-38, and Tu-160 Carrier Aircraft: S-3B and SH-60B Ground Units: M1A2, AMX-56 Leclerc, Wespe Sd.Kfz.124, KS-19 100mm ADA, Son-4 “Flap Wheel” radar, C1 Ariete, Pantsir SA-22 “Greyhound”, and S-300/SA-10 “Grumble”.
Enhanced AI
Behaviour
Currently, much of our AI engineering effort is focused on the AI aircraft behaviour, in harmony with the new damage modelling and in line with logical and understandable rules and practices. Additionally, the new ATC and radio communications will demand a significant amount of AI engineering. This work is ongoing and will probably never really be finished but we do hope to deliver substantial enhancements during the latter half of 2021.
We have taken the liberty of limiting this overview to issues which have ‘officially’ been announced. Rest assured, many secret and exciting developments to the DCS core are ongoing and will be revealed in the fullness of time. In addition to our internal development, rest assured our brilliant third parties are hard at work to bring you some wonderful modules in 2021 and look forward to hearing from them very soon.
Once again, thank you for all your passion and support in 2020. We hope that 2021 will prove to be a good year, one with many upward trends, not only for DCS but for you, our faithful community and for the world at large.
Our Winter Sale 2020 is on until the 11th of January. On Steam, the sale will end on the 5th of January at 15:00GMT. Most modules have a 50% discount (excluding campaigns).
Modules with a 30% discount:
P-47D Thunderbolt
The Channel Map
F/A-18C Hornet
F-16C Viper
A-10C II Tank Killer
Supercarrier
Exceptions:
F-14A/B Tomcat will have a 25% discount
JF-17 Thunder will be only $59.99
We hope that this will help when gifting your loved ones and who knows, you might find your next fighter or terrain. Make sure to check out Youtube tutorials and in-game training missions.
UH-1H Huey
Multi-Crew
The new functionality was developed with a user-friendly approach in mind and is the next stage of multi-crew operations in DCS World.
Permission system A new permission system to the available seats in the aircraft is implemented through the interface of pop-up windows (widgets). It allows the pilot (the owner of the aircraft specified in the Mission Editor) to control the access of other players to the available seats in the aircraft.
Flight control transfer The transfer of aircraft flight controls from the first pilot to the second pilot and back has been implemented. At the same time, the owner pilot can control requests from shooters and allow or reject them. The owner pilot of the aircraft, specified in the mission editor, always retains the ability to forcibly return control of the helicopter to himself.
System control transfer For a helicopter like Huey, when the same instrument of cockpit control is available to both pilots at the same time, it was necessary to develop specific logical solutions in the "multi-crew" functionality which, with a minimum delay, ensures mutual accessibility of the instruments and cockpit controls for the pilot / co-pilot.
The updated mechanics for multi-crew access to the controls, as well as the ability to exchange seats within one helicopter (via free seat), required additions in the mechanism of interaction between the helicopter model and the DCS core. Due to this, the work took way way longer than was anticipated. We faced some major bugs where warnings were not seen by co-pilots, and some issues where the aircraft status was not synchronising correctly for all crew. We continue to work on the implementation of the ability to separate the view axis and the machine gun direction for a more comfortable game from the shooter's workplace. Now, if you have Track-IR or VR, the game will assign these devices to view axis while the machine gun axis will remain under mouse control. In addition, the ability to assign a machine gun control to the joystick will be added. This will lead us closer to the completion of this new feature and to it’s roll out to other platforms.
We hope you will have fun with this new addition to DCS: UH-1H Huey.
Free to Play
Two More Weeks
We are excited to be able to offer you this Free to Play event, the complexities of these aircraft can be a challenge to master and we hope this gives you a chance to explore all of what is on offer in DCS World.
On behalf of all of us, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May this festive season bring you peace, happiness, health and all the prosperity for the year ahead. We rise together to face the challenges of today and are hopeful for New Year's brighter days.
After a relatively large number of Open Beta updates, we have now released a substantial update to DCS World Stable. As always, the goal with Open Beta is to test new features and ensure they do not result in game crashes. Once we are satisfied with the stability of DCS World, we update the release version.
This update includes the F-14 Tomcat A variant, new WWII Assets and a massive sound exterior and interior sound overhaul for A-10C II Tank Killer.
GBU-24 Paveway III laser-guided bomb for the Hornet Azimuth/Elevation with IFF page for the Hornet AGM-88C HARM HAS and POS/RUK modes for the Viper Refactoring of the F-16C Sensor Point of Interest (SPI) logic New Air-Air training missions for the Viper New Engine and Damage Models for World War II aircraft New turbine stall and bearing wear sounds for Thunderbolt NS430 mount/dismount for Gazelle during mission creation