DCS Flaming Cliffs 2026 Proposal

[Woogey]

Good day friends,

This proposal is aimed square at Eagle Dynamics, and the producers that Turn ideas into solid plans.

 

There is a coincidental phenomenon with a few of ED's fully fledged study level aircraft.  A-10C, F-16C, F/A-18C, and soon the F-15C.  In Flaming Cliffs we have the A-10A, and currently the Old version of the F-15C.  I propose that ED turns the Flaming Cliffs F-15C into an F-15A, upon release of the full fidelity F-15C. Functionally, it doesn't need to change at all.  The 3d cockpit would need a little remodeling, but the exterior model could virtually stay untouched.  Just remove that little sensor on top of the nose.  That's part one of my proposal. 

 

The 2nd part of my proposal plays into this A and C duality.  With the soon to be released Cold War Germany map creating the most Buzz for DCS in a long time, I propose a Flaming Cliffs level F-16A and an F/A-18A.  IE: Flaming Cliffs 2026.  Most of the European F-16 operators purchased A models.  It might be a small detail to some, but to many there is a significant desire to have a small mouth P&W powered skinny tailed -16.  This would also give ED an opportunity to bring the existing F-16Ai fleet up to the sims current standards.  Similarly, we have an old F/A-18A Ai model that is in need of a refresh.  Having it in the sim is important to early 1980's operations (similarly to the F-16A) and good majority of the sales outside the U.S. were in fact A models.  Both of these airframes had significantly less capability in the early days which meshes well with a Flaming Cliffs style of game play.  

With all of this said, the first replies to my post, are going to be "I'd much rather ED spent their time and resources modeling...... XXXX" 

This proposal is also kind of along the same lines as the cancelled? Modern Air Combat title.  A better variety of entry level aircraft that would slot into the existing sim and play nice, but not have anywhere near the capability of the full fidelity upgraded modules.  Just some food for thought. 

 

-Woog

PS, while were at it, turn the Flaming Cliffs F-5E into an F-5A

[Manano]

Heatblur doing an F-16A for FS2024 could really make this work

[MAXsenna]

4 hours ago, Woogey said:

With all of this said, the first replies to my post, are going to be "I'd much rather ED spent their time and resources modeling...... XXXX" 

Well, I don't oppose your wish, while it's been stated that it takes as much time to develop an FF as an FC module, so why not go full FF from the start?  

The F-16A has been requested many, many times already, but I guess your wish(es) is/(are) as valid as every other. Should have split them though. 

[MAXsenna]

Heatblur doing an F-16A for FS2024 could really make this work

I can never see HB ever do an FC module.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Woogey]

Technically its IndiaFoxtEcho doing the F-16A for MSFS, Heatblur 3d Scanned a Euro bird to make the 3d model for them.  Both studios are developers for DCS, so that could work in our favor.  I can't see ED authorizing a competing F-16 for DCS, however Heatblur selling them an f-16A 3d model is not beyond the realm of possibility.  Even less work for ED to make it happen.   

Edited April 18 by Woogey

[13-vszd-dakos]

+1

I think an F-16A for Flaming Cliffs should've been a no brainer by now. It just makes sense. I really hope ED considers it, as it's the most widely used variant so I heavily doubt it wouldn't be taken like candy, even if it's a Flaming Cliffs level one.

A-10/Su-25
F-15/Su-27
F-16/MiG-29

Would make it 'complete' imho. Maybe even an early A and an MLU, like the Mig-29 has the A and S variants. And maaaaybe even an F/A-18A to go with the Su-33. The latter is more or less wishful thinking, but still. An F-16A SHOULD be a thing. It would also update the 2 decade old F-16 AI only models, so that's another reason

 

[Bob_Petuss]

I like this plan. FC will become a full-fledged starter pack, where each side will have an airplane for the same tasks. Of course, it still exists, but it is extremely asymmetrical.

[okopanja]

On 4/18/2025 at 2:06 AM, Woogey said:

There is a coincidental phenomenon with a few of ED's fully fledged study level aircraft.  A-10C, F-16C, F/A-18C, and soon the F-15C.  In Flaming Cliffs we have the A-10A, and currently the Old version of the F-15C.  I propose that ED turns the Flaming Cliffs F-15C into an F-15A, upon release of the full fidelity F-15C. Functionally, it doesn't need to change at all.  The 3d cockpit would need a little remodeling, but the exterior model could virtually stay untouched.  Just remove that little sensor on top of the nose.  That's part one of my proposal. 

Why would I accept to convert my FC3 F-15c into F-15a.

I paid for the C

[Tom P]

I think it should be a bunch of red air, we have to many blue. It's flaming cliffs and not a full on simulation, unless that Russian law goes against a less fidelity module. 

[Woogey]

4 hours ago, okopanja said:

Why would I accept to convert my FC3 F-15c into F-15a.

I paid for the C

Functionally the Charlie you own is an arcade game.  It would be relatively easy for ED to do a cockpit reskin of the existing model, and remove the weapons configuration display that has no real functionality in the sim anyway.   The the other item is that the "A" never carried AAMRAMS.  ED could very easily keep the FC Charlie around for YOU, while only selling an A model in the future iterations of Flaming Cliffs.  From a marketing standpoint, my idea makes a lot of sense, as new players could dip their toes into the game with these "Easy Mode" early models of these aircraft.  Aircraft that really did have less capability.  As they get better, and crave more of a challenge, that's when they step up to the fully fledged "Study Level" F-15C.  Its a way to more clearly differentiate what the customer is buying, and create a desire to upgrade later.  Otherwise why buy the study level F-15C when I can buy a cheap F-15C and still kick ass on the Multiplayer servers?       

 

[Czar66]

22 minutes ago, Woogey said:

Otherwise why buy the study level F-15C when I can buy a cheap F-15C and still kick ass on the Multiplayer servers?       

Boredom. Everyone that enjoys FC level will naturally crave full fidelity one time or another. Looking at only weapon efficiency is a flawed vision.

[Gigafiga]

FC ——-> videogame

In 2025 there’s no sense to have any FC plane in dcs

[okopanja]

1 hour ago, Woogey said:

Functionally the Charlie you own is an arcade game.  It would be relatively easy for ED to do a cockpit reskin of the existing model, and remove the weapons configuration display that has no real functionality in the sim anyway.   The the other item is that the "A" never carried AAMRAMS.  ED could very easily keep the FC Charlie around for YOU, while only selling an A model in the future iterations of Flaming Cliffs.  From a marketing standpoint, my idea makes a lot of sense, as new players could dip their toes into the game with these "Easy Mode" early models of these aircraft.  Aircraft that really did have less capability.  As they get better, and crave more of a challenge, that's when they step up to the fully fledged "Study Level" F-15C.  Its a way to more clearly differentiate what the customer is buying, and create a desire to upgrade later.  Otherwise why buy the study level F-15C when I can buy a cheap F-15C and still kick ass on the Multiplayer servers?       

 

The issue here is that once you sell to a customer the product, it is troublesome to vhange that later.

My view on FC3 is no more such aircrafts. FF F-15a would be great, independently from FC3.

[draconus]

7 hours ago, Woogey said:

Functionally the Charlie you own is an arcade game.

7 hours ago, Gigafiga said:

FC ——-> videogame

Guys, time to reveal a secret for you:

[Ramius007]

I would rather expand features of current FC line, before "flamingcliffization" of any new or existing module. Setting some standard in MP would be good thing to have too, so I would start from adding functional radios, and radionavigation, but without clicky cockpit.