DCS: F/A-18C Mini-Updates

[Wags]

Video Update - 09 May 2018

 

 

Coming this month!

[Wags]

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Episode 8: Rockets and AG Gun

 

In this Hornet academic video, we'll look at employment of unguided rockets and the gun in air-to-ground mode. This is based on a work-in-progress build of the Hornet.

 

 

[Wags]

Australian Hornet Skins!

 

Although not F/A-18Cs, but rather upgraded F/A-18As, we wanted to bring Aussie Hornet skins to our DCS World Hornet. For the early access release, we will include both 75 and 77 squadrons.

 

Happy flying to our friends down under!

[Wags]

Oh Canada!

 

Today we are also happy to show off several Canadian skins for DCS: F/A-18C Hornet! For the early access, they will include 409 and 425 Squadrons and a couple show skins.

[Wags]

Contd.

[Wags]

Welcome 121 Escuadron to DCS World!

 

With the addition of Spain, we now have the following forces represented for our Hornet (real and fictitious):

1- United States Navy

2- United States Marine Corps

3- Finland

4- Switzerland

5- Kuwait

6- Australia

7- Canada

8- Spain

9- Russia

10- United Kingdom

11- Israel

12- Ukraine

 

This is the greatest number of forces and skins we have ever released for an early access product.

[Wags]

Welcome to DCS World VX-23!

 

VX-23 is an aircraft test squadron that conducts research, testing and evaluation of fixed wing tactical aircraft and UAV's. VX-23 provides aircraft, pilots, maintenance services, safety oversights and facility support for these operations. Their main mission is flying qualities and performance evaluations, shipboard suitability, propulsion system testing, tactical aircraft mission systems testing, ordnance compatibility and ballistics efforts, reliability and maintainability assessments, flight fidelity simulation and flight control software development.

 

VX-23 is located at NAS Patuxent River.

[Wags]

Hi everyone,

 

We are in the final push now and very much on track for the 30th! Recently, we’ve been completing the last items we want for the early access release:

 

1- Almost done with the moving map, we just need to add text outlines to make the text more visible.

2- Almost all HUD symbology for early access weapons is now in place and functional.

3- Radar-directed AA Gun, AIM-9, and AIM-7 is implemented.

4- Waypoint designated target (TGT) point is now implemented for AUTO bombing.

5- EW page / ALE functions are functional and most audio tones have been enabled. ASPJ though will come after early access launch.

6- Our last task is implementing HUD designation of a TGT point. Almost done, but a few items to finish up.

7- The Hornet Early Access Guide is still in work and will probably be released with the game on the 30th.

 

Thanks,

Matt “Wags” Wagner

Senior Producer

[Wags]

A whole lotta of Hornet academic videos!

 

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Episode 10: Air-to-Air Gun

 

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Episode 11: AIM-9 "Sidewinder" Air-to-Air Missile

 

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Episode 12: Unguided Bombs

 

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Episode 13: AIM-7 Sparrow Air-to-Air Missile

 

[Wags]

Among many fixes and changes for the update next week, one item will be the often requested ability to remove the pylons.

Edited June 9, 2018 by Wags

[Wags]

Probably for the next update will be an initial implementation of IFF for the Hornet. Attached are a couple of looks.

 

A diamond-shaped TD box indicated a negative IFF response (hostile), whereas a standard, square TD box indicates a valid IFF handshake (friendly). Initially, this will be done automatically as part of an STT/LTWS/DTWS (L&S and D2) designation.

 

At a later point we will investigate a more in-depth IFF system using the encrypted-code system. However, this is a VERY complex system that will take a lot of time, and we currently have much higher priorities. Furthermore, a code-based IFF system will also involve a significant re-write of portions of the AI code.

 

Also, in the next update we changed the manual (M) radio modulation selection logic to be more realistic based on recent information. The modulation selection will now be in a single Option Select Window and toggle between AM and FM (rather than separate OSW windows). The inability of an entered frequency not be saved (reverts back to default) has also been resolved.

 

Thanks!

Edited June 14, 2018 by Wags

[Wags]

Hey everyone,

 

In addition to the nice update this week, the team is working furiously on many other items to get the Hornet foundation solid by the end of the month. Here are some items already resolved internally that will be pushed soon to an update:

 

1- Unable to select AG weapons after first selecting AIM-7.

2- Canister munitions (MK-20 and CBU-99) are now much more accurate. Note that you’ll need to set the MFUZ to VT. You can then set a Height Of Burst (HOB) using the HT function on the SMS page.

3- Overwing vaps have been added, but need to be tuned!

4- Time to lock for the ACM modes is much faster now.

5- You can now disconnect from the shuttle.

6- Adjusted flaps control bindings for TM HOTAS as a special item.

7- Support for export of DDIs.

8- Course offset distance is now displayed above the CRS value on the HSI.

9- New VFA-122 skin.

10- RWR threat ring logic changed, critical threat inside ring.

11- AC buses now isolated when when engine started without parking brake set.

12- No more uncommanded STT switches between targets.

13- STT lock is retained during hard maneuvers.

14- Option for rocket pod settings in ME for Ripple or Single.

 

LOTS of other work going on with the radar, EW system, and other items.

Thanks

Edited July 2, 2018 by Wags

[Wags]

Updated previous some posts with some more goodies.

[Wags]

We are at the point now that we are quite happy with the vaps coming of the Hornet LEX. So, we are now shifting our effect focus to the over-wing vaps. These are less commonly seen than LEX and wingtip vaps, and only really happen in very humid conditions (particularly at low altitude near/over the water). Today we have a very early look at these. As with the LEX vaps, these will be tuned and improved.

 

As mentioned, humidity plays a huge factor in the generation of vaps coming off the aircraft… wingtips, LEX, over-wing, and even the Mach cone (yes, planned for later). To model this properly, our current efforts to improve the weather system of DCS World current lays with adding a new humidity function.

[Wags]

A look at some changes coming to rockets and canister munitions.

 

 

[Wags]

Many new items coming next week:

 

1- Aircraft no longer slide on the carrier deck, at any carrier speed.

2- STT track will not switch lock uncommanded.

3- RADAR SIL (radar silence) and STBY mode has been implemented. See image.

4- RWR display logic has been further improved, with critical threat lines added. See image.

5- Option on ME to select single or ripple release (was not in fact merged for last update)

6- DUD cue added for when HT or fuze setting is below current aircraft AGL. See image.

7- RWS page SET and weapon and count added when a weapon is in priority. See image.

8- Night Vision Goggles (NVG) added. See image.

9- Instrumented Carrier Landing System (ICLS) added. See image.

10- Landing gear drag lowered.

 

Here are some images.

Edited July 14, 2018 by Wags

[Wags]

 

[Wags]

 

[Wags]

 

[Wags]

With summer here, things tend to slow down a bit with much of the staff taking their summer holidays. However, much of the Hornet work continues on items like the AIM-120, AIM-9X, compete AIM-7, complete RWS mode, JHMCS, LGBs, FPAS page, FM tuning, and other items. In the more near-term, here are some items coming in one of the two next updates.

 

 

[Wags]

This past week we introduced the AIM-120 for the Hornet. Implementation is still very preliminary. However, for the 15 August update, we plan for it to be complete with the following:

 

1- Guidance times (HUD and RADAR) for ACT and TTG.

2- Correct visual mode with cage/uncage function, SL time, and correct off the rail guidance.

 

On a related matter, our missile engineer is currently focused on the AIM-7, but following that, he will re-visit AIM-120 guidance laws and flight dynamics.

 

Also on 15 August, we plan to implement the AIM-9X Block I, minus the JHMCS (coming afterwards).

 

Thanks!

[Wags]

This week we will probably release a new update to the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) that includes the following:

 

ACT and TTG times. When an AIM-120 is still on the rail, it will display its expected time in seconds to active (ACT) below the tactical area of the radar display. Once launched, the ACT time will appear on the HUD, and once the ACT time has reached zero, it will change to Time To Go (TTG) until impact time. Zero TTG indicates missile time out / target impact.

 

Once the missile is active, you can dump the radar lock and allow the missile to continue the intercept itself.

 

Below the missile triangle fly-out symbol on the radar display, the time to active will first be displayed and then an “A” once the missile is active.

 

Pressing the Cage/Uncage button, you can toggle the AIM-120 to VISUAL mode when a target is locked (STT) on the radar. The TD symbols will still appear, but the NIRD circle and its indications will be removed when in VISUAL mode with a designated target.

 

To use VISUAL mode, simply place a target within 10 nm inside the dashed reticle on the HUD and let ‘er rip. The missile will come off the rail in HPRF (maddog) and will attempt to lock and guide on the first return it finds. Be careful with any friends in your forward quarter

[Wags]

Lots of good progress on the EW systems this weekend!

 

Today we added EW HUD (display of RWR contacts on the the HUD), EW Offset (spread out tightly group RWR contacts in azimuth), new AI (airborne intercept) RWR sound, and fixed spurious RWR contacts. Work is ongoing on the RWR contact symbols and modifiers.

 

We hope to have these in an update soon.

 

After this, we'll work on the S/A and AUTO programs, ASPJ, and an update to the EW page with DATA sub-level.

 

Thanks!

Edited August 12, 2018 by Wags

[Wags]

 

This month we are expanding the functionality of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-7 Sparrow, Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and introduce the AIM-9X Sidewinder. This video is designed to give you a preview of these new features coming later this month. There are more improvements also coming this month like corrected Target Aspect (TA) indication, fixed deck sliding, changing weapons while in an ACM mode, and adding the AMCI pod.

 

Near-term AG weapons to work on are Paveway II series bombs and HARM.

 

Other priority items include:

 

HSI brightness

A/A radar tracking loss and RTS

JHMCS

A/A Bullseye and related indicators

LTWS

MIDS / Link-16 for SA page, HUD, A/A radar, and JHMCS

Coupled AP modes

CSS AP mode

NCTR

Complete defensive systems with ASPJ, S/A and AUTO modes, DATA sub-level for EW page

AIM-7 HOJ and LOFT modes

ATC Approach mode / ACLS

[Wags]

Internally, the AIM-7 and AIM-120 versions now have the improved navigation system. Additionally, the internal AIM-7M now has several significant changes like corrected motor thrust-altitude dependence based on nozzle exit area and atmosphere pressure, adjusted drag and lift curves based on wind tunnel test data, and other changes.

 

We are now carefully testing these changes before we release and move to all AIM-7 and AIM-120 versions.

 

Also today internally, AIM-9X tracking was increased to 90 HOBS and flare rejection improved. It's a monster.

 

Thanks

Edited August 15, 2018 by Wags