DCS World Updates

It's been quite a while since we had any real big updates coming in from Eagle Dynamics. We know work is being done on the F-14 but still no word as to when it'll go on pre-order (personally, I'm still thinking later this month or next month. But that's just me). We also know the Mig-19 and F-4E are coming out but there's no real news about those either.

So, what do we have news about? Quite a bit now. A while back we received word that Razbam is officially working on the Mig-23 and F-15E as well as a map of the Falklands. I'm looking forward to the Mig-23 and F-15E but I'm really hoping to see someone make a Mig-25. Anyway, We did get some big news just a few hours ago. One is a package module and one is an F/A-18 update.

What's this "package module?" Well, Eagle Dynamics is putting together a number of modules that are already available and giving them out as one big pack called Modern Air Combat (MAC). The pack will have all the FC3 planes (although the list does not mention the Mig-29G I'm certain they won't leave that one out), the Mig-21bis, it's counterpart the F-5E 3, the Mig-15bis, it's counterpart the F-86F, and the L-39ZA. People who already own FC3 will get a discount on the pack. Unfortunately for me, I already own every single one of those modules except the L-39.

Here's what ED said in their news letter:

𝐃𝐂𝐒 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝟏𝟑 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖

Modern Air Combat by Eagle Dynamics Coming this Autumn!

Developed by the same studio that brought you the wildly successful Lock On, Modern Air Combat (MAC) brings you one game with 14 unique combat aircraft to own the sky! MAC aircraft include:


𝐅-𝟏𝟓𝐂 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞. US air superiority fighter with 104 kills to 0 losses record.
𝐒𝐮-𝟐𝟕 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐁. Russia’s dominate air superiority fighter.
𝐒𝐮-𝟑𝟑 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐃. The Russian navy’s carrier capable version of the Flanker B.
𝐉-𝟏𝟏𝐀 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐁+. The Chinese version of the Flanker B, with R77 active homing missiles.
𝐌𝐢𝐆-𝟐𝟗 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐀. Russia’s widely exported light-weight air superiority fighter.
𝐌𝐢𝐆-𝟐𝟗𝐒 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐂. The modernised version of the Fulcrum with latest weapons and defences.
𝐀-𝟏𝟎𝐀 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐠. The USAF’s massively successful ‘flying tank’, designed to kill ground targets.
𝐒𝐮-𝟐𝟓𝐀 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭. Russia’s primary ground attack and close air support jet.
𝐒𝐮-𝟐𝟓𝐓 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭. A modernised version of the Frogfoot with enhanced sensors and weapons.
𝐅-𝟖𝟔𝐅 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐞. America’s iconic top fighter during the Korean War.
𝐌𝐢𝐆-𝟏𝟓𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐭. Russia’s 1st generation jet fighter that opposed the Sabre over Korea.
𝐅-𝟓𝐄 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐈. The US light-weight fighter that has been operational since the Vietnam War and operated by over 30 countries.
𝐌𝐢𝐆-𝟐𝟏𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐞𝐝. Russia’s most successful fighter of the Vietnam war. A supersonic fighter that closely matches the Tiger II.
𝐋-𝟑𝟗𝐙𝐀. A Czech designed, two seat trainer that was then adapted to a light attack aircraft.

Each aircraft’s flight model, sounds, external model and cockpit is recreated to an exceptional level of detail and accuracy. Great care has been given to offer scalable gameplay that suits your personal levels and wishes. This includes intuitive and consistent keyboard controls between aircraft, selectable difficulty settings, option for more forgiving flight dynamics, and even the ability to fly these aircraft with just your keyboard.

As with Lock On and the Flaming Cliffs series, MAC is focused on east and west counterpart aircraft, and this includes such legendary match-ups such as the Eagle and Flanker, Warthog and Frogfoot, Sabre and MiG-15bis, and the F-5E and MiG-21bis. MAC is a blend of both east and west, and this allows you to re-fight historical conflicts from the Korean War to today, and to create your own ‘what-if’ missions.

You can generate an unlimited number of missions using the Fast Mission Creator and Mission Editor. MAC also includes numerous instant action and single missions, as well as campaigns for most of the aircraft and is fully compatible with DCS World online! There are no limits to content.

In addition to the full Caucasus map, MAC also includes a limited part of our Nevada and Persian Gulf maps.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐀𝐂:
14 exceptional combat aircraft from the United States, Russia, China and Czech Republic.
Shallow learning curve with consistent key controls between aircraft, and easy to fly with just a keyboard.
Professional level flight models, but with option for forgiving flight dynamics.
Play instant action, single missions and campaigns for most aircraft in single player or fly online.
Supports Virtual Reality like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality.
Includes the Caucasus map and portions of Nevada and the Persian Gulf.
Purchase MAC aircraft individually or as a pack at a reduced price.
Flaming Cliffs 3 owners can purchase the MAC pack at a great discount.

That's a lot of information.

Now, what about that F/A-18 update I mentioned? Well, it seems the reason for the silence over there is because they've been hard at work getting things going for the F-18.

• They fixed an issue where some people have noticed the F/A-18 sliding on the carrier deck. I never noticed it but, hey, it's fixed now.
• They made it so the STT track won't switch lock without you telling it too. Honestly... I'm not sure what they mean by this but I think it has to do with the radar switching targets on you. I noticed it happening in of of the Grim Reapers videos.
• They finally implemented the SIL (silent) mode on the radar. This one I want to try out and see exactly what it does.
• They added an option in the Mission Editor for single or ripple release. I'm not to sure about this one either. I was fine just entering the number of bombs being dropped and the distance apart in the cockpit to get the ripple effect.
• The RWR has had critical threats added to it so you'll see a line on the RWR when you're being fired on (I think that's how it'll work).
• DUD will show up on the HUD when the settings for the bombs and the position of the F-18 won't let the bombs explode.
• Night Vision Goggles have been added to the F-18 so you can fly around at night like you do in the AV-8B.
• Finally, and most importantly they have added the ICLS to the Hornet. ICLS or Instrument Carrier Landing System adds one horizontal and one vertical line to the HUD when you come in for a landing. This will make it even easier for you to land on the carrier. Just adjust your heading until the two lines make a +. This is one that I've been waiting a long time for. I wonder if they're going to include the ACLS eventually. We already know the F-14 will have it. I'm not sure about the 18 though.

Well, that's it for this update. When they say anything else I'll come back on here and let you all know what's going on. I hope to have some good news regarding the F-14 soon.

Until then, happy flying.

F/A-18C Carrier Landing Help

Despite the bug I announced in the last post I wanted to get a good idea on how the carrier landings should go. I checked the Grim Reapers YouTube channel and they were helpful to a point but I needed something a little more in-depth to fully understand what I needed to do. That's when I found Jabbers' video for Case I landings. He gives a lot of information and, most importantly, shows you step by step where you should be, what altitude you should be at and what speed you need to be going.

Take a look at his video and you'll learn a lot and maybe you can land on the carrier perfectly.

I've tried it using his information and I got down ok. Still caught the 1st wire but it's better to catch the 1st wire than fly off the deck... or into the deck.

Have fun learning how to land this thing.

F/A-18C Carrier Operations Bug

As you know, the F/A-18C is very much Early Access and their are going to be bugs and problems with it at the start. I found one that I would like to let everyone know about before they start carrier operations.

Now, I have landed successfully on the Stennis a number of times (I've also crashed into the back of the carrier twice so... good and bad I guess) But I've had this bug show up twice on me so far. Take a look at this picture and you'll see what the problem is.

As you can see I hooked the third wire but it stretched out into oblivion backwards and I flew off the edge of the carrier (and promptly crashed into the ocean). I've hooked the forth and first wires with no problems but the third, for me at least, seems to cause this strange behavior. So If you hook the wire and fly off the edge, quickly pause the game and hit F2 and see. Maybe you landed just fine and the bug is causing you problems too.

Personally, I'm going to just land at runways for now and try again after the next update.

I just wanted to let you all know what I found.
Be safe landing until this get's fixed.

The Hornet Has Landed

There wasn't much fanfare on DCS's Facebook page but the F/A-18C is now available for download for those using DCS Open Beta. There's a 2.3 Gb update that needs to be installed before you can download the Hornet but once it's all said and done you'll finally be able to fly the bug off the Stennis, fire Aim-7s and Aim-9's at bandits, and drop some bombs on those poor enemy soldiers on the ground.

As promised by Eagle Dynamics the moving map is available on the 3rd display in the cockpit and the radar symbology is showing correctly. There's a lot that still needs to be done with the Hornet (we need the Aim-120's and the laser guided bombs still) but for an early access it is in very good condition. Expect a lot of large updates to come in the future for this module.

So, if you pre-ordered the Hornet, go ahead and start up your DCS Open Beta and get the update and start downloading that plane. You'll have a lot of fun with it. Also keep an eye out for Chuck's Guide to the F/A-18C. He'll be publishing one in the next few weeks once he learns how everything works.

Happy flying.

Persian Gulf Map Out Now

I just wanted to make a quick post to let all of you know that the Persian Gulf Map is out now. So, if you pre-ordered it and you are running DCS Open Beta you can start downloading it right now (which is exactly what I'm doing as I type this). If you're running the stable version you might need to wait up to 7 days for it to be available to you.

The downside to the map being available now? The $10 discount has ended. So if you haven't pre-ordered it you'll need to pay the full $49.99 for it now. Or at least until it goes on sale at some point.

With that being said we are now just 7 days away from the Hornets release. If you have pre-ordered it, or plan to by the Hornet soon, I'd suggest you take a look at the Matt Wagner's or the Grim Reapers F/A-18C introduction videos to get an idea on how the plane works. I've been reviewing them for the last few days myself.

Until then, enjoy your flights over Iran, Oman, and Dubai.
Happy hunting.

Hornet and Persian Gulf Map Release Dates Confirmed

Eagle Dynamics has just released their latest news on the Hornet and Persian Gulf map. The big news is we now have a definite release date for both. The Persian Gulf map will be released first on May 23rd, which is coincidentally my wifes birthday, and the Hornet will be released seven days later on May 30th.

Originally the Hornet was slated to be released first but Eagle Dynamics stated they wanted to work on the Hornet a little more. They wanted to get a few more systems completed before they release it to early access. The systems they want to work on still are:

1. Completed radar-directed AA Gun, AIM-9, and AIM-7 symbology
2. AUTO bombing mode
3. Radar contacts on the Electronic Warfare (EW) Page
4. The Moving Map

While we wait for the release dates to come and for us to download everything why not take a look at YouTube. I'll continue to post the BFM videos but I want to share with you a very amusing DCS group I found while looking for information on the Hornet and the F-14. The group is called Grim Reapers and they have some very funny videos out there such as Taxi Way Ground Racing and Strange Viewer-Requested Tests. If you have small children around (like I do) you might want to put headphones on because there are little slips where cursing does happen. Or watch it at night when the kids are asleep.

I just wanted to let you all know that we have release dates out now for the Hornet and the Persian Gulf map. So if you haven't pre-ordered yet and you do want to get the modules I would highly suggest you do that now because once the early access is released the $10 discount for the map and the $20 discount for the Hornet will be removed and you'll need to pay the full price of $49.99 for the Persian Gulf and $79.99 for the Hornet.

I hope you enjoy the Grim Reaper videos. Honestly, if I had TrackIR, an SSD, and faster internet I would not hesitate to try and join their squadron on DCS. But, I'll have to settle for laughing while watching their videos instead.

See you in the skies. DCS is going to get a lot more interesting very soon. 😉

THE HORNET IS COMING!! THE HORNET IS COMING!!!

As the title suggests Eagle Dynamics is set to release the F/A-18C this month. That's right! we have just a few weeks at most before the Hornet is on our computers. But that also means an end to the $20 off. If you haven't bought the Hornet and want to, then I'd say you probably should do that now before it goes up to it's regular price of $79.99.

Also, The Persian Gulf map will be released this month "shortly" after the F/A-18C comes out. That's straight from the horses mouth. Matt Wagner posted this video on Facebook and YouTube stating everything we need to know about the state of the F/A-18C. And what Matt Wagner says for DCS goes.

He stated that the Hornet will come with Aim-9 and Aim-7 missiles for air to air engagements. We will eventually get the Aim-120 but that won't be for a while after release. He also stated that we will get free fall bombs and rockets for air to ground attacks. Again, we will get guided weapons but not for a while.

I'm looking forward to the F/A-18C and the Persian Gulf map coming out. But, I'm more thrilled that with the Hornet getting released we'll be just a few months away from seeing the F-14 from Heatblur coming to us. There's no release date for the F-14 from Heatblur or ED, but I'm thinking we should see it between July and September. Of course Heatblur or ED could decide to release it earlier or later than I'm expecting. But that three month period seems reliable from what I've seen from ED and their partners before.

See you in the skies over Iran.