DCS World 2023 roadmap

Another year and another interesting line-up of content is under development for DCS World by Eagle Dynamics. From long standing projects by established developers to new upstarts introducing their first module, this year promises to be very interesting.

This roadmap was last updated on February 26, 2023.

Upcoming modules

Core updates

Dynamic campaign – Mentioned at the end of 2022. This project is still underway and has no suggsted ETA at this time.
Multi-threading – Boosting performance of DCS World is a key priority for the community and for the developers. DCS has limited multi-core support in DCS World 2.8 but efforts are underway to make the sim make better use of multi-core processors.
Vulkan API – Vulkan API has been mentioned by Eagle Dynamics as a way to boost performance. Not much has been said about this feature in the last year.
DLSS support – Support for nVidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) 2.0 lets the graphics card run at a lower resolution and then upscaling the image in real time providing an overall boost in performance. AMD’s Fidelity FX Super Resolution (FSR), a similar technology, will be investigated.
Air Traffic Control and Radio – New technology updates for ATC (based on Supercarrier) including new radio calls for a wide variety of functions.
Spherical Earth Map – Eventually DCS World looks set to bring in a spherical earth map. The map will operate separately from regional maps. This is likely to be a long term project.
Weather improvements – Eagle Dynamics have provided dramatic improvements to the weather and are planning more. New fog system, more sophisticated cloud types, and a true dynamic weather system with evolving cloud types and high/low pressure.

Announced aircraft modules

Upcoming releases

DCS: F-4 Phantom (Heatblur) – Following an early year teaser, Heatblur has announced the F-4E Phantom coming with a couple of variations. Early access was expected before the end of 2022, however, recent world events have slowed progress and the project is now expected in 2023.
DCS: Mirage F1 (Aerges) – Initial release happened on July 21, 2022 with the basic Mirage F1CE version. The more capable F1EE was released in early 2023. The F1BE and F1M are due at a future point.
DCS: F-15E Strike Eagle (RAZBAM) – Recent progress looks makes this project look like its near early access release. Expected to become available in 2023.
DCS: La-7 (OctopusG) – After a successful launch of DCS: I-16, OctopusG is back with DCS: La-7 focused on the highly successful Lavochkin late war fighter. The developer suggest that the La-7 will release into early access in 2023.
DCS: OH-58 (Polychop) – No updates have been provided on this project in quite some time. Development is reportedly still ongoing but the status of this project is ultimately unknown at this time. The projects appearance in the DCS World 2023 and Beyond trailer suggests it may see release in 2023.
DCS: G.91 (IndiaFoxtEcho) – Developer IndiaFoxtEcho is working on three versions of the G.91. An Italian R1B, the German R3, and the PAN aerobatic version. There is no release date.
DCS: F4U-1D Corsair (Leatherneck/Magnitude 3) – In development with no expected release date, however, recent updates and its presence in the DCS World 2023 and Beyond trailer suggests it could see a release in 2023.
DCS: F8J Crusader (Leatherneck/Magnitude 3) – Announced in 2021. The project has no expected release date and is likely several years away.
DCS: MiG-21bis 2.0 (Leatherneck/Magnitude 3) – The classic MiG-21 is being redeveloped with a variety of upgrades across the module including enhanced art and systems modeling. No release date.
DCS: Typhoon (TrueGrit and Heatblur) – This project got a big boost from a partnership with Heatblur. Release date is unknown and may be a few years away.
DCS: A-6 Intruder (Heatblur) – Legendary developers Heatblur have announced that they are building an AI and then flyable A-6 Intruder for DCS World. It is expected to take a couple of years to develop and is not expected until 2023-24.
DCS: A-7 Corsair II (Flying Iron Simulations) – The developers have reported that they have completed 3 out of 4 phases of development on the Corsair II. No release date has been given and substantial work does appear to still be ahead of them.
DCS: F-100D Super Sabre (Grinnelli Designs) – Being developed by Grinnelli Designs, this Vietnam era fighter-bomber looks to be in the early stages of development. Release date unknown.
DCS: Kfir (AVIRON) – Moving into official third party status during the summer of 2022, DCS: Kfir seeks to recreate an Israeli Mirage variant.
DCS: C-130 (Airplane Simulation Company) – Officially announced by Eagle Dynamics, this new developer has a complex C-130J simulation underway. Other variants such as a KC-130J and HC-130J are possible. No release date.
DCS: Tornado GR1 (AviaStorm) – Officially announced by Eagle Dynamics, this project seeks to simulate a 1989 German Tornado G1 standard aircraft. It has no known release date.
DCS: A-1H Skyraider (Crosstail Studios) – Officially announced by Eagle Dynamics and partnered with Echo One Niner Audio Production for audio work. This simulation of the A-1H Skyraider has no release date but has been shown flying in the sim.

Announced map/scenery modules

DCS: Kola (Orbx) – In development with famous scenery creator Orbx, this map will provide a modern rendition of the Kola region. Two campaigns by Reflected and Baltic Dragon have already been announced taking advantage of the new scenery. There is no release date.
DCS: Sinai (OnReTech) – Simulating the region wedged between Israel and Egypt, this map project is being developed by OnReTech, a new third party developer. No release date has been given.
DCS: Top End of Australia (Check Six Simulations) – Check Six Simulations is creating a new map for DCS World featuring Australia’s Western and Northern Territories. The map is home to notable RAAF airbases at Darwin and Tindal. No release date has been provided.

Rumoured/unconfirmed modules

DCS: MiG-17F (Red Star Simulations) – Recent updates suggest the team has upped their standards and are pushing for a higher quality level before submitting to Eagle Dynamics.
DCS: Su-17/22 “Fitter” (Leatherneck/Magnitude 3) – This Cold War era strike jet has been teased a few times now by the development team. It is not formally announced and has no roadmap or release date.
DCS: Su-17/22 (OctopusG) – The modeler behind the DCS: I-16 project has teased an unconfirmed DCS module with cockpit images of the Su-17/22 fighter-bomber. It’s possible that this is a team-up with Leatherneck/Magnitude 3 but its unknown.
DCS: MiG-29 (Eagle Dynamics) – A full fidelity MiG-29 has been mentioned a few times by Eagle Dynamics COO, however, recent events have called into question on if this project will release or not.
DCS: Afghanistan (Eagle Dynamics) – Eagle Dynamics has long maintained an Afghanistan map for their professional customers. A more visually impressive consumer version is now rumoured thanks to some coordinates flashed during the 2022 and beyond trailer.
DCS: IA-58 Pucara (RAZBAM) – RAZBAM have stated a goal of releasing the twin turboprop powered IA-58 Puacara as a DCS module at a later date. Multiple updates showing the project’s work in progress appearance have been displayed so far.
DCS: Super Tucano (RAZBAM) – Long on the development list, RAZBAM have been slowly working on the Super Tucano for DCS World. The project has not yet been listed as an official project by Eagle Dynamics.
DCS: Mirage III (RAZBAM) – Mentioned occasionally over the years by RAZBAM, recent comments and a billboard on the South Atlantic map suggest that the module is moving forward again. Don’t expect it soon.