VRS TacPack released

[Eight Ball]

What kind of combat is available with the Tacpack ?

 

I mean I know you can shoot SAMs and bomb static objects but what about moving vehicles ? Is it possible to spawn a convoy or a tank column ?

Is it possible to dogfight in SP ? I guess not but I've seen a few short videos of AA kills so I was wondering. The "enemy" doesn't make any evasive maneuvers, right ? It just flies till you kill him ?

 

The VRS team says Tacpack is aimed at MP gameplay, but right now it's a bit limited, right ?

I've heard of FSX@War but I must say I don't really understand the difference between the 2.

[SmokeyTheLung]

What kind of combat is available with the Tacpack ?

 

I'm a new FSX/Tacpack user, so there's probably a lot that I don't know how to do yet...

 

Basically what you listed is what's immediately available for a vanilla FSX install with tacpack; You can spawn drones and sam sites while flying and of course you can blow up static targets and FSX air traffic.

AFAIK moving targets are a feature of FSX@War, which I don't have installed.

 

My first impression is that it is indeed very limited (not just MP). However, I've been having a blast getting used to the ergonomics of the Superbugs avionics. A2G RADAR! :pilotfly: HARMS! Awesome!

[aaron886]

I believe (and this was the unofficial word from Mr. Blum a month ago) VRS will now start working on an update of the Super Hornet's FCS. That will be a welcome update!

[Eight Ball]

Thanks for the info.

 

I was also wondering how far the compatibility with the TM warthog goes ?

Can you fully map it inside a VRS interface or do you have to use target ?

[SUBS17]

What kind of combat is available with the Tacpack ?

 

I mean I know you can shoot SAMs and bomb static objects but what about moving vehicles ? Is it possible to spawn a convoy or a tank column ?

Is it possible to dogfight in SP ? I guess not but I've seen a few short videos of AA kills so I was wondering. The "enemy" doesn't make any evasive maneuvers, right ? It just flies till you kill him ?

 

The VRS team says Tacpack is aimed at MP gameplay, but right now it's a bit limited, right ?

I've heard of FSX@War but I must say I don't really understand the difference between the 2.

 

At this stage you can spawn Tanker, SAM site, a drone and a ship including a carrier. You can make them on your side or with IFF make them your enemy and the SAM and carrier can shoot you down. The drone can fly straight and level or fly an evasive manouver pattern or you can get it to follow you which makes it fun to try to shoot down. Tacpac allows you to destroy these objects but when FSX@WAR is released it will add more objects that you can destroy including tanks etc. FSX@WAR is a freeware mod thats still in development but technically adds a campaign from what I understand to TACPAC.:thumbup:

 

[Eight Ball]

Thanks Subs17, this vid is indeed pretty clear on what FSX@war is doing.

 

Does any 3rd party has shown interest in Tacpack so far ?

Are there any plans to update exsiting aircraft ?

[SUBS17]

Some third partys have mentioned that they might put weapons on their aircraft when the SDK is released for TACPAC. The VRS Superhornet had quite alot added to it with TACPAC including FLIR and A/G radar I think as more info is released they might add more to it. They are planning 2 more addons one is the F/A-18F which will have full 2 seat mp and the other is the Pro. The Pro is a Superhornet that has everything including ACLS and other stuff as well as an even more detailed flight model.(the current one is quite good as it is:thumbup:)

[SmokeyTheLung]

 

I was also wondering how far the compatibility with the TM warthog goes ?

Can you fully map it inside a VRS interface or do you have to use target ?

 

You have to use target.

[Eight Ball]

Thanks for taking the time to answer me guys :)

I'm just waiting for my money to arrive on my PP account and I'll buy it !

 

The Pro is a Superhornet that has everything

I made quick google search and couldn't find any info on the Pro version.

How would you guys compare the current SB to DCS A-10C ?

Is it on par with the -very- high level of fidelity of DCS ?

Of course I know some stuff are classified and others aren't fully supported by FSX but would it be eligible as a Hi-Fi DCS module ?

 

You have to use target.

Hmm...was afraid of that. I guess it's time for me to dig in that software.

I know it's a powerfull tool, already used it to create simple profile for SAR4 and...agricultural simulator :P, was just hoping for a ready to use profile.

 

Thanks again guys !

[smnwrx]

They are planning 2 more addons one is the F/A-18F which will have full 2 seat mp and the other is the Pro

I too would like a Linkey for this info, that is really exciting indeed

[JB3DG]

Theres a couple posts about it in the VRS forums. Another feature that has been of primary interest to me is their plans to go outside the FSX flight model using their own engine to control the 6DOF velocities. Pretty much just like AFM in DCS. FSX does provide those hooks but until recently no FSX dev has really thought of (or had the aerodynamics knowlege) needed to do it.

[Subliminal-SS]

You have to use target.

 

Forget Target You use FSUIPC and LUA Scripting.

 

There is an entire forum within the VRS Forums for Pit Building.

 

PS all the commands are provided courtesy of Tripod who AFAIK is building a F-18 Pit around the bug.

[SmokeyTheLung]

I don't know much about the real superbugs avionics, but the simulation created by VRS is certainly very believable...definitely as complex/in depth as DCS products (it may not be as accurate as DCS though, we'll have to let the F-18 experts weigh in)

 

My opinion is that the cockpit shape looks a little off (pure conjecture, as I've never sat in the real deal). The canopy bow is especially jarring for me, looks a bit like an old school 2D pit in that regard. The flight model feels okay, but I've heard a few grumbles on that front.

 

All in all a very cool product. Also, I'd be happy to send along my WIP target profile. It would seem that the person(s) responsible for the HOTAS ergonomics on the A10C were not involved in the Superbug development (it's subtle, but some of the common buttons/concepts are mapped in a different way) I've attempted to create a profile that's a little more in line with the A10s design, which is thoroughly ingrained in my mind at this point.

[cichlidfan]

Forget Target You use FSUIPC and LUA Scripting.

 

 

If you are going to use FSUIPC then use LINDA for the button mapping. Much easier. I used Target for this one though.

[Eight Ball]

Much appreciate the info guys, thanks.

 

I don't know much about the real superbugs avionics, but the simulation created by VRS is certainly very believable...definitely as complex/in depth as DCS products (it may not be as accurate as DCS though, we'll have to let the F-18 experts weigh in)

Yeah, I spent the last hour watching videos of the SB on YT and like you said it looks very believable. Enough to make me happy :)

I just hope once they'll release the pro version there will be a way to upgrade without having to pay the full price.

 

My opinion is that the cockpit shape looks a little off (pure conjecture, as I've never sat in the real deal). The canopy bow is especially jarring for me, looks a bit like an old school 2D pit in that regard. The flight model feels okay, but I've heard a few grumbles on that front.

That's also my impression, eventhough I don't have the SB yet.

I've putted a pic of the SB cockpit and one of ED's F-15 and the hornet cockpit looks a bit """cartoonish""" in comparison of the F-15 one.

It looks like everything is made of plastic.

It's not really a critic, the SB pit looks beautiful but, IMHO, ED's 3D pits are just the best ones available for modern jets.

I was amazed by the Hog pit when I first got it. It was the first time I could almost feel a solid cockpit in front of me.

Kinda hard to explain.

 

All in all a very cool product. Also, I'd be happy to send along my WIP target profile. It would seem that the person(s) responsible for the HOTAS ergonomics on the A10C were not involved in the Superbug development (it's subtle, but some of the common buttons/concepts are mapped in a different way) I've attempted to create a profile that's a little more in line with the A10s design, which is thoroughly ingrained in my mind at this point.

I'd love to if you could do that. I too will probably reproduce the warthog mapping as much as I can.

 

Forget Target You use FSUIPC and LUA Scripting.

Apparently if you need the payware version of FSUIPC in order to map your controls. I've already put quite a lot of money in FSX and I only got the game for a week now.

So if I can do it in Target, for free, I'll do it, even if it's a PITA.

Or I'll check cichlidfan suggestion

 

Thanks !

Edited January 8, 2013 by Eight Ball

[SUBS17]

Thanks for taking the time to answer me guys :)

I'm just waiting for my money to arrive on my PP account and I'll buy it !

 

I made quick google search and couldn't find any info on the Pro version.

How would you guys compare the current SB to DCS A-10C ?

Is it on par with the -very- high level of fidelity of DCS ?

Of course I know some stuff are classified and others aren't fully supported by FSX but would it be eligible as a Hi-Fi DCS module ?

 

Hmm...was afraid of that. I guess it's time for me to dig in that software.

I know it's a powerfull tool, already used it to create simple profile for SAR4 and...agricultural simulator :P, was just hoping for a ready to use profile.

 

Thanks again guys !

 

With TACPAC the VRs SH is on the same level as the DCS A-10C IMO it has practically everything I can think of the real one has and if you read the NATOPs manual of the real SH everything there works pretty much the same except ACLS. The FM is good enough that a couple of VRS SH users have actually flown real SH sims and done traps with real LSOs and even done night traps successfully. The PROs FM will be able to depart and all that stuff but infact the current FM I think is good enough for me. No doubt when they finish the Pro version we will find out what they have added that the current VRS SH does not have. I'm also hoping they'll make a version of the SH and Tacpac for prepare3d v2.0 some day.:thumbup:

[Eight Ball]

Thanks SUBS :)

 

My money finally arrived on my PP account...OMG I feel like a little girl before a Justin Bieber's show...OMG I'm not gonna sleep tonight...oh no...oh yes...OH YES !

 

Sorry about that :D

[Ripcord]

OMG I feel like a little girl before a Justin Bieber's show...OMG I'm not gonna sleep tonight...oh no...oh yes...OH YES !

 

OK, now that is just not right.

 

:eek:

[aaron886]

The FM is good enough that a couple of VRS SH users have actually flown real SH sims and done traps with real LSOs and even done night traps successfully. The PROs FM will be able to depart and all that stuff but infact the current FM I think is good enough for me. =

 

Just to pitch in here, because I have a fair amount of knowledge of the handling and performance characteristics of the Hornet... the FM is presently pretty poor. That is not to disparage VRS or their work. We all know they work miracles! I talked to Jon Blum, VRS's lead developer. He confirmed my abbreviated list of gripes as known problems and said they were to be corrected in the Pro update. I hope they do. My primary complaint is the pitch dampening and FCS implentation of the longitudinal CAS loop. (Hard to say what they've done under the hood, but it's not operating as it should for whatever reason.) Roll inertia (limitation of FSX) and spool-time (possibly another FSX problem) are a bit disappointing as well.

 

As I said, though, it seems Jon and VRS know what they want to do with the jet, everything just takes time. (I can relate.)

 

 

My opinion is that the cockpit shape looks a little off (pure conjecture, as I've never sat in the real deal). The canopy bow is especially jarring for me, looks a bit like an old school 2D pit in that regard. The flight model feels okay, but I've heard a few grumbles on that front.

 

It is pretty bad. Hopefully they'll work on that.

[WynnTTr]

With TACPAC the VRs SH is on the same level as the DCS A-10C IMO it has practically everything I can think of the real one has and if you read the NATOPs manual of the real SH everything there works pretty much the same except ACLS. The FM is good enough that a couple of VRS SH users have actually flown real SH sims and done traps with real LSOs and even done night traps successfully. The PROs FM will be able to depart and all that stuff but infact the current FM I think is good enough for me. No doubt when they finish the Pro version we will find out what they have added that the current VRS SH does not have. I'm also hoping they'll make a version of the SH and Tacpac for prepare3d v2.0 some day.:thumbup:

 

Sorry Subs, with a FM that's acknowledged that "is good enough" I'd say VRS aren't quite there yet. It's getting there yes but not yet.

 

But yeah.. it's the Hornet, where's ED's fast jet?

[JB3DG]

Roll inertia (limitation of FSX) and spool-time (possibly another FSX problem) are a bit disappointing as well.

 

Yeah when they did the flight model for this bird it was a couple years ago not long after acceleration came out. Just recently someone discovered a way around the spoolup time problem (which was actually available in FSX and even FS9 and older sims all along), and I myself am investigating a possible solution to the roll inertia problem.

[aaron886]

Yeah when they did the flight model for this bird it was a couple years ago not long after acceleration came out. Just recently someone discovered a way around the spoolup time problem (which was actually available in FSX and even FS9 and older sims all along), and I myself am investigating a possible solution to the roll inertia problem.

 

Good to know! That's one of the things that always drove me nuts about FSX. When I was flying the Superbug regularly in FSX with VUSN, I ended up editing the .air file to reduce roll inertia.

 

I heard tell that VRS might be disconnecting their flight model from FSX entirely, and running it externally? (If that's the case guys, just up and develop the thing for DCS already! :D)

[JB3DG]

Good to know! That's one of the things that always drove me nuts about FSX. When I was flying the Superbug regularly in FSX with VUSN, I ended up editing the .air file to reduce roll inertia.

 

I heard tell that VRS might be disconnecting their flight model from FSX entirely, and running it externally? (If that's the case guys, just up and develop the thing for DCS already! :D)

 

Check my post #62 in this thread

[astrospud]

Well, I'm not the hardcore simmer as some who grace these threads - not a jab, but a compliment - but I really enjoy this simulation, if only for the Carrier ops alone. I never get tired of launch and trap, although I also suck at it, even if some of the following were Case III. :D

 

I haven't tried the weapons side of things at the moment as I'm just having fun flying the bird around...

[Eight Ball]

+1 astrospud, I'm having a blast too :D

 

but

So if I can do it in Target, for free, I'll do it, even if it's a PITA.

 

That's not a PITA, that's an IEDITA

Edited January 9, 2013 by Eight Ball