Winter Sale 2024 | MiG-29 Fulcrum | Merry Christmas

[Graphics]

 

 

20 December 2024

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends, 

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends, Our huge Christmas DCS Winter Sale 2024 is in full swing on our e-shop and the DCS Steam Edition Winter Sale is also underway and contains the same amazing deals.

Earlier this year we announced our very first full fidelity Soviet 4th generation fighter. Our MiG-29A Fulcrum is advancing full speed and our dedicated team has been working diligently for a release in Q2 2025. Please check out our development screenshots and read the project status update below.

As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued dedication to DCS. Your feedback and passion have helped us push boundaries, refine our simulator, and bring ever more realism to DCS. Thank you.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us! We look forward to soaring onwards and upwards into the New Year together!

Thank you for your passion and support.

Yours sincerely, 

Eagle Dynamics

 

Winter Sale

Up to 50% discount

Now is the time to expand your hangar and sharpen your combat skills with new aircraft, terrains, and campaigns! Until the 6th of January 15:00 GMT enjoy deep discounts on a wide range of our most popular modules! The DCS Steam Edition Winter Sale is now on until the 2nd of January at 18:00 GMT. Enjoy!

 

MiG-29A Fulcrum

Development Progress

The primary MiG-29A development efforts are focused on the design of the external model, cockpit, avionics, and general aircraft systems. 

The DCS: MiG-29A is our first aircraft based on photogrammetry.  The cockpit reference aircraft is located in Aircraft Museum Kosice, and we greatly appreciate their generous assistance. The textures and geometry of the new cockpit have been created from scratch, using new technologies that include high-polygon models for baking-in normal maps. This technique has provided many quality improvements whilst also presenting plenty of challenges.

We generated a huge number of photos and videos of the aircraft, and we completely reworked the external model. Based on this reference data and factory diagrams, we were able to include an exceptional level of detail for items such as surface materials and treatment, rivets, screws, and panel joints. The new normal map reflects the structure of the aircraft skin to a high degree of accuracy, with texture resolution increased by 400%.

A lot of work has been completed on avionics and systems, including the Optical Laser System (OLS), which is an important component of the MiG-29 targeting suite. Its main elements are the InfraRed Search and Track (IRST) system and laser range finder. Most of the air-to-air targeting modes are progressing well and nearing completion.  

The gun sight development was not a trivial task, with a complex simulation of both the tracked-target mode and the non-tracked, “funnel” mode. The gun sights have been significantly redesigned for a highly accurate representation of the real unit. A new mode has been added which was designed to engage invisible aerial targets in cloud, haze or at night with the gun. 

Weapon modes for engaging ground targets with rockets and guns at fixed and moving targets in the presence of wind are in active development. We have also scheduled the development of the basic bombing modes in the near term.

We have totally recreated the Fire Control Radar (FCR) architecture and the main modes.  

After primary work on the OLS and FCR is complete, we will model the interaction between the OLS and the FCR. 

The SPO-15LM radar warning receiver, also known as Product L006LM, has been completely rewritten. The new SPO-15 uses the same physics-based approach as the SPO-10, but with greater attention being paid to its second iteration of directivity patterns for transmitting and receiving antennas. The latter being of particularly high importance to Soviet RWR designs due to the independent processing of an output from each azimuth sector antenna. Additionally, the database has been expanded, with each radar having a unique signature in terms of signal properties and with the properties themselves covering additional details. 

Thanks to these improvements, the new SPO-15 can be modelled to closely emulate the algorithms used in the real system, and it simulates many of its real-life quirks and limitations. Pilots will find themselves having to pay attention to these limitations to utilize its full potential. These include, but are not limited to, non-linear range indications that will properly display the signal power, blinding by high power radars, and many cases of incorrect threat type determination due to limited resolution with which the signal parameters are measured. This depth and accuracy of the simulations will make our new implementation of SPO-15 in DCS the most realistic and detailed simulation of this system of any PC simulator.

A Mission Editor data programming panel is being developed for the navigation system. This will allow you to program the flight before the start of the mission and use this program in flight. Access to the panel and modification of data will be possible during the simulation, when the aircraft is on the ground.

 We are developing the MiG-29A INS and its interaction with the navigation system. Special attention is being paid to the modes of ground INS alignment and its accuracy and drift in flight. This will be affected by the alignment mode and the presence or absence of radio correction from the programmed beacon. 

Work remains on the Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) system, but we'll release the core functionality of IFF at early access, and then continue to work on the more advanced IFF features. 

Aircraft systems are being added and refined to a deep level of functionality. This includes the new hydraulic and electrical system, procedures and physics of engine startup and shutdown, expansion and reconfiguration of automatic control systems. Numerous new modes are also being introduced, and transients are being improved.

 

Merry Christmas

Happy holidays!

In the spirit of the upcoming Christmas holiday, we wish you calm winds, clear horizons, and treasured moments with friends and loved ones. May your hangars be full, your aircraft finely tuned, and your upcoming sorties filled with excitement and discovery. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your loved ones. 

Thank you again for your passion and support, 

 Yours sincerely,

[Robi Hobby]

Yes, it's been a rough Year for VR users. Performance and Bugs are annoying. For now, I'm happy with VR after lots of trial and testing.

But I have to have the MIG-29A Fulcrum. DCS World is just great for that. 

Edited 18 hours ago by Robi Hobby

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

The 9.12A looks good: the rivet counters are going to be very happy! 

Is there a patch planned still this year, to include the OH-58 fixes that have been ready for release for a while now? And I bet the F-16 drivers are eagerly awaiting the take-off/landing ARI fix as well

Happy festivities for everyone in the ED team and their loved ones!

[Drona]

Bring on the MiG-29, it can't come soon enough for me. Great work on the details of the MiG-29. Thank you ED for the hard work. Definite purchase on pre-order.

Edited 18 hours ago by Drona

[ThorBrasil]

I'm glad the MiG29A is coming to DCS, but I'm disappointed with what they did with the F5E. The F5E cockpit deserved the love the MIG29A got. The textures, night lighting and 3D model are spectacular. It's a shame we'll never see the F5E at the same level.

I would have paid a lot more than $10 to have the same love in the cockpit of the F5E.

[Gunfreak]

Now I want them to upgrade the F16 with photogrammetry

[Beirut]

Wasn't too keen on the -29 at first but I'm sure it will end up in my hangar. Especially if it's got fancy new eye-candy tech happening. 

[pjbunnyru]

миг-29: фап-фап

выводите зверя в продажу!!!!

 

[TheFreshPrince]

MIG-29 looking good! Still a long time till release, but it's gonna be a great module for sure.

[schurem]

Oh boy, Oh boy, I can't wait to get my hands dirty with that -29! Sweet!

[Wyvern]

1 hour ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

The 9.12A looks good: the rivet counters are going to be very happy!

Not if they do the same questionable encryption stuff they did with the F-5E

[YoYo]

Like it! Although it's a shame it's only Q2 2025. Will there be anything new in Q1?

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

3 minutes ago, YoYo said:

Will there be anything new in Q1?

Bugfixes for what we already have would be great I for one don't constantly need something new. Sometimes it's enough to have what you already own working properly 

And besides, there are plenty of bugs that have been around for 5-10 years. Getting those squashed would be great, or simply things like a proper implementation of modern RWRs would make a lot of people happy as well I bet.

[Rudel_chw]

44 minutes ago, Wyvern said:

Not if they do the same questionable encryption stuff they did with the F-5E

 

Hopefully not, if they do I will most likely pass-up on this DCS Module  

[LuseKofte]

55 minutes ago, Wyvern said:

Not if they do the same questionable encryption stuff they did with the F-5E

Not for provoking, I am just curious. But what do you mean? I bought both F 5 but flown the early version when it’s new and flew this and found it to be a wonderful ac. I am however not a jet jockey. I can’t compare. 

Edited 16 hours ago by LuseKofte

[Rudel_chw]

13 minutes ago, LuseKofte said:

Not for provoking, I am just curious. But what do you mean?

 

ED provides an utility for viewing its 3D models and liveries in great detail, a tool that you use when creating new liveries or when editing training missions. The utility can't be used with the new F-5E because the base files are now in an encrypted format, such that even ED's own Model Viewer 2 utility can't view them.

[virgo47]

9 minutes ago, Rudel_chw said:

ED provides an utility for viewing its 3D models and liveries in great detail, a tool that you use when creating new liveries or when editing training missions. The utility can't be used with the new F-5E because the base files are now in an encrypted format, such that even ED's own Model Viewer 2 utility can't view them.

This encryption is wrong on so many levels...

• The modding community is a strong point for DCS. Does it mean ED now doesn't care about it?
• Do they hide something? I've heard that the cockpit is virtually the same as before and doesn't warrant all those thousands of hours ED claims. I don't know, and ED does everything so we don't know.
• Many things for control tweaking are easier to discover in the Model Viewer.

I just don't get it. Will we have some Model Viewer 3 supporting encrypted modules, or will DCS close more and more for us? Will we soon get to the point where we are not able to add the bindings that are missing in the modules (pick any)? Just extrapolating...

Edited 15 hours ago by virgo47

[YoYo]

28 minutes ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

ED provides an utility for viewing its 3D models and liveries in great detail, a tool that you use when creating new liveries or when editing training missions. The utility can't be used with the new F-5E because the base files are now in an encrypted format, such that even ED's own Model Viewer 2 utility can't view them.

Owner of Model Viewer is ED for sure, so Im sure that we will have soon the new version of Model Viewer 3 or special plugin for v.2, is it correct @BIGNEWY?

[Mr_sukebe]

The incoming 29a is looking very cool.

Question on the RWR.  My assumption is that it’s used in a number of Soviet aircraft.  Is the new SPO-15 created as a logical unit that could be retrofitted to other existing Soviet aircraft with little effort, eg Su25?

[kotor633]

Well, that was a newsletter! Finally some information about the Mig-29A! Everything sounds good. My hope is that ED will now also think about GCI.

[PLUTON]

All this is part of the good news, thank you ED
But I would appreciate like many people here
the bug fixes of the F16 and the KIOWA with of course the update of South Atlantic.
As for the MIG 29 It is good to bait us with that but release in the 2nd quarter we have time to see it coming and talk about it again.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ED

[Gunfreak]

2 hours ago, YoYo said:

Like it! Although it's a shame it's only Q2 2025. Will there be anything new in Q1?

Maybe not from ED, but it's about time some of the 3rd party stuff gets released.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

1 hour ago, Mr_sukebe said:

The incoming 29a is looking very cool.

Question on the RWR.  My assumption is that it’s used in a number of Soviet aircraft.  Is the new SPO-15 created as a logical unit that could be retrofitted to other existing Soviet aircraft with little effort, eg Su25?

No such thing as a MiG-29A

And no, since we don't have a full-fidelity Su-25 and likely won't in the foreseeable future. FC "systems modelling" (if you can even call it that) is VERY simplified by design, and thus a properly modelled SPO15 ("This depth and accuracy of the simulations will make our new implementation of SPO-15 in DCS the most realistic and detailed simulation of this system of any PC simulator." is completely meaningless marketing speech) is completely out of the scope of Flaming Cliffs.

[YoYo]

24 minutes ago, Gunfreak said:

Maybe not from ED, but it's about time some of the 3rd party stuff gets released.

Nothing is announced as "soon" currently, maybe La-7 (it seemed to be finished but there was a problem with the coder). Actually "DCS 2025 and Beyond" soon so we'll see but I don't think there's anything close to completion. I'm betting on Afghanistan update plus the eastern part for this map. There is some chance for a Hellcat, much simpler than the MiG-29, but we are waiting for the next newsletters.

[WolfCat]

We wish you a Vulkan Christmas
We wish you an AI Christmas
We wish you Dynamic Christmas
And a Savegame New Year!

"with texture resolution increased by 400%"
-- I wonder what this means for VRAM usage.