Just do a normal SAR/CSAR heli already…

[Mikep821]

The DCS list of transport helicopters is just sad  

why not aw-101, why not bell-412, uh-60 or better sh-60, nh-90, Lynx ? Why not at least upgrade mi-17 while it with ch-47 is only two usable for SAR? 

 

[Beirut]

2 minutes ago, Mikep821 said:

The DCS list of transport helicopters is just sad  

 

For a combat sim, it's not bad at all. Most rotor heads are into the Apache and Kiowa side of things I would imagine, and a smaller amount lean towards the Mi-8 and Chinook. But the C-130 is about to come out, so the transport side of the side of the sim is about to get a huge bump. The Chinook is bound to get more attention, and if the Mi-8 gets some love, I'll be very happy.

 

The issue, as with all things DCS, is time and money. Pretty much guaranteed we'll see more transport choppers, just a question of when. Also, they have to be interesting enough to sell in order to be profitable enough to make. I'm not sure how many transport helicopters will hold enough attention to be worth making.

 

For the time being, I definitely see the glass as half-full.

[Silver_Dragon]

1 hour ago, Mikep821 said:

The DCS list of transport helicopters is just sad  

why not aw-101, why not bell-412, uh-60 or better sh-60, nh-90, Lynx ? Why not at least upgrade mi-17 while it with ch-47 is only two usable for SAR? 

 

A UH-60 module was talked by Wags on the January Q&A (17:39). But by now, the Helicopter teams has centred on the AH-64F,  CH-47F and a third helo (no revealed). If they start to work on a Blackhawk module, has many info to build a UH-60L version. 

[Kang]

2 hours ago, Mikep821 said:

The DCS list of transport helicopters is just sad  

 

I disagree with that. With the Mi-8 and the UH-1H we actually have two of the most prominent SAR helicopters in the world. What we need in that regard is not more airframes but a better system for CSAR missions in DCS.

[Insert my usual wish for a certain asset here]

[Northstar98]

I mean, at the moment SAR/CSAR is unexplored even without adding new helicopters.

• Winch capability for the Hip (it already has one) - basically similar to what we already have with slingloading, just a variable rope length and for the winched object to despawn when the winch is fully retracted and get added to internal cargo (the latter being something DCS already somewhat supports).
• A winch-able/slingload-able survivor/survivor in a lift-raft. (The latter would be useful as-is for over-water bail-outs/ejections).
• "Set frequency" and "transmit frequency" commands available for naval units and that survivor/life-raft in the previous point.
• A way of having naval units list (though even this isn't essential).

1 hour ago, Silver_Dragon said:

has many info to build a UH-60L version

Unfortunately ED have only expressed interest in doing an M for reasons - an L would definitely be my preferred version.

Edited yesterday at 01:50 PM by Northstar98

[Czar66]

UH-1H and Mi-8MTV be like:

[Czar66]

As other mentioned and by the rumors of a new heli coming up. I'd be surprised if it is not a UH-60 helicopter by how popular that is on other sims. That would fit right into SAR/CSAR missions.

[upyr1]

I am not saying no to a new helicopter i am however suggesting we add sar with existing modules first 

[Silver_Dragon]

3 hours ago, upyr1 said:

I am not saying no to a new helicopter i am however suggesting we add sar with existing modules first 

A core funtionality, with has not centred on none helo module.

[Kang]

6 hours ago, Czar66 said:

As other mentioned and by the rumors of a new heli coming up. I'd be surprised if it is not a UH-60 helicopter by how popular that is on other sims. That would fit right into SAR/CSAR missions.

I certainly agree with that speculation. But if ED doesn't take the opportunity to do some core work about how CSAR missions work, I'll most likely give it a pass.

[Czar66]

5 minutes ago, Kang said:

I certainly agree with that speculation. But if ED doesn't take the opportunity to do some core work about how CSAR missions work, I'll most likely give it a pass.

Same here. In the other hand, historically on how ED has been introducing core features, a CSAR core update would come with a Black Hawk module.

...I'm of course being hopeful.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

Just drop everything and start a new project all together, Gawwwwwwd.

[upyr1]

9 hours ago, Silver_Dragon said:

A core funtionality, with has not centred on none helo module.

 

6 hours ago, Kang said:

I certainly agree with that speculation. But if ED doesn't take the opportunity to do some core work about how CSAR missions work, I'll most likely give it a pass.

Let's get it going with what we got 

[Mr_sukebe]

On 8/6/2025 at 11:07 AM, Mikep821 said:

The DCS list of transport helicopters is just sad  

why not aw-101, why not bell-412, uh-60 or better sh-60, nh-90, Lynx ? Why not at least upgrade mi-17 while it with ch-47 is only two usable for SAR? 

 

 

??

As already stated, the Huey and Hip are very widely used transport helicopters, the Chinook is in ELS and we do have the free mod for the UH60.

Like any aircraft type in DCS, I'm sure that we'd all like more, but that takes time.

 

We do also have the script mods for both CTLD and CSAR.  I personally embed them into ALL of my missions with helicopters in them.

Could they be better?  Yes, absolutely.  The CSAR mod requires a shot down pilot (which can also be scripted), but wouldn't it be nice if we could spawn a downed airman without needing to shoot something down.  Additionally, CSAR cannot be conducted over water, as pilots ejecting over water simply drown.  I'd love to see them using life vests, life rafts and having homing beacons.

For WW2 scenarios, I'd like to be able to direct rescue boats for downed pilots.

So yes, CSAR can be improved, but for me, I see the key "opportunities" existing with the logic of how to conduct CSAR.