Release in 2026 but barely any info 6 months before 2026?

[LimePartician]

I mean look at some other modules, we were getting release announcements and screenshots/teaser years prior to their release/planned release.

Come on ED. Don't let us down with the release goal.

 

[draconus]

No one promised 2026 release. We don't even know if development already started.

[BIGNEWY]

29 minutes ago, LimePartician said:

I mean look at some other modules, we were getting release announcements and screenshots/teaser years prior to their release/planned release.

Come on ED. Don't let us down with the release goal.

 

When we are ready to share news we will, if we need more time we will let you all know. 

So come on Limepartician, please be patient.

thank you 

[NytHawk]

1 hour ago, LimePartician said:

I mean look at some other modules, we were getting release announcements and screenshots/teaser years prior to their release/planned release.

Come on ED. Don't let us down with the release goal.

 

let them cook

[Furiz]

Yep agree, 

might be ok to post a tail pic to tease once in a while

[felixx75]

2 hours ago, LimePartician said:

I mean look at some other modules, we were getting release announcements and screenshots/teaser years prior to their release/planned release.

Come on ED. Don't let us down with the release goal.

 

There are 6 months until January, but 17 months until December...

Edited July 30 by felixx75

[YoYo]

2 hours ago, LimePartician said:

I mean look at some other modules, we were getting release announcements and screenshots/teaser years prior to their release/planned release.

Come on ED. Don't let us down with the release goal.

Don't expect next year. Module production from the time it's announced usually takes... two, three years or more and in the optimistic version. The MiG-29A was announced in January 2024 and it's still not here (possibly September, so that would be 21 months), and it's a machine half as simple (or even more) as the F-35A and the ED has already had a lot of things done as an FC version. F6F Hellcat, was first revealed in January 2023 (not relesed yet). I'd be more inclined towards 2027 for F-35A, but of course all news about ongoing work is welcome :).

[qadqdae]

8 minutes ago, YoYo said:

Don't expect next year. Module production from the time it's announced usually takes... two, three years or more and in the optimistic version. The MiG-29A was announced in January 2024 and it's still not here (possibly September, so that would be 21 months), and it's a machine half as simple (or even more) as the F-35A and the ED has already had a lot of things done as an FC version. F6F Hellcat, was first revealed in January 2023 (not relesed yet). I'd be more inclined towards 2027 for F-35A, but of course all news about ongoing work is welcome :).

i doubt that we can say anything on release date yet, ED can as they actually do know what they already did and need to do. 
But i think we already can kinda get one of core features of F-35, but that time it's gonna be on Hornet - MSI.
They already could have been working earlier than they announced it. 
 

[Mike Force Team]

@LimePartician I understand it is frustrating whwn limited information is available. ED will start dropping bread crumbs of information when the release of a new module will be happening. They information could be hinted in short release video trailers, details leaked to popular DCS content creators on YouTube, or implied in ED'S newsletters. Patience is a virtue.

Mike Force Team 

[Furiz]

Don't forget that for every new aircraft there need to be AI version done as well so you can fly with wingmen. MiG-29 already has AI in DCS, but F-35 doesn't. Building AI takes time too.

[szymixzmb]

That's the module I am expecting the most. I thought that I will never get but the best option is that we forget about it for 2 years and they will release it without any prior teaser.

[Mike Force Team]

@szymixzmb Here is an example. It took Razbam eight (8) real-world years for the Mirage 2000. The same module that is now no longer available for sale in DCS. 

I know we want instant gratification right now, right here,this second. In the meantime, all we can do is wait.

[EricJ]

Exactly because no matter how much we complain it still will take time. Sure I may want to try the module, but I do work for another game and it takes time to work on, so let them worry about getting it ready and less complaining, because it's not going to move any faster either.

[Scott-S6]

On 7/30/2025 at 2:33 PM, draconus said:

No one promised 2026 release. We don't even know if development already started.

The FAQ says 2026 release goal. I agree that it sounds exceedingly optimistic but ED have now set that expectation.

Edited August 3 by Scott-S6

[draconus]

2 hours ago, Scott-S6 said:

The FAQ says 2026 release goal. I agree that it sounds exceedingly optimistic but ED have now set that expectation.

Fair enough.

[Furiz]

Well to be honest, we have no idea how far are they in development, and what state of the module is even planned for EA.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

On 8/3/2025 at 9:17 AM, Scott-S6 said:

The FAQ says 2026 release goal. I agree that it sounds exceedingly optimistic but ED have now set that expectation.

I wish they wouldn't do that. They'll never get it out in '26. If they want a decent F-35? They have a lot of core mechanics they desperately need to work on (RCS, namely) as DCS handles RCS pretty poorly at the moment.

If it drops in 2026? It'll be pretty undercooked and not worth a pre-order.

[felixx75]

5 hours ago, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

I wish they wouldn't do that. They'll never get it out in '26. If they want a decent F-35? They have a lot of core mechanics they desperately need to work on (RCS, namely) as DCS handles RCS pretty poorly at the moment.

If it drops in 2026? It'll be pretty undercooked and not worth a pre-order.

Since we don't know how long they already have been working on the F-35 and corresponding core features, such a statement is actually pointless...

[qadqdae]

11 hours ago, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

not worth a pre-order.

well, will you lose anything even if you pre-order it?
 

[Kang]

Believing the planned release date in the announcement FAQ... ah, to be young again and frolic in such nonsense.

[Scott-S6]

3 hours ago, qadqdae said:

well, will you lose anything even if you pre-order it?
 

You'll not have that money for the 5-6 years it'll take to get into a decent shape if it's undercooked so there is absolutely an opportunity cost.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

On 8/5/2025 at 8:58 AM, qadqdae said:

well, will you lose anything even if you pre-order it?
 

Money. ED cannot have a repeat of the Viper.

[Revelation]

On 8/11/2025 at 12:30 AM, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

Money. ED cannot have a repeat of the Viper.

While a repeat is not ideal, I still enjoyed the heck out of the Viper at launch. 

[travissgrey]

Il 30/7/2025 at 15:33, draconus ha scritto:

No one promised 2026 release. We don't even know if development already started.

Check the FAQs.

Development will start in earnest in 2025, with a release goal in 2026. This is subject to change.
 

Of course definitely not a promise, but implies that a 2026 release could be possible plus it is the current goal of ED. And I hope it will happen, because my wallet is ready for it

[Horns]

If the choice is 'late' or 'underdeveloped', the former should win every time.