Next aircraft speculation

[King_Hrothgar]

It isn't about raw numbers, it's about type, period and capability. Looking at the confirmed list of aircraft, this is what we will have in the next year or two assuming plans are kept:

 

Eastern fighters: MiG-15bis, MiG-21bis, MiG-29A/S, Su-27S

Eastern mudmovers: Su-25A, Su-25T, Ka-50, Mi-24P

Eastern other: Mi-8, L-39

 

Western fighters: F-86F, F-15C, F/A-18C, F-14A/B, Typhoon, Mirage F1, Mirage 2000C

Western mudmovers: A-10A, A-10C, AH-1W

Western other: UH-1H, C-101, Hawk

 

The core problem here is in the fighters. In the next year or two, we will have four DCS level 4th gen western fighters vs ***zero*** DCS level 4th gen eastern block fighters. In third generation, we will have the MiG-21bis vs Mirage F1 assuming Aviodev doesn't go belly up.

 

Edit: I should also point out that US + western European should be counted as the same since they are attached at the hip. If you want to count them separate, then let's count China too to be fair. Currently planned Chinese planes add up to none.

Edited May 6, 2015 by King_Hrothgar

[MBot]

Just for the records, here is the latest piece of the puzzle from the last F-14 development update:

 

several technologies developed for one of our other aircraft can directly be drawn upon to shorten the development time of the F-14.

Elements include e.g. HUD elements or Navigational implementations.

 

Having a HUD narrows down the possibilities considerably. My tip stays the A-7D/E.

[Dudikoff]

Just for the records, here is the latest piece of the puzzle from the last F-14 development update: Having a HUD narrows down the possibilities considerably. My tip stays the A-7D/E.

 

Wow, missed that tidbit completely. I hope you're right (as A-7E was my guess, too before it all went tits up with that 3d model snippet)!

[KesMonkey]

Wow, missed that tidbit completely. I hope you're right (as A-7E was my guess, too before it all went tits up with that 3d model snippet)!

It may be nothing, but in the FAQ at the end of the update, in response to the question "What is JESTER AI, exactly?" it mentions "and can thus be quickly adapted to other multi-seat aircraft in development."

 

I'm hoping that this means an A-6. Preferably an E model.

[MBot]

I'm hoping that this means an A-6. Preferably an E model.

 

Well, the Intruder doesn't have a HUD :)

[Buzzles]

Just for the records, here is the latest piece of the puzzle from the last F-14 development update:

 

several technologies developed for one of our other aircraft can directly be drawn upon to shorten the development time of the F-14.

Elements include e.g. HUD elements or Navigational implementations.

Having a HUD narrows down the possibilities considerably. My tip stays the A-7D/E.

 

That doesn't mean much. It could simply mean they've coded a generic hud generator / symbology engine in the background that can be applied and reused for any airplane that has a hud, rather than it applying to specific airframes.

[jaguara5]

Just for the records, here is the latest piece of the puzzle from the last F-14 development update:

 

 

 

Having a HUD narrows down the possibilities considerably. My tip stays the A-7D/E.

 

razbam has confirmed multiple times on their Facebook page that the A7 will follow

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2313240#post2313240

[Buzzles]

razbam has confirmed multiple times on their Facebook page that the A7 will follow

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2313240#post2313240

 

What do Razbam have to do with Leatherneck Sims?

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

What do Razbam have to do with Leatherneck Sims?

 

I think Cobra had some involvement with them to some degree. I'm not certain and someone do please correct me if I am.

[KesMonkey]

Well, the Intruder doesn't have a HUD :)

 

"The last major update effort for the A-6E was the "System Weapons Improvement Program (SWIP)", which was focused on support of advanced missile armament, including the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile, the AGM-84 Harpoon antiship missile and its SLAM cruise missile derivative, and the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile. Some other improvements were implemented, such as a fire warning and extinguishing system. Not all SWIP machines received the updated wings. A second-phase element of the SWIP program added new avionics, including a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation satellite receiver and a head-up display (HUD)." :)

 

http://www.airvectors.net/ava6.html

 

[ChoSeungWan]

But will we be able to take it off for an authentic 'nam experience?

 

Either an A7 or A6 would be very high up on my wishlist, A6 being at the top.

 

EDIT: They mentioned nav system of one of the new modules would share commonality with the f-14, the EA-6B prowler apparently does so maybe the later A-6's did too? Also shares commonality with the AV-8B harrier which I guessed earlier.

 

EDIT2: That's the nav system for the F-14D sorry. The earlier F-14 nav shares commonality with the A6 intruder!

Edited May 7, 2015 by ChoSeungWan

[King_Hrothgar]

The A-6 would be a welcome addition but I doubt that's it. The HUD was added very late in it's life and was relatively rare. If they did an A-6, I would think they'd do the "standard issue" A-6 instead of an exotic type. The standard issue A-6 never had a HUD. My guess is it's something else.

[ChoSeungWan]

They said the F-14B would be mid-90s, are you sure it's not possible it's a late-life upgrade A-6E? Just how rare were A6 HUDs? They also said 'HUD elements', not sure what that means.

 

Looking at avionics comparisons it has to be either an A-6, A-7, Harrier, F-111 or F-4 in rough order of parts common to the F-14.

Edited May 7, 2015 by ChoSeungWan

[ChoSeungWan]

I did a list of aircraft numbering avionics common to the F-14A/B:

 

A-4 - 13

F-111 - 8

F-4 - 16

F-5 - 3

A-6 - 21

A-7 - 19

B-1 - 6

B-52 - 4

Harrier - 11

S-3 Viking - 9

 

 

Looks like a toss up between the A-4, F-4, A-6 and A-7.

[BlackLion213]

I did a list of aircraft numbering avionics common to the F-14A/B:

 

A-4 - 13

F-111 - 8

F-4 - 16

F-5 - 3

A-6 - 21

A-7 - 19

B-1 - 6

B-52 - 4

Harrier - 11

S-3 Viking - 9

 

 

Looks like a toss up between the A-4, F-4, A-6 and A-7.

 

Hmm...F-5 is still on the list!

 

Not much commonality, but not many avionics in the F-5.

 

It does seem that their next modern module will be something American - likely not the B-52.

 

Hard to say much past that.

 

-Nick

[ChoSeungWan]

Hmm...F-5 is still on the list!

 

Not much commonality, but not many avionics in the F-5.

 

It does seem that their next modern module will be something American - likely not the B-52.

 

Hard to say much past that.

 

-Nick

There were a few others in the 0-5 range I just listed the F-5 because people kept guessing it.

[Exile5121]

A4 F5 or Harrier, I would hope for

[JughedJones]

a-6 please.

 

for the love of god... please.

 

tomcat and intruder would settle my boyhood dreams.

[MBot]

"The last major update effort for the A-6E was the "System Weapons Improvement Program (SWIP)", which was focused on support of advanced missile armament, including the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile, the AGM-84 Harpoon antiship missile and its SLAM cruise missile derivative, and the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile. Some other improvements were implemented, such as a fire warning and extinguishing system. Not all SWIP machines received the updated wings. A second-phase element of the SWIP program added new avionics, including a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation satellite receiver and a head-up display (HUD)." :)

 

 

The A-6E SWIP Block 1A upgrade, which included a HUD, was apparantly proposed in 1994 and never became operational. So if having a HUD is a criteria for the mystery aircraft, it (unfortunately) cannot be the Intruder. In my oppinion it would habe been a too complex aircraft anyway to be developed in parallel to the Tomcat.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

a-6 please.

 

for the love of god... please.

 

tomcat and intruder would settle my boyhood dreams.

 

Grumman makes the best things.

[Home Fries]

I would also love to see the TRAM or SWIP A-6 variants. You could still simulate Vietnam era missions by removing the TRAM pod from the chin (they are line-removable and replaceable), and loading dumb bombs instead of PGMs. The A-6E line had an integrated search and track radar and a solid state computer, as opposed to an analog drum computer and separate radars in the A-6A. This would likely be easier to code for the Tiger AI*, and solid state systems would be easier to model as well.

 

Not to mention flying the VDI in the E is much easier because the computer updates a lot quicker. Flying the VDI in the A was all about getting a feel for the rate of change of the terrain on the VDI because the updates were so slow. This is one of those "be careful what you wish for" factors of the A model. Besides, with the E having integrated SEAD capability, there would be no need to separately model the B variants (and there were 3 B variants despite very few Bs being made).

 

* Tiger AI is named after LT Virgil "Tiger" Cole, LT Jake Grafton's B/N in Flight of the Intruder. I opted for Tiger AI because "Morg AI" would have to shut down 5 minutes into the flight. If you have read the book, you'll get the sick joke. :P

Edited May 8, 2015 by Home Fries

[Einherjer]

I would also love to see the TRAM or SWIP A-6 variants. You could still simulate Vietnam era missions by removing the TRAM pod from the chin (they are line-removable and replaceable), and loading dumb bombs instead of PGMs. The A-6E line had an integrated search and track radar and a solid state computer, as opposed to an analog drum computer and separate radars in the A-6A. This would likely be easier to code for the Tiger AI*, and solid state systems would be easier to model as well.

 

Not to mention flying the VDI in the E is much easier because the computer updates a lot quicker. Flying the VDI in the A was all about getting a feel for the rate of change of the terrain on the VDI because the updates were so slow. This is one of those "be careful what you wish for" factors of the A model. Besides, with the E having integrated SEAD capability, there would be no need to separately model the B variants (and there were 3 B variants despite very few Bs being made).

 

* Tiger AI is named after LT Virgil "Tiger" Cole, LT Jake Grafton's B/N in Flight of the Intruder. I opted for Tiger AI because "Morg AI" would have to shut down 5 minutes into the flight. If you have read the book, you'll get the sick joke. :P

 

 

:D would love it!

[ChoSeungWan]

The verdict is in, the people want an A6! :joystick:

[thaisocom]

Of course! People want Intruder!

 

[MBot]

But remember guys the questions is not what we want, the question is what we probably get depending in the cues.