A series of updates over the last few days have come out for DCS World related projects. Those updates include Matt Wagner giving us several mini-updates on the Viper, Hornet and Apache, as well as a status update from OnReTech about their recently announced DCS: Sinai map. There’s also a reminder about the ongoing sale which ends in a couple of days. Let’s have a look!
Viper, Hornet, Apache updates
Matt Wagner has been busy on the DCS World forums providing a series of mini-updates for the DCS: F-16C Viper, DCS: F/A-18C Hornet, and AH-64D Apache. Each update contains a series of tasks that are currently being tackled by the team, a list of of priority items that are planned to be worked on immediately after, and a note that they don’t include everything being worked on but are indicative of the big picture.
Overall, we can see that the Eagle Dynamics team are continuing to work on a lot of detail features for their big three modern aircraft projects.
Viper mini-update
Current tasks include:
- Complete external model Level of Detail (LOD) to improve performance.
- We are now close to completing the High Drag and Low Drag ballistics and calculations for both CCIP and delayed-CCIP releases for the MK-84HD. This should also improve other general-purpose bombs.
- The Low Altitude Drogue Delivery (LADD) is being finalized and tested.
- Correcting some HOTAS short and long press logic. This is also true for jettisons.
- GPS target coordinate shifting.
- Radar SAM and DTT modes tracking retention improvement.
- Adjustments to SPOTLIGHT mode for short press.
- Adjustments to Track While Scan (TWS) designations.
- Animated ECS inlets.
Following the above, priority items include:
- Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR)
- Tuning air-to-air performance including look-down and search to bug target delay.
- Digital Maneuver Cue (DMC) and Loft indications.
- Further work on Link 16 and adding air-to-air target assignments.
- Alternate gear handle and animated tail hook.
Hornet mini-update
Current tasks include:
- Following the substantial update to the Viper flight model and FLCS, the team is now focused on the Hornet flight model and FCS. In parallel, important changes are being made to the landing gear and how it behaves at touchdown / touch and goes. This is the primary Hornet task.
- Correcting AGM-84D, AGM-84E, and SLAM-ER behavior.
- GPS-weapon using TOO engagement behavior.
- Incorrect Velocity Vector confinement error.
Following the above, priority items include:
- In parallel with the Viper, tuning air-to-air performance including look-down and search to bug target delay.
- UFC BU page.
Apache mini-update
Current tasks include:
- Yaw SAS behavior.
- Improving Vortex Ring State characteristics.
- Complete Image Auto-Tracking (IAT) and Multi-Target Tracking (MTT) for the TADS.
- Complete the Performance (PERF) page.
- Complete the new Pilot and CP/G models 1st person view.
- Improved Datalink Modem (IDM) that will include Longbow Net and the ability to share targeting between AH-64Ds.
- Additional crew radio messages.
- Additional external model Levels of Detail (LOD) for improved performance.
- Continued “George” improvements.
- “Robbie” fuel tank option.
Following the above, priority items include:
- The Fire Control Radar (FCR) and AGM-114L radar-guided Hellfire.
- SAS collective channel behavior.
- Radar altitude hold and altitude hold stability when outside ground effect.
- Adjust SAS/saturation tones.
- Uncommanded pitch and roll behavior in some conditions.
Sinai Map progress
The folks at OnReTech have updated their section of the DCS World forums with some new information and screenshots. Part of the update is an inclusion of a FAQ that answers some broad strokes questions about the map and reminders about what their phase one, phase two, and phase three objectives are.
At the moment, the team report that they are working on procedural texturing, colour balance, and visibility details at high altitudes. Next steps will include the addition of finer details like stones and small vegetation, poles, traffic, and other details for roads and rivers.
The pricing for the map is also revealed to be the standard $49.99 USD with a $39.99 USD early access discount.
Sale reminder
Eagle Dynamics is also reminding us in their DCS World Weekend News update that the current sale and the 30-50% off most items in the store is ending on the 2nd of October at 23:59 GMT.
There’s also the same sale going on over on the Steam store.
For all of this and more, check out the DCS World Weekend News update.
Stormbirds 
Looking forward to the Sinai map. I wonder how the performance will be flying over Cairo, that’s a big city. And I can’t get this evil thought out of my head wondering if the pyramids will have a damage model.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am still disappointed this isn’t a Syria expansion. Just not wild about having the center of all conflict in the middle east since WW2 be split across 2 maps. Doubtful personally I would buy it the map – more interested in Kola personally.
LikeLike
Syria map saw two major expansions. I’m not sure if it could get any bigger.
LikeLike
By land area, it’s still much smaller than Persian Gulf. Even longest flight from airport to airport possible on Persian Gulf is longer than Syria. I’ll grant you Syria is far more detailed in the core areas along the coast and up through Turkey+Cyprus. But it’s still a smaller download size than the newer South Atlantic map. But in terms of size of terrain, they could do more. That is also what the pre-load radius setting is for. Both maps are likely pushing the limits of DCS as it sits today in 2.7.x, but I think that’s the point I’m trying to make. It’s a real shame that would possibly push it too far.
LikeLike
I don’t understand everyone wanting the Syria map to encompass the entire middle east. Maybe they only care about Israel. I am very excited for Kola and Sinai. If anything, Persian Gulf should be expanded to include Qatar, but I don’t think this will ever happen. I mean, maybe it’s possible since Normandy will include Paris and London, so why knows.
LikeLike
who knows*
LikeLike
just to be clear, I wasn’t suggesting the Syria map encompass the entire middle east. I just don’t like that a primary country involved in or at the epicenter of conflict in the region for all my life, and indeed before I was born is bifurcated in two (Israel). I’d like to see the Sinai be part of the same map, and/or some sort of ED tech that allows for seamless loading across maps. I am not talking about Baghdad, Riyad, etc. While from a pure $ and cents perspective, I would like to have a game where I don’t have to buy tons of maps (I own all of them up to date, including SA). But that’s a different discussion about DCS map strategy from this.
LikeLike
I think we’re more likely to see their world solution come together to allow you to fly between maps.
LikeLike