Wags

Our act is quite together thanks. As we explained to Heatblur, we need at least a week to evaluate the release canidate before we can commit to a release date. The Tomcat is a very complex product and we will not publish it until we are sure our customers will be happy with its release state. The lack of an F-14 release date as zero to do with the MiG-19. - Wags

No, you are not shooting at a steerpoint. All targeting is derived from the HARM seeker. You are probably confusing this with Pre-Briefed (PB) mode.

The HARM has a low-smoke motor. This was fixed.

Hey everyone, A little update of what to expect coming up: After the datalink, SA page, and TOO mode for HARM this week, we then plan Latent Track While Scan (LTWS), JDAM, Aircraft/Mission Card, and some bugs fixes for the 13 March Open Beta. This is an estimate and not a promise. As has been mentioned before, the engineer assigned to the HARM is also assigned to the targeting pod. So, once HARM is done (PB and pullback modes), he will work on the TGP. Also, in the very near future, we plan to revisit the Hornet flight model, the JDAM flight model (INS-GPS autopilot), and other weapon Launch Acceptable Region (LAR) profiles. - Wags

Correct. Later in the Hornet's life the Sencsor Select Swith (castle switch) became a five-way switch that included a depress function.

AGM-88C HARM in Target of Opportunity (TOO) Mode This week in the Open Beta we will release the next mode of the HARM, namely TOO mode. This video is to introduce the use of the HARM in this mode. A few notes: 1- Later, we will add the TOO TD box to the HUD. 2- In addition to the line above the emitter that indicates the radar is locking you, an F indicates it is a friendly emitter and a “U” shape indicates a naval emitter. 3- When enabled, LIMIT only shows the 5 highest priority emitters. Otherwise, up to 15 emitters can be displayed. 4- Like SP mode, there is no range indication. 5- Once TOO mode is done, we will implement Pre-Briefed and Pull-Back modes. 6- Once HARM is done, then we will focus on the targeting pod. 7- Yes, I’m still sick and hopped up on cold medicine. Basic checklist to use: 1- Master Arm ARM 2- AG mode 3- Select HARM from TAC page or SMS page 4- Select TOO mode 5- Fly to place emmiter inside format and cycle targets by pressing RAID/FLIR FoV button 6- Set TDC to HARM display using Senseor Select Switch 7- Hand off target to HARM by pressing Cage/Uncage button 8- Launch with weapon release button List of HARM TOO classes: ALL. All classes of radars FRD. Friendly radars HOS. Hostile radars FN. Friendly naval radars HN. Hostile naval radars F1. Old friendly radars F2. New friendly radars H1. Old hostile radars H2. New hostile radars FAA. Friendly AAA HAA. Hostile AAA FS. Friendly search radars HS. Hostile search radars UKN. Unknown radars PRI. Radars locked to player aircraft

Yes, once D/L and SA page are complete.

The A-10C uses SADLE and the Hornet uses MIDS. As such, they can only share their PPLI over an L16 gateway, no more.

The Datalink and Situational Awareness (SA) Display of the F/A-18C Hornet - Introduction This week we plan to release the initial version of the MIDS/Link-16 datalink / Situational Awareness (SA) page for the Hornet. This is a basic, introduction video to get you started understanding the system. Later, once the datalink is feature complete, I’ll create a full academic video, interactive training mission, and an updated manual. A few notes to keep in mind: 1- This is the initial version with more features to follow like automatic IFF modes, IFF code XP and AI setup, Link-4/HARM/FLIR display options, declutter options, flight ground target markers, basic ROE indications, MIDS voice, and a few more. 2- The logic that determines when a target is own-ship classified unknown, hostile or friendly is determined by an ROE matrix of factors. In this initial release it will be determined by Mode 4, but later we will probably factor in NCTR and SURV. 3- An NCTR print requires an L&S or STT lock, therefore I was unsuccessful in the print attempt. My error. 4- Friendly PPLI data is always fuel state, not range. 5- Later with the TXSDSG, it will be based on flight TGT ground designations, not necessarily WPDSG (it can, but not always). 6- I did not show it, but the static SAM threat rings will be included in the version this week. 7- Sorry for the low energy, I’m recovering from a cold and I’m dead inside. - Wags

I'll be talking about this much more in the next week or two, but basic JDAM is coming along well. Here is an image of the JDAM in Target Of Opportunity (TOO) mode. This will be in addition to the Pre-Planned (PP) mode. Once the the basic modes are in, we will add the dynamic launch zone indications on the HUD and HSI. In the meantime, we are shooting for (not a promise) D/L SA page and HARM TOO mode for 27 February. In parallel, LTWS, Aircraft/Mission Card, and wake turbulence are all progressing well. I will be away for the next week, so there will be no new updates until next week. - Wags

Dear all, Due to travel, I'll be unable to release a new Mission of the Week this week. Thanks

Hey everyone, As mentioned in earlier posts, we are at work on a detailed Aircraft Settings capability through the Options, F/A-18C, Special Tab. This consists of two primary elements: Aircraft Systems and Mission Card. Both will allow you to pre-configure the Hornet before flight in both single and multiplayer. As such, you would be able to setup your own aircraft defaults. Aircraft Systems include all functions that are NOT specific to mission (.miz) file or Mission Computer settings. This includes such items as lights, bingo fuel, various cockpit switches, altimeter, etc. In this way, you can have your aircraft setup just that way YOU want it. The Mission Card allows you to set up software options for all missions that includes such items as radar settings, countermeasures, AG weapon programs, and navigation settings. The third element of mission configuration MUST apply directly to the specific mission file or there will conflict between Aircraft Settings and the mission file… these are the waypoint settings. As always, a mission is created with a set of waypoints and properties when the mission is created by the mission designer. For the Hornet though, we are greatly adapting this to account for a much more realistic Hornet waypoint system that accounts for up to 60 waypoints in the database, of which waypoints can be assigned properties of sequence 1, sequence 2, sequence 3, initial point, A/A waypoint, Pre-Planned (PP), or Pre-Briefed (PB). In the Mission Planner, the player would be able to then adjust these if desired on a per-mission basis. We are also looking to making the Mission Planner available in multiplayer. This will also include a new waypoint user interface that we’ll share a bit later once it is more solid. This is all deep in development and very much subject to change. We have no release time frame in mind yet… it will be released to an Open Beta once we feel it’s ready. - Wags

A new datalink / SA page element was added today to support for SAM threat zones. These are determined before hand and are static indications based on Mission Editor settings. If the unit is hidden it will not appear on the SA display, if it is not hidden, it will display. Just like the real system, this is NOT a dynamic indication based on RWR or any sensors. It simply alerts the pilot of a reported SAM threat that was entered in the mission file before they even took off. - Wags

Once the pre-order is available, we will announce the offical early access release then. Far too early now and we will not repeat past good faith estimates. Thanks

No, that was not me, it was a community manager. His comment was premature. Once it is further along, we'll provide an offical estimate then. Thanks

Sensor Select Switch depress was added in later Hornets for both IFF manual interrogation and some other functions. The Thurstmaster Hornet stick will include this. - Wags

Hornet Mission of the Week Tolicha Peak Shootout This week’s Hornet mission is back in the Nevada map and focuses on SEAD. I have included both a single player version and a heavily modified 4-player coop version. Operated as part of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) between Groom Lake and Tonopah Test Range (TTR) is the Tolicha Peak Electronic Combat Range (TPECR). Operated by the 554th Range Group, it is located on the Pahute Mesa and in the middle of nowhere. The TPECR is reported to operate a large array threat air defense radars and associated Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems. The facility is used to evaluate these systems and allow aircrews to train against them. Just as the Air Force has the Red Eagles flying Soviet aircraft out of the Tonopah, the TPECR is the Soviet SAM equivalent. In this mission, you will takeoff from Tonopah Air Force base and fly south to the TPECR and engage SAM threats as they activate. As you kill one, another will activate. You are loaded with four AGM-88C HARMs, and if you’re good, you can go four for four on the threats. If not, you can rearm at Tonopah. Good luck! Nevada Tolicha Peak Shootout.miz Nevada Tolicha Peak Shootout Coop.miz

Excellent video!

Did you play through the AGM-65E training lesson?

The Data Link (D/L) Situational Awareness (SA) page and new radar functions are making steady progress, so I thought I’d make another little update using images. This all very much work in progress and subject to change. The first image shows the radar format on the left DDI with Latent Track While Scan (LTWS) selected and the TDC hovering over a brick. The brick now displays the selected weapon Launch Acceptable Region (LAR) as well as target Mach (left of HAFU) and altitude in thousands of feet (right of HAFU). The next step would be to designate the target as the Launch and Steering (L&S) target and the ability to set a secondary Designated Target (DT2). Along with a hover over contact, you can get additional information up to three contacts in LTWS mode. With MSI enabled, you’ll also then have D/L information available. Once LTWS is done, then we’ll take care of Track While Scan (TWS) mode. On the right DDI is the SA page five unknown contacts at the top of the page., They are yellow because they have no ownship IFF interrogation (hover over contact and depress sensor hat switch to interrogate). The staple at the top of the HAFU indicates the player has no IFF on a target, but the lower chevrons indicate friendly donor aircraft (F/F) have set the targets as hostile. Once both the player interrogates the contact and comes back negative, then the HAFU would change to red and be a diamond. In this way, the color and top and bottom of the HAFU tell you a lot about the classification of the contact. Remember: staple = unknown, chevron = hostile, and semi-circle = friendly. Yellow = unknown, red = hostile, and green = friendly based on ownship. In the second image the left DDI now shows a target locked in STT with Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) enabled. A successful NCTR print of the target depends on range and aspect angle into the intakes of the contact. On the right DDI we see that the target is identified as an IL-76 and the star HAFU indicates the STT L&S track. It is yellow because no ownship IFF interrogation has been made. Because the radar is in STT, it is not scanning for other targets. As such, all other contacts on the SA page are from F/F and SURV sources over the D/L. The smaller red triangles are SURV tracks from an AWACS that only the AWACS is seeing. The red lower chevrons with the dot is from a friendly donor (F/F) source. - Wags

Correct, in i7 8700k, 1080Ti I also never dip below 60 fps.

Minimum 60 fps with even over-populated missons.

Hey everyone, After our meetings today, I can update you on our current near-term planning for the upcoming Hornet features. For the 27 February update we plan (not promise): JDAM basic operation minus dynamic launch zone HARM TOO and PB modes Latent Track While Scan (LTWS) and Track While Scan (TWS) air-to-air radar modes Following those, priority items will be: Data Link / Link-16 / MIDS. This has been a huge undertaking and will take a bit more time to get right, particularly for multiplayer data-sharing and creating a unified picture between clients. We want to get this right. New IFF system tied to D/L NCTR tied to D/L JDAM dynamic launch zone. Data Card. This won’t just be a data card but allow you to customize many aspects of your aircraft set up. Lightening II Targeting Pod JSOW Again, I need to emphasize that this is planning and not a promise. Things can certainly change. We try to be open and provide you insight into our planning, but with the understanding that this is not set in stone. - Wags

This rambling video provides a look at how I set up my graphics and controls for the DCS: F/A-18C Hornet.