If you’ve been around for a long time in the DCS World community you’ll probably remember a project from third party developer Miltech-5 aimed at bringing a full fidelity DCS: Bo-105 helicopter to DCS World. A steady stream of recent updates, a bit of false information that was circulating, and some pretty good looking renders and encouraging comments suggest that there’s some good progress on the way for this project once again.

Ongoing development of a Cold Warrior

Originally developed by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, the Bo-105 is a light utility helicopter that first flew in the 1960s and went on to achieve some level of success in both the civilian helicopter market as well as in the military one. It’s a helicopter that fits well into that growing Cold War collection that DCS World has been amassing in recent years and would offer additional diversity in the light helicopter space.

The militarized Bo 105 PAH-1 was capable of carrying up to six Euromissile HOT anti-tank weapons making it a reasonably capable anti-tank weapon. It lacked in other capacities and was ultimately replaced by the Eurocopter Tiger but for the time it was a pretty capable helicopter.

Miltech-5 has been developing the Bo 105 for several years now and the helicopter model as well as the project have gone through a series of changes, upsets, and regrouping efforts. The project was cancelled at one point back in 2019 but that lasted only a short while and then was revitalized thanks to a joint effort by Miltech-5 and RAZBAM to secure a new programmer.

Since then there have been a steady stream of highly specific and detailed modelling updates. A HeliSimmer.com article from February of 2022 even reported news direct from the developer that coding for the project was at 75%.

Misunderstandings

Recently there’s been some misunderstandings and some false information circulating about the project as well. Information that Miltech-5 were quick to respond to with a refutation. In-case you heard news that the project had been shelved… that is very much not the case.

Several weeks ago, in response to a question on Facebook, we did learn that there are still some ongoing challenges with getting a programmer on the job.

Not yet – We are waiting for the coder -> last contact was June.

He applied for a new job…since then -> no response 😦

Miltech-5 on Facebook

That caused at least one DCS World news outlet to report that the project had been shelved. This is not the case and Miltech-5 responded quickly with clarification over the current status of the project on the programming side of things.

Let me clarify the following.
Just to avoid speculations:
The collaboration with RAZBAM is still active. The Coder has a new MAINJOB (!).
One cannot assume that everyone has 98% of the time to take care of a module.
The long lasting time has nothing to do with me or RAZBAM.
These are a chain of negative events over which I and RAZBAM have no influence (!)
We need to face that and make the best out of it 🙂
That’s life.
Thanks

Miltech-5

Clearly, reports of the DCS: Bo 105’s death have been greatly exaggerated.

Where things appear to be at

Going by the regular updates from Miltech-5 I have little fear at this point that anything can really stop them from getting this helicopter completed some day. Recent comments have indeed been encouraging.

The report that the RAZBAM partnership is still in place, that coding was 75% complete, and that a new programmer is in the process of being located suggests that work to get the module into the sim is going to continue. There’s even word that the flight model is currently being worked on.

Miltech-5’s artistry meanwhile appears to be progressing at a methodical pace with each element carefully modelled and textured to exacting detail. See for yourself with these recent visuals both in and outside the Bo-105.

This isn’t a module that I’d put on any release list any time soon. But this labour of love by the folks at Miltech-5 indicate to me that this one seems destined to arrive eventually. No doubt aided by grit, determination, and a little luck.

Keep an eye on the recent updates on the Miltech-5 Facebook page.