AH-64D New Features | New Massun Free Assets | F-5E Tiger II Update

[Graphics]

 

17 May 2024

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends, 

For the next DCS update, we are preparing eagerly-awaited new features such as the FCR Zoom and C-Scope for DCS: AH-64D and FCR and TADS LINK. These features make the AH-64D an even more deadly force on DCS battlefields by increasing situational awareness and enhanced target identification.

Patricio Massun is a 3D artist from Argentina who created a free asset pack for DCS that contains a variety of ground models, fortifications, and airfield assets. Please join us in thanking Massun for his help to include these directly into DCS. We are testing the models and plan to include them in DCS for free!

Furthermore, the DCS: F-5E Tiger II has received various enhancements such as the RWR improvements, more realistic radar ground clutter, and the addition of the AIM-9J Sidewinder.  Please read the details below and stay tuned!

Thank you for your passion and support.

Yours sincerely, 

Eagle Dynamics

 

AH-64D Update Overview

Upcoming Update release: 21 May, 2024.

For the next DCS update, the AH-64D will see the addition of three important features: the Fire Control Radar (FCR) Zoom and C-Scope functions and the LINK function for the FCR and TADS. Both are incredibly useful when engaging targets.

The Zoom function allows you to zoom-in on the FCR Next to Shoot (NTS) target at a 6:1 ratio, or you can use the display cursor on the FCR page to select an area to zoom in on. This is very useful when engaging closely grouped targets.

The C-Scope function, also selected from the FCR page, allows you to place FCR target identification symbols on both your Helmet Mounted Sight and the CP/G TEDAC display. This is an invaluable tool for building situational awareness, and AH-64D players without an FCR installed can still see these symbols using the datalink. Both items are previewed in this DCS: AH-64D FCR ZOOM & C-SCOPE video. 

The next update will also introduce the sight select LINK function to the AH-64D. This allows both the CP/G and Pilot to slave the TADS video to the FCR NTS. This will allow you to visually identify FCR targets through the TADS prior to engagement and allow you to perform battle damage assessments after an engagement. LINK also allows you to slave the FCR to the TADS.

You can learn more about LINK here DCS: AH-64 | FCR/TADS LINK

DCS Core 

Massun92’s Assets Pack

We would like to thank Patricio Massun for creating his asset pack and his work to assist with integration of the 3D models as part of the DCS Core. Massun’s Asset Pack for DCS includes over 100 terrain objects including fortifications and ground models that can be placed across all DCS terrains. These models are very well designed and aid to create more realistic and immersive missions. 

For more information, please check out the Massun Asset Pack for DCS forum. We are currently testing all the models and planning to include them in the next DCS update.

 

F-5E Tiger II

Development Progress

A favorite of Cold War pilots, the DCS: F-5E Tiger II is a very capable, twin engined, light-weight fighter with excellent close combat and ground attack characteristics. This beautiful aircraft was easy to deploy, maintain and operate and much loved by its pilots. For the next DCS update, we’ve made several improvements based on your feedback. 

These include:

• The Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) now displays radars in search mode.
• Ground clutter on the radar is now more accurately represented based on altitude and scanning elevation.
• We’ve added the AIM-9J version of the Sidewinder air-to-air missile.
• TACAN operation with no weight-on-wheels has been corrected.
• It is no longer possible to uncage the AIM-9B Sidewinder in pre-launch mode using the Missile Uncage Switch.

We hope that these F-5E improvements will further your enjoyment and make the F-5E an even better addition to upcoming Flaming Cliffs 2024.

Thank you again for your passion and support, 

Yours sincerely,

 

[andrewd251]

Glad to see the F5 get some love. Would be great to see it get a model and texture upgrade, similar to the A10. 

[ngreenaway]

lovely that the f5 isnt dead. hope to see more love for it

[Beirut]

Also happy to see the F5 get some love, and yes some texture work would be very welcome.

[ThorBrasil]

Congratulations @Massun92 for the Assets Pack. It's great news that he will be added to DCS World officially. Now we will have better missions with more life, thanks to you.

We also have to thank ED for adding this great package. May more units of large content creators be incorporated into the DCS core.

[gottel]

I like that such an good asset pack like Massuns is included into DCS core.

I believe this idee has a lot potential regarding other very good additions.

[JD]

Lol, I was just about to ask devs if there are any plans to add more assets

[ebabil]

Will F5 get facelift too or just systems?

[twistking]

Will @Massun92 continue to support and maintain his assets or will ED take over the responsibility for maintaining the assets?
Should we report potential bugs or issues with the pack to ED or will there be a separate forum for the pack with Patricio acting as some kind of "third-party"?

[Roy35150]

 Assets Pack looks super,

Great to see it integrated to the core game/sim.

[primus_TR]

Great to see new update on the f5. 

[lmp]

6 hours ago, Graphics said:

We hope that these F-5E improvements will further your enjoyment

They absolutely will!

[Slippa]

Congrats Massun92 and thanks. A massive contribution and well done for listening ED.

[Mistermann]

Hopefully this is just the start of community content adoption. 

I'd much prefer ED spend precious development resources on content that pushes the sim/game forward that the community hasn't also created on their own.  Having Massun92's assets in the base for everyone is a great decision in my mind.  There are others in the community also pushing the envelope as it relates to assets.  Hopefully ED is talking with them as well.  Crossing fingers this works out for everyone and there's more asset adoption in the future.

[twistking]

31 minutes ago, Mistermann said:

Hopefully this is just the start of community content adoption. 

I'd much prefer ED spend precious development resources on content that pushes the sim/game forward that the community hasn't also created on their own.  Having Massun92's assets in the base for everyone is a great decision in my mind.  There are others in the community also pushing the envelope as it relates to assets.  Hopefully ED is talking with them as well.  Crossing fingers this works out for everyone and there's more asset adoption in the future.

This is only really good news, if ED keeps an eye on production value, performance, maintainability and coherence in the DCS ecosystem. Many mods are quite simply not "good enough" to be put into DCS officially (yes, some official DCS assets are also broken and/or outdated, but those are legacy assets mostly.).
Massun's assets look very good though. I just hope, that we'll eventually get parity in visual quality and function between all assets in the official DCS ecosystem...

Edited May 17, 2024 by twistking

[ACS_Dev]

Will the new assets come with LODs?

[gulredrel]

Thanks for adding these assets. Currently I used the carrier objects on airfields to bring them to life. The addition of the asset pack with proper land based items is very welcome. Many thanks to @Massun92 for creating and sharing this with us.

Also great to hear about F-5 update. Curious to see, how the ground clutter will look like. The old brick like clutter always gave me some pain  

[sirrah]

Wow! That asset pack looks amazing!

I don't like using mods, as too often I found myself troubleshooting after official updates, so I'm extremely happy to see this mod being embraced by ED. Congrats Massun92!!

 

(Let's hope more user created mods will follow soon. That would give DCS a massive content/quality boost)

[Gunfreak]

This is most excellent indeed. Anything that help bring realism and life to airbases and FOBs.

[Ironious]

Jammer Time!

I hopped in an MJ-1. Now if I can just figure out how to make it go.

[Arrowhead]

This is very nice but, Mig-29 preorder when? Please take my money!

[draconus]

Big thanks for @Massun92 for his great work and decision but also for ED for accepting community's helping hand

[YoYo]

23 hours ago, Graphics said:

For more information, please check out the Massun Asset Pack for DCS forum. We are currently testing all the models and planning to include them in the next DCS update.

So, to be sure - it will be in the next patch, so 21st of May? Am I right? @BIGNEWY

Edited May 18, 2024 by YoYo

[BIGNEWY]

39 minutes ago, YoYo said:

So, to be sure - it will be in the next patch, so 21st of May? Am I right? @BIGNEWY

 

planned yes, depending on final checks / unforeseen issues. 

[YoYo]

Great! Thanks for the reply!