DCS: F/A-18C Features Roadmap for Early Access

[Kate Perederko]

Dear Hornet Pilots,

Thank you for your participation in our F/A-18C Hornet Roadmap features poll. 3000 responses were received and thank you for your valuable feedback and participation. The chart below illustrates your priorities. In summary:

We have reconsidered our plans in accordance with your priorities, and adjusted our planning based on this and our capabilities and available development time.

The final list of features that are planned to be delivered for DCS: F/A-18C Hornet:

• Completion of the Litening Targeting Pod [completed]
• Dynamic launch zones and AUTO LOFT mode for JDAM [completed]
• AG radar: Real Beam Ground Map (MAP) [completed]
• SLAM air-to-surface missile [completed]
• AG radar. EXP modes (1-2-3), GMT and GMTT modes, and SEA search mode[completed]
• Datalink symbols, EW symbols, and AG mode for JHMCS [completed]
• AG radar. AGR (air to ground ranging) mode[completed]
• AG radar interleaved mode (SEA and GMT) [completed]
• ATFLIR [completed]
• ASPJ ECM jammer [completed]
• Azimuth / Elevation air-to-air radar mode with AUTO IFF modes[completed]
• Mark points [completed]
• SLAM-ER air-to-surface missile [completed]
• Harpoon, SEA radar directed mode (FTT) [completed]
• S/A and AUTO countermeasure modes [completed]
• Flight member TGT ground target SA page symbol missing [completed]
• HARM Pre-Briefed mode [completed]
• Correct possible flare number loaded [completed]
• Adjust countermeasure programs when on ground [completed]
• GBU-32 JDAM [completed]
• IN LAR cue is missing [completed]
• Select AA and AG on ground [completed]
• Fuel BIT (FLBIT) Page [completed]
• BDU-45 Training Bomb [completed]
• New and updated HOTAS functions [completed]
• Radar SPOT mode [completed]
• Jamming targets not displayed on radar, should be in dugout [completed]
• RWS RAID air-to-air radar sub-mode missing [completed]
• The missing function of WIDE radar auto acquisition mode, cannot slew it [completed]
• Coupled autopilot modes [completed]
• Offset waypoints [completed]
• ACLS mode [completed]
• AIM-7P [completed]
• GBU-24 Paveway III LGB [completed] New PWIII autopilot being created.
• TALD decoy [completed]
• Gun sparks at night [completed]
• UFC BU page [completed]
• Updated pilot model [completed]
• INS / GPS full simulation and carrier alignment [completed]
• Update flight model for ground effect, takeoff pitch effects, auto-pilot based on FPM, touch and go handling, and other remaining flight model issues [completed]
• JPF Fuze settings (first need new fuze options for DCS [completed]
• Radar Bump mode [completed]

After Early Access

• Additional MSI functions [In Progress]
• Continued refinements to the flight model and flight control system [In Progress]
• Updated external lights [In Progress]
• Updated radar performance [In Progress]
• AUTO LOFT mode and remaining JDAM and JSOW functions.
• Radar Terrain Avoidance (TA) mode.
• Mk-77 firebomb (visual effect first required).
• GEN-X decoy (missing needed data).

We have one encompassing feature that requires cooperation between the F/A-18C and F-16C Team, the DCS Core Team, and 3rd Party Developers: create a shared planning environment and agree on a single strategy to support mission planning for many aircraft types. This includes an Aircraft Setup Card in Options and a Mission Planning Card for waypoints with properties (Sequences, Target Points, Pre-Planned Targets, Pre-Briefed Targets, Initial Points, Bullseyes, etc.) and MUMI and similar pages. This is a complex task that we have been designing, and we will be working with all participants to create the best Aircraft Setup and Mission Planner possible.

Sincerely,

The Eagle Dynamics Team

Updated 19 October 2022

 

[tifafan]

Thank you ED!

[Bloodhound57]

Thank you for the update. Keep up the good work!

 

Steve

[PL_Harpoon]

Thank you.

 

 

 

The final list of features that are planned to be delivered in 2020 for DCS: F/A-18C Hornet:

 

Do you plan to release these features in this order?

[rem27]

:thumbup:

[UrgentSiesta]

so glad you did the survey - was great to be able to vote! i was surprised to see my personal wishes mostly align with everyone else's ;)

 

 

please keep on doing this for all development!! :)

[FalconPlot16]

Are we still getting AG radar and Slam tomorrow ?

[amalahama]

Thank you for the update. I don't understand, however, how a basic navigational feature like offset waypoints won't be included at release. Complete nav functionality is what I would expect from a finished module

[Swift.]

Thank you for the update. I don't understand, however, how a basic navigational feature like offset waypoints won't be included at release. Complete nav functionality is what I would expect from a finished module

 

Agreed, gutted that HOTAS function isnt considered essential for a 'complete' module. It's also mighty interesting to see various bug fixes are to be considered features.

[notproplayer3]

Nice, I'm happy the AG radar and the jhmcs symbology is high up on the list.

[Krippz]

Thank you! Good luck.

[Kate Perederko]

Are we still getting AG radar and Slam tomorrow ?

Yes

[FalconPlot16]

Yes

 

Thats great thank you!

[FoxOne007]

Thanks for this Kate, now can we see a similar post for the Viper with such a list. Even though it will be on the backburner this year, I would still like to know what features ED do have planned for this year.

[tifafan]

Yes

Dear Kate

when can we have video about new features coming tomorrow?

Without video i dont know how to use it.

[RSharpe]

Yes

 

 

In the same way the Litening TGP features and JDAM auto modes were delivered in 2.5.6.49314?

[Snoopy]

We have one encompassing feature that requires cooperation between the F/A-18C and F-16C Team, the DCS Core Team, and 3rd Party Developers: create a shared planning environment and agree on a single strategy to support mission planning for many aircraft types. This includes an Aircraft Setup Card in Options and a Mission Planning Card for waypoints with properties (Sequences, Target Points, Pre-Planned Targets, Pre-Briefed Targets, Initial Points, Bullseyes, etc.) and MUMI and similar pages. This is a complex task that we have been designing, and we will be working with all participants to create the best Aircraft Setup and Mission Planner possible.

 

Two things. First I hope this isn’t just for single player. 2. Please work with your real world SMEs on what an actually mission planner/data cartridge is. What was originally shown isn’t one.

[bart]

Dear Kate

when can we have video about new features coming tomorrow?

Without video i dont know how to use it.

 

Also some explanation on how the targeting pod now works would be great, it's doing very odd things for me at the moment, unable to slew it when in area and point track, slewing to 180 deg when un-designating etc.

[joker62]

Thank you very much for update. Good work.

[Outlaw24]

Man you can get spoiled with good communications like this, thank you and keep up the good work and communications.

[Rlaxoxo]

Like why is everyone thanking ED?

Haven't we went through this before like 2-3 times and what happened?

[apolloace]

Expected a Wags video detailing the AG Radar & SLAM ER, that is supposed to be coming on the 3rd.

 

Since we do not have that video, probably it is not coming tomorrow.

[parxuk]

I'm grateful so please don't think i'm not, but weren't we told very recently that the Hornet would be finished in 2020?

 

Doesn't really matter to me because I will still be crashing it in to the back of the Supercarier, but just thought I read that somewhere?

[Thump]

I'm grateful so please don't think i'm not, but weren't we told very recently that the Hornet would be finished in 2020?

 

Doesn't really matter to me because I will still be crashing it in to the back of the Supercarier, but just thought I read that somewhere?

 

I think they saw the response of the community (to include myself) preferring they keep the Hornet in EA until it is actually finished instead of changing definitions to fit a timeline. If anything this is a good step in the right direction IMHO.

Edited June 2, 2020 by Thump
Re-read OP

[Thunderbird]

One thing why ED is successful is because of Community & Engagement

Loving it