red_coreSix Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 Is not having them at all more realistic than having them in the same conditions as aircraft do? I don't think so.
SinusoidDelta Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 And you'll also see a bunch where the missile produces nothing but the bit of smoke. Indeed. I was just observing how the contrail altitude must be different for the aircraft vs missile. I wonder what variables influence this?
GGTharos Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 Moisture, density, power setting ... for rocket motors I think it's just moisture and density. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Reminder: SAM = Speed Bump :D I used to play flight sims like you, but then I took a slammer to the knee - Yoda
SinusoidDelta Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 Moisture, density, power setting ... for rocket motors I think it's just moisture and density. I just had a look at Fleeman's book, it has some info on the subject.
GGTharos Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 (edited) Doesn't look accurate - more like a rule of thumb? But I might be misinterpreting some things I've seen :) Edit: 'On Predicting Secondary Smoke Humidity Boundaries at Temperatures Below 0 C'. Interesting stuff, but doesn't mean much without knowing the properties of the smoke :/ Edited May 26, 2017 by GGTharos [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Reminder: SAM = Speed Bump :D I used to play flight sims like you, but then I took a slammer to the knee - Yoda
SinusoidDelta Posted May 26, 2017 Posted May 26, 2017 Yeah, just ballpark information. A few searches turned up a surprising amount of data on the subject. Check out chapter 4 in this doc: AGR8DIA8287 - Propulsion and Energetics Panel Working Group 21 on Terminology and Assessment Methods of Solid Propellant Rocket Exhaust Signatures.pdf
GGTharos Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 Great find! Looks like relative humidity plays a huge role here - p.125 of the PDF and around there. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Reminder: SAM = Speed Bump :D I used to play flight sims like you, but then I took a slammer to the knee - Yoda
Jazz_44 Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 One problem with DCS specifically is the amount of time that this smoke hangs around after rocket motor burn-out - it's just a few scant seconds during which it becomes more and more transparent. The fact that the smoke 'fades' quickly would certainly give you an impression of it being hard to spot, because it is: It's already pretty transparent and 'fading' makes it more transparent - so what you get is a rocket motor that will turn out in 2, 5 and 8 sec (9P, 9M, 120) respectively and hang around for just a VERY short time after. Thus I would suggest to tune AAM smoke to remain 'in the air' for say three minutes and then you should be able to re-acquire it when you look in the right place. This. If ED can make the smoke remain in the air longer it would be a huge difference in gameplay and add to the immersion in my opinion. Perhaps it will be added as part of the upcoming visual effects overhaul?
Jazz_44 Posted June 15, 2017 Posted June 15, 2017 Yes, it's an Arcade flight game (Ace Combat 7) but if ED or a modder can make missile smoke look like this it would be awesome IMO. Very high on my wish list, next to new explosions.
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