We’ve just hit a very special milestone with the release of the C-130J by Airplane Simulation Company for DCS. Since 1954, this workhorse has been the backbone of Western tactical airlift operations. Designed as a go-anywhere transporter, the Herc has served in over 70 air forces and seen operations in numerous major conflicts such as Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The J model, was introduced in the 1990s, and delivered with a latest generation glass cockpit with Heads Up Display, new power plant and props offering massively improved performance and range, and generally enhanced capabilities. Check out this impressive aircraft in our launch trailer!
We are delighted to announce that DCS: C-130J is now available. Developed by the Airplane Simulation Company, it brings one of the world’s most widely deployed tactical air lifters into DCS as a fully-fledged, deeply simulated module. Please note that you can also purchase the DCS: C-130J directly from the Airplane Simulation website.
At the heart of the experience is authentic cargo and airdrop gameplay. You will plan and execute ramp-to-ramp logistics, configure and deploy loads, and perform low-level, time-on-target airdrops. A first-person loadmaster mode allows you to walk the cargo bay and interact directly with loads and aircraft systems, bringing a completely new style of gameplay to DCS.
The cockpit is fully interactive and highly detailed, featuring modern digital avionics, HUD, and accurate instrumentation. The professional flight model captures the unique character of this large, powerful turboprop, with realistic engine and prop behaviour, heavy-weight handling, and the challenge of low-level tactical flying in demanding conditions. Systems such as the AE 2100D3 engines, advanced avionics, cargo management, defensive countermeasures, and damage modelling are all represented to the highest level of fidelity in Early Access and will continue to be refined as development progresses.
In multiplayer, you can fly as pilot, co-pilot, navigator, or loadmaster, sharing cockpit and mission tasks in real time with friends. This opens the door to complex cooperative scenarios: coordinated formation airdrops, joint CAS support with fighter packages, or multi-ship humanitarian operations into challenging terrain.
Key features at early access:
Authentic Cargo Operations
Interactive, Voiced Checklist System
Real time, ray traced reflections: exclusive to the C-130
First-Person Loadmaster Experience
Fully Interactive Cockpit
Realistic Flight Dynamics
Detailed Systems Simulation
Multi-Crew Multiplayer
Dynamic Missions
Outstanding Visual Detail
Comprehensive Documentation and Training
In this update we are releasing several cargo and logistic features we timed together with the DCS: C-130J by Airplane Simulation Company. These features are universal for the DCS and only limited by aircraft capabilities. They are not exclusively tied to single aircraft.
These updates will allow players to do more cargo operations. Among them is cargo air drop and an API for developers to create their parachute systems for dropped cargo. Additionally, we have added the ability to transport vehicles that is limited by the size of your aircraft cargo bay compared to the transported vehicle size. You can try to load a vehicle that fits your cargo bay; however, if it is too heavy, you will not be able to takeoff because the vehicle's weight is automatically added to the aircraft flight model.
Transported vehicles are also considered to be cargo, so in the same way as any other cargo, air drop will work with them too. The beautiful and mighty C-130J from ASC will pioneer the usage of this new DCS functionality.
To improve gameplay variety in DCS, another cargo and logistics feature we have added is the ability to deploy FARPs from the special cargo assets. Technical implementation of it has been added initially as the task (Spawn FARP on unload) that you may assign it to any cargo item just like you assign tasks in advanced waypoint actions. For this task, you are able to choose three FARP presets that will correspond to what kind of FARP will spawn in the cargo unloading area. We are eager to see the initial usage of this feature, and we are looking forward to receiving feedback from you on the addition of more presets and expanded FARP constructions depending on brought materials.
And last, but certainly not least, our weapons team added the GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB). With a 3D model provided by the ASC, we have added bomb logic and guidance and explosive modelling. Currently this special bomb exists in DCS as a cargo asset with a specific bomb drop procedure that was developed together with our friends at the ASC. This is a special case weapon, so use it wisely! We are excited to see how its explosive potential will affect gameplay and the state of the battlefield whilst continuing to fine tune as required.
