Matt Wagner has dropped the second DCS: F-16C mini-update with some new details on the DCS World module being developed by Eagle Dynamics. There’s a few juicy details that I wanted to highlight so lets get into it!

Academic videos start in August

Matt Wagner’s “academic videos” detailing the DCS: F/A-18C Hornet are both useful from a training perspective as well as an insight into the efforts that the team is putting into operating the Hornet. These and other videos are ideal to help get people trained up and flying DCS World modules in all of their complexity. I wrote as much not too long ago.

For the DCS: F-16C that series will begin in August with a cockpit tour followed by navigation and then a takeoff/VFR pattern landing. I’ll be looking forward to those to get started on understanding how the F-16C Block 50 works for DCS World.

Current work being done

It’s always interesting to hear where the team is currently at and there are some core fundamentals that Matt Wagner is reporting that the team is working on.

Much of the work is centered on tuning the flight model and FLCS, programing the Stores Manager System (SMS), and initial weapons. “Viper Team” is making fast progress and it is coming together at the fastest rate I have ever seen a module develop. On the art side, most of the focus is now on the landing gear (animations and texturing), and after that he will overhaul the external textures (we have a placeholder currently).

Matt Wagner on the DCS World forums

There are some interesting nuggets here. External textures are apparently still placeholder – although they already look fantastic and some fairly basic stuff like landing gear is still being worked on.

There’s also systems work ongoing with the flight model, flight control system, stores manager, and the initial weapons load.

Regarding weapons we’ve seen some discussions back and forth in the community on just what the DCS: F-16C will launch with. Right now I’m sticking with my initial assessment that it will come with the following at launch:

• Color Multifunction Display (CMFD) symbology, Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) format, and Head-up Display (HUD) symbology
• Digitally TACAN and Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI)
• RWS, SAM, TWS and ACM A/A radar modes
• BDU-33, BDU-50LD/HD, Mk-82LDGP, Mk-82AIR, Mk-84LDGP, CBU-87 CEM, and CBU-97 SFW unguided bombs
• 2.75” rockets LAU-68 and LAU-131
• Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)
• AIM-9L/M/P/X Sidewinder
• AIM-120B/C AMRAAM
• M61A1 20mm cannon

I’ve heard some comments about targeting pods, Mavericks and other precision weapons available at launch but I’m skeptical if that will happen. If I learn more I will be sure to share.

A few other nuggets

Matt Wagner has been working with subject matter experts (SMEs as we call them in project management and elsewhere) or in more specific parlance: F-16C pilots. He’s also had a chance to check out a Block 42 simulator which is similar to the Block 50 that we’re going to be getting in DCS World.

A couple of interesting quotes I want to pull on this:

It is a very, very different bird than flying the Hornet, and it took me a bit to stop trying to fly it like a Hornet (particularly how you land it)

Matt Wagner

It is also an incredibly easy aircraft to get up and running. Assuming the ground crew set up the cockpit, it’s a much, much easier aircraft to cold start than the A-10C and Hornet.

Matt Wagner

I think both of these points are interesting. First, despite the inherent similarities of a FBW multi-role fourth gen jet, it’s interesting to note how different the DCS: F-16C might be to fly compared to the Hornet. I’m excited to try it out even more now and compare the differences.

Second, I find the A-10C to be a bit cumbersome to setup and the F/A-18C fairly straightforward. If the F-16C is easier than the Hornet I think that will make life very good for a lot of pilots and particularly people who are looking for their first full fidelity module.

If the F-16C is relatively easy to setup and get into, that will undoubtedly have an impact on sales in the long run. The F-16s international nature and the wide variety of nations that currently fly it will certainly also be a draw for this aircraft.

If you haven’t seen it already…

I’ll end this update with a link to Glowing Amraam’s trailer just in-case you haven’t seen it already. It’s a good one and it’s a good look at Eagle Dynamics new jet!