Weapons?

[Harlikwin]

38 minutes ago, Shrike88 said:

Has there been any further recent updates on the progress of the module ? seems all I find are old posts. 

 

Classis DCS development, new devs think its easy based on their non-existent prior experience, turns out waay more complicated than they think. 

[Stackup]

5 hours ago, Harlikwin said:

Classis DCS development, new devs think its easy based on their non-existent prior experience, turns out waay more complicated than they think. 

To be fair, Flying Iron might be new to DCS but just like IndiaFoxtEcho, they have plenty of prior experience with developing planes for flight simulators.  Plus they gave a presentation on flight modeling/CFDs to NASA using the A-7 module as an example so they obviously aren't underqualified or underexperienced in this space.  Plus they decided to rework the entire exterior model last year so I'll cut them some slack.  They also seem to be doing annual reports so I expect to see one at the end of this year/beginning of next year.  I wouldn't be surprised if it's a lot farther along than we think it is.  Development progress has been basically all kept hidden, the same as basically every other new dev announced within the last couple of years and the majority of the longstanding dev teams too.

On the otherhand, they probably hit snags along the way, the same as experienced devs like Heatblur who have yet to release the F-4 and Razbam who had difficulty releasing the F-15E this year and started their own hype train way to far in advance of release in my opinion.  Maybe we see it in 2025, who knows since it doesn't (so far as we know) fit into the "close" category of upcoming modules.

[Gunfreak]

FlyingIron Simulations are one of the few 3rd party developers that does it right. And give some very meaty updates now and then. But they are at best in the middle part of development process. So there isn't much to say all the time. 

 

[Nodak]

On 10/19/2023 at 12:14 AM, Stackup said:

To be fair, Flying Iron might be new to DCS but just like IndiaFoxtEcho, they have plenty of prior experience with developing planes for flight simulators.  Plus they gave a presentation on flight modeling/CFDs to NASA using the A-7 module as an example so they obviously aren't underqualified or underexperienced in this space.  Plus they decided to rework the entire exterior model last year so I'll cut them some slack.  They also seem to be doing annual reports so I expect to see one at the end of this year/beginning of next year.  I wouldn't be surprised if it's a lot farther along than we think it is.  Development progress has been basically all kept hidden, the same as basically every other new dev announced within the last couple of years and the majority of the longstanding dev teams too.

On the otherhand, they probably hit snags along the way, the same as experienced devs like Heatblur who have yet to release the F-4 and Razbam who had difficulty releasing the F-15E this year and started their own hype train way to far in advance of release in my opinion.  Maybe we see it in 2025, who knows since it doesn't (so far as we know) fit into the "close" category of upcoming modules.

Quote

With most systems now outlined and functioning at some capacity, I'm turning my attention back to the FM and taking it into phase 4 of fidelity.

There was a delay before I could do that as I had to really get the FCS dialled in, as well as finalize the remaining core systems that are integral to flying properly. This included things like detailing the hydraulic systems, which are of course heavily tied into landing gear, launch bar, hook and flight control behaviours. Completing these things has allowed me to detail carrier Ops properly, and correctly work through flight procedures to ensure accuracy during all phases of flight (including on the ground/deck).

These systems include a surprising amount of detail, even in areas you wouldn't expect it. The tailhook for instance required a completely new hydraulic/physics model, to properly capture hook compression and movement; something that DCS does not calculate by default (I believe Heartblur developed a similar system).

Now that these are all in place, I am back in the CFD world, developing a more accurate & detailed model which is in turn being used to diversify, validate and expand upon Flight modelling. Landing gear, spoilers, flaps and the airbrake for instance are all under the microscope right now, which is allowing us to develop much better data to fill any gaps in Wind Tunnel Data (particularly in extreme flow conditions, such as a spin). Thankfully, with the CFD model mostly done now, the hardest part is complete and data collection is in full flow.

Flight model testing with SMEs will begin once the FM has been dialled up to phase 4

Quote from the man on discord, they're much closer than you thought.

[Gunfreak]

Imagine if certain other 3rd party developers would post concise yet very informative updates like that. 

[Stackup]

9 hours ago, Nodak said:

Quote from the man on discord, they're much closer than you thought.

Yeah, I just saw the Discord stuff this morning.  He also did the first carrier takeoff and landing in it which is pretty exciting and i can't wait to see the external model they've made for it.

[Shrike88]

Excellent appreciate the update guys.

[Harlikwin]

On 10/18/2023 at 11:14 PM, Stackup said:

To be fair, Flying Iron might be new to DCS but just like IndiaFoxtEcho, they have plenty of prior experience with developing planes for flight simulators.  Plus they gave a presentation on flight modeling/CFDs to NASA using the A-7 module as an example so they obviously aren't underqualified or underexperienced in this space.  Plus they decided to rework the entire exterior model last year so I'll cut them some slack.  They also seem to be doing annual reports so I expect to see one at the end of this year/beginning of next year.  I wouldn't be surprised if it's a lot farther along than we think it is.  Development progress has been basically all kept hidden, the same as basically every other new dev announced within the last couple of years and the majority of the longstanding dev teams too.

On the otherhand, they probably hit snags along the way, the same as experienced devs like Heatblur who have yet to release the F-4 and Razbam who had difficulty releasing the F-15E this year and started their own hype train way to far in advance of release in my opinion.  Maybe we see it in 2025, who knows since it doesn't (so far as we know) fit into the "close" category of upcoming modules.

I'm not trying to be mean about it. But honestly developing stuff for MSFS or other simulators doesn't get you much actual experience with DCS. And honestly having flown other jets in those sims they are nowhere near DCS in terms of fidelity of the jet. PLUS none of the other sims have systems like radar, IRST, weapon computers etc modeled at all or at arcade levels. So they need good system guys that actually understand that stuff in detail and can model it. Honestly the best thing to happen to DCS IMO is Razbams Galinette and his radar models for the M2k and F15. 

As for the experienced DCS devs, yeah 100% even those guys have issues getting stuff out. So for new devs it must be way harder, unless the jet is very simple i.e. Gen1/Gen2 jets which is IMO what most new devs should be doing for their first plane because its pretty hard to screw up a gunsight. 

And I mostly remember them saying it would out in like a year of the announcement, so thats really where my they bit off way more than they can chew comment came from. If this thing is out in 2025 I'll be happy and a bit surprised. 

10 hours ago, Nodak said:

Quote from the man on discord, they're much closer than you thought.

With systems at a FC3 level is not really encouraging. I expect a detailed bombing computer model, detailed A/G radar, and hopefully a LANA pod that is better than the standard green-screen DCS IR stuff. Not to mention decent modeling of the "smart mutnitions" but thats at least 50% on ED. 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Harlikwin

[Nodak]

The thing is, these guys have access to a complete set of manuals, all of them, and the fully running jet with the technicians that goes with them.  How is that any sort of disadvantage, no other developer quite has the entire package that I'm aware of.

[One Eyed Ross]

Patience, Grasshopper.

When it arrives, I'll buy it, I'll fly it.  While I am as eager as the next guy, I can fly the Scooter and the other planes while I wait.  Sure, I want it out yesterday, same as the Skyraider, but I can wait.  (At least I keep telling myself that!)