kengou

Sorry to burst your expectations, but ED reps have mentioned the Hind will not be coming in 2020. They want to get the Mosquito out first. Even that probably won't be out in 2020 considering we haven't even seen any videos of it yet.

Loft cues simply aren't implemented yet. Gotta be patient with the Viper in DCS right now.

Based on reading about USMC Desert Storm operations, amphibious carriers definitely did use helicopters to rescue downed pilots around the boat if necessary, just like full carriers do. There was a harrowing story about a sandstorm boat recovery, and I recall (memory is a bit fuzzy) they didn't want to launch helos because the sand was so terrible, but they were prepared to risk it if a Harrier went down during recovery ops. So I imagine they are ready to go when needed, but maybe not on constant guard like the big carriers since Harriers land in a more controlled way.

This would be called a stern conversion intercept, and it's definitely what you want to do. It's rather a large topic actually. Navy manuals have been written on how to do it properly and it involves some math and geometry. More than I can summarize here. Very generally, I'd say you want to stay low and undetected as long as possible. Figure out based on multiple AWACs calls roughly what direction the bandit is going. Know the altitude as well. Plot a lead intercept (lead the bandit's flight path so you'll eventually cross paths). When you start getting close (let's say 15 miles), if the bandit still hasn't turned hot and detected you, turn to the bandit's reciprocal heading (i.e. if he's on heading 180, turn to 360), and hold it for a bit. Usually until around 10 miles. Then turn to a direct pursuit course (put bandit directly on your nose and keep him there). This should put you 1 - 2 miles on his 6. You'll need to climb up at him from below, so maybe get a little closer before the stern conversion. You'll have to experiment a bit.

Perhaps the developers haven't updated fast mission to work with the F-16 properly yet?

I'm not holding my breath for the hotspot detector. Last I heard, after FLIR is reworked by ED Razbam was going to consider it. All that sounds very nebulous and far away and I bet Razbam will be deep into the F-15E if or when FLIR is ever really reworked.

Take a look on Chuck's Guide at what the buttons on the stick and throttle do in the actual plane. Then, bind them as closely as possible to your HOTAS. Shouldn't take too long.

Seems that Atazar is asking whether we can attack datalink targets without activating radar. The answer is no, not in DCS and not with our version of AMRAAM modeled. That technology is newer and more classified than we can simulate currently, I guess. To launch an AMRAAM at a target it must be locked with TWS or STT with an activate radar, or launched in Mad dog mode as demonstrated by Gripes (awesome video!)

If you know the coordinates, open the CAS page and edit a CAS entry to put in the coordinates manually. Or, create a waypoint on the HSI and use it as a TOO for the JDAMs. Both are possible right now.

No, they're the same in terms of avionics, and the B even has a less finicky engine.

I also use a 2-stage trigger for this and it works great. I also have an extra up/down switch bound to unsafe/safe. I agree that we should have the option for those that want it. That said, I would recommend using it as "held" for most people, as it forces you to use trigger unsafe properly. Too many people think it behaves just like in other aircraft and fly around in unsafe for long periods of time when it should really only be used moments before firing on the target to enable radar ranging, etc.

Just completed this mission, still not fixed, although with a LOT of patience and sweat I managed to land in the forest anyway and complete the mission. Still definitely can't be intended.

imo the key thing missing is understanding trim. When you go gear down, take your hands off the stick and trim pitch up until the e-bracket matches the flight path marker. Next, use throttle alone, not the flight stick, to change your pitch and try to maintain level flight. Practice flying around like this before landing, just maintaining level flight, gradual descent and climbs, level turns, etc.

Procedure sounds correct to me, just make sure you keep all launched-on targets in your radar field of view after firing to continue to guide them all.

I believe this is a normal aspect of the fly-by-wire system limiting negative G. I doubt it's worth the trouble. Pushing full forward on the stick is something so rarely done and I've never noticed an issue with the stick deflection not 'matching'.

A nimble one-person prop fighter should control like a 747? Why on earth do you think that should be the case?

I base my opinion of the RWR on how literally every other plane with a Western RWR behaves in this and other sims. I'd find it hard to believe the F-5 behaves differently, and I have no idea why any pilot would want to specifically ONLY show search radars and NOT show high-threat STT and missile locks.

It depends. They can announce their next module after the Viper, as long as its in the research phase right now and the Viper is planned to be done first. But yeah, if they announce a new fancy modern aircraft that will be released before the Viper is finished, then I would be annoyed. As I was when the Viper came out so half-baked and the promises of "simultaneous development with Hornet" and "Viper and Hornet won't impact each others development" were broken.

+1 here. I believe I did have autopilot on at the time. I'll test it next time I'm able without autopilot to see what happens. I was surprised I couldn't push past mach 1.1 and doubly surprised when my engines exploded!

Same thing here, no other planes look this bright.

As said, HARMs can't loft if they don't know the range to target. Only Pre-brief (PB) mode provides range to the target, and we don't have it implemented yet. They are much shorter range now than they were before the lofting got fixed, but that doesn't make them useless. You'll have to dodge SAMs now. Best with a 2-ship or more so you can cover each other and call out missile launches.

I did a couple quick dogfights vs AI last night and I thought the AI behaved a little differently once damaged, although it's hard to say if it's really new behavior or not. Of course it did the endless loops until I got a few hits on. Loved the black/white smoke and flame effects. Once it was smoking and I was behind it, it stopped looping and started trying to force scissors and jinking a lot (well I was shooting at it). Left to its own devices after a minute or so of being on fire and leaking oil and fuel the pilot bailed out.

Thrust and weight are only a piece of the whole story, and the numbers being the same does not mean that much. Drag is important and the Hornet is a fairly draggy bird compared to the Viper. I've read plenty of accounts that acceleration and regaining energy is a weakness of the Hornet in BFM as well.

Probably eventually. For now, to practice, you can open the F/A-18 single missions to practice Mavericks, HARMs, Bombs, etc, in the mission editor, and swap out the F/A-18 for an F-16.

No, I strongly doubt it. HTS data would possibly be something they analyze for ELINT data in the real world but given that ED has never implemented anything like that before, and it's not an announced feature, I don't think they'd bother coding it. Instead, this won't be that hard to do manually for the player by noting the Bulls positions of various emitters using the HTS for future flights or to pass on to buddies. Should be easy enough.