DCS: F-14 Development Update - Enter the -A!

[Harlikwin]

On 2/12/2021 at 4:39 PM, LanceCriminal86 said:

 

We're not getting "early" Cats, we're getting the second to last batch of As somewhat as they rolled off the line in 84/85. I tried to see if they'd swap the "early" 135 for a US -95 but we're basically just getting the exact same thing we already have but with a different RWR and maybe LANTIRN turned off.

 

Not that a -95 is a super early jet but it at least better represents the 80s jets and can pretend to be an older one if they solve the TCS swapping puzzle.

 

So for a USN -95 vs an IRAF -95 what would the practical difference be? The tanks are an obvious one. Would the lack of the flir set matter? Was it used much if at all?

[Skysurfer]

15 minutes ago, Harlikwin said:

 

So for a USN -95 vs an IRAF -95 what would the practical difference be? The tanks are an obvious one. Would the lack of the flir set matter? Was it used much if at all?

 

If you look at the movie "The Final Countdown", those VF-84 jets dont have a TCS or fuel tanks/pylons either. 

[Harlikwin]

9 minutes ago, Skysurfer said:

 

If you look at the movie "The Final Countdown", those VF-84 jets dont have a TCS or fuel tanks/pylons either. 

 

So we basically need "skins"?

Edited February 16, 2021 by Harlikwin

[LanceCriminal86]

9 hours ago, Harlikwin said:

 

So for a USN -95 vs an IRAF -95 what would the practical difference be? The tanks are an obvious one. Would the lack of the flir set matter? Was it used much if at all?

 

9 hours ago, Harlikwin said:

 

So we basically need "skins"?

 

 

Take the current feature set of the "early" -135 we are slated for, and swap the visual model. There's your systems difference as long as ECM in DCS continues to be on/off.

 

Otherwise the -95 would have a slightly different, maybe less effective ECM suite, as they lack the ALQ-126.

 

Past that, the -95 model would need to optionally have TCS or TCS with the bullet fairing instead of the ALQ-100 only like the Iranian cats.

 

No LANTIRN and probably restrict A2G based on dates until early 90s when Bombcat testing started in earnest.

 

Skin would not be an accurate term as the -95 has some slight visual model changes, as mentioned previously the ALQ-126 antennas by the intakes and the older beaver tail that lacks the ALR-67 housing. You can paint on earlier markings but to some it's just not right seeing late features on what's supposed to be an older jet.

 

As didn't get the -67 apparently until later 90s or 00s, if at all. Some stuff slated for upgrades on 1998/99 training docs may never have been deployed. B's had them and the D I think had a different RWR. I personally would rather have the -135 just be the late A, and drop the early work into the -95. Easier to pretend a late 135 is a late 80s one than to take a 135 and pretend it's a -95.

 

 

[SgtPappy]

On 2/16/2021 at 2:46 PM, Skysurfer said:

 

If you look at the movie "The Final Countdown", those VF-84 jets dont have a TCS or fuel tanks/pylons either. 

 

I think these early A's also don't have the TF30-P-414A, they'd be the -412 - not sure if the differences are enough to model though.

[paco2002]

Can I ask when can we expect the other variants for the F14A? I am waiting the Iranian and the Early A version

 

[Devil 505]

Any news on the VR pilot coming anytime soon?  I do not recall seeing it.  Look forward to this, really brings the immersion level to the max.

[Viper33]

On 11/4/2020 at 3:40 AM, Cobra847 said:

 

 

• F-14A-95-GR: Early F-14A for IRIAF. These jets will have certain limitations and modifications, such as the lack of TCS and fuel pylons.
• F-14A-135-GR (Early): This will be an earlier representation of the F-14A, equipped with the ALR-45 RWR and will also come with a number of minor variations such as early gun vents, alternate de-fog systems, and other minor differences between late and early ALR-45 equipped F-14A’s.
• F-14A-135-GR (Late): This version represents a later, ALR-67 equipped F-14A.

November 18th will see the release of ALR-67 equipped F-14A-135-GR. While this represents a closer analogue to the current F-14B, it also allows us to roll out the F-14A in a controlled, stepwise process. The ALR-45 equipped F-14A will not be far behind, which will not only introduce more significant changes in cockpit avionics, but also implement the full overhaul of RWR and EM spectrum emissions upgrades planned for both the ALR-67 and ALR-45. See more details on that here. Investment into core technologies such as robust RWR simulation pays dividends in future products, and getting it just right the first time around is critical to modularity and reusability.

Overall, we look forward to ending this year on a high note, with a clear path to full release come early 2021 and the journey towards excellent product sustainment and the next generation of Heatblur titles, based on all of our combined experience and robust technological foundation.

 

 

It has been almost 4 years, any news on that front?

Edited April 29, 2024 by Viper33

[RustBelt]

We’ve had the 135 late A for some time.

Work on the Early A was concurrent to the Phantom due to some common factors, and The Phantom is in current all hands phase for EA release. That’s been the word for about the last 3-6 months.

Phantom system development will feed early A. And most wirk has been towards Phantom EA release. A lot of Heatblur still has Day jobs, and yea, with luck the Early A will drop the day after Iran finally scraps their last Tomcat. So we can enjoy it without the shadow of it being used as an Iranian training tool. 

[paco2002]

1 hour ago, RustBelt said:

With luck the Early A will drop the day after Iran finally scraps their last Tomcat. So we can enjoy it without the shadow of it being used as an Iranian training tool. 

I don't get it, what?

[SkateZilla]

1 hour ago, RustBelt said:

We’ve had the 135 late A for some time.

Work on the Early A was concurrent to the Phantom due to some common factors, and The Phantom is in current all hands phase for EA release. That’s been the word for about the last 3-6 months.

Phantom system development will feed early A. And most wirk has been towards Phantom EA release. A lot of Heatblur still has Day jobs, and yea, with luck the Early A will drop the day after Iran finally scraps their last Tomcat. So we can enjoy it without the shadow of it being used as an Iranian training tool. 

They dont have computers powerful enough to run DCS, we're safe.

[RustBelt]

I mean, they have plenty of Crypto rigs, they definitely can manage. As has been proven by the blackmarket Tomcat parts, embargo and sanctions are just ideas on paper to make politicians feel like they accomplished something useful.

2 hours ago, paco2002 said:

I don't get it, what?

‘S all good, nothing to see here for you.