New weapon drag summary

[Phantom_Mark]

With beta version as of December, 2019, the arrival of the over-G wingbreak feature opens up a new and exciting low drag configuration.

 

M1.55 sustained at 5000ft. 1010 knots ground speed, or 520 m/s.

 

 

For a few seconds before running out of fuel.

 

:megalol::music_whistling::joystick:

[Eldur]

Hilarious. Too bad having the wings flipped up doesn't seem to change the drag...

[Figaro9]

 

Still the DCS 18C seems under powered when looking at the 'unofficial' performance numbers/graph (1999, F414-GE-400)

 

Here is probalbly a hint that the dcs-hornet is performing slightly below rw-data.

At page 84 in gao there is an air speed envelope comparison between f18 c/d (402 engine) and e/f

 

Here is the comparison between the gao report and my dcs test today (F18c (F404 GE402) 2aim9, 2 aim120, 33325lbs (60%fuel) )

 

5kft gao m1.17, dcs m1.12

10kft gao m1.27 dcs m1.20

20kft gao m1.47 dcs m1.40

30kft gao m1.65 dcs m1.60

38kft gao m1.76 dcs m1.70

40kft gao m1.75 dcs m1.69

50kft gao m1.64 dcs m1.58

.trk is far too long and too big, but people can easely verify...

 

Also did the SAF a climb/acceleration comparison between F16 and F-18 in the evaluation process. The Hornet Epe should get from brake release on rwy to 49’000 feet and mach 1.4 in 4min 9 sec in rw with 2 aim9 and 2 aim120 (source: swiss evaluation documentation.) CF-18, used in the initial evaluation phase, needed 6min 15s...

My best test result in that load out and config: in 4min 9sec was 49kft and m1.13 instead of m1.4, but there are probably better profiles?

f18 climb 49000 m1-15 3-53.trk

Edited June 18, 2020 by Figaro9

[wilbur81]

On 6/18/2020 at 7:49 AM, Figaro9 said:

 

Here is probalbly a hint that the dcs-hornet is performing slightly below rw-data.

At page 84 in gao there is an air speed envelope comparison between f18 c/d (402 engine) and e/f

 

Here is the comparison between the gao report and my dcs test today (F18c (F404 GE402) 2aim9, 2 aim120, 33325lbs (60%fuel) )

 

5kft gao m1.17, dcs m1.12

10kft gao m1.27 dcs m1.20

20kft gao m1.47 dcs m1.40

30kft gao m1.65 dcs m1.60

38kft gao m1.76 dcs m1.70

40kft gao m1.75 dcs m1.69

50kft gao m1.64 dcs m1.58

.trk is far too long and too big, but people can easely verify...

 

Also did the SAF a climb/acceleration comparison between F16 and F-18 in the evaluation process. The Hornet Epe should get from brake release on rwy to 49’000 feet and mach 1.4 in 4min 9 sec in rw with 2 aim9 and 2 aim120 (source: swiss evaluation documentation.) CF-18, used in the initial evaluation phase, needed 6min 15s...

My best test result in that load out and config: in 4min 9sec was 49kft and m1.13 instead of m1.4, but there are probably better profiles?

f18 climb 49000 m1-15 3-53.trk 917.75 kB · 8 downloads

 

Hey, Figaro.

 

Question for you: Could you PM me a link to the GAO report you provided data from above? I need to do some more precise testing, but the current DCS Hornet apparently performs no where near those numbers now (it used to, but no longer). Just wondering if that data you've provided is even accurate? I wish it was, but we aren't seeing those numbers currently with 2 aim9s, 2 aim120s, and 33325lbs (60%fuel) in DCS.

Edited January 29, 2021 by wilbur81

[Vortex225]

What's the consensus on the Hornet FM right now? What's left to tweak?

[HeavyGun1450]

Any chance the rocket pod drag for the Zunis and Hydras can be tweaked? I honestly cant imagine they are this draggy in real life and they arent that heavy. They are EXTREMELY draggy compared to anything else I have ever equipped on the hornet. Its pretty bad when I have less drag, better turning performance and top speed/fuel range with 2 MK84's compared to just having two rocket pods equipped

Edited January 13, 2022 by HeavyGun1450

[Dragon1-1]

Well, they have those large flat noses, so yeah, they're draggy, far more than Mk84s, which are quite aerodynamic. You've got a big circle that's directly parallel to the airstream, so that's gonna hurt. There's a reason the Russians put nosecones on their pods when mounting them to fixed wing aircraft, and most other nations make them with round noses in first place. The big Hydra pod does have a jettisonable nosecone, which is currently used on the F-16, but I don't think the Hornet uses it (at least I haven't seen any pics of it with the nosecone), so it's probably a USAF thing. IRL, the 7-rocket pods are often the ones carried on fixed wing, those should be less draggy.