bfr

Yeah, i've not noticed any issues with TGP-designated targets by not un-designating. Not tried using them for purely radar-designated targets as yet though (which I believe from skimming other posts is the context this issue applies to more?)

I assume we'll only ever get the -154A (much like the Viper only has the A) as it's the only version the USAF bought. The B version doesn't exist in DCS as far as I'm aware?

Its a QA model with full FBW, and not an E. Also no CFTs fitted by the look of it.

Yeah, i've seen this too occasionally where it'll steadfastly refuse to cycle through one selected station. Sometimes deselecting and reselecting the relevant pylon in the armament screen fixes it, but it is an irritating issue.

Oh yeah, had a lot of fun with them last night ruining the days of several independent targets in a single pass. Still a lot to learn and figure out though (including what is definitely a bug versus what is me being ham-fisted).

There is a bug thread open for a few bits of screwy behaviour and I think I saw someone else mention an issue similar to yours. Whilst not quite the same, i've had a couple of cases of the last bomb from a load refusing to drop for reasons unknown and then vanishing off the Smart Weapons page. To be fair, they did say it was still WIP.

How far have you got with it so far? - Have you set the target points up in the Mission Editor? - Can you see those target points in the Smart Weapons page in the jet? Once you've got the targets (missions) in a state that they show up in the jet it should just be putting it into CC MEM mode, use NEXT MSN (or NEXT SET if you have multiple sets defined) to step through them and MSN XFER to transfer the currently shown data to a bomb (then NXT STA to step to another bomb). Pages 499-500 in the latest manual revision (13.4.7.4. CC Memory Mode)

Here. It didn't quite make the deadline to go out with the update itself. https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/upload/iblock/85f/sgxnzkzq0fqpsucpok0lll15wtw5n5m2/DCS_F-15E_Flight_Manual_EN.pdf

It is all in the updated manual. Smart weapons stuff starts at page 490, mission editor stuff to create lists of pre-programmed targets is pages 501-503. The PP stuff does work as I just tried it and managed to smoke 6 targets in one pass (you just transfer coordinates to each bomb in the smart weapons page in the jet)

I think i've had a couple of cases of where i've gone up 7 * GBU-31s loaded, everything goes swimmingly for the first 6 but the last bomb 'vanishes' off the smart weapon page when I try to release it (still on the jet, still showing in the A/G page but no bombs to be seen in the smart weapons page). Run out of time this evening but i'll try and reproduce it and get a track file tomorrow if I can.

Obviously I saw the link to the updated version in the post I replied to. I was just surprised it wasn't part of the downloaded update, but you've explained they only managed to get it ready at the last minute (and presumably missed the update bundling because of cutting it fine).

Cheers. Strange that they'd not updated the manual included with the update.

Twist lock I thought was a feature of whichever grip you used, not the base? If I remember right for the space grip I have with a Mk III then you just pop a screw in to stop it twisting.

Am I remembering correctly that they swerved offering the full discount on Steam because Steam's cut on top of said full discount made it unprofitable? If that recollection is right then Heatblur may well take the same view.

I know its a little bit my fault, but you did clearly state 'cleared contact'

I've got a Virpil throttle and a VKB stick and zero genuine 3 position switches between the pair of them (2 position momentary is not the same thing). Had CH stuff prior to that, again none. The only HOTAS stuff I can ever remember having one (and it was literally one, on the throttle) was on an old Saitek X45. By all means support 3 position, the irritation is that in some instances it'd be nice to have alternatives (which a fair few modules offer) rather than have to jump through hoops a bit to support a 2 position momentary or 1-2 discreet buttons to achieve the desired outcome.

It also irks me how bindings for things like 3 way switches are often created under the assumption you actually have a 3 way switch to map it to when the majority of HOTAS on the market have no/limited support for them.

Very interesting read and really looking forward to this when it finally gets made available.

Landing gear was uprated for the naval versions and i think also some aerodynamics changes. Plus DCS/Heatblur would have to add bridle support to be able to launch from a boat (but will come when they do release a navalised version).

I can't really fault the handling of the SE in a strike context. Certainly wouldn't say it has ever felt floaty and I genuinely find it a really easy and mostly carefree jet to fly (you can literally bend it if you pour on the Gs too rapidly but otherwise very forgiving and goes where you point it). I can't compare it to an F14 in a strike role as I can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of times i've dropped bombs from a Tomcat. In more general terms it doesn't feel like its going to try to kill you if you push it too hard in a manoeuvre like a Tomcat can.

Yes, the conformal tanks are a bit of a killer when it comes to drag. Obviously the base aircraft without them is pretty nimble. And yes, lighting the burners and showing a clean set of heels is my preferred tactic for getting out of trouble in one.

My take would be that it handles pretty well with a lot of bombs. One thing you might appreciate over the Viper is the handling is much better with some bombs dropped i.e. because most the load is closer to the centre then you're not needing to trim laterally anywhere near so much (you do get a pull but not nearly as marked as when all the heavy things are all on your wings). Agility wise when clean though the Viper is much better. Energy bleed is much more pronounced in the SE in my experience, even if you're on low fuel loads (if you don't win a close-in fight in the first couple of passes then you're in a stalemate at best unless the other guy screws up).

Oh I normally use them as they were intended. Its just fun to try something daft/inadvisable every now and then. In all seriousness, i'm quite looking forward to when a truly seaworthy variant arrives down the line.

Meh. I've stuck an F-15SE on a carrier and even got it back off again. OK, the pilot blacked out on touchdown, the nose gear had 'issues' afterwards and I had no payload and a thimble of fuel in it, but it had to be tried.

It would be very 'what if' as the airfield at Mount Pleasant didn't exist until a few years after the war. Although I think UK Phantoms were able to use the runway at Stanley post-war as a stop-gap.