Sabre-TLA

We retested this mission this morning and agree it's become very difficult with the current AI and missile game engine logic. You can put them on defensive before the merge if you launch at them without a tone. Also if you go low you might be able to get under them and then behind them. In our testing the wingman would engage but routinely got killed more times than not (even with the wingman skill equivalent to the MiG skill = excellent). We have some updates for the ACM campaign so will reduce the AI setting on the MiGs to try and make it a fairer fight for most users.

Unfortunately that's not realistic unless the smoke is used to mark a target. The more advanced fighters have better nav so it's only an issue with the F-5E. If you scan the ground when close to INDIA you will see there is a small hill that you can use as a visual reference. The trigger for READY fires when you are within 5nm of it. Use Rachel and the Farms as a way to orient yourself and it's easy to get back to the waypoint even without using the TACAN.

As a player you can control when you drop your tanks (we will add them to the practice missions) however we can't control the AI drop tank behavior unless we script them to ignore all threats but then they wouldn't be much fun as targets.

We have some updates to include soon so we will add the radio pre-sets to the missions.

Looking at the triggers the terminate calls for altitude are likely because you are breaking the pattern altitude before you have landing clearance from the tower. If you stay in the pattern until you are within 5nm from the end of the runway then you should be in the zone that sets the flag to disable the pattern altitude failure trigger. The tests for Glideslope and speed are done after that. We will retest the missions again to see if recent updates have changed the behavior but this is what the current triggers appear to be doing. This is to simulate the chance that you don't get tower clearance and need to stay in the pattern longer. We plan on making updates to the whole package so we will see what we can do improve the way this mission plays and the information needed to pass it. Please continue to report any issues or problems so we can investigate and correct them. Thanks.

Yep! Noticed that in the FA-18C BFM campaign and porting the fixes to this campaign. Will add some details to the briefing to help locate the tankers.

The Campaign progression is based on the final score but I believe once you say 'READY' then if you don't complete the mission it will move to the next mission (assuming that you did intend to fly the mission). You can manually edit your logbook to revert back to the previous mission. Use NOTEPAD ++ to make any changes and take a backup copy first. Alternatively you can email us your logbook.lua to mapleflagmissions@gmail.com and we will edit it for you. You can also play Mission 2 again by opening the mission file directly in the Mission Editor. Point the file browser at the path where the campaign is installed and then you can select any of the practice or campaign missions. Email us at mapleflagmissions@gmail.com if you have further questions or issues or post to the forums. Thanks for supporting our work.

Thanks for the feedback. We did want to go up against both the Aussies and Canadians so those could be considered ACT instead of DACT missions. We can update those missions to represent that. As new planes are added to DCS we will consider growing the mission set. We will be making more use of the PRESET radio settings and will update the mission data cards with the settings for the tankers, Nellis Tower and others. We will also consider adding some additional traffic around Nellis if you decide to fly back. Let us know if there are any other changes desired.

Ok we will update the missions to provide a 15 min STEP to Takeoff time. The VTR - check I believe that means the HUD Tape (Video Tape Recorder).

We noticed that too after a recent game engine update and have a fix - we just need time to port it back. Will correct in a future update.

It's no worry if you miss your takeoff time and take a longer start-up. UZI 2-1 (AI) will circle waypoint 2 until the player is airborne and the engagements won't start until you are at the range and call 'READY'. We needed to get the AI airborne before the player so it's timed off the autostart. Are you saying you would like to see a 15 min STEP to Takeoff time? Getting earlier to the range won't be a problem either (if you choose to use the autostart).

There is Recon Stewart's video as a comparison but we recommend flying fast and as low as possible and drop the countermeasures frequently (in fact you can turn them on to auto when getting to the SAM area) but they will deplete quickly. Here is Recon Stewart's video:

Thanks for the feedback. We will consider the changes for the next update. With respect to unlimited guns we decided it would be less frustrating for new users. You can always count the number of 3 sec bursts and call "Terminate" when you think you are empty.

Yes there were some updates made a few months back so make sure you are updated to the latest DCS patched version. Drop below 6000' or a little lower but stay above the hard deck (5000') if you can. Drop your flares when right over the target/wp. The flares have a parachute that deploys quickly so they tend to drop straight down. If you try and use the CCRP references they usually won't work. Plus don't forget to hold the pickle button down for a few seconds (until you hear the pilot speak) to get the key press to register in the game engine.

Thanks Mower! Any changes or improvements please let us know. :thumbup:

Sure we can include that in a future update. The ACO (Airspace Coordination Order) diagram shows them North, West and South West of the range. Just fly in any of those directions and they will usually show up on radar.

Good job! :thumbup:

New releases are usually out for the OpenBeta first and then show up in the main release later on (a week later or more - whenever the next release update is). If you are using the OpenBeta and it's not showing up then you should open a support ticket.

Thanks! Let us know if you see any improvements that can make it better. :thumbup:

That's a good suggestion we will consider it. I'll add that you can hit the tanker before and after or between the engagements as they won't start until you call READY, so you can ensure you have enough fuel if you are getting too low.

Not that I'm aware but you should put that suggestion in the DCS Wishlist section. With the ED Miles Program coming soon that will help with future discounts.

Thanks Sydy. Safe flights on your deployment. The campaign is identical to the F-5E and F-15C BFM campaigns so it's a good comparison between the different aircraft. We did improve many of the triggers (which we will port back to those campaigns) and added a few extra voice overs. In testing we found the FA-18C was an awesome dog fighter and easier to handle than the F-5E but that's personal preference.

The F/A-18C Aggressors BFM campaign puts you in the cockpit of an FA-18C Hornet, as a new Aggressor pilot with VFC-12 the "Fighting Omars" on loan to the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. Based on real world procedures you will fly as Red Air against Blue Air Forces. Upon arrival you will fly a familiarization flight around the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). Then you will face a series of challenging Basic Fighter Maneuver (BFM) missions against similar and dis-similar aircraft. Your opponents include the F-4E, F-5E, F-14A, F-15C, F-15E, F-16C, F/A-18C, M-2000C, MiG-29G, CF-188, MiG-21 and Su-27. Additionally there are 12 single player practice missions with in-air starts so you can perfect your BFM tactics, techniques and procedures. There are over 1000 voice-overs and over 45 pages of briefing material including the RED FLAG Spins, Red Forces In Flight Guide, Maps, Diagrams, Custom Knee-boards and Mission Data cards. All the missions both Campaign and Single Player are available under this path: <your drive letter>:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\campaigns\FA-18C Aggressors BFM Campaign Documentation for the campaign can be found under this path: <your drive letter>:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\campaigns\FA-18C Aggressors BFM Campaign\Doc Hints and Tips: Study the documents and review the mission briefings which are critical to mission success. Make sure you drop your center tank before engaging. Use the F10 Menu to communicate when you are READY to start the engagements. You can exit the missions after the final mission message or continue to fly and land - it's your choice. We hope you enjoy this campaign. We believe it will make you a better pilot helping you to succeed in future combat missions. Good luck! Please watch our blog for updates: http://mapleflagmissions.blogspot.ca/

Today ED has released our FA-18C Aggressors BFM campaign for the Open Beta. You can see the details and view the teaser video here. We hope you enjoy it as it was great fun to make and test!

In the PDF briefing doc on page 9 it shows Target 2 as a Convoy coming up a road. Best advice is to locate the road with your TGP from Altitude and follow it North. It won't be long before you see the convoy as it's quite large. Once identified you can send your wingmen in to engage the AAA threats and then you can clean up the rest of the units.