Wags

Certainly not an end to Hornet mini-updates. Probably next week I'll provide the punch list we are working on, and I hope a little update on the Walleye, updates to the Harpoon, and targeting pod. As has been mentioned before, the Hornet pace is a bit slower now for two reasons: 1- Staff on summer vacations 2- Dealing with much more complex and time intensive systems Despite the tin-foil hat theories, it's not because of the Viper. Thanks

DCS: F-16C Viper - Cockpit Orientation [YOUTUBE] This video has been created to provide you an understanding of what-is-where in the cockpit of the DCS: F-16C Viper flight simulation by Eagle Dynamics. In later videos, we will often reference items pointed out in this video. The early access release date is planned for autumn 2019. All images and video are from in game; there are no “real world” images used. Our Viper is currently in development and will be released into early access later this year. In the meantime, you can pre-order now and save 20%: DCS e-Shop: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/ Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

US F-16C Block 50s, at least in 2007, never included a moving map display. Thanks

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet – AGM-84D Harpoon Basics We will soon be releasing the AGM-84D Harpoon anti-ship cruise missile into the DCS World Open Beta. This will be very much a work-in-progress but will still provide most of the fundamentals of using this weapon system. Later in early access we will add R/BL mode (once the SEA mode of the A/G radar is included) and the pop-up (POP) terminal attack mode. You can read about the Harpoon in much greater detail in the DCS World Open Beta Hornet Guide that can be found in: C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Doc There are known issues regarding the damage level the Harpoon can inflict and guidance of multiple Harpoons without re-setting launch parameters.

Hey everyone, Despite some good videos on using the Litening targeting pod with laser-guided bombs, there still seems to be some confusion. Here is a simple checklist: 1- Master Arm to ARM. 2- Master Mode to AG. 3- Select an LGB (LG82, LG83, or LG84) from the SMS page. 4- Set LGB MODE to AUTO (PB 5). Will show as CCIP until Target Point is set. 5- Set LGB MFUZ to OFF (PB 4). 6- Set LGB EFUZ to INST (PB 3). 7- Set LGB CODE to 1688 (or any valid code that matches the pod code) (PB 1 and then UFC) 8- FLIR switch on SNSR panel to ON. 9- LTD/R switch on SNSR panel to ARM. 10- Display FLIR on DDI/MPCD (FLIR at PB 6 on TAC page). 11- Sensor Control Switch (SCS) in direction of the display with FLIR. For example: if FLIR is on the right DDI, press SCS right. TDC assignment indicated by diamond in top/right corner. 12- Slew FLIR crosshair over target using TDC slew [, . / ;]. 13- Designate FLIR pointing location as Target Point by pressing [ENTER] or depress TDC switch. Attack mode switches from CCIP to AUTO with ASL and Target Point on HUD. 14- Enable (box) TRIG (PB 11) on FLIR page. 15- Ensure FLIR UFC CODE matches LGB CODE. 16- Conduct standard LGB AUTO attack. Line up velocity vector with ASL and hold down weapon release button [RALT + Spacebar] shortly before bomb fall line passes through the velocity vector. 17- At 15 seconds before Time To Impact (TTI), press and hold trigger button [spacebar] to fire the laser. In general, conduct attack between 20-25k at no less than 350kts. Thanks

Good point. I forgot to mention this. Thanks

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Litening Pod for Laser-Guided Bombs, Laser Maverick, and LSS Mode In the previous video we looked at the basic features of the Litening targeting pod on the Hornet and how to use it to designate targets for GPS-guided weapons. In this video we’ll look at how to use the pod to direct laser-guided bombs, laser Mavericks, and how to use the Laser Spot Search (LSS) mode to locate an off-board laser designation (single player and multiplayer). Other elements will be coming to the pod like HUD symbology, INR and snowplow modes, slaving options, additional reticles, AA mode, and more.

As stated in the video and in the description, LGB designation, laser-Maverick designation, and LSS are all working now. I will create videos on these soon. Thanks

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Litening Targeting Pod Intro and GPS Weapon Use This is a first look at the Litening pod for the Hornet! It’s still early days, and this is very much work-in-progress. As an introduction video, this is provided to help you understand some of the basics and how to use it to set TOO targets for INS/GPS-guided weapons. In videos coming soon, I will delve into using the pod with laser-guided bombs, laser Mavericks, Laser Spot Search (LSS) mode, and setting target points for AUTO unguided bomb attacks. Other elements will be coming to the pod like HUD symbology, INR and snow plow modes, additional reticles, AA mode, and more.

Hey everyone, Viper update day! As most of you have probably already discovered, this week we released the first cinematic trailer for the Viper. Cato did a fantastic job as always, and the trailer brings across the just how fun this aircraft will be. Flying the DCS: F-16C Viper is great on a 2D monitor, but it really shines in VR. In August I will start the Viper academic videos, with the first being a cockpit tour (like what I did for the Hornet). After that will come navigation and then takeoff / VFR pattern landing. Much of the work is centered on tuning the flight model and FLCS, programing the Stores Manager System (SMS), and initial weapons. “Viper Team” is making fast progress and it is coming together at the fastest rate I have ever seen a module develop. On the art side, most of the focus is now on the landing gear (animations and texturing), and after that he will overhaul the external textures (we have a placeholder currently). In addition to open source documents and Subject Mater Experts (SMEs), another very helpful resource is visiting Viper squadrons to talk with pilots and get seat time in the real simulators. I was earlier at Luke AFB, but it was largely a bust due to Lockheed Martin. However, this week I was down at the 192nd FW in Tucson with T-Day and I got over an hour in a Block 42 simulator. While not Block 50 and using a different OFP than our planned Viper, there was a huge amount of commonality. There were many “light bulb moments” in understanding the operation and how to properly fly the Viper. It is a very, very different bird than flying the Hornet, and it took me a bit to stop trying to fly it like a Hornet (particularly how you land it). Fun fact: When T-Day was flying our Viper in VR, he fractured the metal attachment between the stick and the base due to the amount of force he is used to applying. The force sensitive stick took awhile to get used to (much greater pounds of force per G than I expected), but it was very much like the Realsimulator FSSB base. It is also an incredibly easy aircraft to get up and running. Assuming the ground crew set up the cockpit, it’s a much, much easier aircraft to cold start than the A-10C and Hornet. It was also an ideal time for me to be down at the 162nd FW because a buddy of mine, “Frodo”, graduated the F-16 Basic School (B-School) and I was able to attend his gradation ceremony. Frodo is also a big DCS fan and it’s great to see that some of the products I worked on over the years perhaps played a small part in his great accomplishment (he also won the AA and AG awards for his class). Onward an upwards, Wags

I forgot you were down there, I was at the 192 yesterday.

I use an FSSB L3 and TUSBA and am quite happy with them. Quality stuff.

It's a placeholder texture. Thanks

Hey everyone, Probably the the most anticipated new feature of the Hornet is the targeting pod. As mentioned earlier, we will start with the Litening pod due to it being used by the USMC and similar to what we already created for the A-10C (hardly a cut-and-paste though). Attached is an image of it in action. It is important to understand that this is neither an ATFLIR or Litening pod ala A-10C. It is a Litening pod that uses standardized Hornet Mission Computer (MC) data export. Most of the core AG functions are in the game and working, with the big ones still being worked on being the setting a Target Point via the TGP (critical for AUTO and TOO mode attacks) and, AREA vs POINT tracking . After the initial release, we will continue to flesh out the pod to include AA mode, control pages, and additional functions/symbols. Our engineer assigned to the pod is working very, very hard on this and we are pushing to release it as soon as possible. Thanks, Wags

Attached is the mission I use for SA testing. - Wags SA-Test-1.miz

Looking forward to this! My guess (based on the helmet and cockpit in the attached scene) is that he'll pilot a high-altitude recce bird with son-of-Goose (Lt. Gosling) in the back. They get shot down over Iran, sneak into an IRIAF base and steal a Tomcat to get back home with a fight along the way.

Due to our video producer being under the weather this week, I'm afraid that we must push the Viper Trailer back to next week. Sorry for the short delay. Thanks

Correct QuiQon, thanks. If anything, there is more work ongoing with the Hornet than ever before.

One systems is set up for the Hornet and the other for the Viper.

With the DCS: F-16C Viper undergoing internal testing and that I demo or software to professional customers, I’ve updated one of my two workstations to act as an F-16C VR simulator. The biggest change is the addition of an Realsimulator FSSB R3 Lightning that uses a high-quality force sensor (just like the real F-16C). I combined this base with a Thrustmaster Warthog stick. Between this and side-mounting stick using Monstertech desk mounts, it really feels like sitting in a Viper cockpit when in VR. Realsimulator was also kind enough to send me a Throttle USB Adapter (TUSBA) that allows my old Thrustmaster TQS throttle to work as a DirectX USB input device. Although there is no Gucci seat, it provides a great, low cost F-16C HOTAS facsimile.

In addition to PLID, the STEP function is also coming soon to the Hornet SA page. By successive presses of the STEP option at pushbutton 14, you can cycle through the contacts on the SA page. When a contact is selected using STEP, a rectangle is drawn around it, along with its Mach and altitude to either side. Being selected, its data is also displayed in the bottom, right corner of the SA page. Following STEP, we will add the EXP (expand) option that will allow you to zoom and center the SA page on a contact. This will be useful when several contacts are close together. Thanks, Wags

There are interactive Hornet training missions in the game. Training / Hornet. Perhaps I am not understanding your question. Thanks

Yes.

FYI, I've been using the TM Cougar throttle, and the throttle detents match up nicely with idle and AB in the game. Thanks