Eagle Dynamics announces upgraded Su-25 will be free, shows off MiG-29 progress

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A couple of “Red Air” projects are taking the headlines for Eagle Dynamics with news that the revamped Su-25 is going to be offered for free. That’s interesting. Also we’ve got the latest work on the MiG-29. Let’s have a look!

Su-25A becomes free

This first piece of news is an interesting one. The Su-25A has been a part of the DCS World series stretching back before its inception – the aircraft was originally part of Lock-On: Modern Air Combat. It’s seen some modest updates over the years and now is slated to pick up a significant visual upgrade. Eagle Dynamics has decided to announce that the visually updated Su-25A will join the Su-25T and TF-51D and become freely available as part of DCS World’s free to play offering.

Eagle Dynamics has made it clear that the airplane will remain at the Flaming Cliffs level of fidelity so we aren’t seeing a clickable cockpit upgrade here, though it does appear to match the visual fidelity of its counterparts.

Last year several Flaming Cliffs aircraft saw visual upgrades but the Su-25 was left untouched at the time. Now it’s catching up. It does not appear to be the case that the Su-25A will be seeing a flight model update as both it and the Su-25T remain the only Eagle Dynamics aircraft still using the older Advanced Flight Model (which is one step down from the Professional Flight Model). In practice the aircraft does fly relatively well.

Speaking of the Su-25T, there’s no word on if that model will also get a visual upgrade. The low production rate of the Su-25T makes it a bit of a rarity in the real world but has been semi-popular thanks to its free status in DCS World. The Su-25A is an interesting addition to the mix and its lighter weight makes it a bit easier to fly.

MiG-29 pilot helmet update

The helmet for the upcoming DCS: MiG-29 is taking shape with new development screenshots showing off the latest on the project.

An aspect of the DCS: MiG-29A coming to DCS later this year is the new pilot model. As further advancements to new pilots are introduced for the F-16C, F/A-18C, and AH-64D, the MiG-29A pilot will feature precision modelling and animations including uniforms, harnesses, patches and other elements. Special attention is being made to the helmet including the Helmet Mounted Sight. 

Sounds good!

Read the latest from the DCS World Weekend News update and get all of the screenshots here.

23 responses to “Eagle Dynamics announces upgraded Su-25 will be free, shows off MiG-29 progress”

  1. Ollifreund Popcorn Avatar
    Ollifreund Popcorn

    The new Su-25A looks yexcellent! I wonder how the flight model will differ?

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      At the moment no difference has been mentioned. It’s still the old AFM system which is still good but not quite as good as PFM.

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  2. Canada One Avatar
    Canada One

    I guess this was another 7000 man hours of work. 🙂

    I’m happy to see any improvements, it’s a great plane. And I don’t care if it’s free for others, I bought mine years ago and got my money’s worth. But I’m curious why they’re doing it and why this plane.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Mike Romeo Avatar
      Mike Romeo

      I hope because they plan to make it FF at a later point.

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      1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        I did wonder that too. I think it’s a possibility post MiG-29.

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      2. oesau Avatar
        oesau

        I think you could hedge a bet that that a FF version will be coming down the line at some point (DCS years that is…. 1 DCS year is equal to 5 earth years)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        That’s a good guess yeah!

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    2. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      It is curious, isn’t it! I bought Flaming Cliffs on one of those crazy 90% off deals that they don’t do anymore. I don’t mind at all that the Su-25A is being made free.

      Mike has made the best guess that I’ve heard. They intend to offer a Su-25 full fidelity later that takes it a step further. It’d be interesting!

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      Reply
  3. PaperPilot Avatar
    PaperPilot

    Do you think that Eagle Dynamics should make a free full fidelity module that comes along with the base game? I think it would be a good idea because I believe it would get more people interested in purchasing and flying full fidelity aircraft modules. I know a heck of a lot of money, time and resources go into making full fidelity aircraft modules so I just want you all to know I respect that fact. But what do you (the reader) think? Would it be a good idea or do you think that it shouldn’t be done? Also, if they ever were to do a free full fidelity module what would you like to see? Personally I’d like Eagle Dynamics to do an F-15E to compensate for RAZBAM pulling out of DCS. I know they are doing an F-15C full fidelity but the C and the E both have their differences, which is why I think the F-15E should be done, whether it has a price tag attached to it or not. But again this is just my opinion so please take this with a grain of salt. Thank you.

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      On principle I don’t think it’s a bad idea. When most DCS modules are clickable full fidelity modules and the only combat capable free offering is the Flaming Cliffs non-clickable Su-25T (and now Su-25A), it’s not the best representation of what most of the series is about. The TF-51D is clickable but I think most people skip over it.

      If they do offer one, it will be something far far far simpler than an F-15E.

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      1. PaperPilot Avatar
        PaperPilot

        What would you suspect they do if they were to do a free full fidelity aircraft? And what full fidelity aircraft would you like them to do for free if they were to do one? Maybe they could do a free full fidelity aircraft in 2027 to celebrate their 20th anniversary. But again these are just my thoughts. Do you think it would be good of them to do a 20th or even a 25th anniversary free full fidelity module just as a toast to how far they have made it?

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      2. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        I don’t know what they would pick. It’s very easy to make long lists of airplanes but it doesn’t matter. If they were to do it, it would hinge on what resources and info they have and then what would be easiest to slot into their project schedule. It would have to be easy to offer as DCS modules require significant resources and this would be a loss leader.

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      3. Aapje Avatar
        Aapje

        Perhaps an Korean era jet, like the F-80C Shooting Star? Much simpler than the more modern planes, and still a jet. And it is suitable both for A2A and A2G.

        But it will push people to getting the F-86 and Mig-15 if they like it.

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      4. Björn Grönblad Avatar
        Björn Grönblad

        The F-5 is already made, it is an ED module, fairly simple and probably doesn’t bring in that much money after the rush(?) after the recent update. It could be made free.

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  4. Aapje Avatar
    Aapje

    I always thought it was a bad move to advertise it as a free to play game and then only offering non-shooting planes for free. Given that the American planes are a lot more popular, this could help to balance out the multiplayer servers, without actually causing significant lost sales. I expect the ‘first hit for free’ to actually significantly increase sales.

    And this is also a nice opportunity to have some campaigns that everyone can play, for the campaign makers.

    And I think that a free full fidelity module is too much to ask.

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    1. PaperPilot Avatar
      PaperPilot

      It would be a big ask for Eagle Dynamics to do a free full fidelity aircraft. But, like ShamrockOne5 said, in principle with wouldn’t be a bad idea. Honestly I don’t think it would be a bad business move full stop because a) it would be a great introduction to what the series is really about; b) it would get people interested in the simulator; and c) if they did it as a 20th or 25th anniversary thing they’d get good publicity from doing a free full fidelity module. I think an early Cold War jet would be a good idea, as it wouldn’t be overly sophisticated compared to the modern jet fighters, and therefore not too costly to make (my assumption maybe incorrect so I apologise for that). I’d like to see a full fidelity Hawker Hunter one day, so maybe Eagle Dynamics could do a variant of the most numerous one. Or they could do an English Electric Lightning. That would also be cool to fly. But what are your thoughts on this?

      Cheers!

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  5. John Lynn Beck Avatar
    John Lynn Beck

    Very cool! Looking forward to the updated models.

    I’m, uh, less enthused about the new site format. 😛 I much preferred the one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Canada One Avatar
      Canada One

      I wouldn’t mind a “dark” option. I have that setting on lots of sites.

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      1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        That’d be neat. I will see if this theme has options for that!

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    2. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      Hi John! Anything specific you can point to? I did setup the News Archive page to more or less be what you the old main page was like to try and help with the transition. See how that goes for you. Thanks for the comment! https://stormbirds.blog/news-archive/

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      1. John Lynn Beck Avatar
        John Lynn Beck

        Well, the old theme had a very sleek and contemporary look that made it pleasing to the eye. In fact, Stormbirds had always stood out to me as one of the best examples of content + presentation of the news/blog websites I regularly visit, probably because the subject matter just luxuriates in beautiful, eye-catching screenshots, and the theme lent itself very well to that.

        This new theme, though, with “traditional” tiles with a thumbnail above, title/blurb below, comes off a little dated. It says, “this is a WordPress 3.1 Site, circa 2011.” 😛

        Which, I mean, if it does the job you need it to do, I get it. But the previous theme was sooo nice! Don’t mind me. I’m just bellyaching because someone moved my cheese. 🙂

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      2. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        I appreciate the comments! I think this is the sleeker and more modern approach to web templates but to each is own. 🙂

        There were non design related issues as well. A lot of the functionality of the site template that I was using was not keeping up with the latest updates and there were weird issues happening to me all the time. Gone now thankfully.

        Hopefully in time it’ll grow on you 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Blue 5 Avatar
    Blue 5

    Site looks good to me 🙂

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