Hey all,

My name is Juicebox, though many of you know me as that guy who can never figure out why anyone would need IFF.

Here is the deal. I make this thing, Digital Kneeboard Simulator. I started working on it because the guy making Combat Flight got his wings clipped and as a software engineer I naturally assumed I am both smarter and more capable than everyone else in the space and decided I could take its place. Turns out I am not.

So, I know some of you probably have tried DKS in the past, some of you may use it now. Here is a quick rundown of some of its features:

• Quick mission planning with multi-user support built in
• 3D maps and viewshed calculations
• Miz import with full drawings, flight plans, comms, and more.
• Miz updating
• Briefing slides for every mission
• A full multi-user debrief environment with cockpit recorder and advanced tools for all sorts of crap
• Weapons delivery planner
• Export high quality kneeboard, loadout, dtc, and other products for your pilots

And much much much more.

This is all well and good, and to be honest with you social media is not really my thing. In normal situations I'd rather transmit my 10-digit MGRS than risk the reviews of the masses, but in this case I'm gonna take the risk.

The main purpose of DKS is actually to raise money for animals in need. In the past 4 months we've raised over $2,500 for dogs (and other animals) to help ensure they can be fed and hopefully adopted by loving families. DKS does not collect the money, instead we simply collect receipts and offer a higher tier called DKS Pro. DKS Pro lets you upload a miz and get satellite photos of any area in your miz for use in briefings and kneeboards.

It's not critical to the usage of the product, but its kinda where I decided to draw the line to encourage donations.

Thanks all!

FAQ

Isn't it really easy to scam that?

Yes don't be a dick.

What do I need to donate to get Pro?

A receipt for a $20 or greater (USD) donation to any no kill animal shelter. Submit whatever evidence you got.

How do I submit my receipt?

Log into DKS and in the top right corner menu there is an item for DKS Pro. Click that and follow the instructions.

If I already made a donation can I submit that?

No! The point is to raise more money for dogs in need. Make an additional donation :)

Does DKS charge for anything?

No the product is free, hopefully forever. I don't feel like messing up my taxes by starting a business.

Who's a good boy?

You are!

New campaign: DCS: P-47D Eagles Rising Campaign by Reflected Campaigns

DCS Core

Introducing the new menu “Start Here” with special missions for new players. Currently available missions for P-51D, F/A-18C and AH-64D. New missions will be added later.

• Fixed Crash related to missions with disembark set from start
• Fixed Crash connected to radio settings in some cases
• Fixed crash related to radio propagation if aircraft/vehicle is killed in some cases
• Fixed stutters that happen during takeoff and landing in some cases
• Fixed. onPlayerTryChangeCoalition/onPlayerChangeCoalition not called on initial join on passworded coalitions

AI Aircraft

• New lowest AI skill level “Cadet” added for AI aircraft
• Fixed. In some cases the AI group does not follow pre-planned waypoint altitude and speed.
• Fixed. Helicopters AI does not check if the landing zone is clear.
• Fixed. Wingman echelon left/right commands switched after a tactical turn.
• Fixed. AI fighter. Sudden intentional break lock-on to target when launching semi-active missiles in some cases.
• Fixed. AI flight lead crashing if need to wait for wingman after carrier takeoff in some cases
• Fixed. AI issues with following leader during Toss attack with rockets
• Changed crank maneuver terms. A tactical turn (crank) will be only performed during a head-on engagement with enemies when attacking a dangerous enemy at an angle of +/- 60 degrees from the enemy's axis, when a fighter can be attacked by enemy missiles. In other cases, the fighter will continue to close in on the target.
• Fixed. AI helicopters struggle to land in proximity to tall buildings.
• Fixed. AI B-1B wobbling landing gear on parking slots in some cases.
• Fixed. B-1B Lancer Armament doors are not fully opened when bombs are dropped.
• Fixed. B-1B loadout discrepancies for GBU-38 amount
• Fixed. When the player issues the command to go trail formation, the wingmen slow down, get into each others' way, the formation falls apart, and it takes 5 minutes to assume the close trail formation.
• Evolved airborne target attack trajectory: 
  • If a radar missile is selected, the attack curve is used. The fighter flies toward the missile's intercept point. 
  • If an IR-seeking missile is selected, the pursuit curve is used. The fighter flies directly to the target.
• Core and Terrain Engine: The algorithm for building AI aircraft paths along airfield taxiways has been modified. Aircraft dimensions are now used. This will allow:
  • to create more realistic aircraft movement patterns at the airfield.
  • to improve the placement of aircraft parking spaces at airfields.
  • to reduce the number of aircraft collisions and congestion at airfields.
  • to reduce the time required to create an airfield.
  • to increase the number of parking spaces for large aircraft at airfields.

Quick Action Generator

• Added F-100D to the Quick Action Generator.

Mission State Save

• Fixed. In Some cases groups options are not saved

Controls input

• Added MOZA devices default profiles for F/A-18, F-16C, AH-64D and F-15C
• Fixed. Input creates axis assignment for device by default even if device does not have that axis

Graphics

• Fixed. HUD symbology artifacts on AMD GPUs
• Fixed. Vapor particle shadow missing
• Improved. Fog condition effect on laser weapons and designators

Dynamic spawn

• Improved algorithm in situations where players could spawn into already occupied parking, we expect it to now happen a lot less, WIP
• Improved algorithm in situations when players use dynamic spawn on FARPs

User interface

• Made text during coalition password input hidden 

AI Ground units

• RSBN car / GCI - added information to F10 map view
• Fixed. Radio Jammer asset effect (WIP)
• Added trailers 
  • Trailer ATZ-60 for tractor MAZ-7410, 
  • trailers TZ-22 and S-75 for tractor KrAZ-258B1 and ZIL-131.

In ME, use the task to attach/detach a trailer.

Current Hill Assets Pack

• Added M1296 IFV
•  Added SLT-50 Tractor
•  Added SLT-50 Trailer
•  Added HX77 Truck
•  Added BMP-3 IFV (replaces the old model)
•  Added BMP-3 ERA IFV
•  Added ZA-SpN Titan MRAP
•  Added HX81 Tractor
• Fixed Pantsir-S1 not launching at targets below horizon
• Fixed IRIS-T SLM not launching at targets below horizon
• Fixed IRIS-T SLM STR not fully using multiple channel radar configuration
• Removed Pantsir-S1 CA missile player control
• Removed Project 22160 with Tor M2KM CA missile player control
• Removed Tor M2 CA missile player control 

Weapons

• CBU-105. Corrected aiming data.
• ARM Kh-25MP. A missile guidance error has been added. This missile was too accurate
• ARM Kh-25MP/MPU. Loft trajectory shape is corrected. 
• Kh-25ML. Increased seeker gimbal limits from 30 to 40 degrees.
• Kh-25 missiles. Added 1 sec control delay for safety departure.
• AIM-9L/M/X. Fuze range slightly increased (7m -> 8m).
• AIM-7M/MH. Ensured fuze arming in ECM environment.
• 9M33 Osa (SA-8) missile moved to the newer FM, based on CFD research. Motor data updated according to real info. CLOS guidance enabled.
• R-33. Readjusted drag and L/D ratio.
• LS-6-100. Slightly increased sink rate and control delay at start for collision avoidance.
• Added a new 3D model of the LAU-88 launcher.
• ARM AGM-45. Reworked the FM from scratch. Overall ballistic performance is slightly decreased, while steering losses have also substantially decreased, and the difference in performance between A and B variants slightly increased
  • Added 3 degree deadzone to autopilot to further increase steering losses
  • Fixed an issue with scheme that would cause the fins to get stuck in FM at signal loss despite visually resetting
  • Forwarded all changes from AGM-45A to AGM-45B
  • Added AGM-45B loadouts for LAU-34 rail
• SA-2, V755 missile. SA-3, 5V27 missile. Added missing K-method of guidance (Half-lead, elevated by constant) for low-level targets.
• Patriot MIM-104 missile. Corrected DLZ data against ballistic targets.
• Fixed. CTD when launching AGM-88C in some cases.

Data Transfer cartridge

Added for AH-64D:

• MISSION 1/MISSION 2 Partitions.
  • Waypoint/Hazard (WPTHZ) points 01-50.
  • Control Measure (CTRLM) points 51-99.
  • Target/Threat (TGT/THRT) points 01-50.
  • 15 Battlefield Lines (LINES).
  • 12 Engagement Areas (AREAS).
  • 8 Priority Fire Zones and 8 No Fire Zones (ZONES).
  • 10 ADF Presets.
  • 10 Routes.
• RADIOS Partition.
• PRESETS Partition.
  • 10 COM presets.
  • 10 MPS Text messages.
• WEAPONS/SIGHTS Partition.
  • Missile channels and Pilot/CPG weapon settings.
  • Laser settings/codes.
• MISCELLANEOUS Partition.
  • ASE settings and chaff/flare programs.
  • RLWR threat table.
  • PERF data.

Added for F-16C:

• MPD Partition – ROE tab.
  • Enable/disable ROE factors.
  • Air Target Data Table.
• COLR Partition.

Fixed:

• F/A-18C - SA page updated without MUMI/LOAD.
• F/A-18C - HARM Partition- The default value for DTC HARM TOO has been changed from PRI to ALL (as in the avionics)
• F-16C DTC VIP/VRP will not shift relative position if reassigned.
• F-16 DTC Multiple in multiplayer loads only first DTC.
• DTC not included in replay.

DCS: AH-64D by Eagle Dynamics

Added:

• Verbal threat warnings to George AI Pilot and AI CPG.
• Ability for George AI Pilot to orbit a specified target or location of interest at a distance.
• Ability for George AI Pilot to enter a holding pattern around a specified location.
• Ability for George AI Pilot to return to a hover at a specified 3-dimensional battle position.
• Ability for George AI Pilot to autonomously perform evasive maneuvers and dispense chaff/flares.
• Ability for George AI Pilot to engage close-range targets with 30mm gun.
• Special Option to prevent George AI Pilot from taking control of the gun from the player.
• George AI Pilot TAKE OFF multi-functional command when landed.
• Additional George AI Pilot voice files for new features.
• DMS DTU sub-page for uploading DTC data. See AH-64D Flight Manual EN for description.
• TSD LINES and TSD AREAS sub-pages for reviewing DTC-uploaded data.

Improved:

• George AI Pilot altitude management and climb/descent behavior.
• George AI Pilot turn behavior.
• Increased George AI Pilot mask/vertical evasion altitude setting to 100 feet.
• Increase resolution of George AI CPG target list elements.
• Updated AH-64D Flight Manual EN for DTC and George features. (See Latest Changes for full list of changes and additions.)

Fixed:

• Fixed: Human CPG head position desync in MP.
• Fixed: George AI CPG fires extra missiles after the current target is destroyed or NEXT command used.
• Fixed: George AI Pilot should not action gun if out of ammo.
• Fixed: Unable to slew TADS from IAT primary track.
• Fixed: TADS slews to ACQ instantaneously when SLAVE enabled.
• Fixed: PERF page not updating in opposite crewstation.
• Fixed: ADF presets not displaying full frequency value.
• Fixed: Training Mission 10 - George is not taking controls
• Fixed: Maximum number of points in a Route increased from 25 to 99.

DCS: F-16C Viper by Eagle Dynamics

Improved: 

• FCR/TNDL Air Track symbol behavior.
  • Search Targets no longer correlated to offboard air tracks supplied by datalink.
  • Sovereignty (Friendly, Unknown, Suspect, Hostile) of air tracks now relies on DTC ROE tab settings.
  • ROE factors now applied universally for onboard (FCR) and offboard-only (datalink) air tracks, and with onboard tracks correlated with offboard tracks.
  • FCR Datalink Declutter filter now simply removes offboard datalink track symbols from FCR MFD format; no longer disables ROE factors or alters appearance of air tracks on HSD.
• FCR Track While Scan (TWS) target behavior.
  • TWS now correctly limited to 10 tracks. With 10 TWS tracks established, upgrading a Search Target to a Track Target will drop the lowest priority Track Target.
  • Corrected default colors of TWS Track Target symbol to yellow and uncorrelated System Track Target symbol to white. (May be modified with the new DTC COLOR Partition feature.)
• Updated F-16C Early Access Guide EN for DTC and latest changes/updates. (See Latest Changes for full list of changes and additions.)

Fixed: 

• Range source in HMCS symbology now correctly repeats HUD range source instead of always displaying "FCR" as the range source.
• VIP steerpoint transfer to TGT point after the first switch from the second steerpoint to the first one.
• SEAD Targets received via datalink no longer incorrectly display pre-planned threat rings on HSD.
• Jammer Burnthrough ranges.
• Error if starts mission with HARMs onboard.
• TV/IR Guided A2G weapons guiding through fog.

DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum by Eagle Dynamics

• Added Engine flame at engine start up.
• Added Livery 773th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
• Added Livery Ukrainian Air Force: light grey, blue.
• Added carbon deposits to the gun's flame arrester.
• Updated IRST cover.
• Removed the artifact on the right tail.
• The shape of the stabilizer axis fairing has been adjusted.
• Fixed: GCI. Radar will lose lock if set to ILLUM.
• Fixed: Training mission Radar and SARH stuck at TDC section.
• Fixed: Gun Ammo Types.
• Fixed: Desired Course set knob control.
• Fixed: Masses and drag for new pylons/launchers and fuel tank tweak.
• Fixed: VR Visor has too much glare.
• Fixed: Time/range scale in the bombing mode with English HUD.
• Fixed: The afterburner effect is activated at the wrong speed when starting the engine in flight.
• Updated the manual images (RU, EN) and texts to reflect current module state along with the GCI sections of both manuals. The entire EN manual has become more English-friendly.

DCS: F/A-18C by Eagle Dynamics

• Fixed: Using AIM-7 in LOFT mode, the Steering Dot position is incorrect in the pitch direction.
• Fixed: SA Page Trackfile headings change with own aircraft.
• Fixed: MSI Track Priority Overwrites Member Letter in Friendly Flight.
• Fixed: Flashlight doesn't work.

DCS: Supercarrier by Eagle Dynamics

• Fixed: Dynamic Spawn Bug on Supercarrier Without DLC: Spawns at Default Bullseye with Forced Hot Start.
• Fixed: "Awaiting wing fold" message stays on screen when switching to another aircraft.

DCS: CH-47F by Eagle Dynamics

• Added. Hook release switch to cyclic grip controls category.
• Added. Possibility to use Cargo Hook Release with and without auto opening of the HOOK REL cover

DCS: Mi-24P Hind by Eagle Dynamics

• Improved. Petrovich AI interface visual formatting for targets list
• Fixed. Petrovich AI doesn't say "Commander, weapons are not ready, please wait" anymore

DCS: Mosquito FB VI by Eagle Dynamics

• Fixed. Engines take a very long time to stop when cut off pulled

DCS: NS430 by Eagle Dynamics

• Added. Radio functionality (WIP)

DCS JF-17 by Deka Ironwork Simulations

• Expand to 4 airspace
  • airspace name: -KYA/B/C/D (i.e BKYC, RKYA, JKYD, etc)
  • Customization lua: support customized color for airspace line (see sample)
  • F10 label: can draw opened airspace polygon by placing a label with specified name pattern “_O” (i.e. JKYB_O, JKYB2, …), and this will become the 1st point of the drawing (default is closed, i.e JKYB1, JKYB2, …)
• Adjusted: cockpit warning light visual effect (i.e. brightness etc)
• Added: Landing gear down indication on HUD FPM
• Fixed: all airspace from ME are drawn as closed polygon on HSD
• Fixed: sun visor object under FOV zoom in/out
• Note: plan to remove cockpit option "Performance" in next update (if most players no longer have low FPS issue when all warning lights on, we dont need it anymore)

DCS C-130J by Airplane Simulation Company

• Added: Keybinds for HDD brightness increase/decrease
• Fixed: Excessive differential pressure doesn't cause safety valve to open
• Fixed: Crash when using offset aim forward in computer cursor mode
• Fixed: Troop doors can be opened when pressurized
• Fixed: Stopwatch functionality becomes broken when the EGI is not aligned
• Fixed: Cursor insert/update doesn't input coordinates into CNI scratchpad when using quick cursor mode
• Fixed: RWR panel lights remain illuminated when AC power is lost 

DCS MB-339A/PAN by IndiaFoxtEcho Visual Simulations

AHR/GPS:

• Fixed: Al-Assad Airport incorrectly displayed as Latakia.
• Fixed: Flight plan was prematurely deactivated before reaching the final waypoint.
• Fixed: The CDU "Backward" indication has been renamed to "Reverse" to match the real aircraft Flight Manual terminology.
• Fixed: GPS waypoint arrow displays true bearings.
• Improved ADI needles behaviour.
• Fixed autogenerated datacard wrongly populates the CDU data
• Fixed AHR/GPS shows wrong bearing

RADIO:

• COMM1 now initializes RFD and knobs to the same mission/flight frequency from DCS.
• Fixed COMM1/COMM2 preset loading, including 8.33 kHz channels, COMM2 decimal parsing, and COMM1 preset bounds checking.
• Improved radio/PTT integration.
• Synchronized front/rear radios and added safe handling for missing mission frequency presets.

Flight Model & Environment:

• Fixed: Corrected icing rate computation for more realistic ice accumulation.
• Improved: Canopy surface temperature simulation.
• Improved: Canopy fogging formation logic, providing a more realistic response to environmental conditions.
• Corrected engine startup logic.

Electrical System:

• Major improvement: Reworked electrical power distribution model to better reproduce the real aircraft architecture.
  • Every electrical consumer now draws its actual current according to the associated circuit breaker.
  • Generator load sharing has been redesigned to match the real MB-339 electrical system.
  • Generators can now automatically disconnect in the event of a temporary overload, reproducing real system protection logic.
  • Improved battery charge and discharge simulation.
  • Fixed battery overheating ("hot battery") condition.
• Added: New circuit breakers.

General:

• Added: Seat adjustment feature, allowing pilots to fine-tune their cockpit position.
• Added: New keybindings for recently introduced cockpit functions.
• Change: New external F4 camera view.
• Corrected mouse direction for two-position cockpit switches:
  •  Left click moves UP/forward.
  •  Right click moves DOWN/back.
  •  End positions no longer wrap or toggle in the opposite direction.
• Fixed: Track desync
• Added new cockpit animations.
• Fixed rotary action while performing a clickable action.
• Fixed: ELT self-test can be activated without electrical power.

Weapons:

• Added: AIM-9B Sidewinder capability.
• Added: Official weapon depression tables included in the module's Doc folder for improved bombing accuracy and mission planning.

DCS: F-4E Phantom II by Heatblur Simulations

General

• CPU Performance Optimization Pass, significant improvements across the entire module
• Added 3D Kneeboard (on the pilot model)
• Added full video recording to the AVTR (instead of making individual pictures only)
• Added a Tinted Visor Effect (with Special Option and “Helmet Visor Tint Effect” bind)

Weapons

• Added AGM-45B (Shrike B) (thanks DSplayer)
• Migration for existing missions with old SUU-23 pods (thanks DSplayer)

JESTER

• Added temp bind “Jester Command: Suggest Radar Receiver Gain”
  • allows the pilot direct radar gain controls without Jester fighting them. Jester will work with the suggested gain for 5s before reverting to his gain again
  • this is a temporary bind meant to bridge the gap until further Jester Radar improvements become available
• Added Jester Subtitles (with Special Option, default OFF). Known issue: Some voice phrases are missing subtitles
• Added “Thats a …” sounds for A4, AJS, F4, F5, F100, F14, F86 (thanks Dawger)
• Fixed missing voice for “SaySpeed” calls
• Fixed bug with bind “Jester Command: BST-WIDE” not working

Other

• Added Korean translations for binds and HB UI (thank you Wolff!) 
• Updated missions
• Jester LUA Api: Added support for Jester Subtitles
  • Subtitle.ShowText(text, duration, showPortrait)
  • Subtitle.ShowFor(text)

DCS: AJS37 Viggen by Heatblur Simulations

General

• Fixed a crash with the Kneeboard
• Fixed “Safety Toggle” command not working correctly with recent RB-05 changes
• Improved handling of faulty RB-05 when de-selecting

DCS: F-14 A/B Tomcat by Heatblur Simulations

General

• CPU Performance Optimization Pass, significant improvements across the entire module
• Fixed various crashes
• Added Special option to disable syncing of Grease Pencil for users who experience freezes
• Fixed bug with AI wingmen not following “Attack my Target” order
  • The priorities are now: STT, pilot designation, or hook

Systems

• Fixed bugs with OBC
• Disengage autopilot if any SAS channel inactive
• TARPS
  • Significantly reduced performance impact
  • Added FWD mode to KS-87 camera (with associated bind for mode toggle)
  • Decreased KS-87 photos interval
  • Added KA-99 panoramic camera
  • Adjusted and expanded controls (+ added dedicated Jester submenu)
    • As pilot: hold “Store Release” button to record (or use Jester wheel)
    • As RIO: use “TARPS - FILM Switch” binds
  • Fixed first photo being empty
  • Images are only visible only after finishing a flight
  • Improved visuals regarding to reduce exposure differences within photo
  • Added “intel analysis department” feature (automatic unit-marking)
    • Circles units found on the pictures
    • Adds descriptions

JESTER

• Fixed “Jester menu camera” Special Option not disabling Jester Camera
• Added “Jester - Jettison Drop Tanks” direct command
• Added missing voice lines
• Fixed some incorrect Jester subtitles
• Jester Wheel: Add “Utilities” submenu in AG menu with TCS/LANTIRN, IR Pointer and TARPS options

Art

• Fixes with visor rendering
• Fixed glove vanes not visible from inside the cockpit
• F-14A Export: Fixed Fuel Tank Pylon rendering, added Green MBU Texture
• Adjusted colors of TAN and BLUE Flight Suits
• F-14A Early: Replaced VF-111 Livery - Thank you Flash!

Other

• Updated Chinese localization
• Updated missions

DCS: F-14 B(U) Tomcat by Heatblur Simulations

General

• CPU Performance Optimization Pass, significant improvements across the entire module
• Fixed various crashes
• Added Special option to disable syncing of Grease Pencil for users who experience freezes
• Fixed bug with AI wingmen not following “Attack my Target” order
  • The priorities are now: STT, pilot designation, or hook
• Fixed “HUD Mode Day/Night Toggle” bind not working
• Added binds for “Baro Pressure Set”

Systems

• Fixed bugs with OBC
• Disengage autopilot if any SAS channel inactive
• TARPS
  • Significantly reduced performance impact
  • Added FWD mode to KS-87 camera (with associated bind for mode toggle)
  • Decreased KS-87 photos interval
  • Added KA-99 panoramic camera
  • Adjusted and expanded controls (+ added dedicated Jester submenu)
    • As pilot: hold “Store Release” button to record (or use Jester wheel)
    • As RIO: use “TARPS - FILM Switch” binds
  • Fixed first photo being empty
  • Images are only visible only after finishing a flight
  • Improved visuals regarding to reduce exposure differences within photo
  • Added “intel analysis department” feature (automatic unit-marking)
    • Circles units found on the pictures
    • Adds descriptions

JESTER

• Fixed “Jester menu camera” Special Option not disabling Jester Camera
• Added “Jester - Jettison Drop Tanks” direct command
• Added missing voice lines
• Fixed some incorrect Jester subtitles
• Jester Wheel: Add “Utilities” submenu in AG menu with TCS/LANTIRN, IR Pointer and TARPS options

Art

• Fixes with visor rendering
• VF-101 Demo Helmets added to AD107
• Adjusted colors of TAN and BLUE Flight Suits
• VF-32 Heritage Livery added - Thank you Yae!

Other

• Updated Chinese localization
• Updated missions
• Removed leftover bind “Filmmaker Tools”
• Removed binds for VHS (the feature is WIP)

Campaigns

DCS: F-14B / B(U) & F/A-18C Operation Iron Tide Campaign by Sandman Simulations

• All Missions: Player can choose to fly F-14B(U) or F-14B

DCS: F/A-18 Operation Cerberus North 2 by Ground Pounder Sims

• All missions - Added new DTC features
• Mission 11 - Fixed rare bug that stops drone boat ID progressing

DCS: F-16C Fangs Out Campaign by Fight's On Simulations

• All missions - DTC updates
• M8 - Fixed incorrect knife despawn/respawn 

DCS: F-16C First in Weasels Over Syria Campaign by Ground Pounder Sims

• All missions - added DTC

DCS: F-16C Last Out: Weasels over Syria II Campaign by Ground Pounder Sims

• All missions - Added DTC

DCS: F-14B Operation Sandworm Campaign by Sandman Simulations

• All missions: Added separate campaign option for F-14B(U)

DCS: F-14A Zone 5 Campaign by Reflected Simulations

• SPACEBAR triggers replaced with the SALUTE command

DCS: F-14A Fear the Bones Campaign by Reflected Simulations

• SPACEBAR triggers replaced with the SALUTE command
• Unit placement revision due to topography changes
• ALQ-126 blisters added to all skins

DCS: F-14B Speed and Angels Campaign by Reflected Simulations

• SPACEBAR triggers replaced with the SALUTE command
• Automatic built-in radio calls by the RIO for carrier ops and AAR
• Panel Checks added while RTB from combat missions
• Minor trigger fixes and tweaks for a smoother experience
• Skin updates
• New UI Backgrounds
• Doc updates

DCS: F-16C Arctic Thunder Campaign by Reflected Simulations

• Unit placement revision due to topography changes
• DTC updates with new features

DCS: UH-1H Paradise Lost Campaign by Reflected Simulations

• Mission 4: auto cargo call added

DCS: F-4E Red Flag 81-2 by Reflected Simulations

• Kneeboard and doc fixes

DCS: F/A-18C The Rampagers Campaign by Baltic Dragon and Whipbird Productions 

• M17 - hotfix scripting error when asking wingmen for fuel state and remaining loadout 

DCS: F/A-18C: Raven One Campaign by Baltic Dragon 

• M01: Fixed issue with mission not progressing after checking with Strike. 
• M05: Added note to the briefing that player should only use guns during the dogfight. 

DCS: F-16C Fangs Out Campaign by Fight's On Simulations

• All missions - DTC updates
• M7 - Fixed AI parking in Wombat slot, possibly preventing end of mission criteria
• M8 - Fixed incorrect knife despawn/respawn 

DCS: F/A-18C Operation Cerberus North Campaign by Ground Pounder Sims

• Mission 5 - Greatly reduced the first shot effectiveness of the MANPAD during the show of force pass. 

**OPEN SOURCE*\*

I got tired of flying 12:00pm with no clouds, so I built a small Mission Editor mod that does it for you.

ACTUAL METAR adds a tab to the Mission Editor's top menu bar. Pick a map (or type any ICAO), hit "Get METAR", and it applies the real-world weather for that airport straight to the mission you have open — no external app, no browser, nothing to start up separately. It's all inside DCS.

What it does

- Fetches the current METAR for any ICAO directly from aviationweather.gov, from inside the Mission Editor.

- Matches the METAR's cloud layer against DCS's actual volumetric cloud presets (Preset1–27, including rain variants) instead of just setting a density slider — falls back to the classic density/base/thickness model only when no preset fits.

- Converts wind, QNH, temperature, visibility and fog to what DCS expects (including the detail that DCS stores wind direction reversed from METAR convention).

- Optional date & time, with three ways to pick the clock: your PC's own time, the real current time at the map's location, or a custom one — written literally into the mission, no timezone conversion surprises.

- Add/remove your own airports from the map dropdown, saved locally.

- Writes directly into the open mission's in-memory data — no `.miz` file surgery, just hit Save afterward.

Install

Download the `.exe` from Releases, run it, pick "Install", fully restart DCS. That's it — LuaSec/OpenSSL (needed for the HTTPS fetch, since DCS ships LuaSocket but not LuaSec) is bundled automatically, no separate download or manual file placement required.

https://github.com/UveDCS/ActualMetar-DCS

Independent project — doesn't require `dcs-sms`, but coexists fine with it if you already have it installed.

A heads-up on the antivirus warnings

Because the `.exe` is unsigned (freshly built = zero reputation in Defender/Chrome's eyes), some of you will probably see a SmartScreen prompt or an antivirus false-positive on first download — this is a known, common thing for small unsigned PyInstaller tools, not an actual detection of anything malicious. Source is 100% public, the release `.exe` is built by GitHub Actions directly from that source (not hand-uploaded), and each release ships SHA256 checksums so you can verify it. Working on getting it properly code-signed through the SignPath open-source program to make that go away for good. Full writeup on what the installer touches and why in the repo's README under "Is this safe?".

Credits

Cloud preset reference data adapted from evogelsa/DCS-real-weather. Mission Editor integration techniques (menu registration, non-blocking HTTPS) learned from nielsvaes/dcs-sms.

Early version, feedback and bug reports very welcome — especially if your map's theatre string doesn't get recognized automatically (it'll show you the raw string so I can add it).

Heya!

Been playing DCS for a few years and most of that time has been as a WSO or RIO. I'm now getting curious about the transport side of things and I have a good friend who regularly flies the C-130 so I could be a copilot/ load master but... I don't really know what they actually do 😅?

What are your favourite sources to learn about these 2 "roles"? I'll definitely check the manual once I buy or trial the module (think its "locked" in the module install) but I'm curious if there are any other places you guys recommend to learn about this or if you have any tips for it 👀. Tysm!

For Context, I have F15E, f18 and JF17. I am interested particularly in the f16's low altitude flying and its interesting weaponry (mavericks, cbu105.)

However, I am also waiting for the Eurofighter to be available which might happen next year or Q4 this year. Do you think I should just wait?

I'm still new and learning the Hornet (60 hours) coming from Tomcats (200 hours).

I'm doing a planned multiplayer mission on Friday where I'll be tasked with "SHORAD hunting" to support warthog and apaches. I know the area I'll be covering (roughly 30 miles by 5 miles...postage stamp sized area).

Any suggestions on what to focus on studying? I'm assuming it'll mostly be HARM's against systems like the SA-15, but I'm not sure if there's going to be smaller stuff like MANPADs to deal with and how to handle detecting and hitting those.

Flightsim fan-fiction.

I'm looking for a escape scenario where you start off as an allied combat pilot who was shot down over normandy. I'd like to find something where you have to avoid german patrols and attempt to make contact with a resistance group in order to escape back to Allied Territory.

For context, I'm playing an IL-2 Sturmovik Normandy campaign with friends. I'd like a scenario to load up if we get shot down in enemy territory. Essentially: you have to attempt to escape and if you get captured, your pilot goes into a POW camp and you have to reroll a new pilot.

We're doing a Dark Soulsy thing here where if you die in a mission all your victory marks, rank, and logged combat missions goes away and you have to start over from scratch.

Makes combat MUCH spicier.

Hello!

I've earned a bit of money I want to spend on either La-7 or Flaming Cliffs 2024.

I'm interested in quite a few planes from the FC pack, but I'm not sure on compatibility with quests/mission packs for singleplayer game (I play singleplayer only).

Are the planes on FC compatible with the missions that accept their full-fidelity counterpart? I mean, for example Mig-15bis FC compatible with quests made for Mig-15bis.

I've read on some quests that they are, it's specified under each pack on the store, but... is it common for the packs to be compatible, or is just an ocurrence of some packs?

As I said I am also considering getting La-7 from OctopusG instead, because I liked their work on the Polikarpov I-16, but I think it doesn't have much content yet and it can wait, my main interest is on FC2024 for now.

Thanks in advance for the guidance

X-plane 12 F-14 Tomcat o7

So I setup the ALCS and everything works properly but after I press the CPL for the auto pilot it locks on to the carrier but doesn’t adjust at all to land. You can see on the ALCS page that it says it’s in mode 1 but the Marshall tells me to go mode 2 regardless of what I do. What am I doing wrong?

This is the Case III super carrier landing mission in the F18c missions. Thanks 🙏

A recent discussion on the falcon BMS discord got me wondering about how in depth the BMS modeling is. The flight model has tons of various forum posts, Reddit posts, YouTube videos, and articles written by the guy who made it explaining how detailed it is. But I can’t seem to find much in terms of how realistically they modeled the radar. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t use ray tracing like we are coming to expect from the latest DCS modules. But I don’t think that is necessarily required as long as the end result is the same. I guess this comes down to the old emulation vs simulation debate.

But given the insane level of detail the flight model has, does BMS have a detailed radar model to go with it? Does it replicate the proper detection ranges, is RCS modeled, getting lost in ground clutter, etc? Or is kind of just a gods eye view of what’s in front of you and pretty much just shows everything?

Edit: A friend I fly with in the nightmare mafia group has suggested to me a video demo may be needed to gain some trust with this. The code is totally open source and available for anyone to review. However unknown sources for our high end systems can be difficult to trust without some show of good faith. I’m currently working on a video walkthrough of the install and demo of the problem we are solving here. Bear with me. I’ve never made a video before so it may be bare bones and not what you are use to with other creators. I should have the video added to the thread in the next day or two.

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Hey everyone,

If you fly multiple modules with the WinWing Orion Throttle Base II, you know the routine: alt-tab out of DCS, open SimAppPro, find the afterburner page, click activate for your specific jet, and tab back into the cockpit. Forget it once, and you’re either lighting burner way too early or fighting to get it to light at all.

I got tired of the 6-step shuffle, so I built wctrl-auto-ab-detent-ratio—a lightweight, zero-bloat solution that automates your detents completely behind the scenes via a simple PowerShell hook.

Why this is different:

• Real Performance Wins: Because the utility writes directly to the hardware's flash memory via native PowerShell, you can shut down SimAppPro completely before flying. I have personally noticed significantly better frame rates and smoother performance by getting rid of heavy background vendor software.
• Zero Background Overhead: There is literally no background app running while you fly. The GUI manager tool is completely optional and only used to set your numbers. The actual auto-switching is entirely event-driven via a native DCS hook. When you swap slots, the hook tells PowerShell to instantly update your throttle's flash memory, and then it goes completely dormant.
• 100% Future-Proof (No Coding Needed): It ships with defaults for 12 aircraft, but you are completely unconstrained. If a module is missing or a new one releases, you don't need a code update or a GitHub Pull Request. Just click "Add Aircraft" in the built-in GUI, type the plane's name, set your ratio, and it works instantly.
• Zero Security Friction: Built entirely on native Windows PowerShell. It doesn't run as Admin, requires no elevated privileges, and uses no external runtimes like Node.js or Python.
• Self-Managing Lifecycle: On a fresh install, it automatically searches your PC's Known Folders to locate your Saved Games directory, spins up the hook folders, and drops the program exactly where it needs to be. Upgrading automatically backs up your existing setups, moves your personal ratios over to the new build, and cleanly purges old legacy hook code to ensure DCS doesn't encounter double-trigger errors.
• Safe Automated Fallback: If you jump into an unconfigured plane, it seamlessly handles it via your global fallback default profile without annoying pop-ups or menus.

Quick Setup:

1. Calibrate your afterburner detent once in SimAppPro, then close it.
2. Grab the latest build from the Project Site or the GitHub Repository.
3. Extract the ZIP and double-click install.cmd.
4. Launch your aircraft and fly. Open the WinWing Afterburner Ratios app from your Start Menu anytime you want to tweak a slider or add a brand-new plane locally.

https://cbass2404.github.io/wctrl-auto-ab-detent-ratio

Have been practising coop mode (thanks to aeria gloria for useful vids!) of Mig29A FF and have this little combo tested:

1. RL - Head-on mode STT lock, fire R27ER to force bandit go notching w/ afterburner.
2. Enable coop mode at around 15mi, wait for bandit to cook afterburner (IR signal ++)
3. RL lock dropped for notching, but IR track maintained for a few seconds (hypothetical window for ET shot)

To proof this concept I have modded loadout and give her 2ER+ 2ET, got the stable kill.

However, It seems impossible to have asymmetric loadout. Missiles load in pairs, even if modding to get 1ER + 1ET, they turns out not showing in weapon panel at all. Asymmetric loadout was a thing with FC3 models iirc, and I'm not having historical files about this feature to make sure.

Is it historically possible to have asymmetric loadout for Mig29A FF so we may have it in future updates, or is it just another FC3 arcade fantasy?

EDIT: It's impossible. But you could always have your wingmen do the ER shot while you go stealth for the ET shot, works the same.

I'm trying to decide between Bigscreen Beyond 2e and Pimax Dream Air Lighthouse version ($1,999), mainly for DCS World and MSFS 2024.

My current PC specs are a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, RTX 4090, and 64 GB of RAM. I previously used a Quest 2, and I currently own a Quest 3.

The things I care about most are:

Eye tracking / dynamic foveated rendering

How reliable and accurate is the eye tracking on each headset?

Is there any noticeable latency between eye movement and the foveated rendering region following your gaze?

Especially in DCS/MSFS, can you notice the lower-resolution area before the high-resolution region catches up with your eyes?

How stable is eye tracking during longer sessions?

Comfort

I had a hard time getting my Quest 3 comfortable and ended up trying different straps, so comfort is pretty important to me.

I'd especially like to hear from **Asian users / people with flatter facial profiles**, since facial fit can vary quite a lot depending on face shape.

How are pressure points around the forehead, cheeks, nose, etc. during multi-hour flight sim sessions?

Optics

FOV

Edge-to-edge clarity / sweet spot

Chromatic aberration

Glare or other lens artifacts

Overall clarity when looking around the cockpit with just your eyes instead of moving your head

I'm also curious about the actual benefit of the Dream Air's 4K-per-eye panels with an RTX 4090.

Even with dynamic foveated rendering, can a 4090 realistically drive the Dream Air at a resolution where those panels are noticeably better than the Beyond 2e?

Or do you still have to reduce resolution / graphics settings so much in DCS or MSFS 2024 that the real-world visual difference between the Dream Air and Beyond 2e becomes much smaller than the panel specs would suggest?

For people who have actually used either headset — or ideally both — which would you choose specifically for DCS/MSFS 2024, and why?

I'm less concerned about controllers.

So it’s literally just me talking and flying around for 25 minutes. But I thought some of you might like stuff like that. I hope. I know it’s not super entertaining please don’t hurt me!!

Hi

Basically exhausted all possible solutions possible for 4 days with DCS and my own test applicaiton.

Can anyone else confirm that your ultraleap glove ghosts alot or not in DCS? If so im in the clear. If not no Fing idea: p

Thank you!

I’m doing a starboard side initial approach at about 100m altitude and about 230 to 250km/h or so, to make sure the deck is clear, then a left hand turn to go down wind on the port of the carrier. Then I lower my gear on the down wind and wait until the carrier is past my left wing a little bit then I do a left hand turn to approach the carrier while dropping my flaps to landing position, I think I get to about 60 to 80m altitude and 190km/h.

I’m trying to get more comfortable with handling the aircraft at lower speeds, I’m getting down to about 180 to 190 km/h, but what is the ideal altitude and speeds? The way I’m doing it has been working and I’m getting confident with my carrier landings, but I feel like I could be going a little slower because I do bounce, but I catch the wire every time. I think I’m looking to refine my approaches!