The latest DCS World Weekend News continues a streak of announcements and feature updates that Eagle Dynamics has been on for several weeks now. This latest developer update includes news about further FLIR rendering improvements, a note about some key open beta updates and is headlined by the reveal of the DCS: C-130J. There’s a lot to unpack.
Rumors confirmed, C-130J coming to DCS
There’s been a longstanding rumour that the Anubis C-130 mod for DCS World would make the jump to official status. That has more or less come to be as Eagle Dynamics have confirmed that a group called the Airplane Simulation Company is the latest third party to join in on development of DCS World.
The version planned is the relatively modern C-130J version of the Hercules first introduced in 1999. Featuring modernized instruments and systems including a HUD, air to ground radar, FMS and computerized airdrop capabilities, this should be an interesting aircraft to have.
Before you ask, yes, they intend to offer a KC-130J into the mix which will for the first time enable player to player aerial refuelling operations. According to the unofficial FAQ pinned in the dev team’s Discord, the MC-130J multi-mission combat transport and special operations tanker is also possible. AC-130J gunship is not currently planned according to the same FAQ, however, a follow-up by a developer indicated that other versions have been considered including the HC-130J Compass Call (for search and rescue) and the AC-130J.
The team includes C-130 mod maker Anubis in their larger development group so fans of that mod will hopefully be happy to know that the maker of that excellent mod of the C-130 is now involved in making this module come to life.
There is already a teaser trailer ready so have a look there.
FLIR updates
Eagle Dynamics also has some news about FLIR rendering with news that they are continuing to work on updates for this system. They indicate that they are adjusting FLIR signatures at different times of day and in different thermal conditions – i.e. is it warm or cold out. Building windows and civilian traffic are also slated to be updated.
Several images showing the progress are available here.
Open Beta update
Normally we typically wait about 4 weeks for another open beta update, however, a small one has dropped to address some critical concerns and add some planned for features that missed the last open beta update.
Aerges had a long list of updates for their DCS: Mirage F1. Among them was an adjustment and correction to the yaw and pitch dampeners which were not working very well in the previous update and are now apparently much stronger thanks to SME feedback. There are also FM tweaks, bug fixes, and more.
Meanwhile, that overhaul to the AIM-54 Phoenix that I wrote about yesterday and that seemed destined for the next big update are already here in this smaller open beta update.
The full change log is available here.
I’d say that’s a pretty good update today. Check it all out here on the DCS World Weekend News.
Stormbirds 
Yeah baby! I called the C-130 a few months back right here on this site. I don’t get a lot of them right, but this one was on the money. I want this plane big time.
Better beef up my Steam wallet before winter, I suspect at least two A List releases.
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4 engines, turbo-prop engines, a heavy, that’s a lot of novelty. If that could be followed by the B-17, I’d be over the moon. Maybe the maps are a bit small for that though.
There’s a handy URL for the logs, if that’s of any interest:
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/changelog/openbeta/
Or for all the changes including the stable branch:
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/changelog/
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I may not be the most hardcore flyer, but I think the maps are big enough for heavies. Even the Channel Map lets you get a 200 mile return flight, that gives you some quality air time. And some of the other maps can keep you in the air for hours.
But I agree with you completely that a full fidelity B-17 would be a riot. I would prefer the C-130, but that’s just me. I had a great time with the Captain Sim C-130 for FSX (FS9?). There were variants with skis and floats and it was a lot of fun. Can’t wait for bad weather landings in the DCS C-130. I could do that all day.
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I don’t know which I’d prefer, it’s difficult to compare since they’re so different and from different eras. I’d certainly like both.
I had a good time with A2A’s B-17 in P3D, and while I’ve never tried the C-130 in a sim, a more modern turboprop with FMS and so many new features must be a lot of fun too.
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Nice to see, spent a a fair time as talking freight, would like to see a clock & watchers flight deck, used to stand at the back left door on finals into RAF Lyneham and enjoy he last sharp turn over Swindon, better than a fairground ride. But as winter will be heat or fly, going to have to be very picky.I take it we will lose the free version & need to take it out of our missions or they won’t load.
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I think I went to Lyneham once in the back of a Puma during my UAS days.
C-130 is a good sign in terms of widening the landscape away from the standard fightersFTW! and towards more interesting scenarios .
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