DCS: World

Dear all,

On 21 June at 1300 Pacific Standard Time, I will be running a live Twitch stream of me flying over the Nevada Test and Training Range map using DCS World 2. If there are any particular places over the map or planes you would like to see, let me know.

I hope you can all make it and see some live gameplay.

My Twitch channel is: http://www.twitch.tv/wagmatt

Thanks,
Matt

We'd like to introduce you to our new team member Charlie. Charlie is our pilot for the P-40F.
You'll see more of him in his aircraft over the coming weeks....

Dear All,
I have had lengthy discussions with the VEAO team and ED this morning and we have come to an agreement regarding the confusion over SFM vs EFM and what has been purchased on ED store and Steam.

Any customers that have purchased the "Hawk T.1A for DCS World" from the ED store will automatically receive an upgrade to the External Flight Model (EFM) version at the time of release, free-of-charge.

Any customers that have purchased the "Hawk for DCS World" on Steam will automatically receive an upgrade to the External Flight Model (EFM) version at the time of release, free-of-charge.

Any customers that have purchased the "DCS:Hawk (EFM) Beta (Pre-sale)" on VEAO Simulations website will automatically receive an upgrade to the External Flight Model (EFM) version at the time of release and will also receive a coupon code via email giving them $10 discount on future products in the VEAO DCS: World catalogue.

The coupon will only be valid for customers that have purchased the EFM pre-sale version of Hawk directly from VEAO as they have already paid for the $10 upgrade price from SFM to EFM.

We felt that this was the fairest way to level all products bought.

If you have any further questions please post here or email support@veaosimulations.co.uk

Thanks,
Chris.

DCS World 2 Status

Despite our best efforts over the past six months, DCS World 2 has not yet achieved the quality level and features that we require for an open alpha release. Rather than release an alpha version that is potentially a disappointment for many users, we feel it best to keep it in the oven a bit longer to bake it more thoroughly. We fully realize that this is disappointing for some, but I can assure you that it pales in in comparison to our own. No one wishes to release our new baby out into the world more than us.

Some of the biggest remaining items that we need to address before an open alpha include:

New multiplayer GUI system that allows multiple players in the same aircraft and multiple player aircraft in the same flight. This is critical for multi-seat aircraft like the L-39, UH-1H, Hawk, etc.
Completing the move to use of a single executable. This will allow us to do long-desired features such as a satellite view in the Mission Editor, 3D objects in the Encyclopedia and Mission Editor, faster mission loading times, and a more stable product.
With the move to DX11, we are continuing to find ways to increase performance. This is even more important with the coming wave of VR gear that demands extremely high framerates.
We wish to improve several more of the effects before the open alpha. Although we have new smoke, contrails, lighting, shadow, and missile trail effects, there are more we wish to improve like better explosions and over-wing vapor.
Lastly, there are a few remaining crash bugs we need to resolve.
So, although we have been making tremendous progress in developing DCS World 2, there are a few more items that still need to be addressed in order to meet our quality standards. We can only ask for patience because we believe that it will all be worth the wait and DCS World 2 will usher in a new chapter in the world of Digital Combat Simulator.

DCS: Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) Status



While much of the team has been hard at work on getting DCS World 2 ready, our map team and engineers have been busy improving the NTTR map and fixing bugs. While we have made the significant step of moving the map into full testing, there are several important areas that need to be addressed before we can release it as an open alpha to everyone. Some of these items include:

Functional Air Traffic Control
Ground unit road movement
Performance improvements
Static object issues
TACAN and ILS
A couple of crash situations
When the map is available as an open Alpha, our plan is to still make this map available for free to those that purchased A-10C Warthog while it was in beta (prior to 21 February 2011). It will also be available for purchase from our e-shop for $39.99 USD.

DCS WWII



The Spitfire has begun internal testing within DCS World. The Spitfire has progressed past the P-47 due to the level of info in ED's hands for the Spitfire while research continues on the P-47. The model has been added to DCS World internally and testing of the Merlin 66's performance has started; next will be the prop performance. The Spitfire version will be an early production Mark IXc LF with clipped wings. As a possible bonus, it's planned (but subject to change) to have the option to select the long wing version; however, you will lose the benefit of the clipped version and its roll rate.

MiG-29 for Flaming Cliffs 3



To round out the collection of updated aircraft for Flaming Cliffs 3, the team is working on updating the MiG-29. This will include both a new, high-resolution 6 DOF cockpit and a new external model. After the F-15C, Su-27 and Su-33 Professional Flight Models (PFM) are complete, we also plan a PFM for the MiG-29.
The MiG-29 will have the same level of cockpit systems fidelity as the other Flaming Cliffs aircraft.
This will be a free update for Flaming Cliffs 3 owners.



DCS: L-39 Albatros



The L-39C Albatros is making good progress with new cockpit systems being integrated on almost a daily basis. The new L-39C external model is also nearing completion (the L-39ZA is further behind) as well as the Professional Flight Model (PFM).



DCS: F/A-18C Hornet

Work continues on the building the Hornet cockpit and air-to-surface radar technology. Most of the recent cockpit work has involved texturing and animation of cockpit elements.

News No.7

Annunciator "СТВОРКИ ОТКРЫТЫ" (Cargo bay doors open) now functional.

Now red annunciator "СТВОРКИ ОТКРЫТЫ"



will warn You about cargo bay doors being opened.



And You'll never ever take off with cargo bay open. Unless it's not written in Your flight plan. :doh:

For those of you that are keen eyed and keep an eye on our site you'll notice that the P-40F product page is now live.

You can't pre-order yet but we thought you'd like to see some new images on the product page at least

http://veaosimulations.co.uk/product/p-40f/

P-40F Cockpit render. This is work-in-progress.

Weekly DCS World Stream

Dear all,

After the success of the Twitch Stream yesterday, we are going to attempt to do a weekly Twitch stream (when the software is cooperating and I am not traveling). Currently, I am thinking that it will be on Sundays at 1800 UTC time. With the kinks worked out, the streams will be archived for later viewing and users are free to re-broadcast.

It’s my hope that the first weekly stream will be this Sunday, 28 June.

I will also be doing an open Q&A on the channel chat the half hour prior to the stream starting.

More details to follow…

Thanks,
Matt

News No.8

Siren is implemented.

Mi-8MTV sirena system belongs to assault-transport equipment.
To give an audio signal for troops the S-1 siren is installed on overhead pannel at frame 6 in cargo bay.
To turn on siren the following actions to be done:
− turn ON switch «РАКЕТЫ / СИРЕНА»;




− press «СИРЕНА» (siren) button located near to external payload control pannel.



Siren will sound and annunciator pannel «СИРЕНА ВКЛЮЧЕНА» (siren is on) will light up. Upon button release siren will turn off as well as annunciator pannel.



Now You shouldn't be worrying about troops, they'll disembark in right time hearing the powerful sound of siren activated by You.

The next stream will be a on Sunday, June 28th at 1800 UTC. Although there will probably be some new elements, this stream will for the most part duplicate the previous test stream now that we worked out some kinks. This time should also work better for most viewers.

http://www.twitch.tv/wagmatt

This stream will also be archived for later viewing for those that cannot make it.

Thanks,
Matt

On further DCS News: Yes, we will bring the A-7 to DCS.

Q&A section was recorded by ED I think, but here's a brief summary of what I remember (all paraphrased, accuracy mistakes are all mine):

Note to self: send @wagmatt an iTunes voucher, as he and his music library have been stuck in a well for over 20 years now.

Updated using @bunyap2w1's video info - thanks!

Q1: Will the ATC system be revamped?
A: Yes, Wags worked with both an F-18 and F-15 pilot to create a more realistic ATC system that is being implemented now. Different landings (emergency, break etc), frequencies, start-up controllers and wingmen. Focus of the team right now.

Q2. Will NTTR trees have collisions? How will they be handled?
A. Yes, with a single rectangular trunk polygon being solid. Whole forests (rather than urban trees that are more individually placed I guess) are still being worked on and might be done after launch though. Performance is important for this part.

Q3. What is the weather engine and what's due to be improved?
A. More realistic weather! Nicer clouds, dynamic high/low pressure systems. Support for turbulence, especially around mountains for updrafts etc.

Q4. How many more countries are being added to the Mission Editor?
A. A pretty extensive list of new countries will be shown in the stream, e.g. Iran, UAE etc. Many are placeholders rather than having skins/units done so far.

Q5. Will we see special target units on the NTTR?
A. Not really units, but the satellite terrain does have range/circles to use. The map will be hopefully expanded after release to include some more detailed around NTTR and the surrounding range and airports.

Q6. Size on disk of NTTR map?
A. About 46GB (forty six) for Nevada (Editor: so with DCS 1.0 full at about 27GB, buy stock in SSD makers)

Q7. Possible to fly multiple players in one package, plus AI take the lead?
A. Yes! In multiplayer the player doesn't need to be lead. Can be any member of the four-ship with an AI lead. Great for datalink systems and more realistic sharing.

Q8. What is the model vis option for? Is the 'smart scaling' (called 'Model Visibility' in the config of DCS 2) a LOD system of seeing aircraft closer (as an option)?
A. Not really model scaling, it's more just an icon that scales. When an object goes to a single pixel, say, this icon helps other aircraft visibility (if that option is on, it's optional). Great for the WWII aircraft.

Q9. Will the existing free Black Sea/Caucasus map have collisions on trees?
A. Unlikely, no. That map may be redone and released in the future though (either free or payware). The map is being improved in terms of textures plus in the future improve the mesh, objects and range, e.g. the Crimea.

Q10. Any sound engine improvements in 2.0?
A. Yes, a new API is being worked on, including position info for 3rd party and mod makers so that it is easy to use. Cleaner separation of sound and game logic, which helps performance.

Hello everybody,
I thought it would be a good idea to launch a FAQ thread on the VEAO Typhoon module that is currently WIP. The purpose of this FAQ is to answer the most basic and interesting questions that newcomers will likely have about this project.

I want to stress that I’m not a member of the VEAO team, but I have consulted the team to obtain their support/approval for this FAQ thread and to proof read it advance.

The questions represent a collection of those repeatedly raised in the threads of this forum channel. I have derived some additional questions from them. The responses are based on statements made by the VEAO team, with myself providing some complementary comments and information where appropriate and feasible.

This FAQ might be updated over time as new questions emerge.

My thanks goes to Pman for the kind support and approval of this FAQ

Kind regards
Spectre

Q: When is the VEAO Typhoon module going to be released?

A: There is no fix release date set. The VEAO team aims at completing the Typhoon module until the end of 2015. This date is a team internal target based on current estimates. It is not a promise and potentially subject to change. A more accurate and reliable forecast can only be made once the project has passed a certain maturity gate. Stay tuned for further updates in the future.

Q: To what quality standards will the VEAO Typhoon adhere to in terms of flight and systems modeling?

A: The VEAO Typhoon will feature an External Flight Model (EFM), which is comparable to ED’s Professional Flight Model (PFM), as well as Advanced Systems Modeling (ASM).

Q: How realistic will the VEAO Typhoon be in comparison to the real aircraft?

A: The VEAO team intends to create an authentic representation of the real aircraft within the given constraints.

Q: The Eurofighter Typhoon is a relative recent, advanced combat aircraft, aren’t most of its features/capabilities classified?

A: Not everything about this aircraft is classified, but of course there are several classified aspects. That’s actually true for all military aircraft in active service and even for many former types that aren’t operational anymore.

Q: Given the above, how is VEAO going to create an authentic replication of the real aircraft?

A: VEAO has contacts within the UK military and is in the process of developing a military version of the Typhoon module. The team subsequently has the access to the information and data needed to create an authentic model of the aircraft. The public version that will be released as a certified 3rd party add-on module for DCS World will be based on this military version. However, it will be a deducted/-de-classified version of it.

Q: What does deducted/de-classified mean and what implications does it have on the public version of the Typhoon module for DCS World?

A: Deduction means that certain classified features won’t be implemented on the public version. It also means that some features might be simulated in a simplified fashion or that they are approximated. Certain data might be tweaked.


Q: What does the above mean to the end user?

A: It will probably mean nothing to the end user. Unless you are a professional involved with the real Eurofighter program from the military or industry side you won’t notice what is missing or not 1:1 implemented in comparison to the real aircraft.

Q: Can VEAO confirm which features will be missing and which are authentic, simplified or approximated?

A: No, VEAO can’t confirm any of the above as it has a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in place.

Q: What does NDA mean, why is it necessary and what advantages/disadvantages are entailed to it?

A: The NDA enables VEAO to develop both, the military and public versions of the Typhoon. It is as such a pre-condition and without the NDA it wouldn’t be possible.
In addition to the above the advantage is that a more realistic replication of the real aircraft is possible, even if you don’t know what is authentic and what might not be authentic.

Q: Based on what is said above, how can we be sure we aren’t fooled with a fantasy version of the aircraft?

A: You can’t, but you can judge the module on its merits, match it against what’s publicly known and maybe someone with actual insight may leave a hint about how authentic it is or not. The same can be said for any military aircraft that is being modeled for a public flight simulator like DCS World, that’s the compromise all sides have to respect.

Q: What version of the aircraft will be simulated by the VEAO Typhoon module?

A: At release the VEAO Typhoon module will simulate the single seat variant of the aircraft at a standard equivalent to Block 5 as is in service with the British Royal Air Force.

Q: What is a Block 5 Typhoon?

A: As with many other military aircraft production of the Typhoon is split into multiple tranches, batches and blocks. Blocks herein represent the smallest production breakdown and can be described as capability baselines. Block 5 represents the last block of the Tranche 1 order. Block 5 is the final operating capability (FOC) standard. That means Block 5 Typhoons provide the level of capability and functionality laid out in the weapon system performance specification of this aircraft as stipulated in the development contract.

Q: What systems and capabilities does a Block 5 have?

A: Block 5 Typhoons are mainly optimized for air-to-air missions, with some basic air-to-ground capabilities. These aircraft feature the Captor-C radar utilizing a mechanically scanned planar array, the PIRATE infrared sensor, the Defensive Aids Sub-System, the HEA helmet mounted symbology system, the Multifunction Information Distribution System, Direct Voice Input etc.

Q: Will the VEAO Typhoon simulate all of the above systems?

A: The VEAO Typhoon will simulate most of these systems to varying degrees dependent the level of classification and limitations imposed by the DCS World engine. Some like DVI cannot be guaranteed at this point, but the VEAO team is looking at this. Some features might be subject to future updates of this module.

Q: What about weapons, which weapons will be available for the VEAO Typhoon?

A: The exact weapons fit has not been set in stone, but bear in mind that VEAO will only simulate weapons that are integrated on real Typhoon Block 5 aircraft in service with the RAF.

From public sources you can gather that weapons cleared for real Block 5 aircraft comprise the AIM-9L Sidewinder, ASRAAM and IRIS-T infrared guided short range air-to-air missiles (SRAAM), the A, B & C5 variants of the AIM-120 AMRAAM active radar guided medium range air-to-air missile (MRAAM), the internally housed Mauser Bk27 gun, 1000 lb class free fall bombs, UK Paveway II and GBU-16 1000 lb class laser guided bombs (LGBs), GBU-10 2000 lb class LGBs and Enhanced Paveway II dual-mode bombs with laser/GPS-guidance. In addition the aircraft is cleared for carriage of up to three 1000 l supersonic fuel tanks and the Rafael Litening 3 laser designator pod (LDP).

As mentioned before the VEAO Typhoon will simulate the aircraft as is in service with the RAF. That means weapons like the IRIS-T, GBU-10 or GBU-16 won’t be integrated. It can be confirmed that the EPW II won’t be integrated at this point either, but the team is looking at the possibility to implement the Paveway II and LDP. As development of air-to-ground capabilities hasn’t begun on behalf of the VEAO team time will show whether its implementation can be harmonized with the time scales envisaged. If not you’ll have to cope with an air-to-air only capable version of this aircraft. However, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of future additions.

Q: What about other weapons and system capabilities such as Meteor, Storm Shadow, the Captor-E AESA radar, thrust vectoring controls or conformal fuel tanks?

A: All of the above and others are capabilities not available on Block 5 Typhoons, most of them are not even integrated yet and subject to future upgrades, mainly for Tranche 2 & 3 aircraft, whereas Block 5 is Tranche 1.

Q: Will we see more advanced versions of the Typhoon from VEAO in the future?

A: The VEAO team keeps its options open, but there is no firm commitment to develop more advanced versions. The development of such versions would be dependent on a number of factors that cannot be entirely predicted at this point in time.

Haha you guys love it

To clarify the suspense...
I'm home tomorrow morning early (01.30) and I'll be talking to the team tomorrow night to finalise the release date.
I'll then talk to TFC/ED this week to ensure it doesn't conflict with any other module release date and we'll agree a launch.
Then we'll put it live on our site for pre-sale. It's normally on ED site about a month or two prior to release as pre-sale.
Steam is always about two weeks after release.

As I said on Matt's stream chat yesterday (for anyone that missed it) we have three TFC Pilots that fly their P-40 checking out ours the week of Legends (next week). The Stig's cousin (our EFM programmer) is at Legends from Friday next week and will be talking to the pilots about their feedback.
In fact all of the VEAO P-40 team will be at Legends except one who had to cancel last minute which is a shame (we'll miss you Storm).
Nick Grey (head of TFC for DCS) normally flies our aircraft in-sim as well and gives feedback and actually Stephen Grey also did last year.
When the team gets back home from Duxford those tweaks will be made but we have a polished product ready for Legends so it's just tweaking after that.

We'll then get it to the VEAO and ED testers for final bug hunting and feedback and then it's good for ED final sign off (yes they do vet it to set standards).

So they are the last milestones to meet for P-40 (and all projects actually).

So when we say Soon TM, we mean it

Yes Q2 ends tomorrow but we want to get pilot feedback on the EFM prior to release and Legends is the best time to do that as Nick and his pilots are there.

So, I can't give a definitive release date for the reasons mentioned above.

Cheers,
Chris.