DCS World 2.5 Update

This week we moved the Open Beta version of DCS World to the Release version.

Highlights include:

• Improvements to the new MiG-29 flight model, engine performance, new pylons, and corrected M1.6 engine stall
• Corrected FAB-250 pylon position
• F-4E and C-130 Iranian skin
• Numerous AJS-37 Viggen improvements, including landing gear and wheel brake adjustments
• DCS: MiG-21bis and DCS: C-101 improvements

You can read the complete change log on the dedicated DCS forum thread

For next week's Open Beta update, we plan new Hornet features and fixes like the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), FPAS page, laser Maverick, and corrected air-to-air radar B-sweep.

DCS World War II Assets Pack Update

The WWII assets pack continues to grow, and the next ground unit will be the M10 "Wolverine" tank destroyer. Based on a modified M4A2 Sherman tank chassis, it includes an open-turret with a 76.2 mm cannon. Produced by the US starting in September 1942, the M10 was the most important US tank destroyer of the war.

Air-to-Air Missile Development Update

A key aspect of modern air warfare is correct modeling of air-to-air missiles. We take this very seriously and have devoted new resources to further improving this. There are four fundamental aspects we are working on:

• New missile flight dynamics
• New autopilot roll, pitch, yaw damper and stabilization
• New autopilot guidance and trajectory calculations
• Modified seeker logic

We are using the AIM-7 as a "test bed" from which we will then move these improvements to other air-to-air missiles once we feel the technology is mature. We are currently testing AIM-7M with:

• New missile flight model foundation using updated and more detailed aerodynamic data
• Autopilot navigation system model
• Missile guidance section and seeker

Here is a video that demonstrates the AIM 7 autopilot in a vertical test.

Missile Flight Dynamics

This video demonstrates a new feature of the missile autopilot and flight model: stability and control implementation. High altitudes and low air speeds provide low aerodynamic damping moments, and you can see missile motion in detail. Note the control surface deflections. The missile's autopilot dampens oscillations more quickly than with autopilot turned off. This is just a test thought of the autopilot and aerodynamics of the missile. Naturally, air-to-air missiles are not designed for such low air speeds. In fact, the minimal IAS at intercept for an AIM-7 is about 700 km/h. At this speed, it's capable to reaching 5g's in less than a second.

Tasks in this area we're still working on includes the supporting math for thrust vectoring and refactoring/optimization.

Missile Autopilot

In regards to control systems and autopilot, we're working on:

• Mathematical model of torque balance system (AIM-9-like missiles)
• Inertial navigation system + data link for modern missiles
• Сorresponding aircraft weapon systems
• Almost every new missile needs its own autopilot type (based on common model)

Missile Seeker

For the guidance systems and seekers, there is a lot of work for the future. Building from the common math model, we will create detailed models for many seeker types.

When this effort is complete, we believe we'll have the most detailed air-to-air missile simulation in an entertainment product.

A Worthy Cause

Former Hornet pilot and author C.W. Lemoine will be flying the DCS World Hornet and comparing it to his own experience if we can get more than $7,500 of donations to victims of hurricane Michael.

Let's show what a great community this is and tell them Mover sent you!

Thanks,
The Eagle Dynamics Team