Starkweather

I use a free program called DesktopEarth. Changes the image every now and then to correspond with the current time.

Hopefully the simplistic infantry AI will be addressed some time in the future. It's also a bit of an immersion breaker to see them merely stand still like mannequins whilst 30mm rounds rain down upon their positions. They should attempt to take cover or, at the very least, run like hell. It's not that big a deal at the moment as BS focuses first and foremost on combat against armored targets. It will however be an issue in the case of the AH-64A module. The infantry AI will definitely need some beefing up if that particular module is to take place in either Afghanistan or Iraq as the majority of combat kills by AH-64's in the mid to latter stage of each war have been personnel which are either on foot or in light vehicles. Also, it'd be awesome if personnel were (assuming they aren't incapacitated) made to exit heavily damaged vehicles and attempt to flee on foot, thus permitting you to chase 'em down and give them an up close and personal introduction to your 30mm. :joystick:

I have Windows 7 x64 and it works flawlessly.

Ah, you're absolutely right : AN/AAQ-26 Infra-Red Sensor System IR Sensor Operator Multi Function Display (MFD) IR Sensor interface and controller Virtual terrain, enemy Order of Battle, Buildings, and Infrastructure Automated flight plans and paths It doesn't mention the inclusion of the actual Fire Control System and associated weaponry, which probably means that the AI is given waypoints to a target location, where it begins an orbit, allowing the user to utilize the sensors to observe the area. Dang! Also, I suspect you are correct in that both applications can be tied together for CAS simulation. There's a military contracted AC-130U simulator (read here) for VBS2 that provides similar functionality, allowing multiple forms of engagements to be simulated with a vast network of trainees. I'd love to test it out!

Personal preference I guess. The M230 strikes a perfect balance between power, lethality and versatility, whilst the GAU-8 simply turns everything into scrap metal and red mist. The videos I've watched of the A-10's GAU ARE amazing though, not to mention disturbing when it's used on personnel.

Aye, there's another thread related to to ED's AC-130 contract that I had a look at before I posted. In it, Matt Wagner stated that there were no current plans to implement an AC-130 module, however the post is a few months old so the situation could have changed since then. I'm also going off the information I received from the person who responded to my email at TIS. "Unfortunately, the AC-130 Desktop Training simulator is only available for government use. However, a commercial version is planned for release next year. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=2320&scr=default&lang=ru#p1 Unfortunately, the site is in Russian." Edit : Feuerfalke, you could be right. She included a link in her email that led to the dev notes for the A-10C module, so it's highly possible she got her facts mixed up. Damn... might have got all excited for nothing! Oh well. The AH-64A module will more than make up for it though. I'm especially looking forward to getting my hands on the 30mm M230. Awesome weapon.

Apologies if it seems presumptuous of me, considering that this is my first post here (howdy!), to ask this question but is it true that an AC-130U/H DCS module will be released some time next year? I ask the question because I emailed TIS in regards to purchasing the AC-130 Desktop Training Simulation software and was told that it is for Government use only. The lady also told me that a commercial version would be available, under the DCS brand, next year. Just wanted to confirm if that is indeed the case. I'll be waiting with baited breath if it's true. My father, who passed away in 2002, served aboard an AC-130A during the Vietnam War as a Low Light Level TV Operator. It would be incredible to get a sense of what he experienced during his assignment, as he told me numerous stories of his exploits over Ho Chi Minh and the devastating power of the AC-130 itself. I even went so far as to attempt to create my own rudimentary AC-130 gunnery simulation in Armed Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6MwH92bAc). As I said, it's extremely rudimentary, so there's no advanced display features or actual pylon turns. I'm not much of a scripter. I also think that ED is one of the few companies that can do the incredible Gunship justice, based on the complexity and realism of your products.