It appears that 2021 continues to be the year of the helicopter for DCS World as the DCS: Mi-24P Hind nears launch into early access and another eagerly anticipated module, the DCS: AH-64 Apache, nears its own pre-order and early access period. We have the latest details on this module thanks to the latest DCS World Weekend News update.
New screenshots and details
The latest news on the DCS: AH-64 brings with it a few interesting details. We start with the exterior which Eagle Dynamics says has been extensively researched and that special attention have been paid to the crew as well as the helicopter itself.
The update appears to confirm that the AH-64D Block II is still the focus of their project. There has been some speculation on if Eagle Dynamics would be able to secure enough details to adequately model the AH-64D’s radar and other more classified systems but it appears that some sort of arrangement has been found. As with most modern military aircraft, a certain degree of simplification or obfuscation of exact capabilities is likely but that shouldn’t stop us from having one of the most detailed renditions of the AH-64D Longbow since Jane’s simulation of it back in 1996.
Avionics work is underway currently as the AH-64D is a more complex type that appears to have similar complexity to some of the fourth gen fighter jets that are now in the sim. The report says that they are working on the navigation system as well as the following sub systems:
- TSD pages.
- IHADSS / PNVS / TADS
- Area Weapons System / Rocket Management Subsystem,
- Longbow Hellfire Modular Missile System with the AGM-114K
- Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) including Radar Signal Detecting Set and Common Missile Warning System (CMWS)
The flight model is also under development including the type’s stability augmentation system, the engines, and related subsystems.
Pre-order timeline
According to the latest word from community manager BIGNEWY, the pre-order period is likely to start sometime in June.
Yes, looking into June now for pre-order, keep your fingers and toes crossed.
BIGNEWY
Of course the pre-order period is prelude to early access and that appears to be roughly on track for the Q3 launch that Eagle Dynamics let us know about back at the start of the year when they announced their projects for 2021.
The AH-64D is still their biggest new project and should attract a lot of attention from rotorfans. Indeed, this year has gotten me more interested in helicopters than ever before and I’m slowly learning how to fly a few of them. The AH-64D should be another very interesting addition to the kaleidoscope of simulation options provided by DCS World. Stay tuned for more!
Stormbirds 
Oh, Longbow. My first experience crashing Apaches into hillsides over and over. Thanks to DCS it won’t be the last!
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The Blackshark 3 is an instant buy for me. The Apache is 75%, might be hard to resist something that cool. I wonder what the price will be. Still on the fence with the HInd.
The Mosquito seems to have been swatted. Not a word about it. Very sad. 😦
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The Mossie’s external model issue seems to have required a rebuild from scratch it seems. So that one could be a while unfortunately.
Hopefully we’ll hear more soon!
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I am also sad about the mossie and the hind to me is more interesting as the apache has a lot of augmentation and stability systems
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I see these as two very different helicopters. The Apache and Ka-50 are closer analogues than the Hind is.
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Oh and the hind has a significantly larger range of missions troops evac along loading.
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Oh man, another one – hard to keep up. I finally caught up buying the last missing DCS module – Hind, then discover now I am missing 9 (!) campaigns, and soon another module to buy. How can one resist Apache module? Time to start a second job…
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I’ve first flown the Apache on the C64 (gee, I’m getting old!). “Gunship” was the name of that game.
And now I’ll have the chance to fly the Apache in VR!! That’s a no-brainer for me.
So the day it goes into pre-order status, I’m gonna hit that order button.
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Amazing. I think there’s a lot of people nostalgic for flying the Apache in past titles. Very excited to hear about everyone’s experiences once it comes out.
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Gunship (C=64) Gunship 2000 (Amiga 500) The Mighty Longbow 2 (PC) Can’t wait for this one for “close the circle” Hind first for easy the painful waiting 🙂
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