Viper Mini-Updates

[Wags]

Hey everyone and welcome to this first post of Viper mini-updates! As the project progresses and different Viper elements come online, I’ll be posting here to keep you update-to-date as much as possible. Just like the Hornet mini-updates. One important note: any date or time frame mentioned is only a best estimate at the time of writing. Particularly over the past two years, we’ve been trying to be a lot more open about our plans and intentions. However, due to a variety of reasons like unforeseen technical challenges, staff changes, holidays, changing priorities, etc., plans can and will change. So, while we will try to be open and honest about our plans and intentions, but please bear in mind that these can and will change. The alternative is that we go radio silent until a feature is released into an Open Beta. Anyhow, moving on…

 

For the first academic video, it will probably be regarding waypoint navigation and how it relates to the Data Entry Display (DED), Horizontal Situation Display (HSD), and HUD. Yay, more acronyms to learn! After that will be a talk about bullseye in the Viper. You might be thinking that a cold start video might make sense to lead off the academic series, but you would be wrong Doug Masters. The cold start sequence touches on a many element of the aircraft as a system and many of these systems will be under development from now and until early access release. As such, much of this can change, and coding to make it work now will probably need to be re-written later (very inefficient use of coding resources).

 

Much of the work now is focused on the engine (GE-129) and Digital Engine Control (DEC) with PRI and SEC modes, fuel system, electrical, hydraulics, oil, Jet Fuel Starter (JFS), landing gear, flight model basic envelope, Flight Control System (FLCS), NAV HUD and functions, initial Stores Management System (SMS), gauges including ADI and electronic HSI, external textures, tuning the cockpit, internal and external audio, and completing racks, adapters, and rails.

 

Once the external graphics are where we want them to be, we will release a stellar trailer video.

 

A critical aspect of building a simulation like this is the research. Such a complex aircraft requires a huge amount of data, but this must be in the confines of public documents without export controls. We have though located what we need, and much of what we are doing now is focused on working with Subject Matter Experts (SME) on appreciating the qualities of the aircraft that you never find documented. To that end, I was at Luke AFB yesterday with a retired F-16 pilot with over 4,200 hours in the Viper. He and the other Viper pilots I met at the squadron bar had amazing stories and insights into flying the Viper. I was also scheduled to have an hour in the big dome simulator at Luke AFB, but Lockheed Martin nixed the idea due to my mobility issues, bastards! All in all, it was a very interesting trip and I have more such trips planned this summer, with some Viper simulators time that should work out. Now, if I can just finagle myself into the backseat…

 

Stay tuned for the first academic video in July.

 

Thanks,

Wags

Edited June 29, 2019 by Wags

[Wags]

Hey everyone, Viper update day!

 

As most of you have probably already discovered, this week we released the first cinematic trailer for the Viper. Cato did a fantastic job as always, and the trailer brings across the just how fun this aircraft will be. Flying the DCS: F-16C Viper is great on a 2D monitor, but it really shines in VR.

 

 

In August I will start the Viper academic videos, with the first being a cockpit tour (like what I did for the Hornet). After that will come navigation and then takeoff / VFR pattern landing.

 

Much of the work is centered on tuning the flight model and FLCS, programing the Stores Manager System (SMS), and initial weapons. “Viper Team” is making fast progress and it is coming together at the fastest rate I have ever seen a module develop. On the art side, most of the focus is now on the landing gear (animations and texturing), and after that he will overhaul the external textures (we have a placeholder currently).

 

In addition to open source documents and Subject Mater Experts (SMEs), another very helpful resource is visiting Viper squadrons to talk with pilots and get seat time in the real simulators. I was earlier at Luke AFB, but it was largely a bust due to Lockheed Martin. However, this week I was down at the 192nd FW in Tucson with T-Day and I got over an hour in a Block 42 simulator. While not Block 50 and using a different OFP than our planned Viper, there was a huge amount of commonality. There were many “light bulb moments” in understanding the operation and how to properly fly the Viper. It is a very, very different bird than flying the Hornet, and it took me a bit to stop trying to fly it like a Hornet (particularly how you land it). Fun fact: When T-Day was flying our Viper in VR, he fractured the metal attachment between the stick and the base due to the amount of force he is used to applying. The force sensitive stick took awhile to get used to (much greater pounds of force per G than I expected), but it was very much like the Realsimulator FSSB base. It is also an incredibly easy aircraft to get up and running. Assuming the ground crew set up the cockpit, it’s a much, much easier aircraft to cold start than the A-10C and Hornet.

 

It was also an ideal time for me to be down at the 162nd FW because a buddy of mine, “Frodo”, graduated the F-16 Basic School (B-School) and I was able to attend his gradation ceremony. Frodo is also a big DCS fan and it’s great to see that some of the products I worked on over the years perhaps played a small part in his great accomplishment (he also won the AA and AG awards for his class).

 

Onward an upwards,

Wags

Edited July 27, 2019 by Wags

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Cockpit Orientation

 

[YOUTUBE]

 

This video has been created to provide you an understanding of what-is-where in the cockpit of the DCS: F-16C Viper flight simulation by Eagle Dynamics. In later videos, we will often reference items pointed out in this video.

 

The early access release date is planned for autumn 2019.

 

All images and video are from in game; there are no “real world” images used.

 

Our Viper is currently in development and will be released into early access later this year. In the meantime, you can pre-order now and save 20%:

 

DCS e-Shop: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Overhead Break Landing Intro

 

DCS: F-16C Viper - Overhead Break Landing Intro

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we'll take a look at the basics of landing the Viper in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) overhead break pattern.

 

This is from a pre-release build and is very much work-in-progress. We plan to release the Early Access version in early Autumn 2019.

 

Our Viper is currently in development and will be released into early access later this year. In the meantime, you can pre-order now and save 20%:

 

DCS e-Shop: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Taxi and Takeoff

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we'll take a look at how to taxi and takeoff in the F-16C Viper. This is from a pre-release build and is very much work-in-progress. We plan to release the Early Access version in early Autumn 2019.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

It's a bit dark of course, but I thought some of you might like to see the work-in-progress night lighting of the cockpit. This image has console and instrument lights on, as well as the flood lights. I am also running an indicator and VMU test.

 

Thanks

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – Navigation Introduction

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, learn the basics of navigating using steerpoints and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) stations. This is from a pre-release build and is very much work-in-progress. We plan to release the Early Access version in early Autumn 2019.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Gun Strafe and Rockets

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, learn how to use the M61A1 20mm cannon to strafe ground targets and use unguided rockets. This is from a pre-release build and is very much work-in-progress. We plan to release the Early Access version in early Autumn 2019.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

Hey everyone, a little Viper update is in order as we approach early Autumn 2019.

 

First, we still plan to release the Viper into early access sometime in early Autumn 2019. We don’t have a specific day because several items are in flux, and any one of them could change any announced date. While we posted 25 September on Steam (a day is required to list a product on Steam), that is only a best estimate and not in stone. Once we have a firm date, we will announce it. This is not something we are purposely withholding.

 

The big areas we are working on to get the Viper before we release it:

 

• Finalizing CCIP and CCRP bombing modes.
  
• Tuning the flight model and braking system. Much of this involves drag values.
  
• RWS and ACM air-to-air radar modes.
  
• Air-to-air gun, AIM-9, and AIM-120.
  
• CMDS.
  
• HMCS.
  
• Cold start procedures.
  
• Tuning the NVIS cockpit lighting.
  
• External model, in particularly the landing gear and aircraft underside. Even at early access release, the skin will still be preliminary.
  
• We are also working hard on the Litening targeting pod with LGBs, but we can’t promise this will be ready in time for the early access release, but it’s something already well underway.
  

 

 

Thanks,

Wags

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – Unguided Bombing

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, learn the basics of Continuously Computed Impact Point (CCIP) and Constantly Computer Release Point (CCRP) bombing for unguided bombs. In the early access release, such bombs will include the Mk-84, Mk-82 LDGP, Mk-82SE, Mk-82AIR, BDU-33, CBU-87, and CBU-97. This is from a pre-release build and is very much work-in-progress. We plan to release the Early Access version sometime in early Autumn 2019 (Autumn 2019 starts on 23 September).

 

The pull-up cue and CCIP delayed release cue attack are being tuned at the time of creating this video.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Laser Guided Bombing with JTAC

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we will learn how to user laser-guided bombs (GBU-12 and GBU-10) to attack targets based on a laser designation from a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). We are also working quickly to provide the Litening targeting pod for the Viper that will allow self-designation.

[Wags]

Hey everyone,

 

Things are moving at a very rapid pace, and here is where our focus is for the upcoming release:

 

1- We have Range While Search (RWS) and Single Target Track (STT) working, but work continues the SAM sub-mode and we are cleaning up symbology and functions. We are working on Track While Scan (TWS) mode in parallel with the Hornet, so this will come shortly after release.

 

2- AA Gun, AIM-9, and AIM-120 are up and running, but several items to still tune and add. Mostly the Dynamic Launch Zones (DLZ) and a few more minor items.

 

3- The Litening targeting pod is in and working, even for LGB self-designation. There are several items to still fix and add. Related, the DED laser page for the pod is now working. Please note that the LGB bomb laser code cannot be set in the aircraft.

 

4- Instrument Landing System (ILS) is in, but we still need to set up the needles. It’s close and I’ll create a video for it soon.

 

5- Tomorrow we should have the underside of the aircraft done with completed textures. With that, Cato will create the launch trailer.

 

6- The cockpit is more fleshed out with the Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) sensor post, some improved seat textures, a better effect for the LCD displays, and we removed the safety pin from the manual chute handle.

 

7- The Early Access Guide is shaping up well and will be available at release. Bunyap has done a great job with it.

 

8- Several interactive training missions will be available at release.

 

9- Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) radar modes are in, but we just need to update the HUD.

 

10- Dogfight switch is underway now and associated after and forward (MRM) functions.

 

12- We plan to have an initial IFF system but have not settled on the exact mechanization.

 

13- Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) is working in NAV mode.

 

14- Cockpit night lighting has been further improved with gauge lighting. We want to tune the flood lights a bit more though.

 

15- The centerline fuel tank will be ready this week.

 

16- Initial Countermeasurs Dispenser System (CMDS) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is functional. Four programs for chaff and flares and the RWR will be set up for the ALR-56M.

 

17- Cold start is working now, but we are adjusting some of the electrical panel sub-systems so the act correctly during cold start. Some of the instrument values are a bit off too, and we are working to adjust them.

 

18- Flight path marker (FPM) drift cut off was added.

 

Next week we will announce the release date. Once released though (soon), the 20% discount will end, and it will probably be over a year until we put the Viper in a sale.

 

Thanks for your support!

 

- Wags

Edited September 26, 2019 by Wags

[Wags]

Hey everyone,

 

We now have a very complete accounting for all Viper controls in the Input Controls Manager in DCS World. As such, we have created default control profiles that match the Viper for Thrustmaster, RealSimulator, Virpil, VKB, and Logitech products that can mimic the F-16's controls.

 

I believe these to be quite close to the real aircraft, but you can naturally adjust them to best suit your needs.

 

Thanks.

Wags

Edited September 28, 2019 by Wags

[Wags]

Hey everyone,

 

To get you prepared for the release of our F-16C sometime in early autumn 2019, we are making available an early, work-in-progress draft of it’s Early Access Guide. This is being prepared by “Bunyap” and he’s doing a wonderful job (he is also creating the interactive training missions)!

As we push to release, he will be further updating it and continue to update it during the development of our Viper. Please note that if you don’t see an item in the guide that you expect at release, it mostly likely because the item is still in work and too early to write it up for the guide.

 

You can find it here:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/viper_early_access_guide_en/

 

We hope you enjoy it!

 

Thanks,

Wags

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - ILS Landing

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we will learn how to use the Instrument Landing System (ILS) of the F-16. When enabled based on the ILS frequency of the airfield, ILS provides localizer (azimuth steering) and glidepath steering bars to bring you down to the runway on the correct course and glidepath angle. This is most often used at night or foul weather that prevents a visual approach.

 

The ILS frequency of an airfield can be found on the F10 map view, in the Mission Editor, or often in the mission briefing.

 

We plan to release the Early Access version sometime in early Autumn 2019 (Autumn 2019 starts on 23 September).

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Startup Procedure

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, it’s time to learn the cold and dark startup procedure! This can be a rather long and involved process if you want to do it “by the book”, but you can certainly do a much faster, abbreviated startup if you wish.

 

This video is recorded from the included startup interactive training lesson.

 

We got the startup procedure done earlier than we expected (a few small items to still tune), so we have a few more videos to do prior to release.

 

We plan to release the Early Access version sometime in early Autumn 2019 (Autumn 2019 starts on 23 September).

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

[Wags]

Dear Pilots!

 

We are pleased to announce that DCS: F-16C Viper will be released on our e-Shop and Steam on 03 October 2019! Please note that the pre-order discount from our e-Shop will end then.

 

DCS World e-Shop:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

 

We have also been reaching out to Steam through multiple channels to extend the pre-order period, but we have been unsuccessful. We will keep trying.

 

We are very excited to make this work of art available to you, and we thank you for your encouragement and support. We could not do this without you.

 

Sincerely,

The Eagle Dynamics Team

Edited October 1, 2019 by Wags

[Wags]

Hey everyone,

 

The Steam pro-order discount has been reinstated!

 

Thanks,

Wags

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – Targeting Pod

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we will take a first look at the Litening targeting pod for the Viper. This is an initial version with more features to come in parallel with development of the Litening targeting pod for the Hornet.

 

We plan to release our Viper on 3 October 2019.

 

Basic steps for self-lase LGB attack:

 

Master Arm on

Laser on

CCRP selected

Target tracked on TGP

Bomb laser code and TGP laser code match

Bomb release

Keep out of TGP mask zone

First stage of trigger held to lase

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – One Day to Go!

 

 

With just one day to go before release of our DCS: F-16C Viper, we wanted to remind everyone that the pre-order discount will also end tomorrow. Based on the Hornet, it will probably be over a year until we put the Viper on sale again. If you wish to purchase the Viper at a discount, you have less than 24 hours.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

 

Over our many years of developing aircraft, no other aircraft was as challenging to get the landing gear animations correct as the Viper. We believe the result is fantastic.

 

Now that the landing gear animation is complete, our external aircraft artist is focusing on the external textures and creating a texture template that we can release after the Viper launch on 3 October 2019.

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – Airborne Radar and AIM-120 Overview

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, it’s time to review the basics of the air-to-air radar. We’ll review Range While Scan (RWS), Situational Awareness Mode (SAM), and Single-Track Target (STT) mode. As the product continues development in parallel with the F/A-18C Hornet, we will be adding other radar modes like Track While Scan (TWS) and RAID/EXPAND. We’ll also look at the basics of using the AIM-120 air-to-air missile with radar guidance.

 

This is based on a USAF F-16C Block 50 circa 2007 and may be a bit different than you are used to.

 

We plan to release our Viper on 3 October 2019. As such, the 20% discount will end shortly.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – Close Air Combat

 

 

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video we’ll explore the basics of using the Viper within visual range air combat. This includes the EEGS gun funnel, the AIM-9 Sidewinder, Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) radar modes, the Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS), and the Dogfight Switch.

 

This is based on a USAF F-16C Block 50 circa 2007 and may be a bit different than you are used to. This is specifically true with the Dogfight mode HUD as it has changed greatly in later years.

 

We plan to release our Viper on 3 October 2019. As such, the 20% discount will end shortly.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper – Release Trailer

 

 

On 3 October 2019 we will be releasing our DCS: F-16C Viper into early access. This has been a rapid development due to an incredibly hard-working team and the technology and knowhow created for the Hornet. Both products will now move ahead in parallel and benefit from each other.

 

The initial release will be on the Open Beta version of DCS World. Later, it will be released on the “Stable” version.

 

Thank you so much for the support and encouragement during this development!

 

Please note that the pre-order discount will be ending within the next 24 hours.

 

Pre-order now and save 20% on our e-Shop at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/

 

Or, Steam at:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1090850/DCS_F16C_Viper/

[Wags]

Viper Launch Day!

 

Welcome to DCS: F-16C Viper launch day everyone! The Viper will be released sometime today (Moscow time). The team is very busy setting everything up for both the DCS World e-Shop and Steam releases.

 

As with all new releases and updates, the Viper will first be released in Open Beta. If you don't already have it installed, you can find it here:

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/beta/

 

Once we are confident that there are no crashbugs, we will then move to the "stable" version (hence the term stable).

 

Please also note that is very much the early state of early access! so there will be bugs and plenty of new features to add during the open-development period. This will be in parallel to the Hornet.

 

Thanks and have fun!

 

- Wags

[Wags]

DCS: F-16C Viper - Controls Setup

 

 

Although we included default control profiles for many popular joysticks and throttles, we could not do them all and you may wish to modify the supplied profiles. This video is was created to provide a core-understanding of how to set up your controls to match that of a real F-16C Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS).