Teriander

Im not talking about user created missions. Im talking about a system that is created inside the engine. I find it hard to believe the developer can program one of the most complicated sims ever but struggle to program a coop system. Something that is easy for users to operate, and does not require additional downloads. Or user make content.

I've been using DCS since the beginning, and one thing that bothers me and my friends, is the weak multiplier coop functionality. Some servers have random spawning A-A and A-G missions, but its a global event. If you're late or someone else reaches the objective, you're back to flying without a purpose. Often this leads players flying without ever firing a shot. Here is what can improve this sytem: First, allow users to choose if they are solo or with a group. If a group is selected they all use the same type of aircraft. Second, allow user to choose what type of mission they want. CAP, CAS, SAM hunt, ANTI-SHIP, etc. Then this mssion type is assigned to the group or the solo pilot. Third, allow the group or solo pilot to choose where they wish to launch. Airfield, carrier, etc. Forth, a list of missions became available that is appropriate to aircraft, location, and mission type that the user of group had just made. The selected mission then becomes assigned only to this group and spawns away from other players that could interfere with this assigned group. The Details tab also has information of this mission during flight. This is the best way to assure player on the server has something to do without receiving updates that are irrelevant. I can guarantee you'll see more online players if the multiplayer system was improved. What do you think?

Dude. We can finally stop using Falcon 4!

F-16C With the announcement of the f-16C, I think it's time for an official DCS forum on this plane!

Awesome feedback! Thanks guys!

I guess Im looking for options, regardless of budget. Looking for the closes look-and-feel for both the f-18 and f-14. From my understanding the HOTAS is more A-10c accurate. What is more F18 and F14 accurate?

I've been using a Logitech 3 for about 12 years, it is a good controller and cheap but it's time to retire. What does the community recommend for the F 14 and F 18? For throttle and controller?

Well it has seriously helped me when I played Falcon and this view was available. I guess this is a "Don't knock it till you try it" moment. As for tracking from inside the cockpit, that's a more advance approach and I'm merely referencing another external view option among the many other external view options.

I'll have to look again, but I believe I've witnessed the diamond change to a Box on the same lock. Is that normal?

When I lock onto a target, sometimes the box is a diamond, sometimes it's a box with only corners, and sometimes its a box. What are the three different meanings and how do I know when I've locked into a friendly target?

OK, so I did a 4 v 4 (all AI mission) against Mig-29s. I ordered my wingmen to engage and I throttled back a little so they can take a lead. They did. We all fired Aim-7Ms. The enemy fired radar guided as well. As we closed in, one of them fired a Archer (IR Missile). Of course it's coming for me. Passing my wingmen who had a slight lead ahead of me. NOT A SINGLE WINGMAN warned me of the incoming IR missile. This needs to change! I remember back in my Falcon 3 and 4 days, my wingman would always warn me of incoming missiles. But not on DCS in my F-18. Does anyone else agree this needs to change? Radio chatter with AI teammates needs to beef up a bit when in dogfights.

But this isn't a solution. The external view Im speaking of will lock the camera onto a SAM so you can keep your hands on the joystick to take evasive actions. Even as the missile flies passed danger close, the camera follows it. Without this, you would have to watch the SAM by manually moving the camera with your mouse or Track IR. Not an effective method. They already have a camera for SAM to Player, but not Player to SAM.

When I used to play Falcon 3 decades ago, there was an external view that was extremely awesome. The ability to view from your aircraft to an incoming SAM missile. But DCS does not have this cool view. Can we have this please??? Imagine having a camera outside of the cockpit tracking an incoming missile. This is extremely helpful for those who want to learn how to avoid SAMs or needs help doing so with an external view. Currently this is not possible.

If someone sees you through your window in VR, hopefully they can see your monitor also and see you're playing a bad ass flight simulator. Then they would wish they were doing the same. I figured out the left click/right click. But I can not rotate the knobs at all. Do you know of a video or documentation that exist? As for using a real joystick and throttle compared to the VR controllers, the VR controllers makes most setups easier. For example, I have a desk that my real joystick sits on. When its time to grab the real joystick, I have to put my VR controllers down, anytime I need to drop the VR controllers I'm making my sim experience more difficult. On top of that, my desk can get in the way of reaching for certain VR buttons. This also holds true with a chair attached Throttle. It gets in the way of your VR controller. But if the VR Controller also controlled your joystick and throttle, I do not have to drop anything. I can keep both hands on the same controller and quickly switch between holding the joystick and flicking buttons. For the record, I've been a VR Dev for architectural since 2016 and I'm fully aware of setting up a Vive controller. I can easily see how they could implement the controller to also serve as a joystick and throttle control. Not sure why they haven't yet. Or at least made it option for the end-user to decide.

Ok, So I gave VR a try with the HTC Vive and Oh.. my.. God.. This is the closes I'll ever come to sitting in a 30 million dollar machine without being arrested. But, sitting is all I can do right now. My hands are controlled by the controller and I can NOT figure out how to do anything but click with my finger. Nothing else. Can't grab the sick, can't right click which is important. Can't do anything useful but left clicks and even that sometimes doesn't work. Where can I find information how to proper use the hands as controllers?

So let me get this straight... The US Government bought a F-18c at about 30 million each, installed expensive ECM devices, the ability to detect incoming radar guided missiles, but when it was time to discuss detecting incoming IR missiles, that's where they drew the line??? "We've already spent 30 million, we can't afford to spend another million on an IR detection system. Let's just tell the pilots to put their 'heads on a swivel' or hope their wingman sees a launch in time for them to yell flare and say a prayer." I mean seriously, that's like a police force deciding not to use Bullet Proof Jackets because they cost money, and telling the officers to depend on their partner to tell them where the bullets are coming from.

If you're in an F-18 flying low in range of "Russian armor" and missiles are flying everywhere, you should dump some flares regardless if they're fired at you or not. Especially after a bomb run. My concern is dog fighting, at 20,000ft for example. God knows if an IR detector is going off and I nor my wingman didn't fire, it's time to dump some flares. But without this system, I have to figure out if that smoke trail in the distance from an enemy flaring from my missile or one is coming at me. On my monitor by the time I see it, its too late. I also do no want to turn on decals because it kills realism for me. Bottom line, does the real F-18C have the ability to detect IR missiles at all? I'm really surprised if it doesn't.

Well there's definitely an AI advantage there. Unless the MIGs can detect incoming IR missiles? When I shoot an AIM-9 at a MIG, he knows. He flares every time. Even if Im out of his line of sight such as bottom rear. He'll flare. I'm surprised the real hornet doesn't have this type of detection capabilities. What about other real world US fighters? F-15? F-16? F-22? etc.

How do you detect incoming enemy IR Missiles? I can detect Radar missiles fine, but IR Missiles there is ZERO warning. I never see them being launched at me and I only know they are there after they hit me. Any suggestions?

This game needs a easy refuel option when doing Air-air-refuel. Like if you're within 4 feet of the refuel box, that's close enough. Can't tell you how many times I've hit the stupid refuel tube only for it to refuse a connection. It's by far the most frustrating part of the game. I just feel like shooting down the refuel tanker when I close in, just so I can have a sense of accomplishment. God knows I'm not refueling.

What is the keyboard shortcut to cage and uncage? Never mind, found it. C Key.

Can someone tell me if the Radar has more features yet than just Single Tracking Targets? Can I fire multiple AIM-120s yet at multiple targets? Dogfight tracking where the radar searches in a vertical tracking mode?

Thanks for the update! I'll check it out.

Bubba, I'll let you know when the wait is over. I'm still waiting for a campaign so I can fly with a purpose. Right now the only available missions are user made missions and campaigns. I want something official. Besides, they're still adding features and missing components. To give you an example, the F-14 being developed by a 3rd party will be released with TWO campaigns designed by the devs. That's a finished product.

I've been patiently waiting for a F-18 Campaign or even missions to be released (non-user made), and I've seen nothing. Any word on when this will happen? I've been avoiding playing because Im tired of flying in pointless circles. Ready for some action. For example, Im excited to Pre-order the 3rd Party F-14 add-on because it comes with 2 campaigns on day one. F-18 came with zero.