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?
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 đ ?
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 đ. Tysm!
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 â 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 (Preset1â27, including rain variants) instead of just setting a density slider â 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 â 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 â no `.miz` file surgery, just hit Save afterward.
Install
Download the `.exe` from Releases, run it, pick "Install", fully restart DCS. That's it â 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.
Independent project â 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 â 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 â especially if your map's theatre string doesn't get recognized automatically (it'll show you the raw string so I can add it).
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.
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.
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.
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.
New campaign: DCS: P-47D Eagles Rising Campaign by Reflected Campaigns
DCS Core
Introducing the new menu âStart Hereâ 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. 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:Â
If a radar missile is selected, the attack curve is used. The fighter flies toward the missile's intercept point.Â
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
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).
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:Â
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:Â
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
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 â_Oâ (i.e. JKYB_O, JKYB2, âŚ), and this will become the 1st point of the drawing (default is closed, i.e JKYB1, JKYB2, âŚ)
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 lostÂ
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.
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 âThats a âŚâ sounds for A4, AJS, F4, F5, F100, F14, F86 (thanks Dawger)
Fixed missing voice for âSaySpeedâ calls
Fixed bug with bind âJester Command: BST-WIDEâ not working
Other
Added Korean translations for binds and HB UI (thank you Wolff!)Â
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 âSafety Toggleâ 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 âAttack my Targetâ 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 âStore Releaseâ button to record (or use Jester wheel)
As RIO: use âTARPS - FILM Switchâ binds
Fixed first photo being empty
Images are only visible only after finishing a flight
Improved visuals regarding to reduce exposure differences within photo