BBQ

I was looking at this new fighter--and was confused that there are two "interchangeable" engines for all three variants of the Joint Strike Fighter. Are these two engines competing against each other to become the final engine that goes into production? Or are they two different engines for outfitting the aircraft for different situations? I just would have thought they would have already decided on the engine by now.

This is one of the stated goals of the DCS series--"systems modeled in detail"

I would suggest flying Flaming Cliffs--even though it's not a helo sim--you can get familiar with the Russian cockpit, and navigation and weapons systems that will surely make your transition to the ka-50 easier/quicker.

I thought you traded Altitude for Speed, not FPS. Hmmm...:doh:

Gaming sticks work fine in DCS--no worries. I would imagine it responds to stick input just as it does in the real thing. Instant.

Good question. You have to do it smoothly--it's a little difficult at first, but you develop a skill after flying for awhile. In other words, the more you practice, the smoother the transition. At first though, it can be frustrating. I'm not sure how FF works--I think it works so the stick stays in the position it is at when you engage trim. Not sure though.

I'm no expert here--but I can tell you that with the Ka-50, how the trim works. In a helicopter, the trim does not work like it does in an airplane. Untrimmed, you are flying along--and then when you hit the trim button, the helo in 3D space is put into memory, and the actual physical stick stays where it was when you initiated the trim. Essentially it holds the stick in place. For non-force feedback sticks it's a little tricky. When you hit the trim button, you have to release the stick and the rudder to their physically neutral positions. The helo will then fly in the new "attitude" with your stick and rudders in their physically neutral position. Not sure if this is the way it is in all helicopters, or not.

Amazing stuff--real talent! +1

Decerto: yes, such missions could definately be created with the Mission Editor.

Hopefully they will set it up so there are no conflicts of interest---I'm recalling the Silent Hunter IV scenario where different teams are working on the same stuff--and sort of competing. Not that competition is a bad thing--just that everyone is on the same page working towards the same goal.

Other aircraft that are not in your flight cannot datalink with you--so you could mark targets for other flights (say you are playing the AFAC role for a flight of Su-25's). Since the Su-25 has to rely on visible acquisition of their targets, marking the area will greatly increase their chances of seeing the target.

I think demo is short for demonstration. Look at Beach and Wags videos for extremely detailed demonstrations of the simulation.

Having the laser automatic makes it much easier for pilot workload, IMHO.

By the way Beach--another great job on the video! I really like your camera work--and the audio effect on your voice was very cool.

Beach, if you made that comment because you saw that circle move, or change in its area--I think it is changing based on your current altitude. When you fly in mountains you will notice the threat circle change, as you change altitude. I think it is tell you, at your current altitude, and LOS towards the threat, whether you are in its engagement zone.

Well, that's what they said on Discovery Channel last night! They said the new AMRAAM has a range of up to 120 miles. Was a pretty good show, actually--showed some Mig-29's, Mig-35's, SU-27's, F-22's, F-35's (JSF) and some new B1B bomber/missile truck.

Thanks Evil

I just realized I have another username, "BBQ" which I prefer to use. For some reason, I started another one "Dostoevski", having forgot the password or something, for the original one. Any chance of merging the two, and getting my "BBQ" username back?:helpsmilie:

+1 :D

It's interesting, reading these posts about this block and that upgrade, and that sensor suite. It's really a great compliment to Eagle Dynamics, that they've created such a highly detailed model of the Ka-50, that these types of questions are even possible. When I started simming, questions were more along the lines of "does it have a 3d cockpit?" On the other hand, the manuals were much better back then. Until now :) We're only asking such detailed questions about specific blocks and sytems, because we know that if ED is going to model a particular aircraft, that all of the systems will be there, and work.

It's a "redo" only insofar as they are both combat simulations set in the same geographical region. The aircraft models are completely different--level of fidelity, etc. Essentially, DCS will be a "study" sim of multiple aircraft. Lockon is a survey sim of multiple aircraft. Big difference.

Extreme Update -- Extreme Agenda It's a good time to be a flight simmer! The only negative I can think of are all of the trees that will have to die to create approximately 4000 pages of flight manuals :D

I think it's the counter measures device. someone correct me if I'm wrong

It's funny--fannypacks are one of those types of things that seem completely practical and useful, but for some unknown, existential reason, have been marked by society as taboo (in the US at least). I noticed them in Europe alot more. Can I get anymore off topic? I like the idea of a knee map, in case I lose my ABRIS, and my INU. At that point though, I'm sure I'll be dialing in one of the presets on the ADF and RTB'ing.

You mean you guys don't fly with a fanny pack? I've got an extra map in there, some spearmint gum, and some granola bars. Never know when you might get shot over enemy territory. JUST KIDDING :)