A new DCS: F-16C mini-update from Matt Wagner at Eagle Dynamics on the DCS World forums has confirmed the return of some interesting items to the F-16C roadmap. Those updates include the return of the Sniper XR targeting pod to the line-up. Let’s have a look!
Roadmap gains some items
If we go back to the beginning, DCS: F-16C had an initially ambitious line-up of features planned before Eagle Dynamics had to bring things back to reality a bit. No denying that the feature list is still incredibly impressive but a few thing were dropped including the Sniper XR which has been on and off the list a few times now (if my memory serves me). Now it’s back.
The Sniper XR supposedly has better optical zoom, better stabilization, and better resolution over the ATFLIR and Litening pods. Sounds nice!
Also coming to the list are RWR Handoff Tones and Radar Velocity Search mode. I’m not sure exactly what these features will give us but I’m always encouraged by added features and more complete simulation.
DTC and post early access
The other thing that Matt Wagner talked about is the DTC or data transfer cartridge. If this feature will do what I think it will, we should be able to gain access to more in-depth pre-mission planning that lets us configure the jet and our mission plan. Then the DTC will load in those settings in and you can get on your way quickly.
Here’s what Matt had to say:
Whilst Date Transfer Cartridge (DTC) and Mission Planner is on the Road Map, this is a much larger item that is not just an F-16C item. As such, it will need to come after the module exits Early Access.
Matt Wagner
Still good to know that this is coming. DTC is going to be a game-changer for DCS mission planning when it does finally arrive.
The other interesting thing to note is that we haven’t heard Eagle Dynamics talk much about the F-16 in relation to exiting early access. It’s not too surprising as the F-16 is approaching the F/A-18C project when the same discussion started to happen. Substantial amounts of capability are already in the aircraft now with some items still remaining.
Stormbirds 
A better targeting pod sounds very nice. Definitely a hot shot plane.
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If only it were carrier capable…sigh 😉
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Then it would be a Hornet! 🙂
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The hook isn’t working yet? ED knows their audience, they should make it work…
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It’s interesting that there are so many releases seemingly close to completion, like the Mirage F1, F-15E, and F-4E, but they all seem to be holding out for… something? Mike Solomon had a community post 3 weeks ago that I thought was really interesting, he theorized that there might be a major overhaul coming in the form of a graphics engine update. Here is a link to the post https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAGylbmVAkEyOibhDVUYrPA/community
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Out of those 3 you listed, the Mirage F1 is the closest, the F-15E isn’t submitted to us yet that I am aware, and the F-4E is a ways off yet. Aside from that, we are working on major core updates to Multicore, so you are kind of right, sort of not 🙂
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Slumming off-site with the proletariat, are we?
I’m not surprised, this is a great site. 🙂
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Always happy to have him and other community managers help provide us with the good info!
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Thanks for the update NineLine!
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NineLine is a good guy and has to deal with a ton of grief from the children on the forums, including myself of course. I apologize if my humour came off as mean spirited.
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Not at all 🙂
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As NineLine has already replied, I won’t reiterate what he’s already said except to say that I think people have seen the F-15E and assumed its further along than it is. I’ve been trying to walk a fine line between being excited about it but then also remembering that these things take a long time.
I would think… maybe next year on that?
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