DCS: F-35A Official FAQ

[NineLine]

Why the F-35A?
The F-35 is rapidly becoming the backbone of tactical combat aviation of many countries. Its combination of low observability, sensor fusion, and advanced sensors has brought 5th generation combat aviation to today’s battlefield. We chose to simulate this aircraft based on its fame and the large number of both combat aviation enthusiasts and more casual virtual pilots that are eager to experience its capabilities on the modern, virtual battlefield that only DCS can offer.

What version of the F-35A? 
We will first release the F-35A. We may later also offer the F-35B Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) and F-35C aircraft carrier catapult versions, but this has yet to be determined.

How will you simulate it given the lack of reference documents?

Starting around 2010, hands-on F-35 demonstrations became commonplace at defense tradeshows. These featured detailed system demonstrations that covered a broad range of operations and capabilities that provided great insight into the operation of the aircraft across different mission types. Our goal is to create an F-35A simulation that combines this wealth of data with academic papers, public sub-systems data, and common Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) to fill in only a few areas lacking any information (like other existing DCS aircraft). Compared to other modern aircraft, we’ve discovered a great deal more information about its operation than most 4 and 4+ generation aircraft. 

Our F-35A will not be based on guesswork, watching air shows, Wikipedia or anything like that. Rather it is being designed in relation to credible data that we feel very confident will provide a good representation of what it is to operate this aircraft in the context of a study-level flight simulation game for the entertainment market. 

When will it be available?
Development will start in earnest in 2025, with a release goal in 2026. This is subject to change. When we have a more specific date, we will update this FAQ.

How much will it cost? 
The specific cost has yet to be determined for the F-35A, but it will be in-line with pricing of other full-fidelity, complex, modern aircraft in DCS.

What weapons will be included?The complete weapons suite of a US F-35A in the 2015-time frame is planned. This includes the internal 25mm cannon, AIM-9X, AIM-120, GBU-31, GBU-32, and GBU-12. This list is subject to change during development. 

What countries will be included?
The F-35A as operated by the US Air Force simulated but will have liveries for several countries including Australia, Norway, The Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, and Israel. More may be added later.

How will you model its low observable characteristics?
This will be based on open-source data and account for radar angle, range, and external stores, and open bays.

How will you simulate the flight model given the lack of flight performance data?
This would be derived from a combination of open-source performance charts, public F-35A pilot accounts of unique handling characteristics to test against, and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) studies.

Would this not unbalance DCS?
Larger numbers of hostile aircraft can outweigh the F-35A's advantages in single-player missions (player versus environment). It will also lend itself well to cooperative multiplayer missions that are created to challenge F-35A pilots. Whilst in multiplayer player-versus-player, the F-35A will initially be the 800-pound gorilla in the room, its advantages can be offset with limited slots, creative mission building, and the later introduction of more comparable aircraft like the Eurofighter and others.