A few days ago I did a list of things that I’m excited about for 2018 and today Eagle Dynamics and their weekly newsletter helped fill in some extra details. It’s an interesting list so let’s jump straight to it!
New modules coming in 2018
We know a lot about what is planned for DCS and DCS World in 2018 but the official list has some interesting additions that we either didn’t know about or at the very least I wasn’t aware of.
Here’s the official list from this week’s World Weekend News.
- DCS World 2.5 by the end of January
- DCS: F/A-18C Hornet
- DCS: Strait of Hormuz Map
- DCS: F-14 Tomcat
- DCS: JF-17
- DCS: MiG-19
- DCS: Mi-24P Hind
- DCS: F-4E Phantom II
- DCS: Bo-105
- C-101CC variant for the DCS: C-101 module
- DCS: Yak-52
- DCS: I-16
- DCS: Christen Eagle II
- New aircraft carriers
- Other new maps and continued updates to our existing maps
- Several other unannounced projects
The biggest release is DCS World 2.5 which I’ve been talking about for quite a while now. Eagle Dynamic’s official word is that World 2.5 will be released at the end of January. Not a projected date but a promise. That’s the word we’ve been given.
Multiple messages have also revealed that the F/A-18C Hornet is definitely coming to early access in 2018. It will at first be an incomplete module with only some of its weapons available but later on it will gain the full suite of systems and weapons.
A recent update on Facebook goes into more detail on the status of the Hornet’s systems and flight model. In short, the module is making significant progress now and it feels like early access is maybe not as far away as I imagined.
Also on the list is ‘new aircraft carriers’ which includes the USS Nimitz, well suited to F/A-18C carrier ops, as well as HeatBlur’s Forrestal-class carrier for the F-14. The F-14 is of course on the list as well and we know that both a F-14A and F-14B variant will be available. The upgraded F-14B in particular will pair fairly well for a early 21st Century USS Nimitz battlegroup setup with the Tomcat’s performing fleet defense while the Hornet’s will be busy in multi-role strike settings.
The Strait of Hormuz map will be the ideal setting for carrier operations while also being a great place for other modules to fly. Iran, Oman, and UAE are all on the map a should make for some interesting places to fly over. The word straight from this week’s update:
All of the fundamental work on this map is complete and we are now tuning the elevation mesh, textures, and cleaning up bugs. We expect to release this map in the not-too-distant future and we believe it will be a great home for the Hornet and carrier operations!
I’m expecting this map sooner than later!
Also on the list is confirmation that Deka Ironwork’s JF-17 Thunder is a confirmed DCS module. This interesting aircraft is the first time that a indigenous Chinese (and Pakistani) jet fighter will be available in a full fidelity flight simulator. The aircraft is reasonably close in class to other lightweight 4th gen and 4++ gen aircraft like upgraded versions of the F-16 and Gripen.
Of course we also have the MiG-19, F-4E Phantom II, Mi-24P Hind, and the ‘entertainment’ version of the Yak-52 (produced primarily for a professional contract). Thought I had heard about it before… this is the fist time I’ve heard Eagle Dynamics talk about any sort of schedule for the DCS: I-16.
Interesting to note is the lack of any news on the DCS: P-47 which I was sure would be a 2018 release. Maybe more will come later. They of course leave the door open to other items with the several other unannounced modules statement.
2018 looks like a very promising year for DCS World. I’m excited!
Stormbirds 
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