F/A-18C Discussion

[EtherealN]

It needs a ™ in there somewhere, though.

[Slick_441]

I'm not sure how many are familiar with the RCAF Hornets, but I noticed that the red beacon light changed after the latest upgrade program. As far as I know, the upgrade brought the CF-188's up to current US Navy standards, but i'm not sure why the beacon was changed. I know it's an odd thing to notice, but does anyone have any info on this?

 

Looks like an LED now, as opposed to the old strobe like flash.

 

[aaron886]

Slick... looks normal to me. I'm not sure how the RCAF operates their Hornets, but the strobes do have a BRT and DIM setting... that might be DIM. However, I would actually imagine DIM would be used at night, not the other way around. It may be that the "dull" appearance is caused by the ambient light.

[Revelation]

I am relatively new to DCS, so I don't know much about when they release their products. I have seen pretty old posts that mentioned that they guessed the next DCS aircraft after the P-51D would be the F/A-18C, but the official announcement from DCS was in a video on Youtube I think.

The original announcement was a long time ago, shortly after the release of DCS A-10C that ED was working on a "popular" Western Fighter Jet. Popular being that it is/was used by numerous countries/military.

 

The guessing game has been going on ever since. When the new 3D model of the F-15E came out during one of the betas of A-10C, the community thought it would be that "bird." When the Naval vessels were getting overhauled, 3D model work, it was used by the community to justify why the FA-18C would be the next DCS module.

 

So until the recent promo-video, there was never truly any type of confirmation on DCS-Next. We still don't know 100% which AC is next. ED may not even know at this point. They are working on numerous modules in parallel and the module they intended to be released may be hit with a "snag" and another module then becomes the "front-runner."

 

However, the email seemed more like a formal announcement, whereas the video seemed more like a teaser, because it was only mentioned. How long do you think it will take? When you so, "close to pre-order/beta", do you mean close as in months? or close as in maybe a year? Thanks!

 

I believe we will have DCS-Next sometime this summer, most likely late summer.

 

By Aug 2013 I predict we will have DCS-Next and Nevada. There will also be 2-3 3rd party modules released during and around that time as well.

[GodsPrototype]

The original announcement was a long time ago, shortly after the release of DCS A-10C that ED was working on a "popular" Western Fighter Jet. Popular being that it is/was used by numerous countries/military.

 

The guessing game has been going on ever since. When the new 3D model of the F-15E came out during one of the betas of A-10C, the community thought it would be that "bird." When the Naval vessels were getting overhauled, 3D model work, it was used by the community to justify why the FA-18C would be the next DCS module.

 

So until the recent promo-video, there was never truly any type of confirmation on DCS-Next. We still don't know 100% which AC is next. ED may not even know at this point. They are working on numerous modules in parallel and the module they intended to be released may be hit with a "snag" and another module then becomes the "front-runner."

 

 

 

I believe we will have DCS-Next sometime this summer, most likely late summer.

 

By Aug 2013 I predict we will have DCS-Next and Nevada. There will also be 2-3 3rd party modules released during and around that time as well.

 

Thanks for the info. I am also looking forward to the Nevada scenery, only it wouldn't be very useful for carrier ops with the F/A-18's.

[Steel Jaw]

Wish we had *SOME IDEA* of release schedules for F18C since I am also watching for the PMDG 777 release and cannot afford both in a short time and would prefer the DCS Hornet.

[Yellonet]

I think it's very important to get a new map along with the new fast movers, the old map is starting to feel a bit cramped.

DCS needs a new believable campaign that fit the new aircraft.

Once (if ever) DCS gets a good dynamic mission generator it will probably become THE fighter jet sim for pretty much everyone into this hobby.

[IonicRipper]

A bit off topic but what kind of gameplay do you guys think we will see in the new map? Will it only be for training since its Nevada (Nellis AFB?) or will there be some kind of fictional invasion type campaign? Or something like that...

[NineLine]

A bit off topic but what kind of gameplay do you guys think we will see in the new map? Will it only be for training since its Nevada (Nellis AFB?) or will there be some kind of fictional invasion type campaign? Or something like that...

 

Whatever the mission designer dreams up I am sure :)

[IonicRipper]

But don't you agree it would be odd to be fighting Russians in Nevada?

[NineLine]

But don't you agree it would be odd to be fighting Russians in Nevada?

 

Its odd fighting Russians in Georgia :)

 

Think Red Dawn, use your imagination :)

[Raven68]

But don't you agree it would be odd to be fighting Russians in Nevada?

 

Just think of it this way. In DCSW: Nevada we will have the opportunity for actual adversaries as opposed to IRL were they have to imitate the adversary in Red Flag. :)

[Exorcet]

But don't you agree it would be odd to be fighting Russians in Nevada?

It's odd in today's, right now, context.

 

It's completely normal stepping out of those bounds.

[TC]

A bit off topic but what kind of gameplay do you guys think we will see in the new map? Will it only be for training since its Nevada (Nellis AFB?)

 

IMO a "training map" of any kind does make the most sense for DCS products at their current state. As it is the AI does not support an all out war scenario, so having small, well defined missions with only a few units suits the sim best.

 

But don't you agree it would be odd to be fighting Russians in Nevada?

 

As odd as fighting Russia with a single A-10 Squad 5 mins out of Batumi :smilewink:

 

Cheers

TC

[Phantom88]

Just in case any of you may have missed it,I posted a link to The F/A-18C. NATOPS Flight Manual here.....

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=103576

[WildBillKelsoe]

Let's not forget that the F-16 is a Western jet, popular, and used in many countries. If I were to bet, I'll put my money on the Falcon. 25 countries (26 if you count Italy) have the Falcon while only 8 have the Hornet. I say hell with carrier ops and God bless the Falcon. Also I think it's easier to obtain info from a widespread plane than a mystery. If ED would just have the vision of using the already accessible Falcon data... But that is a big management decision and we have to accept that the company could be facing hard time trying to get proper plane data simply by virtue of secrecy imposed upon these (recent) models.

Edited April 2, 2013 by WildBillKelsoe

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Wish we had *SOME IDEA* of release schedules for F18C since I am also watching for the PMDG 777 release and cannot afford both in a short time and would prefer the DCS Hornet.

 

I'd get the 777. PMDG are starting to show plenty of screenshots now; that doesn't usually happen until relatively close to release. I could be wrong, but I think we'll be a while longer for the Hornet.

 

Plus there are the carrier ops to sort for it and hopefully, realistically difficult A/A refueling via probe/drogue.

[112th_Rossi]

It would be awesome if CA is updated to include carrier flight officer operations :D

[Wolf Rider]

The Falcon is a good bird, one which has held up over time and proved its weight... but an Eagle err Hornet we can put down on a carrier ;)

Edited April 3, 2013 by Wolf Rider

[Steel Jaw]

but an Eagle we can put down on a carrier ;)

 

Err, you mean a Hornet...agreed: the Hornet is superior to the Viper.

[Eddie]

the Hornet is superior to the Viper.

 

Wash your mouth out you heathen!

[Blaze]

Wash your mouth out you heathen!

 

:D

[Steel Jaw]

Hornet more versatile, has 2 engines, and carrier ops.

 

Besides, as a old grizzled Falconeer, I am bored to death with Falcon and FBMS.

 

Enjoyed CV ops with the VRS SHornet until I got sick of there being no combat.

[Eddie]

But it's also slower, does not accelerate (especially in the transonic region) or climb as well, is a less capable SEAD platform and in some areas has less payload versatility. And worst of all, it's a navy jet.

 

I do like the avionics in the Hornet, and I'll be on it like a tramp on chips when it arrives, but I'll never "love" it. I still want my Viper in DCS with all the bells and whistles.

[NineLine]

Cant we just have both? :D