What to expect for DCS F/A-18C?

[statrekmike]

I don't honestly know much about the F/A-18 series of aircraft, however, I know many of you folks are really up on it so I figured I would ask here.

 

1.) What kind of targeting systems should we reasonably expect in DCS F/A-18C? Should we expect the LITNING targeting pod or is that just for later versions of the jet?, If not that particular pod, what one?

 

2.) Could we reasonably expect a "C" version cockpit that is upgraded to semi-modern or fully modern standards? I know that the jet is not that old but I wonder if we will be seeing monochrome screens or full color like the A-10C

 

3.) What are the chances that we will have the JSOW to play with? It seems like a really interesting weapon and I hope very much that they include it.

 

I know there is no actual way to be sure on any of this, I am just looking for best guesses, I know that we will not know anything for sure until it is officially announced but perhaps this will spark some speculation and fun discussion.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Sharpe_95]

Not my area of expertise but a trawl of wiki (good for general ball park info) has the following, well referenced info:

 

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987[12]

incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and*AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. Other upgrades include the Martin-Baker NACES (Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat), and a self-protection jammer. Asynthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, the Loral AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (formerly monochrome) multi-function display (MFDs) and a color moving map.

 

Beginning in 1992, the F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engine, providing approximately 10% more maximum static thrust became the standard Hornet engine. Since 1993, the AAS-38A NITE Hawk added a designator/ranger laser, allowing it to self-mark targets. The later AAS-38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft.

 

Hope that is of interest?

-Sharpe

Edited March 12, 2013 by Sharpe_95

[monotwix]

I like hornet because of it’s a hornet, the capacity and types of weapons…?

If the weapons are more interesting than F/A-18.> Blks

[astrospud]

Are the C/D's SEAD capable?

[Haukka81]

Are the C/D's SEAD capable?

 

 

Yes.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Carrier ops *drool*

[Sharpe_95]

More fairly reliable info from wiki that shows its capabilities in terms of stores, which should clarify the things we will (in the case of munitions already modelled) and what we may (in terms of wapons not currently modelled - i think its safe to say the nuke won't be modelled but hopefully the JSOW, 2000lb JDAM &LGB will be).

 

Here are the specs:

Armament

 

Guns:1×20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan nose mounted 6-barreled gatling cannon, 578 rounds

 

Hardpoints (9 total):

2× wingtips missile launch rail, 4× under-wing, and 3× under-fuselage with a capacity of 13,700 lb (6,215 kg) external fuel and ordnance.

 

Rockets:

2.75 inches (70mm) Hydra 70 rockets 5in (127.0mm) Zuni rockets

 

Missiles:

Air-to-air missiles:

4×AIM-9 Sidewinder

or 4×AIM-132 ASRAAM

or 4×IRIS-T

or 4×AIM-120 AMRAAM,

and 2×AIM-7 Sparrow

or additional 2×AIM-120 AMRAAM

 

Air-to-surface missiles:

AGM-65 Maverick

Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM-ER)

AGM-88 HARM

Anti-radiation missile(ARM)

AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)

Taurus missile (Cruise missile)

 

Anti-ship missile:

AGM-84 Harpoon

 

Bombs:

JDAM precision-guided munition (PGMs)

Paveway series of laser-guided bombs

Mk 80 series of unguided iron bombs

CBU-87 cluster

CBU-89 gator mine

CBU-97

Mk 20 Rockeye II

B61/Mk57 nuclear bombs

 

Others:

SUU-42A/A Flares/Infrared decoys dispenser pod and chaff pod

or Electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod

or AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk

Targeting pods (US Navy only), to be replaced by*AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR

or LITENING targeting pod (USMC, Royal Australian Air Force, Spanish Air Force, and Finnish Air Force only)

or up to 3× 330 US gallons (1,200l; 270imp gal) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for ferry flight

or extended range/loitering time.

 

Avionics

Hughes APG-73 radar

ROVER (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver) antenna for use byUS Navy's F/A-18C strike fighter squadrons

 

-Sharpe

 

PS: Here is the link to the wiki page of 'normal' F/A18's:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F/A-18_Hornet

Edited March 12, 2013 by Sharpe_95

[astrospud]

Yes.

 

Then I'm your go-to guy for SAM Killin'!

Operating off a carrier would have to be the ultimate Sim experience.

I Hope ED implements some kind of LSO feedback, player operated if possible. :thumbup:

[Steel Jaw]

I would much rather some details about the DCS Hornet than this publically avail stuff about the jet itself...please, anyone...?

[rextar]

There's no answer to that until we know its a release ,speculating is another thing.

[f-18hornet]

I would much rather some details about the DCS Hornet than this publically avail stuff about the jet itself...please, anyone...?

 

For sure we already got new external model but that's all so far.:(

[WildBillKelsoe]

As long as it has a shitload of clickable switches and avionics, AFM based on tunnel data, I'm ALL IN!!! Can I get an AMEN?

[SimFreak]

I'm excited about high Alpha and AFM. It should be marvelous.

[westr]

If ED were to produce an F18 as there next aircraft I'm sure all aspects of the carrier ops would get an overhaul, and we know ED's standard of work, so I'd be really excited. Going to have to wait until there next fixed wing aircraft project is announced before I get to excited. But imagine animated deck hands, steam effects from cat launches, I'm only guessing but I know DCS would do it very well.

[SUBS17]

That sounds like an awesome addon if it has those features.

[Sharpe_95]

There's no answer to that until we know its a release ,speculating is another thing.

 

- Really? I thought the 'intro to DCSW' vid that was seen recently was 'as good as' an announcement - please tell me I don't have to start holding my breath after getting excited :(

- Sharpe

[joey45]

Until Mr Wags posts an announcement it is all speculation...

[astrospud]

Until Mr Wags posts an announcement it is all speculation...

 

+1

 

EDIT: Sorry Joey, couldn't rep.

[genbrien]

Until Mr Wags posts an announcement it is all speculation...

 

it's from an official video.... I think it's OK to think they'll do it:music_whistling:

[joey45]

Indeed the F-15C and 18C was mentioned... We just don't know what will be first..

[Pyroflash]

Indeed the F-15C and 18C was mentioned... We just don't know what will be first..

 

I know how much people are wanting the F/A-18C, but I think that the F-15C is a better candidate since they have been working on it for so long, and already have a lot of the stuff done for it in the models and data collection side of the fence.

 

Of course, on the other hand, they could have just as much stuff completed for the F/A-18C, but have simply not released any info about it.

[SkateZilla]

F-15C Ext Model, Done

F-15C Cpt Model, Done

F-15C AFM, Ummm...

F-15C Systems Scripting, Ummm... <- This will take the longest.

 

F-18C Ext Model, Partially Done (no Damage Model)

F-18C Cpt Model, ummmm

F-18C Afm, ummmm

F-18C Systems Scripting, Ummmm.....

 

You do the math.

[VincentLaw]

Just because it isn't in the public release doesn't mean they don't have it done.

 

This post (ignoring all other potential evidence) leads me to believe (however speculatively) that the first DCS: Fighter had been planned prior to and developed independently of the F-15C cockpit for FC3, which is why I am guessing that the F-15C will not be the first DCS fighter.

 

Of course, just because something is planned first, doesn't mean that it is finished first, and as always: everything is subject to change.

[WynnTTr]

Don't matter to me which C it is, 15 or 18, so long as it's got the F- in it.

[GeorgeLKMT]

You do the math.

 

Ok... 1 + 1 = 18 :P And I'm taking bets on it :D