Avimimus

I'd like a fourth Blackshark update - so that we can have the option of carrying only partially full Vikhr racks (as is usually done in operational service - and as is available for all western helicopters).

Recon would be great! It is a very well suited aircraft to some types of reconnaissance and it would keep it relevant in theatres where it would be outmatched as an interceptor!

23mm gunpods, S-5 (up to 96)/S-8 (up to 40)/S-24 rockets, 1500 kg of bombs in theory (in practice less).

Interestingly, this Constant Peg pilot states that there was nothing preventing someone from picking an intermediate angle:

I was thinking exactly this!

According to information posted in the Razbam Mig-23 sub-forum the wing sweep could only be changed between those pre-sets and was only supposed to be done while pulling relatively few gees - so that should work well!

The biggest improvement (which might not be possible), would be having some type of algorithm fix rivers and streams so that they can only flow downhill... sometimes the mesh and the rivers don't line up (so the rivers flow uphill). It is really noticeable sometimes when flying a helicopter. If the rivers could also be modified to be a bit more variable in width it would also help realism (they look canalised sometimes - I think the Kuban map did this a bit better). Anyway, lovely to see continued work on this map! It is something I didn't expect.

This reminds me of a question regarding scripts - would it be possible to allow some ground units to do the opposite - and sometimes move towards enemy helicopters? I remember playing "Gunship!" (a helo sim based on a tank sim) and the fact that ground units manoeuvred, including in aggressive ways added a lot to the experience. One couldn't hover just outside of autocannon range, because one of the ground vehicles would use cover to close the necessary few hundred metres to ambush the hovering helicopter. So, having a script which allowed vehicles or infantry to try to creep up on and ambush helicopters would be really interesting (if it is possible).

It really depends. Given that it left production in 1992, that helicopters usually have shorter service lives, and are largely in civilian hands - it would seem less likely that there would be synergy with a professional trainer. On the other hand: - With the Mi-28, Ka-52, and more recent Mi-8 variants all excluded from development for security reasons - it becomes the most notable remaining Soviet Helicopter that can be produced. It also fills a 'lighter' helicopter niche for the Soviets. - Setting aside the Soviet question, it was also Poland's most important helicopter and Poland is a part of NATO. - It was exceptionally widely produced, so there are many examples used in many parts of the world. Really, the Alouette series, the EC665 (Tiger), UH-60 and the AH-1 are the only major options for new helicopters - and there may be classification issues around some of those. If people keep making helicopter modules, at some point they'll have to do an Mi-2...

We are waiting As long as is necessary!

What I'm wondering about: If RAZBAM did eventually split-up... which teams would be likely to be able to continue work? I've been looking forward to the Mig-23 and the IA-58... the IA-58 hasn't been announced or licensed (so far as I can tell), but the Mig-23 was relatively far along. How central is RAZBAM's leadership to that project? I have a bit of interest in some other modules (F-8, A-7, A1, OH-58), but with the Iskra and the Su-17 not receiving licenses... the Mig-23 was essentially the only announced module I was excited to pre-order.

Oh?! How?

Well, for the record - it is the next most produced Soviet helicopter. It is also older, and manufactured in Poland (so no security issues), and there is a lot of reference material from civilian use as well - so it is one of the most feasible helicopter additions (up there with the Alouette)! If we can any additional light helicopters or Soviet helicopters, then it is one of the most likely candidates.

Transport, liaison, scouting/patrol, counter insurgency, light anti-tank... anything except use as a modern attack helicopter. It is basically a counterpart to the UH-1 and the Sa-342... falling somewhere in between those two. It should also be cheaper to operate (if/when logistics becomes a thing).

If we're going down that road - the Mil Mi-2 had a lot of use as a light utility helicopter and aerial crane (for moderate loads)... in addition to the armed Mil Mi-2URP produced in Poland... There is a reason why it is the fifth or sixth most produced helicopter!

Fuel drums would be interesting to transport. Added flammability risk!

Self-Reloading for the Mi-24P would make for an interesting cargo load (e.g. 40 S-8 rockets). It'd also be nice to have the option dlto remove or retain the cargo bay armour.

Does anyone know why the R-40 remained in service alongside the R-33? Given the relative performance of the missiles, I always saw this is a bit of an odd mixed loadout for the Mig-31!

All of the other FC aircraft drop bombs in pairs or singly. The only exception are the MDB bomb racks (which drop all four bombs in quick succession). However, in the first versions of the sim, they also released one bomb at a time. Note: It is possible to drop multiple bombs of the same type at once by using the 'salvo' keyboard press (shift+V I think)... but it isn't the default behaviour for all other FC aircraft is to release bombs separately (one hardpoint at a time).

That doesn't solve the issue with it dropping all of the underwing bombs at once though!

I feel like this should be a pinned comment or something. It is a really good point.

Thank you! This is much appreciated! It would be great if it could be included in a future patch.

It is supposed to be surprisingly agile - in spite of the lower power-to-weight ratio compared to other light helicopters. I was rather surprised to hear this. It should have a lower disk loading (i.e. much larger rotor for its weight). There are a lot of videos of it doing aerobatics online... really high degrees of sideslip, rapid pitch-ups, high speed turns:

Regularly: Ov-10, Mig-23ML. Less often: Mig-31. Su-17. I'll get into the OH-6, SK-60, and A-4 when the flight models are updated. Looking forward to the AH-1G, Ka-52, Yak-38 Not sure how to get the Alphajet! Might get the JF-7 someday specifically so I can use the J-10...

I'd just like the F-5E to have the same functionality as the existing FC jets (or Lock-on: Modern Air Combat versions of these jets back in 2003) with regard to hardpoint and salvo selection. Really? When did this happen? I thought I recalled having more options.