DCS: World

Hi Gents

The multicrew Gazelle version is on its way and will be released through some coming update.

At the moment the copilot flight controls are still WIP, but you can enjoy everything else.

We are working at getting the copilot flight controls as smooth as the pilot's ones.

Thanks, Enjoy.

EDIT : The controls will have to be re-assigned with this update, sorry for the incovenience.
The best way to do it will be to delete the Saved Games/DCS/Config/Input/SA342 folder and re-assign all commands in game options screen

A WIP preview image of a new AI toy coming to DCS World!

Konichiwa everyone,

We hear you and understand your wish for more news about the Hornet project. Virtually all the work is in code at this time, but I can say that work continues and the electrical, hydraulic, and gear systems are all almost complete. The next step will be to tie these systems into the cockpit. Other systems have been tied to the cockpit and the HUD symbology integration is on-going. Once that task is complete, we can begin work on the flight model prototype.

The cockpit is done though and includes functionality for JHMCS. What weapon systems will be included in the Early Access is TBD.

As mentioned earlier in the year, it’s our hope to release the Hornet into early access by the end of the year. However, that is only a best estimation at the time and many things can alter this. Only a date announced with the start of a pre-purchase should be taken as a date you can bank on. We are quite accurate with such dates.

When there is more information to pass along on this project, we will do so.

Thanks

On a side note, this is the ONLY official Facebook page for DCS World: https://www.facebook.com/eagle.dynamics

This is the latest changelog:

HUD
- Added AP router indicator
- Fixed horizon line behavior
- Fixed Ground track indicator fixed
- Fixed heading tape jumping around 0 degrees
- Fixed To/From House behavior
- Fixed ILS/App symbology behavior
- Fixed pitch ladder so it moves with FPM
- Fixed pitch ladder movement bounds
- Fixed FPM movement bounds
- Fixed accel chevrons behavior

OTHER
- Added functionality to backup Attitude Indicator
- Updated Rlaxoxo Sound Mod to v7
- Updated STT target logic
- Updated INS navigation
- Updated IP behavior (WIP)
- Updated MAGIC lock tone
- Updated EFM extrame envelope modeling
- Updated EFM aerodynamic distrubance and separation modeling
- Updated EFM yaw control and side force modeling
- Updated VTB STT display for CCM
- Updated keyboard/joystick bindings (community)
- Fixed weapon gaps on pylons (community)
- Fixed weapon stores relase failure due to excessive G-load
- Fixed AB Cutoff not disabling when closed with cover
- Fixed FBW Emergency mode not disabling when closed with cover
- Fixed brakes not holding aircraft still to MIL power
- Fixed TDC vs. Bullseye coordinates
- Fixed OBL INS Update bug
- Fixed PCA Select bug
- Fixed MAGIC Select bug
- Fixed BAD L/G input bug
- Fixed varous VTB, PCA, Radar bugs
- Fixed engine sound stutter issues
- Fixed Brazilian livery typo
- Fixed typo in Free Flight mission
- Fixed laser code bounds in mission editor
- Fixed AP Test not working
- Fixed incorrect yellow caution sound
- Fixed super radar
- Fixed dropping contacts when out of STT range
- Removed MAGIC seek tone, need to add MAGIC TIR tone

Now you can display in the VTB the INS waypoints. Up to 5 waypoints can be displayed.

Colleagues, we are very pleased to read that you have seen and appreciated our work!
With the Release of the DCS: Mi-8 in addition to the bugs fix, add doorgunner and other features awaits you a complete description of the Systems of hels and Procedures, in style as in the MiG-15 Flight Manual!
Perhaps English (in describe the Systems) will not be very good, but I think - will be understandable)

So far, we decided to do so: door gunner (KORD 12.7) can be controlled by both the player and the AI, and aft gunner (PKT 7.62) - only AI

In the meantime C-101EB rear cockpit is being implemented, we keep improving the module, reworking the magnetic compass and HUD.
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Mientras se implementa la cabina posterior del C-101EB, seguimos mejorando el módulo, mejorando la brújula magnética y el HUD.

We`ve got the first good photogrammetry 3D model:

Brian and Oleg took 1634 photos of the aft cockpit in museum,
then Oleg used special software to generate 3D mesh. The process took around 100 hrs.

19783831 polygons in the 3D model,
3ds max scene file is around 1 gigabyte, texture is about 800 megs.

3d model screenshots:






I just quickly rendered it for fun:





This is a really great reference for 3d modeling, since all the dimensions are real we can start modeling the in-game cockpit!


Dmitry.

here is a little SITREP on the Harrier:
Currently, i´m madly working in finishing the exterior model, i have deleted so many stuff i thought it was ok when in reality wasnt, and started over some others all over again looking for the finest AV-8B rendering in ANY sim so far, this means LOTS of research and many hits and miss until you get things correctly. The sweet spot is the fact that the cockpit is fairly ready for coding, and that i´m getting just where i want it to be. I can post tons of renderings if you want, or even gameplay pics, but they are really dull at this time. I hope i can deliver some ready-to-code pics in a near future..

Hi Simmers,
final touches on the ROK BO-105 (Korean). Sight Unit is textured and several other things.
Work continous on 1st of September due to Summer Breeze Festival and moving to a new appartment. I wish you happy holidays in the name of Polychop-Simulations.

Steady as she goes...

At last the pilot's body is ready for action:







More in our FB page.

DCS 1.5.4.55952.150 Update 4

DCS World

Fixed crash after exit from multiplayer.
Labels format now forced in multiplayer game from mission file (custom labels script should be added to mission file manually).
Trimmer method now selecting correctly for FFB and nonFFB devices.
DCS can be closed by Alt+F4 combo (need to add ‘respect_alt_f4 = true’ line to autoexec.cfg).
Encyclopedia: R4M rockets description added.

DCS Bf‐109 K‐4

Module is in release status now.
Added new skins.

DCS F‐86F

Fixed missing wing tank pylon textures on s ome LODs.

DCS F‐5E Tiger II

Radio channel presets now loading in a prepared mission.
Fixed frequency rounding in preset channel chart.

DCS UH‐1H
Fixed frequency rounding in preset channel chart.

DCS 2.0.3.55945.98 Update 1

DCS World

Fixed crash after exit from multiplayer.
Fixed black screen on second mission run after change MSAA.
Labels format now forced in multiplayer game from mission file (custom labels script should be added to mission file manually).
Trimmer method now selecting correctly for FFB and nonFFB devices.
DCS can be closed by Alt+F4 combo (need to add ‘respect_alt_f4 = true’ line to autoexec.cfg).
VOR now works on NTTR map.
Added DRM control buttons for paid campaigns.
Encyclopedia: R4M rockets description added.

DCS Bf‐109 K‐4

Module is in release status now.
Added new skins.

DCS F‐86F

Fixed missing wing tank pylon textures on s ome LODs.

DCS F‐5E Tiger II

Fixed wind calculation in FM.
Radio channel presets now loading in a prepared mission.
Fixed frequency rounding in preset channel chart.
Tail position light now flashing on net phantom.

DCS UH‐1H

Fixed frequency rounding in preset channel c hart.

DCS Mi‐8MTV2

Fixed crash when repair.

Dear All,

For the F-14 project, we realized that we'll need to spend considerable time and effort with the development and research for the AIM-54 Phoenix missile.

Not only due to this weapons' unique place as a weapon designed specifically for the AWG-9 radar system, its' role as the tip of the spear of the USN air-to-air capability or even it's amazing range and performance-- but also to ensure that any advantages and disadvantages of the missile are accurately reproduced and respected.

It's quite likely that the AIM-54 will change the players' experience in the DCS multiplayer environment.
Thus, we consider it of the utmost importance to have a wide breadth of open and readily available research available to the community.

We have no horse in this race except for historical accuracy, and with Tom and Márton at our side, we're confident that we'll get as close as anyone ever has.
Please enjoy their initial development report on the AIM-54 below;

Basic Overview

Since the inception of the F-14 project, we have been working closely with Leatherneck to provide our expertise in providing the most accurate simulation for the AIM-54 that can be reasonably developed on a flight simulation game development budget. The iconic nature of the AIM-54 deserves this level of attention, especially due to its long range and advanced guidance systems; systems that were later incorporated into the AIM-120. It's also very important to maintain strict accordance with real life performance parameters, so that historical advantages and drawbacks are accurately simulated and have the appropriate effect on the multiplayer environment.

As it stands of writing, we are currently simulating drag effects at different velocities and altitudes to ensure accurate drag curves. This is perhaps the longest part of the process as each simulation takes hours to run.

This simulation is based off of a 3D CAD model from which has been created based on reliable source material as well as high resolution imagery. The model has been imported into Fluent where a mesh creation, testing and validation process began and has now been completed.

Once all the simulations have been run, we are able to take this data and then use it to create velocity/time diagrams. These will be matched against literature estimates to revalidate the model.

Once established, we will then be able to write DCS code which will mirror the in-game missile’s performance to that which has been simulated. The final step is to then assist Leatherneck with their work in guidance and radar algorithms. The missile has the range it does, not just due to its huge motor, but also its advanced lofting profiles. These exist in the game at the moment, but will be significantly expanded, as their simplicity often leading to worse performance than level flight.

Research

The first step in the process was to data mine as much as possible about the missile. Fortunately, due to its age and public interest, quite a bit of information is available. The most important information for us was the missile’s motor performance and dimensions, the latter being a relatively easy task if taken just from high resolution photographs.

As for the motor, there have been a lot of questions raised across the internet about the Mk-47 vs the Mk-60 motor, and which version of the AIM-54 received which- and why?

In summary, the first motor produced for the prototype was the Mk. 47, which yields 364lbs of propellant. The Mk-47 was produced from the mid- 1960’s up through and until ‘92.
In parallel, the Mk-60 motor was produced with 459lbs of propellant, obviously a much larger motor. However, due to rising costs, this motors' production was cancelled in 1978.

What this basically means is that the AIM-54A had the choice of either motor, and by the time that the AIM-54C was available in the late 70’s/early 80’s, the Mk-60 was no longer in production. The motors were not retired, however, and some were still in service in limited number. As the years progressed, the Mk-60 was removed from service as service life came to an end and the AIM-54C and C+ exclusively used the smaller Mk-47 motor.

CAD

As mentioned previously, the CAD model for the AIM-54 was created from reference material providing exact dimensions, with more specific details (e.g. angles, radiuses) taken from photographs.

We omitted details that would be otherwise masked by the resolution of the numerical mesh (small protrusions)

Figure 1. CAD Model used for the simulation


CFD

The simulation of the supersonic regimes was carried out using a density based solver with all compressibility effects and SST turbulence.

The mesh was created in a way so that it gives good shock resolution in the necessary velocity regions (M1-M4) and damps possible reflections from the boundaries.
The mesh uses hexahedral cells to reduce computational costs and improve accuracy.

The preliminary simulations managed to reproduce all expected shockwave behaviour and interaction phenomena. Currently, we are testing the mesh to make sure it produces the necessary mesh density convergence.

After this step is complete, we can begin the accumulation of data based on the simulations.

Figure 2. Unstructed mesh with refined shock regions


Figure 3. Oblique compression and expansion waves along the missile


Figure 4. Shockwave interaction along the missile, the image shows constant pressure lines


Figure 5. Bow shocks at low supersonic velocity, the image shows the density distribution (lighter = higher density)


Future Developments

Once the simulations are complete and we are happy with their accuracy, we will create a DCS AIM-54 based on this data.
Iterative tests and benchmarks will be run at altitude to ensure that it meets the CFD modelling.

Once the missile matches like-for-like, we will begin to look at the guidance and lofting algorithms.
There are a number of sources that already provide clear examples of efficient intercept and guidance laws that include lofting, one such source is directly from the US Navy Academy, for the then new AIM-120A.

Beyond literary sources, there are SMEs' willing to share their own accounts and insights into how the weapon is employed, and what we’d expect to see at different launch parameters.

There will be a lot of work and co-operation together with Leatherneck to ensure that the missile is expanded past current DCS guidance parameters.
This is the second most challenging part of the AIM-54's development, but I am confident that together with the Leatherneck team, we’ll recreate this iconic weapon to the utmost realism and standards available outside of military contracts.

Many thanks to everyone for reading. The team is hard at work on all aspects of the simulation!

Thank you for your patience and support, always,

Sincerely,
Leatherneck Simulations

Step by step, we are bringing to life the rear cockpit. Implementing all systems, not just mirroring them from the front cockpit, but doing it in an independent way. This will allow us to generate failures for an instructor/student role in addition to the IFR training hood option.
Some of the modifications made are the compass housing, slip indicator, instrument flags smooth animation, correct altimeter implementation, as well as cockpit clock, electrical system improvements and its corresponding circuit breakers, CC cockpit corrections, like for example the HUD.
And many other corrections have been made, which list would be too long.
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Paso a paso vamos dándole vida a la cabina posterior. Implementando todos los sistemas, no sólo replicándolos desde la cabina anterior, sino haciéndolo de forma independiente. Esto nos permitirá generar fallos en el papel de instructor/alumno en conjunto con la opción de la capota para entrenamiento IFR.
Algunas de las modificaciones realizadas son la carcasa de la brújula, el indicador de resbale, animaciones de banderas de instrumentos, correcta implementación del altímetro, así como del reloj, mejoras en el sistema eléctrico y correspondientes cortacircuitos, correcciones en la cabina del CC, como el visor (HUD).
Y muchas otras correcciones cuya relación sería muy extensa.