Grundar

Apparently aircraft like the E2 could guide launched AIM-54's as well which significantly improves the lethality of the F-14. If after launch an E2 can provide course correction updates to the AIM-54 it allows the F-14 to engage other targets. Given in TWS mode the AWG-9 can track 24+ targets simultaneously and theoretically could launch and guide 6 AIM-54 I think it is often overlooked (on paper) that the F-14's capability was enhanced by the presence of E-2's (something that really made the USN have an exceptional capability over other Naval forces who don't employee AWAC type aircraft from the carrier) From: http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-54.html The AIM-54 though remains classified afaik, so it obviously has systems that are still in use and valuable/secret.

BVR area, always great in theory but historically has always fallen short (pun intended). The actual reliable reports of firing the AIM-54 in combat amounts to 3 - all of which did not destroy their target. That's a 100% miss rate. But statistically 3 is a completely insignificant sample size and the factors that influence effective missile deployment are simply more than locking on and launching a missile. Dave "Bio" Baranek, an acclaimed F-14 RIO, was very impressed with the AIM-54's capability. Given he thought very highly of their anti-ECM capability they must have been very capable when used correctly. The AIM-54's primary use was destruction of hordes of soviet bombers and cruise missiles (traditionally slow moving and slow maneuvering targets. Again, presumably, this is due to the changing nature of aerial combat and the BVR losing it's "sheen" as the new frontier of air warfare. During the Gulf War, it was reported that the F-14's were not allowed to engage in BVR combat due to the lack of an NCTR system (though iirc someone on this forums said that wasn't the reason). An F-14 with a potent BVR missile that is unable to launch at intended ranges kind of puts the efficacy of the AIM-54 automatically in the sub-optimal category. Of course it's all moot now, there are no more AIM-54's to launch and no war scenario where such a long range missile has any use. The Russians have focused on shorter range IR missiles and hyper-maneuverable fighters - not for the guns kill (I presume) but for maximizing the ability to get your WVR IR missiles onto the target. In game I guess we shall see how the AIM-54 is modelled, hopefully for multiplayer content it doesn't become BVR sniping or another SPAMRAAM scenario. Interesting article you linked as well, was a good read, some very pertinent points and some personal ones too I see

Lol I thought the same thing! Tried looking in that first picture thinking - it's too dark, whats wrong with the radio. Clued on by the end of the first post though lol, ahhhh raTio!

Ah that video again! it's beautiful it only could be bettered by a switch to full burn and the wings swinging back on that break.

It looks gorgeous *drools*

As was said on the Aviation Xtended Podcast featuring the F-14 and Bio - it's like seeing your hot ex-girlfriend shacked up with another guy.

Wonderful! I've longed for an F-86 campaign - I do enjoy my single player experiences.

High profile aircraft like the Typhoon, F-14 and F/A-18 will draw in bigger crowds I imagine - which is good for the future of DCS and hopefully encourages more third party creations to appear (to the DCS standard).

All DCS modules get a release for the DCS version on Steam though they are usually delayed over the initial release period (they appear on Steam usually 2 - 4 weeks after initial release).

Yes I heard your voice on the video, I'm not sure if he did pull aft though or not when you said it or a little after you said it, I found it a little hard to judge via the video. Nice catch of a bug and quick response from ED :thumbup:

You didn't lose all your control surfaces, though to be fair you did lose a significant amount of them! It was surprising to see it still fly! It didn't respond to rudder or elevator did it? Did you induce the stall by using rudder or elevator inputs or was it simply through moving the (presumably) undamaged ailerons? Obviously with the elevators gone you lost pitch control and the rudder prevents intended yawing so your only remaining control surface seems to be the ailerons which of course will induce roll - I imagine a small tweak of the ailerons with loss of rudder and elevator would quickly throw you into a dive/spin, as what seemed to happen in the video. But I wasn't flying it and I have no idea what inputs you could make with it, if you could yaw and pitch it shouldn't of really been able to happen. I would like to see updated damage and flight models for the AI simply to have them stop flying like UFO's or to soak up ammo like a bullet sponge. Sometimes the game does weird things, online play doesn't allow "game mode" style flight physics does it?

Looking great! I cannot adequately express how much I am looking forward to this module.

Been posted a lot of times, still a good video though, lots of interesting information.

Great stuff the F-14 looks like it is developing nicely - there is obvious attention to detail and a focus on the "experience" of it all rather than the "spectacle" if you know what I mean - it's the well detailed and functional systems not just a "high poly F-14! go forth and blow crap up!" Can't wait for a Viggen announcement! Or the Zero you are working on.. oops i mean unnamed other aircraft.

Excellent research + rep for you. It is unfortunate that the P-51 modelled isn't in the 1944 period but as it was developed long before there was even going to be a 1944 map and associated aircraft set - it's disrespectful for people to slam them about it. Raccoon above said They will update a '44 model which is fantastic news for accuracy in the upcoming theatre. Once the pacific things get fleshed out a bit more it will be nice to play with the current mustang around the pacific against (hopefully) the AM6 that LN might be developing (while it outclasses the AM6 it will still be nice to have a historical opponent).

Praying hard for that to be true! I have funds in the bank just waiting to splurge it on all these LN modules.

Yep, planning to almost stall it onto the deck and take it from there. Luckily being a computer simulation I can do all sorts of outlandish crap that would get you court marshaled, stripped of rank and generally hated by everyone else on and off ship in real life - with no in game consequences beyond having to restart.

It's one of the first things I want to do with a Viggen, see if I can land it on a carrier - with thrust reversal think I might have a chance (however slim lol).

And I believe Bio is assisting Leatherneck with some details for the game. Bio is a wealth of information on all things Tomcat and to top it all off... 1) He was a RIO in the era they are studying 2) He was in the Strait of Hormuz during the time period 3) He was also a successful Navy Commander That equates to a lot of realism from the perspective of campaign, events and procedures of the time. To me that means we should be looking at a great campaign, because honestly I don't buy these modules to "PvP" I buy them to enjoy the aircraft and hopefully enjoy a good campaign - which unfortunately are in short supply for DCS (campaigns that is, good or otherwise).

Found this one this morning, not sure if it's already been posted, apologies if so: (lots of videos on this forum!) [ame] [/ame]

From what I can find with a quick net trawl, about 2500ft for take off from the field.

I try not to read this thread to much, getting too excited for the Viggen, it sounds like a wonderful aircraft to experience. The possibilities it presents for campaigns is enormous as well.

Therein lies the problem, how much of the data is simple propaganda, deliberate misinformation or simply flat out unknown. While they could model an Iranian F-14 they probably wouldn't be able to model any avionic changes well, it would be guess work and it would become reliant on suspected changes. Just because we have a picture of an F-14 with an R-27 on it doesn't mean it actually works with it - though feasibly it is something Iran would have to look at given it's stocks of US missiles won't last forever. Now If they limit the Iranian F-14 to the original models delivered then all they really need is the skins to be changed for those F-14's and the implementation of AIM-7E's. I would actually enjoy an Iranian F-14 given that it saw active combat duty.

You sir are correct! Explains why I couldn't find anything on them lol :D Was sitting there thinking I thought Australia was the only one outside the US who operated F-111's!

It's certainly possible they can do this, though they may not have the information regarding any avionics changes the Iranians have installed in their F-14's to handle various different weaponry and equipment. Great photo by the way, but they sure are fielding some old aircraft there: F-4, F-5, F-111 and F-14. Pretty sure off page there is a Wright Flyer :P