DCS Update | Afghanistan Progress | F-16C Dragon's Fury Campaign

[Graphics]

 

 

01 November 2024
 

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends, 

The latest DCS update contains important adjustments and enhancements to the DCS Core Game that are primarily based on your feedback. In addition to improvements to AI and VR spotting dot sizes, there has been some useful work to certain weapons and the Mission Editor. Several modules have also received valuable changes, particularly the F-16C, F/A-18C, AH-64D, and CH-47F. The memory leak fix related to ship water trails has also been implemented. 

With our Afghan terrain team working full power on the Eastern region, this week's development report also highlights certain improvements being made to the Southwest Afghanistan region, notably to the airfields, general landscape detail, as well as more precise and varied normal maps that will result in higher quality terrain textures, especially at low to medium altitudes. Please read the details below. 

The wonderful new F-16C Dragon’s Fury campaign by SorelRo is available in the latest DCS Update. Also available is the cracking AH-64D Outpost Campaign by StoneSky. To enjoy these great new campaigns, please don’t forget to update to the latest DCS version.

Thank you for your passion and support.

Yours sincerely, 

Eagle Dynamics

 

DCS Update

Development Progress

DCS Core
In the latest update, weapon systems received valuable optimizations including to the AIM-120 guidance system. Further enhancements focus on a long list of AI improvements, air defence unit effectiveness, as well as various needed bug fixes. We sincerely extend our gratitude to the Closed Beta Test members and the community for their valuable contributions. Other improvements include an Arleigh Burke class weapon selection panel and a general air defence unit update that avoids unrealistic identification and engagement without clear line of sight to target. 

DCS: F-16C Viper
The F-16C Viper now features independent MFD brightness controls, saved master modes for Missile Override, and fixes for TMS/FCR functionality and CCIP steering. Automatic steerpoint sequencing now functions correctly, and the 152nd livery typo is corrected. Several radar improvements are also included. Work progresses on the Sniper ATP, Flight Model, and FLCS tuning.

DCS: F/A-18C
The F/A-18C receives the ability to dual-rack carriage of GBU-32s and various fixes for radar and navigation functions. Radar tuning and Multi-Sensor Integration (MSI) enhancements are ongoing, aiming to elevate its combat performance and versatility.

DCS: AH-64D
Air Targeting Mode of the Fire Control Radar was introduced, along with updates to mission and fuel functionality. Avionics and targeting bugs continue to be tuned, and we continue to improve stability and yaw control.

DCS: CH-47F
Updates include automatic turn coordination, Longitudinal Cyclic Trim (LCT), and initial Differential Air Speed Hold (DASH). These all greatly enhance stability and control. Significant improvements to radios and cockpit functionalities, along with AFCS tuning, are underway.

DCS: WWII Asset Pack & Other Aircraft Modules
New animations for WWII soldiers, damage model fixes, and aircraft adjustments across modules enhance immersion and realism. Notable updates include fixed brakes and visuals on aircraft such as the Fw 190 and Bf 109, and improved Yak-52 lighting for night flights.

DCS: Supercarrier
Airboss view fixes and logic for AoA repeater lights, with new deck crew animations approaching launch.

 

 

Afghanistan 

Development Report

Work continues on both the Afghanistan Southwest region and the entire Afghanistan map. The ground mesh resolution across Afghanistan has been improved along with optimisation and bug fixes across the Southwest. The road network has been enhanced, especially the mountain roads. Additionally, ground geometry artefacts have been corrected.

Object model inaccuracies have been fixed and unique airfield objects have been added to diversify the scenery. We are also pleased to inform you that the Normal Map textures across the entire Afghanistan map have been refined for improved low-altitude visuals.

Our team is mainly focused on finalising the East region of the Afghanistan map. Work on the airfields of Bagram, Bamiyan, Gardez, Ghazni, Jalalabad, Kabul, Khost, Sharana, and Urgun is going well and the final stages of creating unique scenes for these airfields and their operational logic within the DCS Core is underway.

We have achieved significant progress on new roads, rivers, and lakes, as well as unique object models for the capital city of Kabul. We look forward to your feedback. 

 

F-16C Dragon’s Fury

Campaign by SorelRo

In this 15 missions campaign you will fly the DCS: F-16 Viper as part of the 23rd Fighter Squadron at Andersen AFB in Guam. You will take part in an escalating conflict between US forces and Chinese PLN and PLA forces that are attacking the Mariana Islands under the pretext of helping the Chamorro Nation gain independence.

The campaign is designed around large strike packages, and you’ll fly alongside F-15Cs, F-15Es, F/A-18Cs, B-52Hs, E-3As, and KC-135 while trying to repel Chinese forces.

Key Features:

• 15 story-driven missions
• Over 4000 voiceovers
• Large variety of missions: CAP, SEAD/DEAD, CAS, and Precision Strikes
• Detailed briefings, kneeboard files, and supporting documentation for each mission

We hope you enjoy the new DCS: F-16C Dragon’s Fury and AH-64D Outpost campaigns.

Thank you again for your passion and support, 

Yours sincerely,

[Netrunner]

I'm a little surprised Iraq wasn't released today to be honest. I saw the version number change to 2.9.9 in the last patch and figured something was getting released soon.

[vgilsoler]

And the halloween sales are…?

[BIGNEWY]

8 minutes ago, Netrunner said:

I'm a little surprised Iraq wasn't released today to be honest. I saw the version number change to 2.9.9 in the last patch and figured something was getting released soon.

Hi, we have only just started pre-orders, need to give people time to decide if they want to grab the early discount. 

6 minutes ago, vgilsoler said:

And the halloween sales are…?

Autumn sale will be next, we will have more news about it in a future newsletter

[Gunfreak]

Can you into detail on the ww2 infantry animations and damage model fixes? This wasn't in the change log as far as I saw.

[Lau]

WW2 warbirds and asset pack news, well that calls for a little celebration, however small any news can be, they are welcome, something I hope the dev team will expand moving forward.

Thanks,

 

Edited November 1 by Lau

[Robi Hobby]

and VR spotting dot sizes, ........

Such a shame! Unfortunately no improvement can be seen in VR.     Still see Big Black Dots

 

[Beirut]

The Kola map is looking great! Love seeing these updates.

[BIGNEWY]

8 minutes ago, Robi Hobby said:

and VR spotting dot sizes, ........

Such a shame! Unfortunately no improvement can be seen in VR.     Still see Big Black Dots

 

Please let me know which headset, and please ensure you have labels off. 

thank you 

[Robi Hobby]

 

[joker62]

2 hours ago, Graphics said:

with new deck crew animations approaching launch.

I'm very happy to read this. I hope that as soon as available you can share with us some more information or even a short video. Thanks.

1 hour ago, BIGNEWY said:

Autumn sale will be next, we will have more news about it in a future newsletter

Good to know. Thanks.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

1 hour ago, Robi Hobby said:

Unfortunately no improvement can be seen in VR.     Still see Big Black Dots

It depends on which headset you use. For me (Varjo Aero) the improvement is night-and-day.

[CommandT]

@BIGNEWY Are we expecting any news on the Marianas WW2 map any time soon? It's been total silence for ages. 

[BIGNEWY]

8 hours ago, CommandT said:

@BIGNEWY Are we expecting any news on the Marianas WW2 map any time soon? It's been total silence for ages. 

I hope we can share news soon, waiting for the team to give us the all clear to share new work. 

thank you 

[Gunfreak]

@BIGNEWY

Can you into detail on the ww2 infantry animations and damage model fixes? This wasn't in the change log as far as I saw

[Gierasimov]

Just now, Gunfreak said:

@BIGNEWY

Can you into detail on the ww2 infantry animations and damage model fixes? This wasn't in the change log as far as I saw

Was there any change to animations ?

[Gunfreak]

7 minutes ago, Gierasimov said:

Was there any change to animations ?

Quote

: WWII Asset Pack & Other Aircraft Modules
New animations for WWII soldiers, damage model fixes, and aircraft adjustments across modules enhance immersion and realism.

 

[Hotdognz]

14 hours ago, Gunfreak said:

@BIGNEWY

Can you into detail on the ww2 infantry animations and damage model fixes? This wasn't in the change log as far as I saw

If there was changes, you have to wonder why they would update the WW2 infantry when really the modern infantry animations would be way more important I would have thought

[Lau]

6 hours ago, Hotdognz said:

If there was changes, you have to wonder why they would update the WW2 infantry when really the modern infantry animations would be way more important I would have thought

You are mostly right, hence the reason why there have been so little movement on the WW2 dev front, which is certainly not cool for those of us that equally enjoy flying modern and history driven warbirds not to say that WW2 warbirds and asset pack are also products sold on the ED front store, they therefore deserve to be developed and supported in the same way all the other ED products are.

There has been some severe delay on the WW2 front, it is now ample time for ED to catch up.

Thanks,

Edited November 3 by Lau
small typo

[Gunfreak]

5 hours ago, Hotdognz said:

If there was changes, you have to wonder why they would update the WW2 infantry when really the modern infantry animations would be way more important I would have thought

Since ww2 is low priority, they use ww2 as a test bed, so if anything breaks. It only affects ww2 which isn't a big deal. 

They seriously broke the Mossie with the new landing gear physics. But since the number of people that own and fly the Mossie is miniscule vs F16 or F18, It's not a big deal. And once all the bug are fixed they'll add the new physics to the important modules.

[Hotdognz]

46 minutes ago, Gunfreak said:

Since ww2 is low priority, they use ww2 as a test bed, so if anything breaks. It only affects ww2 which isn't a big deal. 

They seriously broke the Mossie with the new landing gear physics. But since the number of people that own and fly the Mossie is miniscule vs F16 or F18, It's not a big deal. And once all the bug are fixed they'll add the new physics to the important modules.

For soldiers. ere talking about some running, crouching, walking animations here, its not like it going to make the F16 radar stop if one guy looks like he is walking with a broken leg  if they stuffed it up

 

Edited November 3 by Hotdognz

[Gunfreak]

15 minutes ago, Hotdognz said:

For soldiers. ere talking about some running, crouching, walking animations here, its not like it going to make the F16 radar stop if one guy looks like he is walking with a broken leg  if they stuffed it up

 

 

They would still have it tested. The new animations for modern infantry won't come untill the new 3d models are ready. And i guess they aren't ready.

[NIAGARA MOHAWK]

2 hours ago, Lau said:

 WW2 warbirds and asset pack are also products sold on the ED front store, they therefore deserve to be developed and supported in the same way all the other ED products are.

There has been some severe delay on the WW2 front, it is now ample time for ED to catch up.

Thanks,

 

Lets hope this does not fall on Deaf Ears 

[Raptorattacker]

On 11/3/2024 at 10:07 AM, Gunfreak said:

Since ww2 is low priority, they use ww2 as a test bed, so if anything breaks. It only affects ww2 which isn't a big deal. 

They seriously broke the Mossie with the new landing gear physics. But since the number of people that own and fly the Mossie is miniscule vs F16 or F18, It's not a big deal. And once all the bug are fixed they'll add the new physics to the important modules.

Obviously these things aren't 'a big deal' if you don't own these modules but to those that do own them they are as important as everything else my friend, trust me! 
The Mosquito cost the same as your F16 or F18 and, as such, it's owners are entitled to just as much care and attention as anyone else. Their money is exactly the same.

[NIAGARA MOHAWK]

2 minutes ago, Raptorattacker said:

Obviously these things aren't 'a big deal' if you don't own these modules but to those that do own them they are as important as everything else my friend, trust me! 
The Mosquito cost the same as your F16 or F18 and, as such, it's owners are entitled to just as much care and attention as anyone else. Their money is exactly the same.

Spot on and Well Said = Thank You ...