We’ve got a new DCS: F-15C Eagle development report coming to us in the latest DCS World Weekend News report. This time around we have some interesting information surrounding what Eagle Dynamics plans to do with their full fidelity F-15C project and its ability to span multiple eras. Let’s have a look!

More options for DCS: F-15C

Eagle Dynamics are doing something that some of their third parties have done but that they haven’t done as much of: introducing variants of the same airplane in a single module package.

When first announced, it was confirmed that DCS: F-15C Eagle would be focused on a 2005 era Late MSIP II (that’s the Multi-Stage Improvement Program II) Eagle. With JHMCS helmet, AIM-9X, and MIDS datalink, this version of the F-15C is considerably more capable than what we’ve seen with the Flaming Cliffs F-15C variant. That fits in well with the F-16C, F/A-18C, A-10C II, AH-64D, and other aircraft that have come out for DCS World’s more modern era of combat aircraft all centered around the 2005-2010 time period.

Community members made the case for doing an early MSIP II as well and that is apparently exactly what Eagle Dynamics are going to do.

The late variant will have features like a colour MPCD (with PACS and SIT pages), six DTC programmable RWR threat tables, an F-15E style control grip, and the aforementioned AIM-9X and helmet sight. The early variant will take us back to around 1985 and have INS and TACAN only (no GPS), original control stick, single DTC programmable threat table, and primarily oriented around the AIM-7 and AIM-9 (with AIM-120 in the 1994 loadout).

Late MSIP II will release first and early MSIP II will come later. The products will be released individually or in a package deal that makes them $79.99 USD (pricing subject to change Eagle Dynamics says). No word on the individually priced options but the full price is equivalent to other modern DCS full fidelity modules so its not a surprise.

A FAQ with a comparison chart lays things out here.

Single module, multiple era

I’m glad to see Eagle Dynamics go down this path when possible as it provides for greater opportunities for modules to fill in some gaps. In this case, F-15C as a full fidelity module now fits in well alongside a growing collection of late Cold War jets (the F-14B and B(U), MiG-29A, the MiG-23M, MiG-27K, Su-25A potentially and so on) and straddles the line into the more modern 2005-2010 era that is inhabited by types like the F/A-18C, F-16C, and JF-17 among others.

This isn’t the first module to do that as other types, Aerges Mirage F1 notably, also do this but I’m certainly happy to see the potential open up across the date and operational ranges. I can see AIM-7 armed F-15C models now fitting into late Cold War scenarios on popular servers where the type wouldn’t previously have fit. That’s terrific to see.

Does it open the door to other variant opportunities from Eagle Dynamics? Might the developer consider revisiting something like the A-10C and doing a full fidelity A-10A? What about the F-16C and turning that into an F-16A? Would people be interested in paying to see those? I know some of you in the comments have been very eager to see it while others may be more skeptical. Let me know what you think!

Halloween sale and DCSServerBot community spotlight

This week we’ve also got reminders of the soon to end Halloween sale which wraps up on November 8 at 15:00 GMT.

There’s also a community spotlight on the open-source DCSServerBot.

Read all about it here!