RaceFuel85

Ah well...

I'd be happy to help Nick. Finally a potential opportunity to put my endless years of reading government documents to use!

Oh...you must be fairly new to the flight sim world...

yes... "Specifically, we will be offering the F-16CJ Block 50 variant that includes the HARM anti-radar missile and HARM Target System (HTS) pod, laser- and GPS-guided munitions, advanced air-to-air systems like the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and AIM-9X and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, data link systems, Sniper targeting pod, AN/APG-68 radar, and other systems." From the Jan 4 newsletter

1: The MiG-23 was the first variable geometry *fighter* to enter service, and was in service a few years before the F-14 2: The F-14 went on it's first cruise aboard the USS Enterprise with VF-1 and VF-2 in September 1974 and flew top cover for the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. 3: The F-14 is older than the Foxhound, younger than the Foxbat.

That all being said...a full up F-15C, even if it wasn't a APG63 V2 or V3 jet, would hurt a lot of feelings. I personally don't see why we can't get a late 90's F-15C, IE APG63 V1, MSIP II, etc.

So...with the Hornet, and Viper, and such coming out, could we get more radio callsign options? For example..with the Viper.. Snake Weasel Badger Gamble Etc... I know the A-10 has it's own callsigns in DCS, but I've not really heard any for the Hornet yet?

Now an F-15E without it's CFT's is a different story..at that point it's just a slightly heavier F-15D with more powerful engines (if we're talking the 229 variety)

The decision to put the F-4 on hold to focus on the F-16 is the smarter one really as it's finishing a long, long term project for ED.

The aircraft slated for after the Viper is the Phantom.

Just as a FYI.. When the F-16 arrives CVW8 will be expanding slightly to include the 8th Fighter Wing. We'll have the 35th and 80th FS and do combined/large force training, exercises and missions with the rest of CVW8 but will be a separate entity in terms of training and command structure.

That info is extremely OPSEC. Sorry, not gonna get more than that..I will say that depending on the tempo of operations and time between underway restock and resupply, it's not unrealistic to have only a few dozen GBU and JDAM kits on hand.

Oh yeah there's no basis for it at all..it was just my spitball in that they might want to have something to really show off at E3 this year. So yeah..you're right...I don't have any basis on it..just an educated guess based on past events.

I think they're considering them CJ's due to being HARM shooters. The new F-16 Block 50 3d model isn't in public builds yet and won't be until release. Don't expect to see the new 3D model and such until at least, at minimum, E3 this year.

y'all are making this a really unpleasant experience. Just chill, it'll get here when it gets here. Let's not turn all of this sour because a few of you feel impatient.

Thanks!

So...Norm... Question..on FB you said "let me clarify...2019"..when someone joked about 2029 or something. Is it......unrealistic for us to think it could go into EA by the end of this year? I know, everything is subject to change and no promises are made..I'm just curious. Of course "sorry, can't comment beyond that" is a viable answer also.

If I had to guess...based on how the Hornet has developed... We'll get the F-16 into Early Access with about half of the systems in place, but everything critical already done. Aim-9M/9X, JHMCS/HMCS, Litening Pod (Since the A-10 already has it), GBU's and JDAM's and Harms but no HTS at first. As EA goes on we'll get Sniper, HTS and such. Personally, as I said before, I'd have preferred a Block 40 Viper, but the 50 will be a hoot anyway. A Block 52 would have been fun as well, but I understand why ED wouldn't have done that.

The F-14 will feel more like the MiG-21 and F-5 than than anything else in the sim currently...

I just hope I have enough advance notice to put in my time off request from work...

Drag it slow to where the F-14 will out turn a Viper (roughly 300 knots).

Honestly the solution HB has come up with (marking on the F10 menu and using that as DTC info, at least for waypoints) is fantastic. I would think an F10 utility using the F10 map, and other popup menu options like the stores loading options for the DTC would be ideal. ED's gotta figure a way out to do this considering the DTC is critical for the F-16

Now here's the big question... When will the F-16 get it's own sub-forum like the Hornet does?

Whenever someone says a variation of "Check the NATOPS" ..treat it like nothing of value was offered. Because nothing of value was offered.