DCS Update | Mosquito Freeman's Folly | F/A-18C The Rampagers

[Graphics]

21 March 2025 Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends,

In this week’s DCS Update we have implemented smoother flight formations, landings and runway behaviour for AI aircraft. Weapons systems have also seen refinements in addition to Graphical and Mission Editor improvements, better sound-file handling, consistent camouflage. Finally, we are pleased to deliver our new Mission Save State capability! Please read the details below.  

Experience an immersive WWII-era journey in this Mosquito campaign, featuring two fictional protagonists: former Blenheim Mk.1 pilot F/Lt Dougie Maxwell (RAAF) and his navigator, F/Sgt Ginger Fenwick from North East England. Inspired by real mission records and weather data, each sortie offers a historically grounded narrative that spans reconnaissance flights, anti-shipping raids, night fighter operations, and GEE-H assisted bombing. Your navigator takes on multiple tasks, including radio tuning, while your progress leads to new assignments, detachments, and promotions—a dynamic storyline woven into both the 12 main sorties and their accompanying intro missions.

The Rampagers campaign, developed by Baltic Dragon and Whipbird Production, follows the F/A-18C squadron VFA-83 aboard the USS Harry S Truman during an extension of Operation Inherent Resolve in June 2016. Drawing inspiration from real events, this 17-mission series brings players to the heart of the conflict against the Islamic State, highlighting pivotal strikes, close air support tasks, and the mounting tension with Russian forces in Northern Syria. Its documentary-style approach blends accessible mission designs, authentic airspace procedures, and a dynamic storyline that conveys the complexities of modern aerial warfare.

Please note the DCS Spring Sale ends on the 23rd of March, 2025 at 23:59 GMT.

Thank you for your passion and support.

Yours sincerely, 

Eagle Dynamics

 

DCS Update

Development Progress

Mission State Save is a new feature permitting you to create and fly scenarios over several sessions whilst preserving and carrying forward mission progress, without the need for complex scripting. Mission Save works by generating a new mission file at any point during the flight. The generated save mission carries over the date and time, all units state and location in addition to other mission state relevant parameters. 

We are releasing this feature as early Work-in-Progress to gather your feedback to help us refine and prioritise future improvements. We are also looking forward to requests from script creators.

For more details about this feature, please see the Mission State Save guide. 

New Campaigns 

Included is the new DCS: F/A-18C The Rampagers by Baltic Dragon, offering modern naval aviation on the USS Harry S. Truman, and the DCS: Mosquito FB MkVI Freeman’s Folly Campaign by SUNTS, featuring WWII missions based on historical squadron records and weather data.

DCS Core Updates

AI Aircraft improvements include several changes to aircraft flight and formation behavior and helicopter attack patterns. Certain AI aircraft received changes to their loadouts offering more accurate weapon support.     

AI Ships and Ground vehicles have received some improved effects notably the addition of a lighter grey smoke to designate vehicle damage at 50-25% of its HP. This combines with the existing more pronounced smoke effect for vehicle damage ´near death’ of 25%-0% HP. 

Weapons updates include significant changes to the AIM-120 missile’s fuzing logic and conical proximity sensor pattern. The R-24 missile has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, covering aerodynamics, motor performance, warhead configuration, and guidance. Several surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, such as the Hawk MIM-23, Kh-25MPU, Kh-22, and MIM-72G on Chaparral, have received adjustments to their flight characteristics, drag profiles, and/or guidance.

Core, GUI, and Mission Editor changes addressing longer mission load times or delays when occupying multiplayer slots have been implemented. Various interface issues such as the ESC menu failing to appear under certain conditions, F10 map zoom lock issue, and some dynamic spawn at FARP issues, have also been resolved. The Mission Editor now provides better sound file handling, more icons in draw tools and new absolute mission time trigger type. 

Other fixes and additions involve model and visual tweaks for multiple units, including adjustments to recoil effects, dust visibility, and collision models. Certain 3D missile models details have been updated. The encyclopedia entries have been expanded to include the SA-5 (S-200) site and updated AIM-9 Sidewinder information. An IR jammer issue on the Su-25T has also been corrected to ensure it only affects missiles in the tail aspect.

A known issue remains where unusually large explosion craters can appear in rare instances. The development team is actively investigating and working on a fix.

Module Updates

For the F-16C Viper, the TGP target tracking jitter issue that had been affecting precision strikes has been addressed. IR missile detection problems have been resolved, ensuring proper threat awareness before launch. Additionally, the CCIP bomb aiming calculations have been corrected, improving ground attack accuracy. 

F/A-18C has received fixes to its speedbrake compensation system when using the EXTEND button. The RAID antenna elevation displays now show correct information, and the anomalous drag properties associated with the BRU-41 weapon racks have been eliminated.

Some important improvements to the AH-64D have been implemented. Multicrew operations now benefit from enhanced FCR synchronization, while the position hold function no longer exhibits oscillation problems. George AI has received a comprehensive update with revised engagement ranges and burst intervals for more effective gun employment. Two longstanding issues—wheels sinking into terrain and No-Fly Zone desynchronization in multi crew—have also been addressed. 

The Mi-24P Hind has gained new capabilities with the addition of SYNC mode for the ASP-17 gunsight and R-60 missiles that now properly react to flares before launch. You will also notice that landing gear problems following repairs have been corrected. 

The Ka-50 Black Shark 3 ABRIS map labels have been corrected. The Shkval targeting offset issues, and mirror reflections during rainfall have also been fixed. Finally, the windshield wipers now do what they are supposed to do, wipe.

Our remastered F-5E Tiger II features enhanced visual effects with improved afterburner visuals and more realistic cockpit shaking under high G maneuvers.

For classic jet enthusiasts, the F-86F Sabre has received an important input fix, resolving a joystick assignment error that prevented proper VOIP control mapping and restored full functionality.

Flight training in the Yak-52 fixes include wheel brake disengagement during hot starts and improved pneumatic starter parameters.

The Flaming Cliffs 2024 module brings exciting new content with additional instant-action missions in Afghanistan for the Su-25T. Visual enhancements include overwing vapor effects on the Su-27 and Su-33, adding some atmospheric realism.

Finally, our historical WWII collection sees the Mosquito FB Mk VI receiving Russian localization for its lessons, making this iconic aircraft's training materials accessible to more pilots around the world.

For a more detailed list of all the fixes, updates and improvements, please read the full changelog.

 

Mosquito FB IV Freeman's Folly

Campaign by Sunts Simulations

Accessible for novices and veteran Mosquito pilots alike, the Freeman’s Folly doesn’t require the WWII Asset Pack and delivers 16 total missions brimming with authentic details. Enhanced by nearly a thousand voice-overs, images, and interactive ground-crew sequences, each mission features historically accurate flight plans via F10 map depictions, as well as unique in-flight GEE-H and AI Mark VIII radar oscilloscopes. Watch the unique explanation video and prepare to embark on a richly detailed WWII adventure that captures the spirit of Mosquito operations with compelling storytelling and historically informed gameplay. Get the DCS: Mosquito FB VI Freeman’ Folly Campaign now!

 

F/A-18C The Rampagers

Campaign by Baltic Dragon

From realistic departure and recovery protocols to fuel management, air-to-air refueling, and a host of mission types such as CAS, E-CAS and DEAD, the Rampagers campaign immerses you in carrier operations with detailed briefings, kneeboards, and voice-acted dialogue. The campaign’s 3,000+ lines of chatter, original soundtrack, and multiple possible endings promise over 50 hours of replayable content. Purchases also support donations for Syrian war refugees. The DCS: F/A-18C The Rampagers Campaign by Baltic Dragon is available in the latest DCS update.

For a detailed list of all the improvements and additions made in this week’s update, please do read the changelog. This is also your last change to take advantage of the DCS Spring Sale savings, hurry! Offers end on the 23rd of March, 2025 at 23:59 GMT.

Thank you again for your passion and support, 

Yours sincerely,

[bies]

Many core game improvements in this and last updates, gorund and air AI, dynamic campaign, AI-units and weapons performance etc. Very good direction. Steady as she goes. And the whole experience is becoming significantly better. And lacking core and enviroment were holding the whole DCS back for a long time.

As the experience is the whole enviroment, not only a particular module man uses, but first and foremost the enviroment.

Good job.

[YoYo]

I hope that in the April patch we will also get a new cockpit for the Su-25A from FC.

[MAXsenna]

I hope that in the April patch we will also get a new cockpit for the Su-25A from FC.

That would be nice, while I anticipate the patch to be a May one. But of course crossing my fingers for April.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[YoYo]

30 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

That would be nice, while I anticipate the patch to be a May one. But of course crossing my fingers for April.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

There was supposed to be IIWW somewhere around the turn of Q1 and Q2. It's probably May, or something simpler April, but of course that's speculation. There have been a few nice surprises from ED recently :).

[MAXsenna]

There was supposed to be IIWW somewhere around the turn of Q1 and Q2. It's probably May, or something simpler April, but of course that's speculation. There have been a few nice surprises from ED recently :).

Yeah! We like surprises!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Trooper117]

More WWII stuff is always most welcome...

[MiGCap1]

8 hours ago, Trooper117 said:

More WWII stuff is always most welcome...

Yep, and an upgrade of the Fw 190D-9 also ... long overdue ...