Eagle Dynamics full fidelity carrier module experience is now moving quickly towards early access with the pre-purchase on the module starting today. These are the details on the module, what you need to know about it, and what kind of discount you might be able to get.
Lots of features now, some more later
DCS: Supercarrier is like most DCS World modules in that it is releasing with some content built-in right away and other content that will become available as it’s developed. As with anything early access, there will be issues and bugs that will slowly get worked out.
Here’s the feature list:
- Highly detailed polygon model with high-resolution textures that include realistic weathering and markings.
- Animations that include arresting wires, jet blast deflectors (JBD), radar antennas, aircraft elevators, catapult bubble between catapults 1 and 2, steam from catapults, and risers (guard rails) around aircraft elevators when lowered.
- Detailed lighting systems that includes the long-range line-up lights, IFLOLS, Animated “rabbit lights” along landing area centerline, deck lighting, floodlights, and ship number on the island.
- Functional air defense weapon systems that include the Sea Sparrow, CIWS, and SeaRAM.
- Deck parking allowing up to 14 aircraft to be spawned on deck.
- Dynamic carrier radio communications for Case I, Case II, and Case III recoveries.
- Static deck vehicles (AS32A-31A Flight Deck Tractor, AS32A-32A Hangar Deck Tractor, AS32A-36 Aircraft crash and salvage crane, P-25 Fire Fighting Vehicle) that can be placed by mission designers.
- Animated deck crew for bow and waist catapults launches.
- Static deck crew that can be placed by mission designers.
ED’s store also reports that the following will come sometime later in the early access period:
- Air Boss station.
- Briefing room.
- Occupy the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) station with PLAT camera, including VR support.
- More LSO station interactions.
- Combined Arms integration.
- “Burble” effect.
- Wave off and bolter return to pattern radio messages.
- Functional barricade net.
The package also comes with an upgraded Admiral Kuznetsov and the Su-33 Flanker D – a carrier capable Flanker variant. And just to answer the question, the Su-33 will not be able to operate from U.S. carriers as its not configured with a catapult.
Supercarrier is intended to be a DCS World module that features what is likely to be the highest fidelity simulation of what a modern carrier air operations are. Additionally, as mentioned in the features list, Supercarrier is compatible with DCS: Combined Arms, so the ship will be controllable by a player.
This is also a module that doesn’t really exist without other modules and the closest connection here is of course the DCS: F/A-18C Hornet although it’s been reported that any U.S. carrier capable module should be able to operate here so I expect the F-14 by Heatblur will be treated nearly as well as the Hornet – that’s my hope anyways.
Here’s the trailer that Eagle Dynamics released not too long ago:
Pricing comes in three different amounts
Depending on what you own, DCS: Supercarrier comes in three different prices. First, right now the module is on sale with a pre-order discount. That discount brings the price down to $34.99 USD on their e-Store. However, if you own the F/A-18C Hornet, Eagle Dynamics brings the price down to 50% off making it a $25.99 USD module. I’d say that 50% does constitute a ‘substantial’ discount as Eagle Dynamics has mentioned in past updates – considering this is a new module.
That pricing will only take effect once you begin the purchase and should show in your basket as you go through the process.
Steam unfortunately doesn’t allow for stackable discounts and the Supercarrier module also won’t be available for pre-order on Steam either. That is all according to this comment from NineLine:
Sorry Steam store folks!
Pre-order starts today
If all of this has you excited about the DCS: Supercarrier, you can head over to the e-Store now and get the module for either $25.99 or $34.99.
Stormbirds 
Evening,
I’d like to buy the carrier, but it only interacts with the F-18 and F-14 apparently. My F5E can land, but I wouldn’t get crew interactions or takeoff shots. Too bad. Looks pretty cool.
Even on sale, not sure I want the F-14 or F-18, too complicated for my tastes. But to get full carrier interaction and nighttime landings with the carrier all lit up, I’d almost buy the plane & carrier just for that.
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IMHO, if you were to pick, the F-14 is a brilliant module but it is a bit more complex than the F/A-18. The Hornet’s complexity is actually not really in the basic operation but just in the sheer number of weapon systems that it can employ and if you decide to keep that number a bit lower you can get quite a bit of enjoyment out of it.
Lots of things on the Hornet are actually doing automatically. What you might find intimidating if it is your first modern jet are things like master modes, radar, IFF, etc. Once you have the basics down though… it’s a fairly automated experience which lets you fly (and land on carrier decks – very exhilarating :)).
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If you have a lot of experience with the F-5E, the Hornet should be fairly easy for you to learn. It shares a lot of the design principles of the F-5 and its prototype form, the YF-17 grew out of designs for the F-5.
Look at it this way, if you just use the Hornet as an F-5 (loading nothing but dumb bombs, rockets or bombs), it will work more or less the same way with about the same level of complexity. No one says you have to learn all of it at once.
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One other thought, there’s some great built in CF-18 skins to enjoy 🙂
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Sure the Tomcat will be fully usable. Presume that the new Flanker is not a hi-def aircraft, just a better model.
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Guessing the Su-33 is not going to be updated beyond what it has right now. It was given a slight updated treatment around two years ago so it’s low fidelity for systems but the flight model is the same as the high end DCS World aircraft.
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I have to say the only thing that interests me is the briefing room. They haven’t really said a word about what it is going to entail. Anyone care to speculate on what it is going to be?
I have fond memories of doing briefings in Arma III with everyone standing around a map that was visible in game. I hope it’s something similar but that would be a huge jump for DCS.
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True, but the LSO position would be LOLZ for MP as the night wears on and everyone has a little more to drink…
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No idea what they are planning for areas like the briefing room or how that will interact with the rest of the process.
If it was ARMA style that’d be VERY interesting although I’m not expecting that right now.
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Think I may have been one of the first to get this … 25 USD makes it a no brainer !
Taking off in the F-14B and F-18A/C from this deck is going to be epic !
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Still thinking about the whole thing, it’s a chunk o’ change for the carrier and a bird to land on it, but it seems like it will be the cutting edge of flightsim action.
Wish they’d make it so my Harrier could play. I want to hear the alarms going off and see the rescue divers hit the water when I slide off the edge into the sea.
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That is pretty funny falling off the edge of the Tarawa. Done it more than a few times 🙂
It’s definitely a great experience with the Hornet. You can do everything with it.
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I’m so excited about this release. I Think I’m going to murder many ground crews before learning how to move around. Hope it comes with a good manual
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