We’ve heard a little bit about the future of DCS World before with the anticipated 2.9 and 3.0 on the horizon, however, today’s DCS World Weekend gives us greater insights into what is planned for DCS World 2.9 and an expectation that it is coming sooner than later. There’s also some cool new multiplayer features on the horizon and the results of the B-17 livery contest are in. Oh and there are some nice new screenshots of the F1 BE from Aerges. Let’s have a look at it all!

DCS 2.9 expectations

Eagle Dynamics are filling us in on some of the expected content for 2.9 and they include some interesting combinations of features and additions to the DCS World experience. Included in the work is a reported five months of effort.

The features include new voice chat features with new immersive radio effects, nVidia DLSS support, AI aircraft behaviour improvements, a new cinematic camera view, troop transport on player-controlled vehicles, and datalink improvements for the DCS: F-16C, F/A-18C, A-10C II and AH-64D. This will also be when the long talked about AI 3D model updates will come for the B-1B, B-52H, S-3B, S-3 tanker, C-RAM and S-300PS.

Apparently not everything will come in 2.9’s initial release but are expected to roll out as 2.9 is worked on in the open beta and release phases. This also isn’t everything at Eagle Dynamics implies that there will be more.

Multiplayer UI upgrades

This week’s development report features something that I’m very interested to see happen. This is an updated way to choose aircraft slots in a multiplayer server. Instead of choosing from a long list (and on some servers the list is LONG) you’ll be able to choose based on spawn locations on the map.

The system will be aided by the use of a filter which will take advantage of information such as aircraft availability and inventory on that particular airfield. The dynamic slots as they are calling them will also let the player choose the airplane type, hot and cold start, and all parameters from the rearming panel.

I think this will be one of the biggest chances to DCS multiplayer experiences in quite some time. The ability to choose a slot, a weapons load and spawn in hot reduces start-up times and makes quicker multiplayer sessions a possibility while simultaneously ensuring that those who want to do a cold start absolutely can. More options!

B-17 livery competition complete

The contest to add liveries to the AI B-17G in DCS World is now complete. The top 10 liveries will be added to the DCS WWII Asset Pack. Congratulations to the following winners and their liveries!

1. 322nd BS – 91st BG JG1 Vonrd
   • a. LG-W_Wee Willie
   • b. LG-O_Texas Chubby
2. ‘S’ FK186, No. 220 Squadron RAF / RAF Coastal Command Camouflage 1943 Generic – B17 Paint Schemes MJDixon 
3. B-17G 42-85784 “Sally B” Helles Belle
4. Boeing Flying Fortress Mk III (B-17G) ‘Take It Easy’ 214. Sqn RAF Aqil Huseynov
5. B-17G ‘Little Miss Mischief’ of the 324th BS , 91st BG Warlord64 
6. B-17G Joker Mike Busutil 
7. B-17G “2nd.Patches”OLD CROW 
8. B17G ” Out House Mouse”, 91st BG, 323rd BS, Bassingbourn, 1944 Boosterdog
9. B-17G/PB-1 US NAVY Flying Fortress Update v2.0 Leviathan0815
10. B-17G-35-BO 42-31921 “Lil Brat” scorch71 

F-15E updates from RAZBAM

A few updates are coming at us from Baltic Dragon and RAZBAM on X, formerly known as Twitter. The first is an image of the DCS: F-15E’s cockpit with the new terrain following radar feature active. This feature is one of those key pieces of the F-15E’s toolkit so its nice to see that its coming along.

Next, we have a lengthy message from RAZBAM CEO Ron Zambrano with a long list of fixes and features being added to the F-15E in the October update.

3D Models and Textures

• Fixed: Incorrect texture used on exterior pilot.
• Fixed: Intake bleeding through.
• Fixed “SPARE LIGHTS” work in NVG Filter effect.
• Fixed: Emergency Oxy Hose to align during seat height adjustment (Both Seats).
• Added: VR Pilot’s head shadow in cockpit (First Person/Both Seats).
• Added: 494th Panthers 91-324 ‘El Jefe” Livery.
• Added: 492nd Mad Hatters 91-321 “LOKI” Livery.
• Added: Cavity maps for Default Cockpit.
• Added: More polygons to Engine Nacelles.
• Added: Lower end GPU/VRAM option in Special Options settings. (lower image quality)
• Updated: Enhanced AO maps for Cockpit.
• Updated: Pilot’s Hand interaction on Throttle for future animations.
• Improved: Internal 3D model material name changes.
• Improved: Mirror FOV.
• Improved: Flap and Gear Indicator Light.

Avionics

• Added: TFR
• Added: modifiable steerpoint MEA in UFC and Mission Editor
• Added: Delete steerpoint by selecting “0” steerpoint on UFC
• Added: INS based wind estimation
• Added: Any waypoint (Routes A/B/C, offsets, base, bullseyes, avoidance, mark, list) can be added in ME
• Added: List points can be bound to steer points
• Fixed: markpoints starting at M0
• Fixed: active route display on A/G radar map
• Fixed: bug where TWS freezes the radar in presence of AoJ returns
• Fixed: TWS struggling to convert a HoJ track into full track in some cases
• Fixed: Pressing PB1 on SP edit page past last route point
• Fixed: Blank steerpoint (zero coordinates) showing on maps and selectable on sensors
• Fixed: TSD route switching
• Fixed: ASL wrong with INS drift
• Fixed: WSO LANTIRN TGP HOTAS
• Fixed: RWR Volume control not working
• Fixed: A/A TACAN distance readout shows two decimals (X.XX)
• Fixed: Missing hyphen in HUD bullseye
• Fixed: HSI ground track diamond is cyan, not amber on the MPCD
• Fixed: RADALT issues
• Fixed: RP MPL qty should be total, not per station
• Adjusted: INS drift rate
• Updated: ILS volume set to OFF at mission start
• Updated: AP roll authority increased from 2 to 5 deg
• Improved: AP steering & wind corrections
• Improved: BOT aiming

Missions

• Added: LANTIRN targeting pod basics training mission

A couple more F-1BE shots

Who doesn’t love some good looking screenshots. Here’s the latest from Aerges featuring their F1 BE.