SA-342 Gazelle 2023 "FM" Update

[Polychop Simulations]

**DCS: SA-342 Gazelle update news**

With the release of the upcoming SA-342 Gazelle update fast approaching we will be updating you about what to expect in the first iteration of what started out as a flight model update over the next few days. Starting today by publishing the change log that we have accumulated so far. The change log is subject to change as even today we're still working on new features and fixes but should be indicative of the scope of this update. 

With this announcement we'd also like to reach out to all mission creators to emphasize on the fact that we're trying to reduce the amount of Gazelle variants available in DCS World by essentially combining these versions. In the upcoming patch, the SA-342 Mistral has become redundant and is now only available as an AI aircraft to ensure mission compatibility. The SA-342 Gazelle has essentially been absorbed by the SA-342L which, in its now much more  modular form, is able to be outfitted with the mistral ATAM system. We ask mission creators to be aware of this change and update their (multiplayer)missions accordingly. We apologize for the inconvenience.



‘FM’ Update

SA342 - Common to all

• Updated external textures to PBR standard

• Added raindrops on canopy

• Interior lighting and reflections updated

• Flight model

  • Entirely rewritten FM

  • Overhauled engine and rotor behaviours

  • Updated mass and payload mass parameters

  • Many new behaviours added or reworked (ground effect, flapback/blowback, retreating blade stall, density altitude, ETL…)

  • Engine surge effect from rapid collective movement added

• Force Feedback support added

• Removed ‘Easier Controls’ special option

• Removed ‘Rudder Trimmer’ special option (replaced with new trim options)

• New trim options for cyclic and pedal behaviour when using ‘Force Trim Interrupt’

  • None - has no effect

  • Instant - trim position instantly set to current cyclic/pedal position

  • Fade In/Fade Out - trim position will move to current cyclic/pedal position over short time period (<1sec) (also applies to ‘Trimmer Reset’)

  • Applied upon Recentering - trim position will apply instantly only when cyclic/pedal position is recentered

• Updated controls indicator

  • Red marker shows control position

  • Grey marker shows trim position

  • Autopilot markers removed for further consideration

• Updated/added network animations

• Implemented IFF panel (limited functionality)

• Updated autopilot system

  • Airspeed/Altitude hold mode removed for further consideration

  • “Auto-collective” removed for further consideration

  • Added light indicators for auto-hover (CSV) and heading-align (ALV) autopilot modes

  • Autopilot master switch will not engage/will disengage if pitch, roll or yaw SAS disabled

• Added smoke display system

  • Smoke launchers can be equipped in the rearm/refuel screen

  • Smoke launchers have a new input to toggle on/off

• Collective can be hidden by clicking on base of collective

• Added tablet navigation aid

  • Tablet can be disabled from mission editor

  • Tablet provides map, heading, airspeed and groundspeed GPS information

  • Tablet is disabled / invisible in missions with a date set prior to April 1994

• Updated slip ball to be less erratic

• Fuel warning light now flickers if below 80L

SA342L

• Added new weapons:

  • 2x/4x Mistral

  • 2x/4x HOT3

  • HMP400 gunpods (100, 200, 400)

  • Selectable GIAT M621 20mm

• Replaced Viviane screen with periscope sight

• Replaced Viviane control panel with periscope control board

  • Periscope provides two zoom levels

  • Toggleable gyro stabilisation

  • Selectable reticles for estimating distance

  • Connected to ‘VIS’ mode on Artificial Horizon same as Viviane

• Pilot sight can be hidden by clicking on mounting of pilot sight

• AI now able to fire HOT3 missiles

• Added ground crew option to remove doors

• Added option to shoot multiple pylons if the weapon is from the same type

SA342M

• Viviane camera code overhauled

• Viviane multicrew synchronisation improved

• AI now able to fire HOT3 missiles

SA342 Mistral

• Removed playable version (now replaced by SA342L)

• Removed Custom Cockpit options

SA342 Minigun

• Added special option to decouple minigun from head/camera view

• Added inputs for keyboard/joystick control of minigun

• Added inputs for mouse control of minigun

• Added clickables and inputs for minigun safety, sight power/brightness and IR laser

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by Polychop Simulations

[Yeti42]

Wow, big update, the old flight model was rather "wooden". This update will obviously change things, may even tempt me back to give it another go  

[PapaFlo]

Awesome, great news! 
Thank you

[Hiob]

Yeah! We get basically a completely new Helicopter! Very Cool! 

[ams999]

Wow, this sounds great! Thank you!

[MAXsenna]

Thank you! This looks great!
Can't wait to tesst the new FM and FFB.

Cheers!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[YoYo]

4 hours ago, Polychop Simulations said:

**DCS: SA-342 Gazelle update news**

With the release of the upcoming SA-342 Gazelle update fast approaching we will be updating you about what to expect in the first iteration of what started out as a flight model update over the next few days. Starting today by publishing the change log that we have accumulated so far. The change log is subject to change as even today we're still working on new features and fixes but should be indicative of the scope of this update. 

With this announcement we'd also like to reach out to all mission creators to emphasize on the fact that we're trying to reduce the amount of Gazelle variants available in DCS World by essentially combining these versions. In the upcoming patch, the SA-342 Mistral has become redundant and is now only available as an AI aircraft to ensure mission compatibility. The SA-342 Gazelle has essentially been absorbed by the SA-342L which, in its now much more  modular form, is able to be outfitted with the mistral ATAM system. We ask mission creators to be aware of this change and update their (multiplayer)missions accordingly. We apologize for the inconvenience.



‘FM’ Update

SA342 - Common to all

• Updated external textures to PBR standard

• Added raindrops on canopy

• Interior lighting and reflections updated

• Flight model

  • Entirely rewritten FM

  • Overhauled engine and rotor behaviours

  • Updated mass and payload mass parameters

  • Many new behaviours added or reworked (ground effect, flapback/blowback, retreating blade stall, density altitude, ETL…)

  • Engine surge effect from rapid collective movement added

• Force Feedback support added

• Removed ‘Easier Controls’ special option

• Removed ‘Rudder Trimmer’ special option (replaced with new trim options)

• New trim options for cyclic and pedal behaviour when using ‘Force Trim Interrupt’

  • None - has no effect

  • Instant - trim position instantly set to current cyclic/pedal position

  • Fade In/Fade Out - trim position will move to current cyclic/pedal position over short time period (<1sec) (also applies to ‘Trimmer Reset’)

  • Applied upon Recentering - trim position will apply instantly only when cyclic/pedal position is recentered

• Updated controls indicator

  • Red marker shows control position

  • Grey marker shows trim position

  • Autopilot markers removed for further consideration

• Updated/added network animations

• Implemented IFF panel (limited functionality)

• Updated autopilot system

  • Airspeed/Altitude hold mode removed for further consideration

  • “Auto-collective” removed for further consideration

  • Added light indicators for auto-hover (CSV) and heading-align (ALV) autopilot modes

  • Autopilot master switch will not engage/will disengage if pitch, roll or yaw SAS disabled

• Added smoke display system

  • Smoke launchers can be equipped in the rearm/refuel screen

  • Smoke launchers have a new input to toggle on/off

• Collective can be hidden by clicking on base of collective

• Added tablet navigation aid

  • Tablet can be disabled from mission editor

  • Tablet provides map, heading, airspeed and groundspeed GPS information

  • Tablet is disabled / invisible in missions with a date set prior to April 1994

• Updated slip ball to be less erratic

• Fuel warning light now flickers if below 80L

SA342L

• Added new weapons:

  • 2x/4x Mistral

  • 2x/4x HOT3

  • HMP400 gunpods (100, 200, 400)

  • Selectable GIAT M621 20mm

• Replaced Viviane screen with periscope sight

• Replaced Viviane control panel with periscope control board

  • Periscope provides two zoom levels

  • Toggleable gyro stabilisation

  • Selectable reticles for estimating distance

  • Connected to ‘VIS’ mode on Artificial Horizon same as Viviane

• Pilot sight can be hidden by clicking on mounting of pilot sight

• AI now able to fire HOT3 missiles

• Added ground crew option to remove doors

• Added option to shoot multiple pylons if the weapon is from the same type

SA342M

• Viviane camera code overhauled

• Viviane multicrew synchronisation improved

• AI now able to fire HOT3 missiles

SA342 Mistral

• Removed playable version (now replaced by SA342L)

• Removed Custom Cockpit options

SA342 Minigun

• Added special option to decouple minigun from head/camera view

• Added inputs for keyboard/joystick control of minigun

• Added inputs for mouse control of minigun

• Added clickables and inputs for minigun safety, sight power/brightness and IR laser

 

 

Finally! Thank You!

[Harlikwin]

What exactly does "AI now able to fire HOT3 missiles" is there some sort of petrovitch or does it just mean AI choppers. 

 

[diditopgun]

That's a great news ! 

Quote

• Viviane multicrew synchronisation improved

What do you mean by improved? Isn't it fully fixed yet? 

This is what makes me stop using the Gazelle years ago. If it's not fully fixed, even with a new FM, it's a no go and she will stay grounded. 

[YoYo]

17 hours ago, Polychop Simulations said:

**DCS: SA-342 Gazelle update news**

Btw. Imortant question - Is this new sight function was tested in VR also?

No any issue? Did you check it too how it works in VR?

Edited June 3, 2023 by YoYo

[Ramsay]

9 hours ago, diditopgun said:

Isn't it fully fixed yet? 

My understanding is that shared buttons/keys between pilot and co-pilot are improved but the copilot needs to press buttons (i.e. for NADIR data entry) at a slower/steady pace than normal (i.e. press/hold/release) to avoid multicrew network desync on keydown/keyup "events".

How much control Polychop have over sync issues and how much is on ED/DCS is unknown, so we'll need to wait for the update before forming an opinion.

9 hours ago, diditopgun said:

This is what makes me stop using the Gazelle years ago. If it's not fully fixed, even with a new FM, it's a no go and she will stay grounded.

IMHO, your loss - I find the Gazelle's positives outway it's negatives most of the time but you're always entitled to your opinion, however as PC have clearly put a lot of work into this "FREE" update - it seems poor manners to throw shade on the update before even trying it. YMMV.

Edited June 3, 2023 by Ramsay

[diditopgun]

I don't throw shade on the update which looks great and I'm waiting for years. I'm asking a legit question about a major issue that's a showstopper for me.

I'm talking about Viviane display desynch in multicrew so that the copilot put the crosshair on target but for the pilot it's off the target and so the missile miss the target.

[Kinkkujuustovoileipä]

3 hours ago, diditopgun said:

I don't throw shade on the update which looks great and I'm waiting for years. I'm asking a legit question about a major issue that's a showstopper for me.

I'm talking about Viviane display desynch in multicrew so that the copilot put the crosshair on target but for the pilot it's off the target and so the missile miss the target.

The Viviane camera behaviour has been rewritten, the sync logic was updated to account for this. Multicrew was mostly fixed last year in any case.

 

5 hours ago, YoYo said:

Btw. Imortant question - Is this new sight function was tested in VR also?

No any issue? Did you check it too how it works in VR?

Yes, of course it was tested in VR. Stop worrying, you'll like it, it becomes very natural to use.

[YoYo]

2 minutes ago, Kinkkujuustovoileipä said:

Yes, of course it was tested in VR. Stop worrying, you'll like it, it becomes very natural to use.

Great!  Cant wait :).

[diditopgun]

4 hours ago, Kinkkujuustovoileipä said:

The Viviane camera behaviour has been rewritten, the sync logic was updated to account for this. Multicrew was mostly fixed last year in any case.

Great ! Can't wait to try it. 

[Avimimus]

I'm quite excited by this - a newer flightmodel and improved view! Plus more options for observation and weapons (and even utility/liaison unarmed use)!

[enigma6584]

So much looking forward to getting back into the Gazelle.  Great news!  Thank you.

[Eugel]

I think this is the most exciting DCS news for me this year ! 
Thank you for that, really looking forward to flying the "new" Gazelle.

[FlankerKiller]

Thank you. I've been waiting for years for the Gazelle to have a proper FM. I'm really looking forward to taking this thing out for some light attack scout work. It's really nice to see this bird getting some love. It makes me feel alot better about the Kiowa when it's ready.  I know it's a tall order but I do hope you guys can one day get an Ai similar to the Gorge/Peteovitch Ai. That would make using the Hot missiles so much better. That and hopefully one day you can get something like the simple Ai for the mini gun equipped Gazelle. COIN opes in this thing are going to be amazing. 

[Dangerzone]

I have a mission creation question - I see the Mistral is no longer going to be available. Is there just going to be one helicopter now?

For preparation (where I don't have access to the new changes yet) - what's the best way to prepare for this in a mission I'm currently creating? Should I just drop L's spawns only and remove the others?

Thanks in Advance.

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Dangerzone

[Ramsay]

41 minutes ago, Dangerzone said:

Is there just going to be one helicopter now?

No, there are L, M and Mini-gun variants.

43 minutes ago, Dangerzone said:

- what's the best way to prepare for this in a mission I'm currently creating?

The old L and Mistral variants are now combined in the new "L" version and are now determined by their "loadout"

The new "L" can also carry HOT missiles or FN HMP400 .50 cal gun pods.

The "M" is the only version with a night vision camera and laser range finder, so still has an important role in night missions, etc.

 

[Dangerzone]

5 minutes ago, Ramsay said:

No, there are L, M and Mini-gun variants.

The old L and Mistral variants are now combined in the new "L" version and are now determined by their "loadout"

The new "L" can also carry HOT missiles or FN HMP400 .50 cal gun pods.

The "M" is the only version with a night vision camera and laser range finder, so still has an important role in night missions, etc.

 

Cheers - so basically put them all down except the Mistral in the current build and it should be ready for the new release. Thanks for the confirmation.

[YoYo]

Cosmo Show! 

 

[Silversmith]

Any intention to make the L pilot sight adjustable  (e.g. like the UH1H).  Using the sight currently is 'guesswork'. Currently for guns the sight points short of where the rounds impact. For Rockets the sight points Long beyond where the rockets impact.  In the existing L you can see visuals for the sight adjuster, but it is non functional. Ideally the pilot would surely adjust the sight depression to suit the weapon being fired? 

[Evg85]

7 часов назад, Silversmith сказал:

In the existing L you can see visuals for the sight adjuster, but it is non functional. Ideally the pilot would surely adjust the sight depression to suit the weapon being fired? 

And also in accordance with the parameters of the beginning of the attack (height, and speed)