DSplayer

I guess it’s more of a DCS limitation thing where chaff isn’t modeled in such a detailed manner where you can change variables on effectiveness or how big the charge is. Yeah it does seem like the BOL-IR system would be a new type of flare countermeasure in DCS that act and perform a lot differently than our normal flares. I do think a solution to this conundrum of BOL-IR implementation can definitely help out with the possible implementation of SDS on an RAF Eurofighter later on (if you guys plan on doing it) which appear to use a system based upon BOL. Video of BOL-IR being used at night in Iraq (not NVG footage):

Big thanks for you accommodating me and the other fellow rivet counters and people that have nothing better to do than gawk at new features and bug fixes.

That bit about weathering came from the F-14 - Pre Order / Gameplay Reveal Trailer you guys had put out about 3ish years ago: “The cockpit of your aircraft will change depending on the aircraft you’re currently flying. Panel locations, weathering, details, and even the type of seat cushions will change…” Maybe that was the only instance where you guys mentioned weathering in relation to Forge.

15:47 is when you can really see an obvious use of the BOL-IRs with 2 distinct flare deployments from the wings btw.

I guess there are former Tomcat pilots and maintainers that seemingly agree that there were flares and chaff that could be deployed from the BOL/LAU-138 rails for the F-14 (Jungle from Episode 9 and of course Tung from Episode 23 of the F-14 Tomcast) who can help support the implementation of flares for our F-14. Tung even had a great story that accompanied his episode where he described how the BOL-IR packages would create streaks along the horizontal stabs after using them. It does make sense that a single BOL chaff module is roughly 1/4 as effective as a ALE-39 chaff cartridge since its roughly 1/4 the volume of one. But is it historical that a single press of the chaff deploy switch on the ALE-39 deploy 4 BOL modules in order to compensate for the lower chaff count or is it a thing you guys did to make the LAU-138 chaff bundles actually effective? If it is just a DCS thing, I wouldn't mind the ability for a special menu and a mission editor option for the disabling the LAU-138 firing 4 charges at once and bring up the LAU-138 chaff deploy count to 160 instead of 40 (since it would deploy 1 from each side instead of 4 from each side) even if its less effective than the typical DCS chaff charge. Here's some documents I was able to find relating to the MJU-52/B flare cartridge for the LAU-138 but it's highly possible that you guys have already found these documents: https://www.jmu.edu/cisr/research/OIG/Iraq/highres/09-Pyrotechnic.pdf https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/navy/ntsp/aecm-a_2001.pdf This one states that the MJU-52/B "which when expelled from the sealed container, performs similarly to the MJU-27A/B Decoy Flare [the flare cartridge used by the ALE-39] by generating heat through a pyrophoric process." "MJU-52/B utilizes the same flatpacks as the BOL chaff to facilitate operational use of the BOL dispenser. The difference between the RF and IR packages revolves around the different payload of the decoy devices" https://www.chemring.com/~/media/Files/C/Chemring-V3/documents/countermeasures/l5a2-bol-ir-brochure.pdf It seems like there might be more information from "F-14A/B/D A/G TACTICAL MANUAL, NWP 3-22.5-F14A/B/D, VOLUME III, NAVAIR 01-F14AAD-1T-2" but I've been unable to find the document online.

A bit disappointing. Maybe HB can release the changelogs for what they have planned a bit earlier so we can anxiously wait to actually see them when the patch drops.

I also forgot to post this:

During the latest F-14 Tomcast episode, Tung describes utilizing BOL-IR with 3 BOL (LAU-138) rails along with the the 2 buckets of 30 for a total 540 flare charges on his F-14D over Afghanistan. Of course the F-14D and F-14B (U) used the ALE-47 instead of the older ALE-39 but I would think you should still be able to load flare charges (MJU-52/B) into the LAU-138 and fire them off one at a time from the rails. Also firing 4 of these BOL packages at a time from each rail (like we have in-game right now) doesn’t sound right anymore after hearing about how they were used by both Jungle and Tung in their respective Tomcast episodes (but they were both F-14D pilots so that could be the difference). https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/mju-52.htm

Source for the original image btw (from Uncovering the F-14A/B/D Tomcat by Dave Coreman):

I know that our Mirage F1CE will come with the ALE-40 as its countermeasure system but I'm wondering if Spain or any other Mirage F1 operator outside of France use the Matra Corail rails for their countermeasure system. Would be pretty fun to just dump a buttload of flares and chaff at the cost of probably a high amount of drag.

Tung talks about the BOL rails (LAU-138) being able to use flares (5:24). He could be misremembering or misspoke but he said "I was carrying 540 flares as a FAC-A 3 BOL rails with a 160 a piece and 2 buckets" relating to him loading flares. EDIT: BOL-IR probably? MJU-52 chaff for the BOL rail. Maybe you can stuff 160 of those 1 rail and then fire them individually? Also 3 BOL rails? That means he carried both on 1A and 8A along with one on 1B (since 8B most likely had LANTIRN) loaded with BOL-IR (further mentioned at 44:45).

Probably could be like the fuel probe on the JF-17 and the ALE-39 loadout which use the ground crew menu as well as a mission editor option.

Reviving this topic for more hype:

If I remember correct what the magnetic course on the TID did was it gave the magnetic heading that the target was traveling towards. This can still be determined by pressing either the SPD or HDG CAP buttons. The heading of the target can be determined by looking at the HD and CR data lines (which mean the same thing). EDIT: HD is true heading and CR appears to be Magnetic Course with another name? Not too sure since the manual hasn’t been updated with some info that might be helpful.

Tbh I found it as a pretty fun party trick when I'm playing the F-14 with my buddies. Just the shock and awe as the F-14 does a push up basically.

Another one that could make a huge distinction is the beaver tail at the back and having multiple versions of those to choose from. Of course it sounds like it would be basically impossible since it would probably require changing the model.

I was playing around with the new spider detent implementation and I had noticed that the detent doesn't catch at 68 degrees but does if you just move the Emergency Wing Sweep handle just a little bit forward (and have the Captain's bars correspond roughly to where it is). Is this correct? Does it not catch beyond 64-67 degrees or so? Video Example:

Iirc the F-18 could also get AWACS datalink info from Link-4 sources along with their being an option in the SA page for choosing Link-4 as a source but this isn’t implemented yet on our F-18 (the option is x’d out). I could be wrong with my assessment and that option might be for something else Link-4 related.

Is there a possibility that in the future you guys could possibly collaborate with ED for a unified Link 4 code that has integration with LotATC similar to how TAF works with the Mirage 2000 (being able to choose what target is being sent to the aircraft via TAF)? Example video:

For those people that didn't read or see this little message from IronMike relating to an overhaul/further development of AIM-54C and AIM-54 motor performance: Sounds like we're in for a treat later this yea\r.

I can't wait to hear more about this subject soon! With this the AIM-54C might be my go to missile again. #WaitingFor3rdPartyMissileAPI