DCS World 2.5 Release Version Update

This week we moved a large number of improvements from the Open Beta to the Release version of DCS World 2.5. You can read the complete changelog here.

Highlights of the Release version update include:

• All terrains updated with improved file structure and adjusted shaders. In particular, the detailed area of the Persian Gulf map was expanded north and east. This includes the airfields at Shiraz and Kerman, higher resolution terrain mesh and textures, new and improved shaders for trees, expanded road and rail network, new agricultural areas, and new towns and cities. While the detailed area of the map is now complete, we do plan to add additional airfields and landmarks within the area over the next few months. Additionally, we are working on new units to populate this map like the SS-1 "SCUD", Rapier and SA-2/HQ-1/S-75 SAMs, and the HY-1 "Silkworm" anti-ship cruise missile
• Cloud ceiling now correctly matches Mission Editor settings
• Corrected Search and Engage AI tasks
• Many new features and fixes for the Hornet were added like network spawning on the carrier when catapult 1 is occupied, corrected uncommanded STT switching, added radar SIL mode, added single and ripple rocket pod settings in the Mission Editor, night vision goggles added, and the Instrument Carrier Landing System (ICLS) was added
• The AJS-37 has also seen many improvements like several crash fixes, adjusted RB-24J and 74 performance, added real-time mirror rendering, completed the manual, added rain drops on canopy effect, and greatly improved the night lighting
• NS 430 2D panel support added for all aircraft but A-10C, F/A-18C and Ka-50

Next week, we will provide the next update to the Open Beta.

DCS: Yak-52 Update

Our Yak-52 is very late in development and in final tests. In addition to putting the flight model through its paces with the help of actual Yak-52 pilots, we are also fine tuning the interactive training missions. The Yak-52 will be released next month!

Having direct access to a Yak-52 from "The First Flight" Russian close formation aerobatic display team, we’ve been able to model the aircraft in extreme detail and accuracy. One element of this is the sounds of the aircraft. On multiple occasions we have sent our sound team to a local airfield near Moscow to capture the cockpit and external sounds.

During one recording session, we recorded a video of it.

• External sounds were captured at various engine RPM settings and from different microphone vantages such as all around the aircraft, fly by, passes at different altitudes, and aspect angles
• Inside the cockpit, the focus was also on engine RPM at various settings, but also on switch clicks, the pneumatics (landing gear, flaps, and brakes), canopy opening and closing, etc

The sounds environment will be as if you were there in the cockpit!

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet Update

Each two week cycle we are adding more and more new features to the Hornet while addressing bugs as they pop up. Our current focus for the rest of July and next month is on the following:

• Complete the AIM-7 with addition of FLOOD, Home On Jam (HOJ), and LOFT sub-modes
• Integrate AIM-120B/C for STT employment (TWS employment will come later)
• Integrate AIM-9X Block I. This includes both flight dynamics and new tones. Afterwards, in August or September, we will add the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)
• Complete RWS air-to-air radar mode with such features as Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR), AACQ mode, Latent Track While Scan (LTWS) mode, Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) settings, ability to change radar settings with TDC along outside of radar tactical area, radar speed gate setting, COLOR option, and more
• Complete radar warning receiver functionality with contact symbols and modifiers, EW HUD, and the OFFSET function
• Integrate Paveway II series laser-guided bombs (GBU-10, 12, and 16) with JTAC designation
• Further tuning of flight model with touch and go performance, gear drag, half flaps drag, takeoff pitch characteristics, and extreme angle of attack performance
• Brightness control for the HSI display
• Multiplayer carrier deck spawning issues
• Wingtip vortices errors at low airspeed

There are certainly more items that we will be addressing over the net month. This is just a list of 10 of them.

Since our last list of Hornet academic training missions in a newsletter, we have two more:

Aircraft Shutdown

Case III Landing Introduction