We have a little bit of news on the release date of the DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum while also learning a whole lot about how Eagle Dynamics are modeling the SPO-15 RWR (radar warning receiver) system using real world physics to give it a realistic character. Meanwhile, Ugra Media are preparing an update to DCS: Cold War Germany ahead of their phase two update. We learn a bit about what they’ve been busy doing there. All part of the latest DCS World Weekend news update.

Modeling the SPO-15 RWR

The DCS: MiG-29A is going to come with a much more deeply modeled RWR system than the Flaming Cliffs version ever had. Eagle Dynamics is currently programming the system for the full fidelity version of the MiG-29 with the system modeling the quirks of the system. The system has 10 receivers with 8 channels for azimuth around the aircraft. It provides not-quite 360 degree coverage and quirks such as incorrectly identifying the side lobes of a high powered search radar triggering a lock-on warning are possible. All thanks to detailed modeling and a physics based approach to radar signals and the antennas on the MiG-29.

The new system comes with a radar database containing signatures and behaviors for each radar system in the game, including details like carrier frequency, waveform type and (if applicable) pulse train pattern for different operational modes, antenna and transmitter properties, search strategy depending on range and altitude of the target, signal variability, and CCM used etc. All of this information is used in two ways: to calculate accurate power density at the receiving antenna at each time step, taking into account the physical properties of the signal and the directivity pattern of the transmitter antenna, and to permit realistic modelling of the RWR system itself.

Eagle Dynamics are also reminding us that the aircraft currently has a 30% off pre-order discount which will drop to 20% when the aircraft releases. Speaking of early access, that launch is now planned for September. A slight overshoot from the initial Q2 estimate but not unheard of for DCS World aircraft (or flight sim releases in general).

Cold War Germany update on its way

Ugra Media are set to release some updates to their recently released DCS: Cold War Germany map. The update is focused on polishing the current offering wit navigational aid changes (Frankfurt VORTAC and Northeim and Walldorf airfields broadcasting their proper callsigns – according to the update), corrections to city names, more realistic destruction effects for industrial plants and power stations, new damage models for stadiums, improved fields with more hay bales and tractors and village churches will have more accurate heights – important for visual navigation.

Phase 2, where the company intends to expand the map’s detailed areas, will come sometime after this update. Ugra Media themselves have been asking people since June 9 to post on things that they feel are necessary in Phase 2. The company has been receptive to user considerations for their prior maps with DCS: Syria becoming one of the most well regarded maps due, in part, to its expansions and updates based on user feedback.

Read the full DCS World Weekend update here!