Non Combat Aircraft

[FragBum]

Same here.

 

Actually I have never fired a single shot in DCS, yet! it's not that I don't plan to for much the same reason, I just enjoy flying mostly rotary wing and want to improve my virtual piloting skills.:thumbup:

 

Sooooo, a Robinson R44 Cadet as a helicopter trainer, c'mon there are other jet trainers. :music_whistling:

[michelip]

Hello :) There have been several threads in the wishlist uring the Years for planes like Hercules and Dakota among orthers. We are not alone in enjoying succ aircrafts and wanting them too as modulens in DCS. But We are sadly not in majority, so it will not happen in the forseeable future I presume. Cheers

 

 

I don't know if we are in the majority in DCS as it stands, but I believe that the advancement and development in civilian flightsims is stagnating.

It is arguable that DCS and the associated commercial modders would get many more recruits from the other flight sims if they developed such flyable aircraft as the Dakota, Ju.52, Fieseler Storch, Lysander, Catalina, Hercules, Chinook, Boeing and Airbus refuelling tankers etc.

We should make no apologies for stating our wishes.

Regards,

Mich.

[MickeEinSweden]

@ michelip

I agree with You totally, I should have been morse optimistic and of course We should make no apologies for stating out wishes,

Best Regards

Micke

[Evoman]

Same here.

 

Actually I have never fired a single shot in DCS, yet! it's not that I don't plan to for much the same reason, I just enjoy flying mostly rotary wing and want to improve my virtual piloting skills.:thumbup:

 

Sooooo, a Robinson R44 Cadet as a helicopter trainer, c'mon there are other jet trainers. :music_whistling:

 

While it would be good to have more variety of aircraft in DCS I don’t think the typical civilian aircraft would be an ideal fit for DCS’s uniqueness of tactical and mission planning anytime soon.

However DCS would be ideal for another civilian sector, Firefighting! Instead of dropping munitions you could drop water and fire retardent’s on wildfires. That is something that would actually go along with DCS’s style of mission planning and accomplishing missions. I could already see using a firefighting version of the Heuy DCS already has to go drop water on a site and after the drop you fly to the nearest lake to refill and back again until the fire is out. Then it would be cool to use other fixed wing aircraft such as the C-130.

I would imagine that DCS could potentially attract far more VR pilots if it featured firefighting aircraft and associated missions than just regular civilian flight of which there are already plenty of other competing sims for that. But next to none that I know of that feature fire fighting aviation.

 

 

Edited August 5, 2017 by Evoman

[rogonaut]

Against non-combat aircraft? Quick someone hide the TF-51D before anyone notices!

 

HAHAHAA:thumbup:

[FragBum]

While it would be good to have more variety of aircraft in DCS I don’t think the typical civilian aircraft would be an ideal fit for DCS’s uniqueness of tactical and mission planning anytime soon.

However DCS would be ideal for another civilian sector, Firefighting! Instead of dropping munitions you could drop water and fire retardent’s on wildfires. That is something that would actually go along with DCS’s style of mission planning and accomplishing missions. I could already see using a firefighting version of the Heuy DCS already has to go drop water on a site and after the drop you fly to the nearest lake to refill and back again until the fire is out. Then it would be cool to use other fixed wing aircraft such as the C-130.

 

 

Indeed that would be interesting having a couple of tonnes of payload disappear in nought seconds flat and maintaining attitude. :D

 

Say didn't they use small heli's in Vietnam to draw fire so gun ships could identify and take out opponents, I'm just not sure about the way that was sold. Here you fly this small heli into this area to get shot at,... What! :(

 

All good. :thumbup:

[Evoman]

Here is another good fixed wing airplane that can serve double duty in DCS as either a surveillance aircraft or fire fighting. The P3 Orion!

 

Surprisingly I found the P3 as being quite capable in military form. This may very well be a good candidate for DCS.

 

Lockheed P-3C Orion Armament:

 

Bombs: 20,000 lb (9,000 kg)

Missiles: AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, the Standoff Land Attack Missile, AGM-65 Maverick

Sonar-buoys: 48

Torpedoes: MK-46 and MK-50

Miscellaneous: mines and depth charges

 

 

Edited August 6, 2017 by Evoman

[Zius]

I would also welcome civilian aviation to DCS, although I'd be more interested in General Aviation aircraft as opposed to cargo / passenger aircraft.

 

A Cessna 172 I'd buy instantly.

 

Of course, that's also a military plane.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_172#Military_operators

[Jester986]

TL/DR Yes please, civilian/non combat aircraft

 

 

It's been said here several times, but just in cases devs are reading I'll throw my 2 cents in... DCS is simply the best flight sim out there. FSX is obsolete and x plane while well intentioned is infuriating. I spend most of my time in DCS doing combat things, however I also spend a good bit just practicing my airmanship and flying around. I would love a simple GA aircraft like the 172 and development shouldn't take so long because information is readily available on non military aircraft. I see the civi side as an opportunity to greatly expand the player base (and income) of DCS. Whip up a quick 172 and you'll see FSX converts buying other modules as well. I also like the idea of them adding to the fog of war. That Q 400 was a regional airliner and not the C-130 you thought it was? Looks like your facing a court martial now... Fire fighting is an awesome idea too but I'm pretty sure it's a pipe dream. But if someone wants to make it work for the Huey I'll buy the DLC!

 

 

I would also love to see non combat aircraft that could support combat operations. Multi crew in a KC-135? Tell me it wouldn't be awesome for a pilot and co pilot to be flying while a human boom operator is refueling an A10 on his way to a strike? I know the squad I fly with would be thrilled with it given how many are excited to be RIOs in the F-14.

 

 

How about we start with a compromise? An Air force C-172 trainer should take minimal resources, or a ISR King Air locating/lasing targets? Plenty of those in Afghanistan right now. See if they sell like hot cakes and go from there.

[frumpy]

I'd like to see civilian aircraft in DCS too. I am not into dropping bombs or shooting at things, but I love flying and flight simulation. DCS has some excellent flight dynamics and I'd love to see a Bonanza or some small jet in it.

[Pikey]

I always get sad when people say there is no place for non combat planes in DCS.

 

Interception scenarios: For a start check out http://cam.em-key.de/ and have a look at the AI airliners that that team are looking to bring to DCS. Airliner intercepts are bread and butter use of military planes policing the skies and it hits the news all the time.

 

Here's a different angle. Did you know that the Argentine Air Force used Lear Jets as dummy decoys? 126 sorties, one shot down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escuadr%C3%B3n_F%C3%A9nix

 

COIN ops and drug trafficking? That hits the news.

 

And what about just getting caught up in the middle of a warzone? Tell me this never happens...!

 

I believe there are two explanations for people resisting the thought of civilian aircraft in DCS. Firstly, they worry about losing the precious development time of third parties. I completely agree, i'd never want one of them to spend time developing a module that could be anyone of the really amazing military aircraft we love. This is for sure. Second, I think there is a band of arcade players who love the sound of Brrrt and watching explosions and couldn't give a monkeys about whether they were inverted when they released a 1000 pounder. I don't fly with the second bunch, but they do exist.

 

Bring non combat planes on, as AI, as cargo and transport, as recon, as decoy, as VIP/high value, as EW, as whatever. AI format, full format, the skies are free for all. The DCSW platform remains a combat sim, but you don't have to shoot anything to be a part of it.

Edited September 22, 2017 by Pikey
sortie count correction

[Hawkeye60]

I always get sad when people say there is no place for non combat planes in DCS.

 

Interception scenarios: For a start check out http://cam.em-key.de/ and have a look at the AI airliners that that team are looking to bring to DCS. Airliner intercepts are bread and butter use of military planes policing the skies and it hits the news all the time.

 

Here's a different angle. Did you know that the Argentine Air Force used Lear Jets as dummy decoys? 126 sorties, one shot down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escuadr%C3%B3n_F%C3%A9nix

 

COIN ops and drug trafficking? That hits the news.

 

And what about just getting caught up in the middle of a warzone? Tell me this never happens...!

 

I believe there are two explanations for people resisting the thought of civilian aircraft in DCS. Firstly, they worry about losing the precious development time of third parties. I completely agree, i'd never want one of them to spend time developing a module that could be anyone of the really amazing military aircraft we love. This is for sure. Second, I think there is a band of arcade players who love the sound of Brrrt and watching explosions and couldn't give a monkeys about whether they were inverted when they released a 1000 pounder. I don't fly with the second bunch, but they do exist.

 

Bring non combat planes on, as AI, as cargo and transport, as recon, as decoy, as VIP/high value, as EW, as whatever. AI format, full format, the skies are free for all. The DCSW platform remains a combat sim, but you don't have to shoot anything to be a part of it.

This!

 

Thank you!

My sentiments exactly!

 

However, to each their own.

 

You do not NEED to install them do you? :)

 

The drug trafficking missions sound perfect for modern times!

And terrorist aircraft take overs!

I wonder if you can damage the aircraft just enough to force it to land?

Then rescue the hostages with CA!

Or go in and take out the drug traffickers!

 

Sound like fun!

 

Bring it on!

 

Hawkeye

[LucaATC]

Even something like a working E/A-18G Growler would be great. I love the aircraft in the game and am part of a server with a carrier group and a fighter squadron but I'm not a massive fan of the actual killing, bombing etc. At the moment I stick to ATC and AWACS because there is nothing non-combat to fly but I would definitely fly as recon, electronic warfare, a tanker, actually fly the AWACS plane or Cargo. Seems fairly easy to satisfy at least one of these and I imagine there are a lot of people in the same boat. Just something to do that is needed for combat but isn't combat! :)

[LucaATC]

100%

 

I always get sad when people say there is no place for non combat planes in DCS.

 

Interception scenarios: For a start check out http://cam.em-key.de/ and have a look at the AI airliners that that team are looking to bring to DCS. Airliner intercepts are bread and butter use of military planes policing the skies and it hits the news all the time.

 

Here's a different angle. Did you know that the Argentine Air Force used Lear Jets as dummy decoys? 126 sorties, one shot down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escuadr%C3%B3n_F%C3%A9nix

 

COIN ops and drug trafficking? That hits the news.

 

And what about just getting caught up in the middle of a warzone? Tell me this never happens...!

 

I believe there are two explanations for people resisting the thought of civilian aircraft in DCS. Firstly, they worry about losing the precious development time of third parties. I completely agree, i'd never want one of them to spend time developing a module that could be anyone of the really amazing military aircraft we love. This is for sure. Second, I think there is a band of arcade players who love the sound of Brrrt and watching explosions and couldn't give a monkeys about whether they were inverted when they released a 1000 pounder. I don't fly with the second bunch, but they do exist.

 

Bring non combat planes on, as AI, as cargo and transport, as recon, as decoy, as VIP/high value, as EW, as whatever. AI format, full format, the skies are free for all. The DCSW platform remains a combat sim, but you don't have to shoot anything to be a part of it.

 

 

 

I couldn't agree more! I posted my message saying something quite similar and saw this! ED I would spend the money before you even showed me the module!

[Baco]

definately agree.

[Evoman]

This is exactly what I have been trying to explain to some people on here. There is a big potential market of people out there that have no interest in combat aircraft but would love to fly some type of support aircraft.

 

But I have encountered some resistance from people that are either too hard headed to see it and the benefits it would bring to DCS or they are just too selfish to support anything else other than their agenda for another combat jet because it would just get in the way of their dream jet.

 

I think that the C-2 Grayhound would be a great start to open the door to cargo transport missions in DCS. And since the C-2 shares the same engines and wings with the E-2 a good amount of the work will already be done when they go to start development on the E-2.

 

 

Here are a few of the quotes I have have seen around that show that there are many more people out there interested in non combat military aircraft.

 

 

 

"Would love to see an E-3 Hawkeye join us in DCS. Being a Commercial pilot, that would make my day. All this Hornet stuff is far too stressful. LOL"

 

 

"A C-2 would be amazing and would definitely get me more involved in the flying part of the group I am in (as I only have a yoke at the moment). ED may as well take my money now if it is being developed!"

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=221503

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=252031

 

Edited July 9, 2020 by Evoman

[...]

With the departure of MSFS 2020, Eagle Dynamics would skyrocket with civil development. Where would inbound traffic in Dubai come from? From Khasab? What virtual pilot in his right mind would make a flight plan between five airports within a 200-mile radius only to become a decoy and amuse his escorts?

 

In favor of military transport aircraft as long as they are functional. To be able to launch parachutists. Also in favor of a multipurpose soldier controlled in the first person by humans, with the ability to duck, run, crawl, use various weapons, binoculars, compass and communications for tactical assault missions. The high quality of the textures on land of the Persian Gulf makes viable the beginning of the development of terrestrial modules.

Edited July 9, 2020 by La Unión | Atazar

[draconus]

At the moment I stick to ATC and AWACS because there is nothing non-combat to fly but I would definitely fly as recon, electronic warfare, a tanker, actually fly the AWACS plane or Cargo.

The helicopters already do the job of cargo in SP and some MP servers where also TF-51 is used as supplier aircraft :) That's why I support the idea. Personaly being biased toward Navy I'd like to see C-2, E-2 or S-3.

[Blackjack_UK]

Even something like a working E/A-18G Growler would be great. I love the aircraft in the game and am part of a server with a carrier group and a fighter squadron but I'm not a massive fan of the actual killing, bombing etc. At the moment I stick to ATC and AWACS because there is nothing non-combat to fly but I would definitely fly as recon, electronic warfare, a tanker, actually fly the AWACS plane or Cargo. Seems fairly easy to satisfy at least one of these and I imagine there are a lot of people in the same boat. Just something to do that is needed for combat but isn't combat! :)

 

I get that. But of course you can fly tactical recon in an F16 carrying a LANTIRN pod (is that a thing in DCS?) and you should also be able to carry buddy packs to do AAR in the F18...

 

I'd like specific SAR integration as well, but just not at the expense of oher work - mainly bug fixes.

[Tippis]

whats wrong with the P-51 that comes free? ;)

It needs smoke pods and the ability to drop small packages out the window. :P

[shu77]

DCS is a good engine and the terrain though perhaps small compared to the two civil sims is well done. Personally I think all the airfields I land at in DCS are well done and the cities around them are good where a lot of the time the default scenery in the 'global' sims is pretty poor without gigs and gigs of addons. Given the level of fidelity DCS provides and what weve seen with the EDGE and Eagle its fair to say the sim does support civvie aircraft nicely and offers far better damage and systems modelling than any other sim. Given the Utility focus of the Huey its also fair to say people enjoy doing those missions.

I'd love to see a Caribou or Spartan module offered or even a Herc.

[SharpeXB]

the default scenery in the 'global' sims is pretty poor without gigs and gigs of addons.

Clearly you haven’t seen what’s coming for the world of civil flight sims. Really DCS cannot compete with this nor should it try to. Keep the focus here on combat simulation where it belongs and which is the strength of this sim. But DCS cannot achieve the global map quality that’s coming for civil flight sims.

 

This thread is 3 years old. Current developments in the realm of civil flight sims have made this topic a complete non-starter. I think we are all aware of which product I speak of. Forget civil aviation and stick to combat here in Digital Combat Simulator.

Edited July 9, 2020 by SharpeXB

[Cake]

What about the simulator title? Wouldn't Digital Combat Simulator make less sense after every new civil aircraft released?

 

Tell that to Apple, which sells phones and has a 1.65 trillion market cap.

[draconus]

That's why military non-combat aircraft are preferred.

[Tippis]

That's why military non-combat aircraft are preferred.

As a bonus point, most such aircraft could then be pretty trivially reskinned to civilian variants, thereby offering some much needed decorative (and target selection) options with very little extra cost.