Tank50us

Another thing to remember, is that the DC-3 is still in use to this day. Mostly as a puddle-jumper aircraft, but some military's still use it, or hold a stock in reserve for light troop transport duties

I know that it's possible for ships and SAM sites, I do it all the time to simulate them being 'jammed', but they won't do anything in that scenario anyway. I do like the idea of missiles being fired and exploding before they hit though.

I was wondering if it's possible to script the AI to target a player, but not actually shoot at them. Something similar to Red Flag irl, where the radars will target the trainees, but they're in no real danger (Just, "Oh you didn't evade? go home and take the night to think about why you died"). The reason I'm asking is because I want to include such a thing in a training mission, and I'm not sure how to do it.

It really depends on unit SOP, and the Tower of the field their taking off from. For example, if a bunch of F-16s stop at a Civilian Airfield for a required break, and are only able to get going again during a busy period for that airport, the Tower may clear them for a formation-like Take-off just to clear the 'traffic jam' sooner, if that units SOP allows it. It may also depend on the weather conditions at the time as well. A few years ago at MSP, a bunch of F-16s were taking off from there heading back to Duluth. The weather was cloudy skies, and the winds were certainly noticeable. They weren't allowed to do a formation take-off, and could only do singles, but the tower did clear them for departure as soon as they were lined up and the guy in front of them was off the runway... And I'll tell ya... that's not a take-off you just see... you feel it too.... Photos for proof

Oh yeah, this is not meant to compare and contrast. I'm very well aware of what the AC Franchise is, and I know many here are probably sharping the pitchforks for merely suggesting what I did... that said... I'm actually looking at it from a purely business standpoint. AC7 just crossed 5mil units sold (for any game, that's a huge milestone), and if even half of those people (assuming none of them have heard of, let alone played DCS) gave DCS a shot, I'd estimate anywhere from 20-40% picking up a module. But, that's one possible avenue. One other possibility is the amount of work that could be saved with such a partnership. But... that's my thinking. Who knows what others may say. Hopefully, the conversation stays civil

Now, before anyone starts getting up in arms, I am not asking for a "realistic port" of the CFA-44, X-02, ADF-01, or any of the other super-planes. And I'm not asking for any of the Super Weapons either. What I am asking for, is for ED to maybe reach out, and see if it's possible to have a major dev help out with some of our background units. As I'm sure many of you are aware, many of the AI models right now are... well... they aren't up to the standard of any of the player modules. And I think this is an area where PA could seriously help out. Replacing many of the older models with ones from within the last AC titles wouldn't be a bad way to go. Another possibility would be that maybe PA could add a map, maybe even a paid one. Granted, the maps in the AC titles aren't very big compared to a DCS map, but they are very well polished, and if they could put that effort into a DCS map, who knows what we could get. Heck, we know they're capable of modeling our world (Assault Horizon and Infinity are set our world after all). Maybe they could do two versions of one map... one that's fairly normal, and one that's post-planet-fall. Who knows. But at the bare minimum... I'd like to see if their guys could make some missions, and of course, some liveries for the planes we have in game... who knows, being a Japanese based company, they may even be able to get something like the F-2 or F-1 into DCS, as well as some modern Japanese Warships and ground assets... But hey, I can dream, can't I? And what's the worst that can be said by either party?

I'm aware. I'm talking about making the examples listed part of the base game.

... well.... their Military versions anyway. As many of you undoubtedly know, various military's use civil aircraft frames for a variety of roles. Most common is VIP Transport. Examples include the VC-25: null These 737s used by the RAAF and Polish Air Forces: And this A-340 used by the Algerian Air Force: Now. Those are the easy ones. But many civil frames are also used for Electronic Warfare and AEW duties... Such as, of course the 707 based frame used in the E-3: The E-8 J-STARS: the RC-135 Rivet Joint: And... this... thing... null But these aren't all. Multiple air forces have repurposed civilian aircraft to serve as AEW, ES, EA, and refueling aircraft. This Gulfstream was converted into a Electronic Surveilance Aircraft by the Italian AF: The RAF took the Comet, and extensively modified it into the Nimrod family of aircraft: The Swedish Air Force also had the Saab company build this AEW: And way more. Now. I know many are reluctant to have these aircraft in DCS, due to the fact that ED isn't too comfortable with us killing civilians. But this thread isn't about the civil aircraft. This is about their military counterparts. Sure, many of them could be dressed up to look like airliners. Something I could theoretically do right now with the C-130 (since Lockheed does make an airliner variant of it). But I think deep down... many of us want these aircraft in the game because in actual conflicts they're present, and considered major assets by the side using them. Something worth keeping a sharp eye on. I know that for ES and EA aircraft, their capabilities are highly classified. But even if their raw functionality isn't present, I still think having them in the game would be beneficial to mission creators. Does anyone agree?

Would it be possible to change it to a "modifier" that can also be used for other areas. Basically, pressing a key multiple times has another affect, for example disengaging autopilot or auto-throttle. Or changing the modifier ourselves for the ejection handle so that we can turn it into a single button-press (could be useful for people making simpits)

What if there was a switch in the R/R panel where a person can choose what goes first? By default it would be refuel first. But the player can switch to rearm first. Or it could have other options as well. Refuel only, Rearm Only... or even nothing at all (use if you're changing the livery)

This is especially the case for missions where you're doing COIN ops. After all, the baddies like to hide amongst the civilians, so a good operation would be have a 'spotter' aircraft (Gazelle, Huey, Kiowa when it arrives, CA units, Bronco, etc) actually look for the bad guys in direct the airstrike in a way that avoids collateral damage. How well the group does can then be measured by how many civilians are still alive and unharmed. Also, if I'm not mistaken... isn't this what the APKWS rockets were built for?

This is already something that's planned for the Forrestal. No ETA on it yet, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Heatblur drops it around the same time as the Phantom. It's also possible that they're waiting for ED to finish all of the SCM features before putting them on the Forrestal class. Which makes sense... why add it now, and then have to do a ton of work to do it again.

People will buy it anyway, and people will complain about it.

Though, to be fair to the community, that assessment applies all over the place, no matter what aircraft is added. I've heard people gripe about a 3rd Party adding the C-130, and I've seen the gripes about the Cristian Eagle because it's not a combat aircraft. Personally, whether it's ED or a third party, if the Super Hornet were to be added, there's no point in worrying about the gripes... just do the Dev version of "Damn the Torpedoes, full speed ahead"

Question... What could be going on with the MERs? For some reason they don't appear on my install... I've completely reinstalled DCS and the Mod and still get this issue... The Triple Ejector Racks work fine though

So, one thing I see a lot of images of with the A4 is the 6-bomb Ejector Rack on the center-line. This rack appears on literally every other aircraft except the A4 for some reason. Has anyone else encountered this bug? And if so, how do I fix it. I should note, that the bombs attached to the rack appear normally. But the rack itself doesn't.

One possible option is to have them as part of the map (like the traffic), and when something happens (like an explosion or a tank driving up), they are animated to duck into the nearest building, and after a bit of time, they come back out.

I'm not sure if they have it or not, but one of the key things in play is that none of them are USAF/USN. As for one purpose of having a trainer aircraft is that the instructor can actually perform tasks currently impossible unless you're in the same pit. For example, demonstrating a proper final approach. My current project will be built around the idea that if someone is new to DCS, and flight sims in general, will start in a trainer to learn the basics before they go to their frame.

This is already coming. I think Wags mentioned it in the 2.9 release video

The main question I pose is: Which tanks to start with for such an undertaking? The M1 is still in service, despite being so iconic, and the same can be said for the Challengers, Leopard 2, and T-90, and all of them are still highly classified. My suggestion would be the M60A3, T-55, and Centurian The reason? All three use armor that can be accurately measured. Each were produced in the thousands, so examples can be found just about anywhere. All three have a host of modifications that can be added very easily (such as Reactive Armor) The only thing to remember is that to create an accurate tank environment, you'd also have to create an AI that can handle the duties of the crew, with the default position being the Tank Commander. Loader, Gunner, and Driver would all have to be AI operated unless someone sits in those seats.

Alright, so, I know a while back I made a poor attempt at getting a hype train started... but now I'm finally in a position to open things up for the masses. Since losing my old unit, I've been slowly working on a new DCS project, one that I call "The War in the North". It's a fictional setting, similar to how Project Aces handled the setting for the Ace Combat series, but it will still use the available maps and aircraft, just with obviously fictional countries and units. After a setback with my Discord (my account got hacked, and all the work went with it), I've finally gotten around to picking up those pieces and building the Discord for the setting. It's still a work in progress, but three of the major groups are fully set up and ready to go (just needing logos and patches, which are coming). Unlike my previous unit, which was a mixed group of planes, this thing will operate in a manor more akin to real world squadrons. Squadron and wing leaders will be given the lore of each unit, and from there will be free to operate the unit as they see fit (Who doesn't like a little bit of role-play eh?). Currently, only the Blue-Force side is available, eventually the red force will come online, but for now I just want to focus on the Blue side. The units available to join, and their aircraft, are as follows: FAS-18: the only mixed group, but they're goal is to provide DACT and combat training for new pilots (this is also where new members will go for evaluation once we've grown sufficiently) 1st Air Combat Groupe - RJS-25 (Viggin and Hornet) - JS-38 (Gripen, pending evaluation, or Hornets) - JS-15 (Viggin) Carrier Strike Group 5 (Three units are active now, but four more are coming) - VF82 "Buccaneers" (Tomcats) - VFA11 "Sea Snakes" (Hornets) - VFA114 "Kraken Hunters" (Hornets) 12th Expeditionary Fighter Wing - 145th Fighter Squadron "Wilddogs" (Eagles and Mudhens) - 316th Fighter Squadron "Ghost Vipers" (Vipers) - 241st Fighter Squadron "Mad Weasels" (Vipers) - 451st Attack Squadron "Flying Razerbacks" 4077th Air Mobile Brigade - 8073th Attack Helicopter Regiment: "Outlaws" (Longbows) - 7623th Helicopter Recon Regiment: "Peeping Toms" (Gazelles) - 6045th Transport Regiment: "Mustangs" (Blackhawks) Other units will come online soon, but if anyone would like to join, start filling the ranks, and start working with one another, then feel free to join our discord. One thing I want to stress is that there is still a lot I'm working on. Anyone who wishes to help, will be welcome to do so. In the meantime, here's the link: https://discord.gg/cqyKQvUVRn And enjoy some artwork and screen caps I've taken.

And have a plan to kill every one you meet! ~ The Sniper *Cue TF2 theme*

This. Also keep in mind that we don't know how many people ED have working on these projects, vs projects that ultimately make them money (the modules). I don't have an issue with ED focusing on making sure the game is financially stable. Now, that said, I think ED should make some a better mod support system, so that we players can better contribute to DCS, like how the Skyhawk guys did.

nearly 650mb for a couple bug fixes.... I wonder what snuck in under Gary Burghoff... (like if you get it)

If you download the mission they're using, and look at the mission lua, you'll find that the lines in "Required Modules" is deleted, many servers do this. I've been on a couple of them, and even ran a unit that did that with its server. The point the OP is trying to make is the same thing I tried to make a while back... make it better for these mods to be included. For example, if you have a mod that adds the M1A2SEPv3, while you're setting the mod up you can have the base-game M1A2 take its place in the event someone connects who doesn't have the mod. Or if the mission has the Project Flanker Su30, the replacement model could be the base-game Su30, or the Su34. The same could be done for weapons, warships, infantry, you name it. Right now, as the OP pointed out earlier, ED does not seem to have any real interest in expanding Naval Operations, or Ground Operations, which means that the Modders have to step-up and add the items that DCS is missing. I think the few items the OP brought up would be a good way for DCS to have the mods included, and if the files were uploaded to something that ED controls, all of the security concerns that some people have also go out the window.