UH-60L Black Hawk Mod ("Official" Thread)

[Kinkkujuustovoileipä]

Hey folks,

figured I'd start an "official" thread for the mod, as it came up in the other one a lot but obviously I wasn't responsible for creating it

I'll do my best to update this as much as possible, although I'm not that active on the forums. With that said, here's the important stuff:

Discord Link - yes, finally a working link for you

Mod Download Link

Mod ReadMe Link

Mod Guide Link - yes, a ReadMe AND a Guide! Now you have no excuse!

FAQ:

1) Will you add Door Gunners/Weapons?

Short answer, no. It's not possible. Door gunners (and AI gunners) are locked behind SDK (too best of our attempts and knowledge so far). Yes, the Hercules mod has guns you can aim but they're dodgy at best. Fixed weapons on the Black Hawk also aren't happening - there is no unclassified information about the use of these systems and they also depend on other SDK-locked technologies such as FLIR. Of course if any of this changes, I'll be happy to implement some dakka.

2) Will you make this a paid module?

Not unless ED change their mind - they won't let us, presumably because they or someone else is already planning one (based on quote from BN: "It's not available at this time"). If they want to work with us, they know where to find us - we'd be happy to work with them given the opportunity.

3) What about slingloading/ground crew/radios/radio navigation/multicrew?

Proper solutions are locked behind SDK. As per usual with SDK locked stuff, if I can magic a workaround, then I'll fix it. But that can't be guaranteed. Some of these are already implemented with workarounds that may have bugs due to the nature of being a workaround. Until ED change something, it probably can't be fixed any more than it already is, which makes me more sad & frustrated than you, believe me.

4) When's the next release?

At time of writing, 1.3 is expected to be a smaller release that focuses on bug fixes and system improvements.

5) What about a Pave Hawk/Seahawk/Jayhawk/Oceanhawk/Firehawk/Gods-knows-what-hawk?

Without the ability to implement the systems that actually makes those unique (FLIR, radar, ASW systems, hoists, firefighting systems etc.) I don't really see any point. We are bringing some of the smaller changes as options to the core mod such as the Refuel Probe and later on, Tacan navigation.

6) Please can you do insert-helicopter-here mod next?

Eh, probably not. I've got enough on my hands with this mod, and I'm at a point where I am limited more by ED than anything else, which rather puts me off. I'd love to create more content for DCS, I do genuinely enjoy it (having worked 20-30hrs a week for 14 months to build this...), but I can't see myself doing it again unless I have more/better tools to work with. It might sound arrogant to some, but I know what I'm capable of, and I feel very much 'boxed in' by the limitations imposed on modders. I truly want to make more awesome content for you guys to enjoy, especially after the incredible response to this mod, but it's going to have to be as part of an official third party team or in some way that gives me more access to the full SDK, where I have the access and tools to build full and well developed features.

Edited March 7, 2022 by Kinkkujuustovoileipä

[freebirddz]

Great thing to do, congrats for this flawless MOD.

Best wishes.

 

[CoolSpy]

Your mod is amazing! Thanks for sharing your Blackhawk with the community... can't wait for 1.2

[Calinho]

One of the best modules for DCS

[dali]

thank you!

[Fortes_Bulldog]

can't wait for 1.2
In my opinion, autostart on the UH-60 is not such an important thing. LOL

[ST0RM]

I really appreciate the work you and any others have put into this mod. It's a work of art. Thanks!

[Airmage]

This mod is absolutely lovely. TY for your work. But is it impossible to add rockets and miniguns on the pylons? You don't need flir or a targeting system for that. It would really make a difference if we could shoot some targets with it.

 

[FST_Bearcat]

Merci. Ce mod est génial. 

[slowmover]

A thank you is not enough for this mod. Glad to have this helicopter is DCS and i hope ED hire you to make it an official module. If you deside to make a new mod in the future i hope it will be the Chinook!!!

[rato65]

very good initative to make an official thread with this fantastic mod. you have done significant NEW work with this mod, and I can absolutely understand the limitations you face due to locked SDK stuff - thanks very much for the detailed explanation. Anyway, keep on going, as you see so many people just enjoy the Blackhawk, and so do I.

Again many thanks for sharing your impressive work with the community!

r.

[Mitch]

Are animated Pilots and/or Passengers/Soldiers planed ?

[Archduke]

I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of thank yous – you did fantastic work and I hope you find a way to get around the limitations! But the Blackhawk is great even if no weapons can be added.

And if you're looking for a different helo to work on because ED won't let you make the Blackhawk an official module: afaics Polychop really could use some manpower in creating the Kiowa... I'd love to see your skills applied to the OH-58, that would be a win-win situation.

@BIGNEWY@NineLine

Could you maybe make this a sticky? This mod is excellent enough to deserve it.

[BIGNEWY]

I have made this thread a sticky for now, the mod looks great and glad it is doing well in the community. 

thanks

[RafaPolit]

This mod is seriously great!  Fun to fly, moderately easy to learn, great looking without a doubt.  Honestly, very nice experience!

For those like me that are mostly plane pilots but wanted a taste of what a Helicopter can look like, it's simply mind-blowing that you can get this for free!  Thanks so much for this mod.

Best,

Rafa.

[Airmage]

1 hour ago, Archduke said:

I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of thank yous – you did fantastic work and I hope you find a way to get around the limitations! But the Blackhawk is great even if no weapons can be added.

And if you're looking for a different helo to work on because ED won't let you make the Blackhawk an official module: afaics Polychop really could use some manpower in creating the Kiowa... I'd love to see your skills applied to the OH-58, that would be a win-win situation.

@BIGNEWY@NineLine

Could you maybe make this a sticky? This mod is excellent enough to deserve it.

Why is it imposible to put weapons on it? I put rockets and minigun on the pylons but it won't shoot anything. 

[Archduke]

49 minutes ago, Airmage said:

Why is it imposible to put weapons on it? I put rockets and minigun on the pylons but it won't shoot anything. 

What I meant is that Kinkkujuustovoileipä said that weapons are locked behind sdk. Maybe you can put them on the pylons but as you said yourself you can’t employ them.

[toni]

No Naval version ?

[Kinkkujuustovoileipä]

1 hour ago, Archduke said:

What I meant is that Kinkkujuustovoileipä said that weapons are locked behind sdk. Maybe you can put them on the pylons but as you said yourself you can’t employ them.

Still not quite what I meant.

I could easily add the forward firing rockets, guns etc. But I prefer to keep the mod reasonably realistic. Thus I will not add these weapons unless I have the information to accurately or close to accurately model the weapon selection and armament systems, as well as the sights. Given that these weapons were only ever added to 160th SOAR birds, getting that information legally is extremely unlikely.

[Airmage]

17 minutes ago, Kinkkujuustovoileipä said:

Still not quite what I meant.

I could easily add the forward firing rockets, guns etc. But I prefer to keep the mod reasonably realistic. Thus I will not add these weapons unless I have the information to accurately or close to accurately model the weapon selection and armament systems, as well as the sights. Given that these weapons were only ever added to 160th SOAR birds, getting that information legally is extremely unlikely.

It makes sense what you say but, adding guns to it would give alot  more use to it. They are not mandatory, who doesn't want weapons can keep pylons clean, but for myself i sure as hell want to go shooting with it.

[CsfDeathDemon]

Dear ED,

I would pay money for this, give these guys official. 

 

Great job on this mod guys. 

[OctopusCH]

Great work!!! thx!

[corbu1]

I really love the UH60 mod. Thanks so much for your hard work on it. It‘s really a great joy flying it.  I‘m waiting eagerly for v1.2.

Please keep up the great work!

[zaelu]

On 2/22/2022 at 9:14 PM, Kinkkujuustovoileipä said:

Hey folks,

[...]

6) Please can you do insert-helicopter-here mod next?

Eh, probably not. I've got enough on my hands with this mod, and I'm at a point where I am limited more by ED than anything else, which rather puts me off. I'd love to create more content for DCS, I do genuinely enjoy it (having worked 20-30hrs a week for 14 months to build this...), but I can't see myself doing it again unless I have more/better tools to work with. It might sound arrogant to some, but I know what I'm capable of, and I feel very much 'boxed in' by the limitations imposed on modders. I truly want to make more awesome content for you guys to enjoy, especially after the incredible response to this mod, but it's going to have to be as part of an official third party team or in some way that gives me more access to the full SDK, where I have the access and tools to build full and well developed features.

Hello. Thanks for this wonderful free helicopter (I have all others also and I really appreciate it).

Regarding point 6 in your first post, I really suggest you to get in touch with a 3rd Party or become one. 

Edited February 23, 2022 by zaelu

[Bailey]

16 hours ago, Airmage said:

Why is it imposible to put weapons on it? I put rockets and minigun on the pylons but it won't shoot anything. 

The devs would have to write the code to be able to use the weapons. If you did a model/name/reference swap the module does not know what you want to do with it.