The slightly controversial DCS: F-5E Tiger II remastered version is out together with the Arctic Thunder campaigns, Supercarrier updates and the long awaited fog and dust effects are out as part of the latest DCS World update. Let’s have a look!
Tiger II remastered
Coming in with bug fixes for all and a visual upgrade for those willing to do the upgrade (or buy it new), DCS: F-5E Tiger II remastered is now out and available for purchase. The update comes in at $10 USD for those who currently own the product while the purchase price remains unchanged at $59.99 USD.
The upgrade introduces an entirely remastered cockpit, new cockpit pilot model, and exterior with a small number of included liveries. The update also comes with some fixes, however, it does not add some of the features that players have been asking for.
According to the changelog, the F-5E comes with the following fixes.
- Added GBU-12 to centerline, GBU-16 to inner and centerline, and GBU-10 to centerline loading options.
- Fixed. Holding dogfight/resume or ACQ switch does not minimize range gate.
- Fixed. Sight cage does not align the radar antenna to ARL.
- Fixed. Mk-82 Snakeye should not have high-drag surfaces when safed.
- Fixed. Gunsmoke does not follow the airframe/canopy.
- Fixed. ADI adjustment./corrections.
- Fixed. Gunsight Depression Axis.
- Fixed. Mirrors display a distorted picture (fish eye).
- Fixed. Wingtip launcher rails are fragile when exposed to rapid G-onset.
- Fixed. F-5E Air-to-Air Missile Employment in MSL mode training mission.
- Fixed. Rapid aft control input caution.
- Fixed. Issues with the FAST ERECT button in the cockpit and the overall performance of artificial horizon.
- Fixed. Pitch/Roll gyro issues.
These should apply to both the original and remastered models, however, future updates are likely to come only to the remaster model.
This is a module that I’ll be having a close look at as soon as I’m able! Look for some impressions and a discussion on this latest upgrade project coming up.
Fog and Supercarrier
Some of the other headlining features in this update are some core changes to the sim’s weather systems specifically surrounding fog effects. While the updated cloud system, a gamechanger in the look of the sim, have been in place for a couple of years now, the sim’s fog system was not updated. Flying a mission featuring both fog and cloud effects was actually somewhat unpleasant as the two systems weren’t all that well integrated with each other. Meanwhile, the sandstorm dust effects introduced years ago have been broken for quite some time too. Fortunately, all of this has been sorted out with the new update.
A trailer, released a couple of weeks ago (and previously reported on), shows off the effects in a cinematic way.
Meanwhile, DCS: Supercarrier has gotten a fairly substantial update. This one was reportedly in the works for a couple of years now. It adds new deck crew with new plane directors giving you guidance on where to move your plane, which catapult to launch from and so forth.
The update notes also indicate the two following known issues:
- The new deck crew and dynamic slots are under development and may not work correctly in some cases.
- Some deck crew functionality may work incorrectly in case of changing slot while crew operations are in progress.
Hopefully those items can be resolved. Multiplayer Supercarrier issues have been a problem since the start particularly with non DCS F/A-18C modules. Hopefully everything works smoothly and as intended!
Campaigns galore
Three new campaigns come with the update with the headliner, the new Arctic Thunder series by well known campaign developers Reflected Simulations and Baltic Dragon offer up detailed campaign experiences with the DCS: Kola map. Set during a hypothetical war in the Kola region, the campaign plays out from two different perspectives with the F/A-18C flying with a Finnish Air Force squadron and F-16C with a USAF squadron.
The two joint campaigns are sold separately, however, their interlinked narratives and mission structure means that you could hypothetically play one campaign and then the other seeing the same mission from different perspectives.
- DCS: F-16C Arctic Thunder Campaign by Reflected Simulations
- DCS: F/A-18C Arctic Thunder Campaign by Baltic Dragon
The two headlining campaigns are joined by a third, no less important, release with a DCS: F-16C campaign called Last Out: Weasels over Syria II campaign by Ground Pounder Simulations.
Whatever your interest, there’s a lot packaged into the latest DCS update.
Stormbirds 
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