Cargo operations, but what kind? 💬

[YoYo]

The preview's  features has a rather enigmatic description:

Key features at early access:

• Authentic Cargo Operations: Perform realistic cargo loading, management, and aerial delivery procedures. Conduct precision air-drops and logistical support missions showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities. 

Can we find out what exactly this is supposed to be? For example, EA and possibly soon later? 

From what I can see, I have some cargo on pallets to be air-dropped + GBU-43, but that's only a fraction of the Hercules' capabilities. 

Will it be possible to transport, for example, HMMWVs or the other vehicles (with ramp entry animation)? Will it be possible to transport soldiers from point A to B at an airport (also visible in the cargo hold as well or without at beginning)? Will it be possible to drop paratroopers? DCS currently has some limitations, but from what I understand from the interview, some things are being changed and worked on.

Could you please provide more information on this? It's actually one of the most important features of this aircraft type (I'm not counting the MC-130J, which will be added later). Thanks!

Edited yesterday at 09:18 PM by YoYo

[GUCCI]

3 hours ago, YoYo said:

Will it be possible to drop paratroopers?

In the newsletter/pre-order- I see something about static line physics. I sure hope that references the static lines for paratroops. 

If for now we can't have actual para drops, it would be awesome to at least transport soldiers from one base to another, and have them all

staged in the back, in their seats. I do agree i'd love to see the ramps get loading animations (like soldiers boarding through the side doors/ramp, Humvees driving in, 

pallets being loaded into the sliding rail. Many things we'd love to see, that I believe ED will have to help them make it happen. 

Goood post, I hope to see this answered by the dev team   

Thanks ASC!

[pimp]

I've been wishing for these since the Chinook was released. I believe these types of features like animations and modeling has always been low priority for ED. Every feature you've listed would improve immersion ten-fold, but I just don't believe it is high priority for ED. I also believe not all ground units are to scale. Have you tried to drive a HMMV inside the Chinook? It's too big to fit. So, to me this is a core ED wish list and not ASC/3rd Party.

[Esac_mirmidon]

Taking in count ED didnt even expand the Chinook new cargo limited features to the rest of the helicopters, one can tihink is not a top priority.

[YoYo]

This is what was shown in the trailer, two types of cargo on pallets and the Mother of all bombs:

I am also personally waiting for this (this is a very old screenshot, from 2016, and it is not a preview, mod perhaps.):

Edited Wednesday at 05:34 PM by YoYo

[H60MTI]

I'm hoping they'll do aircraft as a cargo also. Fly a C-130 in on some random patch of dirt. Push out a few AH-6 Littlebirds. Set a timer for late activation then have them fly out and destroy some stuff Lol

 

I snipped this from their Discord. Hopefully this will help...

Edited Thursday at 12:19 PM by H60MTI

[Mr_sukebe]

Based upon a certain movie, maybe an option could include "flying rubber dog<profanity> to Hong Kong".

Edited Thursday at 12:43 PM by Mr_sukebe

[GUCCI]

Would have to be an ASC C-2 Greyhound module for that bit

 

[H60MTI]

Stinger just said a cargo plane, he didn't say what kind...The Navy does have -130 variants.

[GUCCI]

Just subliminally getting the idea of a C2 module into their heads, the boat really could benefit from a good COD module. 

Jokes aside, you are right about that, and considering the context of disobeying orders and almost doing a water landing, I don't think stinger

wants them in a C2. LOL. 

 

[Stratos]

Guys, the Uh-1 was released eons ago, and still cannot load infantry, neither can fly with gunners without those unrealistic hardpoints. And you expect to see Hummers loading trough the ramp?

[GUCCI]

Expect? Not necessarily. Would love to see what can be done though, I have faith ASC will figure it out and maybe get help from ED w/ SDK to get it done.

Now that they have the hook, they should definitely prioritize some of this stuff. So I'm sure we will see it someday, even if not right away. 

IMO- before seeing hummers drive into the ramp, I'd love to see the ground equipment that loads the pallets onto the ramp. That thing driving up

and hooking to the ramp would be sweet. even if it is done "MSFS" style by spawning an asset/animation to have a truck come up to the ramp.

[Nodak]

That shot of an Apache loading is a C-17, your only loading one of those in a C-130 cut in pieces.

[YoYo]

25 minutes ago, Nodak said:

That shot of an Apache loading is a C-17, your only loading one of those in a C-130 cut in pieces.

Correct. Changed to Little bird example.

[Silver_Dragon]

On 6/8/2025 at 18:28, YoYo said:

 

Something tells me that image is simply a script, and that the "paratroopers" are ejected pilots.

ED hasn't said anything about this feature since the time it showed a DC-3 dropping paratroopers (who were pilots), in a 202X and Beyond video many years ago... nor has it said anything about modern paratroopers.

As for troops... well, they haven't been seen in a CH-47F with troops seated into them (we're still using the old system), so I'd rule out paratroopers/troops for now.

[YoYo]

8 hours ago, Silver_Dragon said:

Something tells me that image is simply a script, and that the "paratroopers" are ejected pilots.

ED hasn't said anything about this feature since the time it showed a DC-3 dropping paratroopers (who were pilots), in a 202X and Beyond video many years ago... nor has it said anything about modern paratroopers.

As for troops... well, they haven't been seen in a CH-47F with troops seated into them (we're still using the old system), so I'd rule out paratroopers/troops for now.

Just yesterday I was really happy  when I saw this screenshot:

but after taking a closer look, I found that it is an ejected pilot only... pity .

[Silver_Dragon]

3 hours ago, YoYo said:

Just yesterday I was really happy  when I saw this screenshot:

but after taking a closer look, I found that it is an ejected pilot only... pity .

We have US paratroopers for ETO WWII and some from the VVD's LOMAC rusian modern, but we don't have paratrooper drop animations. I understand it's a very exaggerated effort, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to start seeing some movement by ED, especially with transports aircrafts capable of drop paratroopers.

The problem with the ASC C-130J module is that it seems like we're going to have the ability to launch paratroops, but that "2020" US paratroop model is missing...and all the associated functionality, so I'm sensing that it's going to be in 2026.