New updates are out today with some new information on priorities for the Eagle Dynamics team on DCS: F-16C radar modes. Matt Wagner has also released two new videos with information on a preliminary IFF mode for the F-16 and a tutorial on how to use the AGM-62 Walleye. Let’s have a look!

AGM-62 Walleye tutorial for Hornet

Coming next to the DCS: F/A-18C Hornet is an older weapon – the AGM-62 Walleye. Think of this as a predecessor to the AGM-65 Maverick in many respects although it’s more of a glide bomb than a guided missile.

The AGM-62 locks on to targets using its TV camera sensor projected onto one of the Hornet’s MFD’s. Once locked, the AGM-62 can be fired as a fire and forget glided bomb or it can be guided manually in using a datalink pod. It’s this second feature that gives this older weapon a unique feature.

One of the coolest things in the video is what happens to the TV signal once the bomb impacts the target (when fed via the datalink). Very old school TV noise pattern. Nice attention to detail on that!

IFF and drop tanks jettison on F-16

The DCS: F-16C Viper is getting a preliminary IFF system which will be essential for the DCS: F-16C to operate online without causing a ton of friendly fire incidents. Fortunately, that system is now being implemented and we’ve got a video showing that system off.

Matt’s dry sense of humour once again makes its way into a video as he briefly demonstrates how the fuel tanks can now be jettisoned from the jet. I laughed and enjoyed that moment!

New radar modes in development

Both DCS: F-16C and F/A-18 are due to get some new radar modes and people are anxiously awaiting the Hornet’s TWS (track while scan) mode so that the Hornet can lock and engage multiple targets simultaneously.

Here’s what Matt Wagner posted on the forums earlier:

One of the big focus items for the Viper is the air-to-air radar with immediate focus on:

1- Track While Scan (TWS) mode
2- Contact refresh rate in SAM
3- Dual Track Target mode for SAM

Items like TWS and SAM/LTWS refresh will then help bring new functions to the Hornet radar.

Matt Wagner on the DCS World forums

While the development is primarily focused on the F-16 for these features right now, my understanding is that both jets will be getting these features. We don’t know if that means simultaneously or if there will be a delay but in either case it means that time well spent on the F-16 TWS will be applied quickly to the F/A-18 as well.

Development presses ahead on both!