VECO Simulations talks flight model

2–3 minutes

DCS World mod team developers Veco Simulations have posted a new update on their Facebook page talking about how their flight model is going to work and talking a little about the experience that their team already has in the area. It’s a bit of a interesting behind the scenes summary of how DCS World flight models are programmed so let’s have a look.

EFM progress

Progress on Veco Simulations T-38A for DCS World appears to be coming along nicely. Their latest update is focused on the EFM or External Flight Model. This is a common method of programming how an aircraft will fly in DCS World by programming a flight model external to the sim and then running it into DCS World to control the airplane. Licensed third parties use EFM’s all the time but, to my knowledge, its somewhat less common for mod makers to use the same method. Many use the SFM (standard flight model).

The EFM is responsible for the simulation of the flight dynamic model, engine model and aircraft systems. In early 2022 we started the development of the unique modular EFM framework that is used by the T-38A.

They go on to explain that the team has previously done other aircraft projects for two supersonic light fighters for Virtual Turkish Stars, a high-performance turboprop trainer for the Virtual Silver Falcons, and a piston engine light utility aircraft that they are using a testbed.

Each component has its state and is responsible for a dedicated functionality. It reacts to environmental conditions and user input, triggers corresponding animations and most importantly simulates its behaviour.

They’ve also provided a graphic to show off the different components.

I’m sure the nitty gritty of this is quite a bit more complicated than this overview but it’s an interesting look at how an EFM comes together.

Veco Simulations is working on a T-38A mod for DCS World but their quality level aims seem to be looking more like something you might see in a full module. Curious to see how this plays out over time. Stay tuned for more and check out Veco Simulations on Facebook for more.

9 responses to “VECO Simulations talks flight model”

  1. Brate Poto Avatar
    Brate Poto

    I don’t trust DCS mods, because creators of them are not as professional as programmers from “true” third party developers. 3D models taken from stack, strange flight models, DLL library conflicts with other modules and more. Maybe creators of mods such as T-38 or Skyhawk can deliver virtual aircrafts on acceptable level of realism, since those are old planes, but the existence of 5th Gen fighters, such as F-22, F-35 or Su-57 almost makes me laugh. Do those “garage” programmers have access to top secret parameters of F-22? Did they hack the russian military servers to access the abilities on Su-57? Do they know of complexity of aerodynamics, airflows, vortexes? As far as I know the F-22 mod is just a FC3 F-15 with replaced model, cockpit, and enhanced agility. I don’t think it reproduces operations of a phase-scanned radar.

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      There’s a reason I don’t frequently cover DCS mods and it’s partially because of some of the issues you’ve listed (also, just the time required to report). Many mods are an F-15 or Su-27 in disguise and that’s ok, it’s there for a bit of goofy fun.

      There are mods that are quite solid too. There’s a UH-60 that, while not perfect, is more aimed at module levels of realism. I suspect Veco is aimed at this same high level.

      Flight simming is filled with many great freeware mod projects and many more terrible ones. Similarly there’s shovelware terrible quality content out there for money and then very good content as well. We try and paint each one with their own brush.

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      1. oesau Avatar
        oesau

        and lets not forget the A-4 Skyhawk, they have done a great job with that (and its actually the only flyable mod I use)

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      2. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        Yeah that’s a great example too. Done very well and popular online in competitive environments as well.

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    2. Urgent Siesta Avatar
      Urgent Siesta

      This is really off-base criticism.

      I don’t think any mod devs other than perhaps the A-4 team are proposing their mods are “Full Fidelity”, especially when it comes to the more modern jets.

      Some people are satisfied with the run of the mill mods, and I guess – for them – that’s okay. But it doesn’t affect anything in the game, so no harm, no foul.

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  2. Drivebye Avatar
    Drivebye

    I’m curious how the final flight model will compare to the F-5E we have right now in DCS. They look quite similar, but from what I’ve read there is a weight and thrust difference.

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    1. Urgent Siesta Avatar
      Urgent Siesta

      While it’s true that they share a lot of DNA, they were developed for very different purposes. One is a multi-role combat jet, the other is a supersonic primary trainer.

      I’d expect that the Talon will be more difficult to fly well, and not behave as well, in large part due to the lack of wing LEx’s and a few other doo-dads.

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      1. Drivebye Avatar
        Drivebye

        Hadn’t noticed the missing LEX’s till you mentioned them. Interesting. If the flight model is quite different, there is even more to look forward to.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Urgent Siesta Avatar
    Urgent Siesta

    Really looking forward to this! Right now I have to fly the MilViz T-38C in Prepar3D, and though the addon is GREAT (including the custom external flight model), Prepar3D itself leaves a lot to be desired these days.

    Having it in DCS World seems more fitting, somehow. 🙂

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