Announcement Regarding AGM-65 Maverick Loads

[RAZBAM_ELMO]

Dear Customers:

 

Today we want to talk about our decision of removing the AGM-65F from the weapons roster for the DCS Night Attack AV-8B Harrier II.

 

Through the development of the AV-8B N/A we gained access to more current information thanks to the invaluable help of our current active status SMEs, this translates into a constant upgrade of the module, new weapons integration and actual employment, updated sensors, and capabilities, that the original product didn’t have, mainly because it was modeled around an early 2000’s iteration of the AV-8B N/A. All this new flow of new information and data indicated that the AGM-65F, while available to the Harriers in the 2000s, was not in service in the USMC and not integrated in the mid 2010s update the Harriers received. This motivated the decision to remove it from the aircraft to better represent the capabilities of a mid 2010s aircraft, which is what our AV-8B N/A module is based on currently.

 

But this decision, based on the facts stated before, overlooked the fact that some of our customers liked the idea or are fond of using said missile. For a number of factors and reasons, this time reality took over the personal choice of this product's customers. It’s easy to get distracted in the constant search for accuracy vs the reality of the fun factor and user’s choice of having such fun when using our product. This is a choice you, as the customer, should have to some extent, while the real and hard trained individual that uses this aircraft doesn’t. But in the end, this is a simulator, and above anything else, it’s main purpose is to provide fun to the user, without sacrificing too much realism in the process.

 

Having said that, it has been decided to keep the weapon to better represent early 2000s AV-8B N/A capabilities to give the freedom to the player to fly realistic mid 2010s loadouts or not. It has been decided to give the user that option, for his/her satisfaction while using the DCS AV-8B Night Attack module. We will keep the AGM-65F and improve it to add the bore-sighting procedure, just like in ED’s F-16. We will also improve the AGM-65E implementation and add the AGM-65E2.

 

The AGM-65E will have its implementation improved with the addition of limitations linked to the TPOD integration. The TPOD video can’t be displayed at the same time as the Maverick video, this is true for the AGM-65F and the AGM-65E. Since when the TPOD is not displayed, the HOTAS controls reverts to its default settings and the AGM-65 is a lock-on before launch (LOBL) type of weapon, the missile can’t be guided by the launching aircraft. The AGM-65E2 goes around this limitation because it can be uncaged and launched from the TPOD page, or the TPOD video can be switched to the MAV video momentarily. We will also implement a particularity of the E2 that it can lock on the TPOD laser source if the laser is fired before the missile is uncaged and the TPOD is loaded on station 4.

 

Maverick missile employment will be updated to reflect the real workload of the pilot when using the weapons thanks to the information and SMEs we have access to.

 

In parallel to the maverick improvements, we are working on fixing bugs and adding the last features to the Harrier. We will list some of them :

• IFF configuration menus and allow them to be used by SRS.

• Ability to make overlays from the data page for the moving map.

• We will contact the Combat flight team to see how we can integrate the Harrier with this software.

• Loft bombing profile.

• Update to all training missions and addition of new ones.

 

While Baltic Dragon works on the full manual for the Harrier, here is an extract that contains the ground ops section. Keep in mind this is work in progress, it may contain errors and is subject to change. We would love to hear your input and feedback on the revised manual to help us create a better user experience in the future. 

 

Harrier Manual Ground Ops extract.pdf

 

We hope this will clear-up our intentions regarding the AV-8B N/A, and show that we are committed to the DCS community as a whole. Thanks for your passion and support.

 

The RAZBAM team

Edited July 6, 2021 by RAZBAM_ELMO

[Beirut]

And I will continue to be RAZBAM customer and buy further modules. 

 

Thank you.

[shagrat]

Thank you so much for listening!

This is a great decision and gives us a lot more flexibility to build missions around older or specific scenarios that benefit from a true fire and forget weapon.

Looking forward to the updates.

 

[horstweihrauch]

Now I can go to sleep with peace of mindthank you for this announcement.

[sadfunda]

glad mavs are staying

weird choice for text color though

 

Edited July 7, 2021 by sadfunda

[Draken35]

Thanks much for the Solomonic decision !

 

On a quick glance, the Manual is looking top notch. I certainly will check it out in detail.

 

The Combat Flight tidbit is quite interesting. I'm interested in that software too, just waiting for it to be updated with the latest Map changes to take the plunge.

 

Edit to add:

 

A small suggestion, if it is not already considered. In the weapons section of the manual, you could add a line per weapon specifying the time frame on which said weapon is a valid loadout.

Edited July 7, 2021 by Draken35

[BigMotor]

Thank you for the work on the new manual.  Downloaded the excerpt, good read and very much welcomed!

[Surrexen]

Sanity has prevailed!

[Coyote_One]

I cant think of anyone who would be negatively impacted by the entire module because 1 variant of a weapon was in the arsenal that was a few years off service dates  

If you would be, please make yourself known so we can avoid your input in the future xD

I'd be pretty annoyed if they were removed for that reason so glad theyre staying.

[TLTeo]

Good decision. Hopefully the next time a decision of some type needs to be made/is made, you won't need the forums pitchforking it up before you choose the best option.

[Harlikwin]

Gotta say. I'm impressed with this decision. 

[Beirut]

2 minutes ago, Harlikwin said:

Gotta say. I'm impressed with this decision. 

 

And it was the right decision for the right reason.

 

As stated by RAZBAM_Elmo:  "It has been decided to give the user that option. . . . "

 

That is the kind of language that builds trust in a developer. Trust = $$$

[Tippis]

Was it really necessary to delete the feedback thread?

It has a plethora of very good points and ideas in it that will be worth coming back to and reminding you, and indeed all DCS devs, of.

[gnomechild]

Great news! 

[Nealius]

While "some users were fond of the missile" is in no way the crux of the issue, as evidenced by the now-deleted feedback thread, I'm pleased that the Fs are staying. 

 

 

[ustio]

this is the right way to go

Edited July 7, 2021 by ustio

[Beirut]

9 minutes ago, Tippis said:

Was it really necessary to delete the feedback thread?

It has a plethora of very good points and ideas in it that will be worth coming back to and reminding you, and indeed all DCS devs, of.

 

I think the other devs here took careful notice and will not want the vocal hordes in their forums. 

[StandingCow]

Thanks for listening Razbam.  Although I have to say the decision shouldn't have been based purely on customer feedback but rather that the Harrier CAN carry and deploy these weapons, just because the marines no longer employed the weapon doesn't mean the capability was removed.  Now if I am totally wrong and the capability was removed that's another story.

 

Anyway, thanks Razbam.

[RazerVon]

Thank you, Razbam team.

[defeatist99]

I think this was the best play. Being able to roleplay a slightly earlier scenario should definitely be doable. Thank you for the concise response!

[MAXsenna]

Good call. Bought it.

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[Home Fries]

Thank you.  This is the best way to go.

[JeffreyC]

This is very good news! I do scenarios through different time periods so such flexibility is perfect. This decision has restored my faith in looking forward on the F-15E

[Oceandar]

 It has been decided to give the user that option, for his/her satisfaction while using the DCS AV-8B Night Attack module.

This is the way

[falcon_120]

Thanks, much appreciated Razbam. Also very much appreciated the continued support you are providing to a product you launched long ago.

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