Community A-4E-C v2.3 (May 2025)

[plusnine]

A-4E-C Version 2.3 Community Update

Hello, A-4E-C pilots! We hope you are well. A-4E-C 2.3 brings greater compatibility with features introduced in DCS World 2.9, including fixes to radios, AGM-45 Shrikes, bomb fusing, and more.

Visit our new Project Page at https://community-a-4e.github.io

Download A-4E-C 2.3 at https://github.com/Community-A-4E/community-a4e-c/releases/latest

If you downloaded in the first hour of this post being up, redownload the module -- there was a bug in the distribution workflow which causes a bunch of problems. It is fixed now.

Version 2.3 - 14 May 2025

Added

• AGM-45 Shrike seeker head selection compatibility and sound response. There are some limitations that require pilot attention. After you rearm and before takeoff, a new set of new bindings (LSHIFT+1, 2, 4, 5) allow you to define the desired seeker head response for each station. Dynamic spawn A-4E-C units with AGM-45s in their loadout assume a MK 50 seeker.
• AN/APR-25 RHWS audio responses for SA-8, SA-10, SA-11, SA-13, and SA-19 search and tracking radars. Like the SA-3, these units give no audible launch indication.
• AN/ARA-63 MCL (ICLS) compatibility with Veinticinco de Mayo carrier.
• A-4E-C (Scooter) version number is recorded in DCS.log.

Changed

• AN/ARN-25 Automated Direction Finder (ADF) antenna rotation speed increased.
• CBU 1/A, 2/A, and 2/BA launchers now use the DCS standard weapons introduced with the F-4E.
• Instant Action Carrier Start should provide a clearer taxi path to the Stennis catapult.
• Exterior light animation improvements.
• External 3D model UV unwrap improvements for canopy, speedbrake, tailhook hinge, wheel well launch hooks, and refueling probe.
• Kneeboard manual updated with new information, and corrected a few typos.

Fixed

• Enabling TACAN and MCL/ICLS radios no longer cause crashes. Fixed TACAN bearing pointing North when off.
• MER and TER work with DCS bomb fusing.
• Non-axis throttle inputs properly disengage the APC.
• The ECM Panel REC warning light turns on if the AN/APR-25 RHWS is contacted by an SA-3 radar.
• AWRS STEP SINGLE and STEP SALVO bindings are no longer swapped.
• Raising flaps complies with Supercarrier crew "awaiting wing fold" requests.
• AI takeoff behavior on the Supercarrier (thanks Nearblind).

Edited May 15 by plusnine

[gorandcs]

4 hours ago, plusnine said:

A-4E-C Version 2.3 Community Update

Hello, A-4E-C pilots! We hope you are well. A-4E-C 2.3 brings greater compatibility with features introduced in DCS World 2.9, including fixes to radios, AGM-45 Shrikes, bomb fusing, and more.

Visit our new Project Page at https://community-a-4e.github.io

Download A-4E-C 2.3 at https://github.com/Community-A-4E/community-a4e-c/releases/latest

If you downloaded in the first hour of this post being up, redownload the module -- there was a bug in the distribution workflow which causes a bunch of problems. It is fixed now.

Version 2.3 - 14 May 2025

Added

• AGM-45 Shrike seeker head selection compatibility and sound response. There are some limitations that require pilot attention. After you rearm and before takeoff, a new set of new bindings (LSHIFT+1, 2, 4, 5) allow you to define the desired seeker head response for each station. Dynamic spawn A-4E-C units with AGM-45s in their loadout assume a MK 50 seeker.
• AN/APR-25 RHWS audio responses for SA-8, SA-10, SA-11, SA-13, and SA-19 search and tracking radars. Like the SA-3, these units give no audible launch indication.
• AN/ARA-63 MCL (ICLS) compatibility with Veinticinco de Mayo carrier.
• A-4E-C (Scooter) version number is recorded in DCS.log.

Changed

• AN/ARN-25 Automated Direction Finder (ADF) antenna rotation speed increased.
• CBU 1/A, 2/A, and 2/BA launchers now use the DCS standard weapons introduced with the F-4E.
• Instant Action Carrier Start should provide a clearer taxi path to the Stennis catapult.
• Exterior light animation improvements.
• External 3D model UV unwrap improvements for canopy, speedbrake, tailhook hinge, wheel well launch hooks, and refueling probe.
• Kneeboard manual updated with new information, and corrected a few typos.

Fixed

• Enabling TACAN and MCL/ICLS radios no longer cause crashes. Fixed TACAN bearing pointing North when off.
• MER and TER work with DCS bomb fusing.
• Non-axis throttle inputs properly disengage the APC.
• The ECM Panel REC warning light turns on if the AN/APR-25 RHWS is contacted by an SA-3 radar.
• AWRS STEP SINGLE and STEP SALVO bindings are no longer swapped.
• Raising flaps complies with Supercarrier crew "awaiting wing fold" requests.
• AI takeoff behavior on the Supercarrier (thanks Nearblind).

Thanks!

[NinpoFox]

Awesome! Thank you.

[Calabrone]

Thank you for this fantastique mod !

[MEV-27]

I want to express my gratitude to the developers of this wonderful mod! I am very glad that the A-4 is constantly improving. But, in my opinion, there is one permanent drawback. The pilot's model on the exterior. It is completely outdated and geometrically incorrectly positioned. The head is too small and too low. This greatly affects the external perception and spoils the wonderful mod. Please correct it.

Edited May 15 by MEV-27

[YSIAD_RIP]

@plusnine, Thank you for giving me a reason to start up DCS tonight and update my A-4E-C to version 2.3.

How much time I spend will be dependent on the weather and the dog.. lol 

[Rudel_chw]

18 hours ago, plusnine said:

Hello, A-4E-C pilots! We hope you are well. A-4E-C 2.3 brings greater compatibility with features introduced in DCS World 2.9, including fixes to radios, AGM-45 Shrikes, bomb fusing, and more.

 

Hello @plusnine

 

Went to Github to get the latest version of this exceptional Mod and was amazed to find my nickname listed as Community Contributor .. I did some training missions for this Mod five years ago, honestly I didn't expect to still be mentioned after all this time .. thank you so much.

I'm currently fully committed to editing a set of missions for the T-45 update project, but as soon as I finish with those I will strive to update my old A-4E missions to make them compatible with this latest version of the Mod, as I regret not having them updated after all the fun times I had flying the A-4E. 

Best regards and thanks again,

 

eduardo

[SUHANG]

Wonderful mod. thanks

Quick question, is the ADF and ILS function in the sinai map? I tried a lot but seems the ADF and ILS not work. By the way, I tried the ILS of Veinticinco de Mayo carrier, seems no response as well. And Can I take off from the Veinticinco de Mayo carrier as well? Seem the U key to connect the launcher not works.

Edited May 16 by SUHANG

[Devil 505]

Really glad to see this still being supported! Thanks team

[Tonker]

On 5/15/2025 at 3:00 AM, plusnine said:

A-4E-C Version 2.3 Community Update

 

Woohoo! Awesome stuff, loving the continued support keep up the good work

 

PS. @Rudel_chw Quite right too, what you do for community module tutorials is brilliant, and much appreciated!

[pierscockey]

Great work on the jet chaps, it's fantastic.

First time flying it properly and there's one thing which I'm confused about - the discrepancy between the AoA Indicator gauge and AoA Indexer.  All other jets have the on-speed AoA at the centre of the white indicator marker, whereas the indexer only shows the yellow donut when it's at the very end of the white band.  Slow is past it.  The actual AoA (via DCS info bar) is about 12.8 degrees for the green donut and almost 13.5 for slow.  The centre of the white band is 12 degrees.  The indicator needle does appear to be a bit erratic too.

Is this correct?  

Cheers

 

 

Just to add - the brake input seem to go from 0-50% instantly, then 50-100% is gradual.  Fixed by setting a massive curve and can now modulate below 50%.

Edited May 18 by pierscockey

[ebabil]

Any new pics or videos? 

[sobe]

pierscockey

Could you send a pic of your rudder curse or did you do a custom one?

[pierscockey]

On 5/19/2025 at 4:17 PM, sobe said:

pierscockey

Could you send a pic of your rudder curse or did you do a custom one?

Of course, here you go.  My brakes are always inverted for some reason, so not sure if this would be back to front for others.

[Tea-Pig]

Thanks to all responsible for the new version of this fantastic mod with the wing fold trick. Now I can enjoy being directed around the carrier after landing. So far I've been directed to park in the island, on top of a another plane and off the stern of the ship. These directors are not the brightest cookies in the jar.

[stevey666]

Hi all,

FYI I've added Napalm effects to the Splash Damage script (adapted from a previous Napalm script), so you can make some better use out of those MK77s
 

 

[Ollie]

I hope this is not a daft question for having overlooked something, but what exactly were the 'radio' fixes? I'm using Voice Attack with Vaicom and only the interphone and aux appears for PTT i.e. no VHF/UHF /AM/FM for ATC etc. comms. Would appreciate some guidance on how to contact carrier/tower ATC.

[maikchaos]

For some reasons it looks like the Radar ist not working if you use the DCS Command from clickabledata.lua

The Radar Knob is Turning correctly OFF/STBY/SRCH... but the radar screen stays off.

-- RADAR CONTROL PANEL #6
elements["PNT_120"] = multiposition_switch_limited( "AN/APG-53A Radar Mode Switch", devices.RADAR, device_commands.radar_mode, 120, 5, 0.10, nil, nil, KNOBCLICK_LEFT_MID )
elements["PNT_120"].animated = {true, true}
elements["PNT_120"].animation_speed = {4, 4} -- multiply these numbers by the base 1.0 second animation speed to get final speed. 4 means animates in 0.25 seconds.

If you use the Radar Mode Selector CW/CCW or the mouse all is fine.

Any Hints?

[maikchaos]

Few other questions:

1. Does the Shrike work with the current version? I only get the growl but no "lock" tone.
2. The baro altimeter has a red flag "code" and I couldn't find anything about it or how to get it off. Also, you can't turn the baro altimeter's air pressure down (28.89 isn't adjustable).

[QuasarZero]

I'd like to ask about the 4-position rotary switch located below the Shrike Volume knob (I remember it's called the 'Shrike Selector Switch', may I might be mistaken).

According to the cockpit labels, it has options like 'Walleye Test,' 'Shrike 1/2,' etc. Does it actually have any functional purpose?

[maikchaos]

Unfortunately, SEAD missions are currently not possible; the AGM45 Shrike in this Mod is buggy.
Attached is a trk file for approaches to the SA-6 and SA-8 with the AGM-45B. The correct seekers (MK-22 for the SA-6 and MK49.0 for the SA-8) are installed, but locking is not possible.

 

Edit: That's been resolved. The A-4E-C manual is incorrect. It specifies the wrong seekers to use for the various radars.

If you're looking for the correct ones, check out the HB F-4 manual: https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/stores/air_to_ground/missiles/shrike.html

The A-4E team is aware of this and will update there manual.

 

 

Edited Friday at 09:07 PM by maikchaos

[maikchaos]

On 5/29/2025 at 6:22 AM, QuasarZero said:

According to the cockpit labels, it has options like 'Walleye Test,' 'Shrike 1/2,' etc. Does it actually have any functional purpose?

I have asked this in there Discord: Currently no function

Edited Sunday at 09:11 AM by maikchaos

[maikchaos]

And some other news, i'm currently working on a Streamdeck XL Profile (not finished yet)

nullnull

[an-dre-as]

Nice!!

Gesendet von meinem SM-X200 mit Tapatalk

[QuasarZero]

On 5/31/2025 at 5:08 AM, maikchaos said:

I have asked this in there Discord: Currently no function

Got, thank you for your share!