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We are currently working towards the unveiling, which will be soon - but I cannot say how soon, to not set wrong expectations. I'm not sure who made the June statement, if anything we are currently not trying to make predictions, because, as you see, like with my statement from October/early November that we are "still pushing for 2022", it does little good. My apologies for that. Our goal remains: asap, but quality first, as always. We of course hope to bring it to you rather sooner than later. Development is progressing steadily atm, as most of you may have also seen in the 2023 and beyond video. We are very excited for the unveil, and hope you grant us a little more of your kind patience until then. Thank you all for your kind support and excitment! Rest assured, we can't wait to get it into your hands!

Modern Chinese Navy Ships by Currenthill I have reorganized - see this thread for more information:

I am sure that the product will be top notch once you release it.

Yes, I know Nick said that they'd likely not release much, if anything, until unveiling time Yes, I know that they stated that "2022 might not happen".. However.. As of early last month there were still statements saying that they hoped for 2022, etc. The Phantom was featured *very* heavily in the 2023+ Video by ED, it seems like the golden time to release some more information, an update, etc was last week. I know there's a lot going on in the world, lots of difficulties, but I would think maybe at least some information release would go a long way. During the F-14 lead up we got roughly quarterly updates, snippets of development here and there. The fact that there's been none of that with the Phantom is a bit jarring, and despite HB's stellar reputation (well earned for the F-14 and Viggen)..there's an undercurrent of uncertainty right now

From the DCS Discord in General Chat.

In my opinion, what's the most frustrating is the lack of communication. Considering in November it was still gunning for 2022 release, now the ONLY communication we've seen is someone on Reddit saying "within 6 months, you'll start seeing stuff"...clearly it was known that the delay was happening. Why not just tell us? Stuff happens, clearly the reasoning behind the delay is more than acceptable, we 100% understand it. Why lead us to believe it's being released potentially in 2022 when now you're saying potentially 6 months until we start to see things? You really can't over share, even when it's "this still going smooth!", "few hiccups, can't discuss much" Or "not gonna make the deadline, more news to follow" just talk to us. I don't get the radio silence on the matter. Clearly the official deadline is missed, but still not having an official response on the matter and leaving things to a comment on Reddit is not cool. Tldr: missing deadlines are 100% okay. Radio silence on the matter after hyping us isn't.

@TAT0R, @Eight Ball , @Arrow11 , @Geschirre , @corbu1 , @Esac_mirmidon , @ineth , @CallsignPunch The update is live now! Enjoy!

I'd go so far and say that in general older birds are a better preparation for the Tonka I also update my statement and say a mix of Viggen and Mirage 2000C is a better prep, system-wise. Still different tough. The Viggen part is really how you also operate the Tornado. There are some nice parallels with GMR (ground mapping radar) radar controls, like linear and logarithmic modes, the wave modulation, etc. The functions are surprisingly equal. Also the whole idea behind INS updates are similar enough, and of course the concept of operation & mission. Flying-wise the FCS should be closest to the M2000 I'd say, but never flew one of those IRL myself. Also keep in mind, aerodynamically they are pretty different. Maybe @Bremspropeller can evaluate the aerodynamic differences between the M2000 and PA200. But you will also find a close enough AG-radar and INS (which also likes NAV fixes) in the M2000, that being some sort of prep for the Tonka. With both, Viggen and M2000 being European concepts, you will later find some things in the Tonka we just do it that way on this side of the pond. In general these older birds and also F1EE/M prepare you for older tech that is still trying to be sophisticated. You could try and use the A-4E terrain avoidance radar mode, that is also close to the TOR's TFR scope. Many many thanks also from myside to @Reflected and @baltic_dragon for your "yes". Initially I brought the idea to ask you guys for a campaign to @OPEC and thus I am very happy you want to do it!

Hi Phant, zunächst mal gerne beim "Du" bleiben - In Bayern siezen wir nur Leute, die unsympatisch sind. Zur ADV/F.3 - Steht bei mir weit oben auf der Wunschliste, aber es gibt zu viele Faktoren die aktuell noch unklar sind. Ich kann und will mich hier aber zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt nicht festlegen. Denn: Eines nach dem anderen. Wir haben mit dem Tornado ein sehr komplexes Waffensystem ausgesucht, daher gilt unser aller Aufmerksamkeit aktuell dem IDS. Auch ein wichtiger Faktor für uns in der weiteren Planung - Das Modul will danach auch in Schuss gehalten werden. Wir wissen ja alle - killst du einen Bug, kommen 3 neue. Hängt also auch ein bisschen davon ab wie organisch unser Team wachsen kann und ob wir in Zukunft auch auch die Manpower haben (ist ja immer möglich das einer keine Zeit mehr für solche Nebenprojekte hat) ein neues Modul zu entwickeln UND das alte so in Schuss zuhalten das alle Freude daran haben. Denke es ist keinem geholfen wenn wir Modul nach Modul entwickeln, dann aber nicht mehr in der Lage sind uns um Bugs zeitnah zu kümmern. Alles in allem wird da also noch (sehr) viel Wasser die Donau runterfließen bis da eine Entscheidung kommt, Fakt ist aber: Wir haben den Wunsch der Community nach einem ADV gehört. Grüße aus dem Bayernland,

I used to get excited for the hype videos, but now I'm like 'oh great another video of something that wont be released for another few years'. I've been waiting for the Corsair for like 5 years now and that plane is hardly a complex one. This beast on the other hand is a complex machine and although I was disappointed not to see a release yet, I'm not surprised and won't be shocked if it takes a good part of 2023 to get an official announcement.

The reason why the scripting environment was NOT mentioned in the newsletter is that I'm looking for suitable and passioned developers who will participate. I don't want to set the plans and announce them without the people who will be actually working in this area. If I will be able to find right candidates, we'll make a roadmap and share it with the community. We know what to do and have great feedback and suggestions.

from -Rudel- M3 personal page I think, a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier

Ironmike, Heatblur Team, talk about F-4 module

Su-25 instant action: When you see that AI Mi-24 turning to shoot at you right after eating your missile and a bunch of 30 mm cannon rounds, losing a wing and catching fire.

Very low troll effort. I give it a 3.5/10.

Hey guys, this is reported internally and already some tweaks and fixes being checked, I will leave this open for any more data and examples as well as for when fixes come through. Edit: looks like we are testing a new option to turn off flat shadow softening.

Ja, das wird noch "eine Weile" dauern. Wir wurden auch gefragt ob wir daran teilnehmen möchten, haben uns aber dagegen entschieden da es in unseren Augen wenig Sinn macht einen Entwicklungsstand herzustellen, der eigentlich noch nicht da ist. Sprich - Klar kann man das jetzt schnell hübsch texturieren und mit irgendeinem Flugmodell ins Video geben, aber das weckt falsche Erwartungen. Generell sollten Ankündigungen (finde ich) immer ein bisschen hinter dem eigentlichen Entwicklungsstand zurückliegen. 3D Modell und Textur sind nun mal eine Sache, ein Flugzeug und seine Systeme in Code zu übersetzen eine ganz andere.

Yes lets keep this all Hellcat for sure.

Danke für die Antwort OPEC: verzeihen Sie mein Deutsch, da ich nicht meine Muttersprache bin, musste ich Google Translate verwenden. Bye Phant

It all sounds really great! The only topic that is missing is the rework of AAR.

Ultimately, this is why Cold War will become the dominant center of gravity for DCS, there are tons of planes to model on both sides, they are out of service therefore accessible. And lets be honest, that the cold war period is something ED can likely actually do a good job of modeling in terms of stuff other than just planes. And from the multiplayer perspective the cold war era actually was relatively balanced.

Maybe? The Phantom we're going to be getting intially at minimum had the Aim-7E-2, the "dogfight sparrow", so I'd expect that would probably be the baseline, with the Aim-7F being the next line up

I do love this Mod, its superb workmanship and well worth a moment of anyone's time if your not sure about using it. This is a thread I check regularly to see what's coming next. A HUGE thumbs up from me.

Thank you for sharing.

A weired combination of Viggen and F-18. But I'm afraid there is no real way to learn the Tornado right now. @baltic_dragon @Reflected This is going to be EPIC!

Found some odds and ends people may find useful POINTER DIAL KNOB https://www.ebay.com/itm/291002794833 Large TACAN dial https://www.ebay.com/itm/254121733878 ACM Switch guard https://www.ebay.com/itm/292442331877 Honeywell square top toggle switch https://www.ebay.com/itm/293134827499 I got my square bat switches today, they are brand new still sealed in package from October of 1983. So glad I finally found some, trying to 3d print tops for standard switches that aren't too chunky, don't slip and don't break was a bit of a ball ache

I'll admit that I am a bit disappointed about the lack of communication but on the other side it seems that HB have more or less adapted the "Helo games" approach after they released No mans sky in a terrible state. After the botched release they pretty much kept their mouth shut and slowly one patch after the other improved the game until it became a pretty awsome game.

We’re living somewhat parallel lives. I checked a stock tracker on a whim yesterday and also got a Gigabyte 4090 (the OC) from Newegg. And my 3080 is now going to my son, who has the 1080-based system I replaced last year. He is lucky that I am a flight simmer or I’d still be driving that 1080, and he’d be gaming on an Atari 2600 or something.

What you are saying is exactly how I feel as well. It makes no sense to me at all. A year ago you got the impression that this was in advanced stages before the unforeseen events took hold but even then they played the "We have it under control" ... I just think it is poor customer relations to just keep people thinking we will see it soon to dead silence. This has been one giant buzz kill for me ..

The animations are so cool ¡¡¡ Funny to use and to see. Thanks a lot Massun92.

I know nothing about the f-14 release. Focus on what we got here and now. My big thing is just continued emphasis on it's fine 2022 was missed. The reasons are 100,000% understandable. My issue is that we've gotten a weird change in direction from "2022 is still possible, we're burning the candle from both ends" to "before mid point of the year" from someone who I don't fully recognize and hasn't been making comments on the development before now. The silence implies we're still imminent, but the few shaky words we've gotten imply a long wait. Even if an annoucement dropped out and said "OK guys, sorry, something really f'd up and we're going to be a long while" or "Development is continuing, expect more news" - SOMETHING, anything, good news, bad news, or practically no news to follow up the missed mark, I'd be sated.

That is absolutely untrue. You either weren't here for the F-14 lead up or you're intentionally misrepresenting what happened.

Any Fulcrum is welcome. Period. That said, I wouldn't be looking to ED for it. A Third Party would have obstacles to over come, some of them being the usual while others being signs of the times, but they're clearly lesser hurdles than what ED's in-house developers have to clear.

Some details on the german section about the IDS Tornado develop by AviaStorm.

Phew.. that was close.... Also.. holy $#!T.. now I need to upgrade my CPU

Das stimmt. Denn - Alles das, was wir für solche Announcements extra vorbereiten zieht Man-Power von den eigentlichen Aufgaben ab. Gerade in einem "Feierabendprojekt", ohne das jetzt in irgendeiner Art Abwertend zu meinen muss man schauen, wie man die Ressourcen bündelt. Kann ich auch nur so unterschreiben. Denke aber das man hier durchaus offen kommunizieren kann, denn am Ende sind wir auch hier wieder beim Thema Erwartungen. Wenn ich sage ich habe 20 Mann im Team und die Community geht von Vollzeit aus, dann ist das erst mal sehr viel und weckt natürlich entsprechende Erwartungen wie lange so eine Entwicklung dauern kann. Wenn man aber weiß, das es 20 Mann sind, die Abends nach Feierabend und Familie noch ein paar Stunden reinstecken (auch nicht jeden Abend, eben je nach Zeit) - dann lande ich rechnerisch bei einer Vollzeitkraft die an 3 Tagen die Woche von 0900-1500 Uhr arbeitet. Das relativiert sich dann ziemlich schnell. Das erklärt denke ich auch warum die Zahl von knapp einer Million für die Entwicklung eines Moduls an sich gar nicht so weit weg ist. Müssten wir allen Mitwirkenden ein entsprechend ihrer Qualifikation marktübliches Gehalt zahlen, wäre diese Summe schnell erreicht. "Nebenbei" bedeutet ja nicht weniger professionell. Es sind ja immer noch die selben Coder, 3Dler, Ingenieure die es auch im Dayjob sind. Man muss wirklich sagen: Ohne die Leute, die sich mit einem Gewissen Hang zum Masochismus und einer unglaublichen Leidenschaft für ihr Produkt - erst mal für Lau und ohne Erfolgsgarantie in so ein Projekt klemmen wäre DCS in seiner heutigen Form nicht möglich.

. . . Said most single seat jocks who just had their asses handed to them because whilst lining up on a target ahead, couldn’t check six.

Thank you. There is no exact release date yet. Let me just say that we are at the final stage of the 2nd phase. As soon as we finish it, we will start testing the map with the second phase enabled... I don't think it will take much time

Mit dem 3D Modell haben wir Mitte 2021 angefangen. Ein politisches Großereignis im vergangenen Jahr hat uns dann etwas zurückgeworfen, da der 3D Artist, der das Modell baut aus der Region Donezk ist. (Inzwischen aber Gott sei Dank sicher in den USA). Wir sind aber noch nicht zu 100% happy damit, es wird also noch die ein oder andere kleine Änderung bekommen. Die Aerodynamik gab es schon vor Projektstart, allerdings für einen F.3, das ist inzwischen angepasst. Hat aber dennoch einiges an Zeit gespart. Alles in allem sind wir denke ich ganz gut unterwegs, in die Glaskugel schauen kann ich aber (so gerne ich das auch würde) im Bezug auf einen möglichen Release noch nicht. Angepeilt sind ca. 2,5 Jahre ab der Unterzeichnung der Lizenzvereinabrung mit ED bis Abgabe Evaluation Build an ED. Aber das ist - Stand heute - wirklich Kaffeesatzleserei.

The other day I randomly came across a DCS video on YouTube. My initial reaction was HOLY SH*T! Back in the day (late 90s early 00s) I played a game from NovaLogic called F16/MIG29 where we battled it out against 32-64 other pilots in Integrated Battle Space (IBS). For its time IBS was quite the chit. In my 45+ years of playing games (yes, I'm old...like early 60s) that game was the most fun I'd ever had before or since. Watching what I have of DSC I've gotten more excited about a game than I have in 20+ years. So of course, I have some questions...thanks to any and all that reply. Your time is very appreciated. Planes The high-fidelity nature of most planes means it will take WAY longer to learn how to fly and fight properly. I get that and I am down. However, the plane, or I guess "module" in DCS, I am most interested in is the F-14. I get you can have an AI RIO, but in my experience game AI is dumber than well, crap. Is that the case in DCS? Even if it is smart, I understand you communicate some sort of wheeled menu which I would think would be a pain the heat of battle, right? Ideally, you'd have two humans in the plane rather than an AI backseater. Which brings me to my next question... Squadrons Ultimately, I will want to join a squadron. I'm wondering, are there squads that have F14 air wings that are willing to help train new pilots in both pilot and RIO roles? Eventually I'd want to learn both but given how complex this game is I'd like to bit off smaller chunks. If you can think of any, please let me know and I'll track them down. General Do squads ever have organized events where a map is created and they duke it out? Back in IBS we had "wars" with other squads and even had seasonal leagues. I assume DCS has something similar, but I haven't seen anything about that yet. I could have very well missed it however. I think I've rambled along enough at this point. I've got more questions but to keep this short(ish) I'll let it at this. Again, thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply. TC (from the former 916th SnakeEyes)

Cairo, Tel Aviv will be included in early access. Jerusalem - the city is made, including several unique buildings! But we will continue to work on Jerusalem in the future.

No I know, I am disputing the statement that HB's radio silence and then sudden reveals and big releases is normal and how they always work, this is false. The first F-14 FM video came out in 2017, a full two years before the release..

Thanks, I reckon the Virpil grip will be almost perfect then, similar enough size and layout to use for both. Its actually also very similar to the F5 which I fly a lot as well....

Thanks again, everyone! The virtual Forrestal's crew is sending their warmest regards, they said your efforts made their Christmas aboard a good time and they hate to see the season end. As is tradition in the virtual Navy, their virtual logbook entry on January 1st, was written in verse, with a passage commemorating your galant efforts: "We send our thanks to the kind DCS crew, we're now sailing due south 180°, Would it have not been for you to help see us through, We would have been lost in deep waters with freezing degrees. We're set south now, on a warm course to sunnier shores, We no longer dread the upcoming tasks, duties and chores. We sail with a heart full of courage and love, occasionally waving off players, And cheering at 3-wires, as we follow you all beyond, up and above." Winners will be announced shortly.