Quite a few things are happening now for DCS World and the latest DCS World Weekend News update has packed in quite a few things. First, the DCS: Mi-24P Hind pre-order is now live and it comes with a fantastic new trailer. We also have learned some new details about DCS World 2.7 and the new clouds that are coming with it.
The Hind pre-order is here!
The iconic Mi-24 Hind helicopter is often synonymous with Soviet-era attack helicopter and the design persists well into the modern day. Armed with powerful weapons, capable of carrying troops into combat, and both fast and well protected, the Hind is an impressive weapon system and the wait for it to come to DCS World is nearly over.
Early access and full release features have also been released today. First, this is what’s coming at the early access launch:
- Professional flight dynamics and engine modelling with high precision characteristics of the real aircraft in all ranges of altitude, temperature and speeds for different weights and flight configurations
- Two 6DOF highly detailed cockpits (RU and EN versions available)
- Fully clickable cockpits with interactive control of all onboard systems with mouse
- Multi-crew. Second crew member can be another player or “Petrovich” AI (basic AI level during early access phase)
- Detailed modeling of the entire electrical, fuel, hydraulic, anti-icing, fire protection, SAS, autopilot and radio systems
- Full modeling of armament and weapons systems with ability to use 30mm cannon, unguided rockets (S-8, S-13, S-24B) and bombs from both cockpits in addition to the guided ATGM 9M114 operated by forward seated pilot-operator
- Standard Russian new and weathered liveries in addition to Iraqi and Syrian schemes
- Early Access manual Russian and English versions
- Training missions
Then, later on as the module is developed we’ll see more features developed too.
- Cargohold gunner with KORD machine gun
- Advanced “Petrovich” AI features for pilot or pilot-operator seats
- Addition of ATGM 9M120 (HEAT and HE versions) and R-60M air to air missiles
- Sling cargo operations
- Advanced damage modeling
- Additional liveries and livery template
- Full manual in Russian and English (full list of languages is TBD)
- Campaign by Eagle Dynamics
That sounds pretty good and it suggests that even the early access version will feature a reasonably capable helicopter that will get improved capabilities as time goes on.
Petrovich AI is also an exciting development as it should lay the groundwork for future multi-crew aircraft. I don’t want to get hopes up too high just yet but at some point it seems likely that Eagle Dynamics will tackle a famous multi-crew fighter jet (be that an F-4 Phantom, F-111, Tornado or something else) and this lays the groundwork out.
Check out the impressive trailer which seems to be a great showcase not only for the Hind but also for the improved clouds and environmental lighting effects. I’ve had to watch it at least a dozen times to take it all in… it’s a good one!
DCS: Mi-24P Hind is available for a healthy pre-order 30% discount bringing it down to $48.99 USD and is available on the store for pre-order now. It’s expected to launch sometime in Q2 of this year.
Volumetric clouds will see significant re-write for sensors, AI
The launch of DCS World 2.7 is bringing with it the entirely new cloud system which will have preset cloud setups, however, there is more work to be done and there are several key features that are affected.
Radar, sensor and weapon system code is reported to be worked on by the team as the clouds should have impacts on all of them. AI is also mentioned as close air combat is highly reliant on visual spotting and the AI shouldn’t be able to see through clouds if you can’t.
Obviously, these are big tasks and it will take time for them to all come online as DCS World 2.7 matures.
For more on this and everything else DCS World, check out the DCS World Weekend News.
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