Following on the footsteps of the partnership between Heatblur and IndiaFoxtEcho for the F-14 for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the two are teaming up again to bring us an F-16 to the sim as well. Interesting news! Let’s dig into it!

Falcon comes to MSFS

Two veteran sim developers, Heatblur and IndiaFoxtEcho, are bringing their teams together to create a new product for Microsoft Flight Simulator. They report that their next product together will be an F-16 model, specifically focusing this first release on the F-16A Block 15, with plans to offer other variants in the future.

The model will be based on what they call a rich library of laser and photogrammetry scanning data with the intention to create the F-16 at the highest detail levels of visual fidelity. Early screenshots confirm some highly detailed exterior and interior images already coming together.

IndiaFoxtEcho meanwhile talk a bit about their goals with the product and why a F-16A was chosen. One of the reasons is novelty with decades between this and any prior F-16A model. They say that the simpler avionics on the F-16A also fit better with Microsoft Flight Simulator and should enable to them to be quicker to develop the product.

No release date or pricing has been revealed and the product does appear to be still in the early to middle development stages.

DCS product updates?

Meanwhile, back with Heatblur they report that they are full steam ahead on the A-6E, F-14, F-4, and other products. Their priorities they report are shipping the A-6 AI model, Eurofighter, and backporting F-4 improvements to the F-14 along with updating the F-4.

Responding to questions in the comments, IndiaFoxtEcho report that they have no plans to bring the F-16A to DCS World with the thinking that many users may not want a less capable Viper with the F-16C Block 50 already in the sim. But they are listening to user comments on the issue nonetheless and there may yet be interest.


14 responses to “Heatblur and IndiaFoxtEcho announce F-16A for MSFS!”

  1. Of course there would be interest for F-16A in DCS! The MiG-29A that we’re getting is in a pickle, it’s a 1980s era MiG-29 without a reasonable adversary. DCS ought to focus on a coherent era that can support aircraft from both sides. It would fix so many problems with aircraft rosters.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      It seems we’ve got a range of responses here but a great many folks would be interested in the older Viper. Always interesting.

      I would love to see a focus on a coherent era too. That’d be so useful.

      Like

  2. A less capable F-16 for DCS? No.

    I mean, no thank you. 🙂

    Like

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      I guess it wouldn’t be for everyone! Fascinating to see the range of responses. Some folks are loving it, others less so. Always interesting!

      Like

  3. Prob not to the A model in DCS, but the N was a curious beast that could be worth looking into. Would serve as a faux Red For at the very least.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      That’s an interesting option too. I know some folks are quite interested in the N model although if we go by the number of countries that used the A model that may do better in terms of worldwide appeal. But the N is apparently quite the performer!

      Like

  4. It depends. Will this less capable model have less bugs?

    Like

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      Maybe! 🙂

      Like

  5. I’d buy an F-16A. The more planes the merrier!

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Alastair Paulin-Campbell Avatar
    Alastair Paulin-Campbell

    As a Viper maniac, I would LOVE an F-16A to add to my DCS and BMS stable. Would buy it instantly.

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Urgent Siesta Avatar
    Urgent Siesta

    i would buy an A model for DCS in a heartbeat.

    It is the “Cold War” version, after all. 😎

    ///

    in regards the one for MSFS, I’m so pleased with how the Tomcat “port” from DCS turned out that this is practically an insta-buy.

    in any flight simulator, there is simply no better Touring/sightseeing/”VFR” vehicle than the frameless bubble and ultra low cockpit rails of a Viper.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I would like an F-16A for DCS. There has actually been an active discussion in the wishlist section of the Official DCS forums for years of why the F-16A would be useful in DCS cold war scenarios. Plus the early versions have different flight dynamics because they were lighter and more agile.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Błażej Seremak Avatar
    Błażej Seremak

    Cold War F-16A, especially early like Block 10 “small tail” would be fantastic in DCS.

    All dick no balls! Pure dogfighter, all about close aie combat, close CCIP manual aimed bombing! More nimble then our digital heavy Block 50CJ.

    F-16A Block 10 scored overwhelming majority of RL F-16 air kills in the biggest air battle since Korea, over Bekaa Valley.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. F-16A for DCS PLEASE!

    A true cold war fighter!

    I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Twice!

    Liked by 1 person

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