The latest DCS World update is now out and it comes packaged with a lengthy list of updates, Flaming Cliffs 2024, three new campaigns including the long awaited The Gamblers campaign, and the Afghanistan map just to headline a few items. So let’s have a look at what the latest DCS World is bringing to the table.

Overview

DCS 2.9.6.57650 is now out with three new campaigns, the Afghanistan map, Flaming Cliffs 2024 and plenty of updates. The latest version is not without a bit of controversy as the update was delayed and some of the content in it was delayed even further. We knew last week that the CH-47 was going to be delayed beyond this latest update but just in-case you didn’t see that, DCS: CH-47F will need some more time cooking before its ready to go.

Flaming Cliffs 2024, DCS: Afghanistan map, plus the release of three new campaigns The Gamblers Campaign by Baltic Dragon, Worlds Apart Stormfront Campaign by Low-Level-Heaven Mission Development, The Four Horsemen Campaign by Fight’s On Simulations, headline the update. So does a new launcher for the sim.

Other changes include new ground AI features with SAM batteries that detect missile launches shutting down their radar and moving out of the way if they are mobile. There are also added CPU efficiency on AI intensive multiplayer servers.

The F-15E radar has been fixed by Eagle Dynamics (as noted in the log). The radar system had become inoperative after a specific date had passed – a problem that also cropped up on January 1. Speaking of radars, the DCS: F-16C and F/A-18C radar now has the possibility of false targets caused by receiver noise.

DCS: Supercarrier gets some new additions with the added Air Boss deck. Right Alt + F9 lets you access this area of the carrier. From here you can adjust ship lights, steer and adjust the ship, view recovery cue, view the PLAT camera, and view the airspace around the carrier. There’s also a new LSO station slot.

DCS: Kola gets the winter scenery update as promised with all new winter textures. They’ve also optimized the map in some areas, corrected harbour depth at Polyarny and added details around the Port of Kirkness.

There are some pretty big updates for the F-14 too with a re-work of all engine sounds , updated flap damage, new configurable afterburner detente zone, and more.

That’s not all because there are updates to the Mirage F1, AJS-37, Mi-24, F-4E, MB-339, and many more modules.

The full changelog is here!

Flaming Cliffs 2024

An update to a classic collection of aircraft for DCS World has arrived with the update. Flaming Cliffs 2024 which is an update of Flaming Cliffs 3 with more aircraft. Here’s the new line-up:

The Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft

• F-15C
• A-10A
• Su-27
• J-11
• Su-33
• Su-25
• MiG-29
• MiG-29S

And there are three new Flaming Cliffs aircraft:

• F-5E FC
• F-86F FC
• MiG-15bis FC

None of these aircraft have clickable cockpits and thus they posses simpler systems. They do, however, come with the same PFM advanced flight modeling system that other modules have and that has become a standard for Eagle Dynamics’ DCS World releases. The aircraft aren’t really “new” but they were developed originally for Modern Air Combat – see my editorial on some background information on that.

The usual cinematic masterpiece accompanies the new release.

They’ve also done a “what is video” on Flaming Cliffs to help clear up some basic questions around what the product is.

Flaming Cliffs 2024 is $59.99 regularly with a $9.99 USD upgrade. It’s available on e-Shop and on Steam.

Afghanistan map early access release

One part of the DCS: Afghanistan map has arrived with today’s release. The community has taken to calling it “Halfganistan” although more accurately we have 1/3rd of the planned releases (1/3rdganistan doesn’t have the same ring) for the map out today. To be clear, the whole map is here but only part of the map is fully detailed with this initial offering.

You can purchase access to just the piece that was released today or you can buy the full map with full release coming later. Those who buy just a piece of the map will still have access to the rest of the map but the areas outside of the purchased zone will have less detail.

Get the full DCS: Afghanistan map from e-Shop and Steam for $55.99 USD (introductory pricing) or buy DCS: Southwest Afghanistan on the e-Shop and on Steam for $23.99 USD (introductory pricing).

Three new campaigns

Last big highlight are the release of three new campaigns. The first is Baltic Dragon’s new and highly anticipated The Gamblers campaign for DCS: F-16C. This campaign has been in the works for a few years now and was jointly developed by Baltic Dragon and John ‘Rain’ Waters. John Waters is host of The Afterburn Podcast, Viper demo pilot member of the 77th Fighter Squadron. It’s his experiences that the campaign is heavily inspired by. You’ll need DCS: F-16C and DCS: Syria to play this one.

The campaign has its own trailer that you can watch here.

The Gamblers is $13.99 USD on Steam and on the e-Shop.

Worlds Apart Stormfront Campaign by Low-Level-Heaven Mission Development puts you in the seat of a German UH-1H Huey during a complex geo-political crisis in the former Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. There are 12 story driven missions with a couple of A and B variants for a total of 16.

This campaign is also $13.99 USD on Steam and on the e-Shop.

Finally, Fight’s On Sims bring us The Four Horsemen Campaign. You fly a DCS: AH-64D with the 664 Army Air Corps (AAC) Sqn that have been deployed in support of Operation Shader. 2,500 lines of voice acted dialogue and realistic and detailed briefings help make up this 12 mission campaign. You’ll need the DCS: Syria map (and the AH-64D obviously) for it to work.

This campaign, like the other two, is available for $13.99 USD on Steam and on the e-Shop.

Phew! That was a lot wasn’t it? Plenty going on in DCS World right now!