I have been a flight sim fan for a really long time and ever since 3rd parties have been making addons to the major Flight Sim franchises, I have been on a quest to find the most complex and real to life addons that are available... At one point, Falcon 4 was a favorite of mine as it was a great studysim of the early vipers, but I could never really get into the military planes in the non military flight sims. Maybe this is because the flight sims didn't have the capability to simulate the weapon systems on these military addons. After all, almost every tactical aircraft was designed around the ability to deliver a payload to defeat the opponent, so it seemed like things were just missing if the tactical aircraft in the simulation didn't have the ability to represent the numerous systems that are used to accurately and efficiently deliver these payloads.Anyway... For a long time I have been looking at the FS2004 version of the superbug and wished there was a FSX version available as I don't have FS2004. But very soon, the FSX version will be released and I wanted to spread the word to those of you who aren't aware that this product will be available very soon.Some of you may ask why would I go through the trouble to pre-advertise for a developer that I have zero ties with. Well, after reading the first paragraph in the newly released manual for the FSX version of the superbug, I was really impressed with the developers modesty, and cander. Below is snippet of the first section in the manual so you can see what I am talking about.

1 GETTING STARTED

At the time of this writing, it

I didn't know about this add-on and the name 'Superbug for FS2004' doesn't help. I would have given this a look but this is one of those rare times a title detracts very much from the product. It's like calling Flight Simulator, 'Pony's Gas' for Windows. The title alone would make people run. Calling this thing something like 'Tactical Advantage for FS9' would have garnered much more attention. Seeing as this write-up has come across my eyes (by chance) I'll take a look at the FS9 version of that's still possible. Next time remember a whole lot goes into a product's success especially the 'Name'. As I've been in the market for something like this for awhile I would have never thought to search for a product called 'Superbug'... :(

I read 'Superbug' and, in my ignorance, thought it must be some type of virus. On the other hand some may argue that using the words 'micro' and 'soft' to make up a company name may also not be the smartest plan ;-)A very interesting post, with some fascinating insights into how many products people sell and the differences between FS9 and FSX. The points the author made on the difficulty in simulating fly-by-wire in FS9 go some way to perhaps explain why nobody has really managed to produce a top level A320 yet. As a computer ignoramus I can't even begin to comprehend the difficulty of such programs. Additionally my respect for the best addon makers just continues to increase.

Next time remember a whole lot goes into a product's success especially the 'Name'. As I've been in the market for something like this for awhile I would have never thought to search for a product called 'Superbug'... :(

Well, considering that the real jet is called the "Super Bug", why would it be so unthinkable to call the simulated jet the same thing? The Legacy F/A-18A/B/C/D is called the Hornet (it's a bug...get it?), and the F/A-18E/F/G is called the Super Hornet, hence: "Super Bug".

Well, considering that the real jet is called the "Super Bug", why would it be so unthinkable to call the simulated jet the same thing? The Legacy F/A-18A/B/C/D is called the Hornet (it's a bug...get it?), and the F/A-18E/F/G is called the Super Hornet, hence: "Super Bug".

That's all fine and dandy, but most of us aren't familiar with the "slang names" of aircraft, particularly military aircraft. I sure would never have guessed that the "Super Bug" was an F-18 variant.. :( As long as I've been around, and since I'm mentioned by name in the quoted part of the OP's post, that's been quite awhile now......this is the first I've heard of the FS9 version being available... :(

That's all fine and dandy, but most of us aren't familiar with the "slang names" of aircraft, particularly military aircraft. I sure would never have guessed that the "Super Bug" was an F-18 variant.. :( As long as I've been around, and since I'm mentioned by name in the quoted part of the OP's post, that's been quite awhile now......this is the first I've heard of the FS9 version being available... :(

What's funny here is I'm a USNavy veteran who used to work on F/A-18's. My two squadrons were VAQ-34 and VFA-94 out of Lemoore Ca. If anyone should have known this I should have although my service was prior to the Super Hornet's introduction (1992-1996). I know of the Falcon, Warthog, and Tomcat. If 'SuperBug' was going to be the name why not something like what was done for the F-16 as in, 'F-16 Fighting Falcon'. Go a little farther and put in there, 'For FS9/X'...I checked it out on Youtube and If I'm reading this correctly it looks like combat in FS9 with full carrier ops. I may have to pick this up and tell everyone I meet about this if I like it. Sorry we were late on this one...

Superbug is the F/A-18 E/F/G Super Hornet (G is also known as the Growler). I may look in to it myself, but normally if I want a combat aircraft, I will fly a dedicated CFS, as what's the point of flying a combat aircraft if you are not flying in combat.

as what's the point of flying a combat aircraft if you are not flying in combat.

And that's the big elephant in the room... The FS9 product doesn't even have an included aircraft carrier... I was astounded at first when I saw this video:

then I went here:http://www.vrsimulations.com/FA18EFS9.htmand was brought back down to reality. A well modeled fighter in FS makes no since when the conditions around which an aircraft like this is needed is not present. Shooting at air is no fun, no campaign or missions gives nothing to accomplish, the lack of a challenging enemy to stratagize against leaves the whole experience cold. Just like a well modeled Concord needs a well modeled KJFK and Heathrow to fly between a combat aircraft needs it's environment simulated also...

what's the point of flying a combat aircraft if you are not flying in combat.

Q: Why buy a combat aircraft for MSFS?A: [rhetorical answer]: Why do you fly fake passengers around? Why do you press the fasten seat belt button? [serious answer]: Many have argued the merits of fully simulating a combat aircraft in MSFS without really examining what it is they enjoy most about the aircraft they do fly. "What's the point?" The usual deeply pondered and open-minded comment is "If I want to fly combat aircraft, I'll go play Falcon". The point is, managing aircraft systems in a combat aircraft can be every bit as rewarding and enjoyable, if not more so, than playing with an FMC in a commercial airliner; The systems only need to be there and be simulated as deeply and correctly! Whether you're carrying "faux" passengers or "faux" bombs really makes no difference as long as the simulation of the aircraft is robust and authentic. No other simulation, including many standalone combat simulators, have achieved the level of systems complexity and authenticity as the Superbug under MSFS. If you've been skeptical based on previous combat aircraft/toys you've purchased for MSFS, give the Superbug a try and see what you've been missing! There really IS something under the hood!Q: Can I blow things up?A: NO! This is an AIRCRAFT simulation, not a combat simulation. What we DO allow you to do is use the avionics to simulate the kill JUST AS WOULD OCCUR IN REAL WORLD EXERCISES. The AI aircraft can be locked up, tracked on radar and fired upon using the same methods and interfaces present in the actual F/A-18E. When the target is destroyed, it is removed from the sensors as though it never existed. The aircraft can also be shot at by mock SAM and AAA. Surrogate navigation aids can act as AAW installations, and attack and countermeasure methods can be employed to deal with them. Should the aircraft be hit, systems can and will be damaged. The user can tailor the battle system in any way they choose, even turning it off completely.

I have both the superbug and Falcon 4.0, and I can say they both entertain me equally. Totally different focus. If I want to blow stuff up and watch it blow up, then I play falcon. If I want the challenge of flying something other than a Boeing by the proper procedures, I fly the hornet.

And that's the big elephant in the room... The FS9 product doesn't even have an included aircraft carrier... I was astounded at first when I saw this video:

then I went here:http://www.vrsimulations.com/FA18EFS9.htmand was brought back down to reality. A well modeled fighter in FS makes no since when the conditions around which an aircraft like this is needed is not present. Shooting at air is no fun, no campaign or missions gives nothing to accomplish, the lack of a challenging enemy to stratagize against leaves the whole experience cold. Just like a well modeled Concord needs a well modeled KJFK and Heathrow to fly between a combat aircraft needs it's environment simulated also...

There are plenty of freeware carriers you can download and use with the Super Hornet. I purchased the Alphasim Enterprise and get my fix of ball flying aboard her. MAIW also is very busy putting out military AI and scenery packages that you can use as an environment for your Super Hornet.

I wrote a (rather long, if I may say myself) review about the Superbug here at Avsim. I think that those that have no idea what this product is or does, should go read it. I think it contains most, if not all, of the info you have to know.http://www.avsim.com/pages/0609/VRS/F18.htmIn short: this airplane is of PMDG standard, truly. The FSX version will probably be even better because the graphics of FSX are better, although I suspect not much, if anything at all, will have changed on the side of the gauges. Flying the superbug is every bit as enjoyable as the PMDG 747, however. The fact that one is a commercial airliner and the other is a military fighter doesn't mean that there is a difference in that, not necessarily: it of course depends on what aircraft type you like to fly. I myself have found this plane to be an absolute blast to fly.but let me say one thing again: this plane is every bit as good as PMDG's most advanced offerings. The Superbug is possibly one of the best planes I know off, and I have seen my share of good planes. The only difference is that it's a military fighter.

If I want the challenge of flying something other than a Boeing by the proper procedures, I fly the hornet.

My guess is you never flew with a serious squadron using any of the main mods or even Allied Force.Also, there is a carrier in FSX, but a really nice one in Acceleration.

Jon I'm sorry to hear that the FS9 version was not financially successful. I would have gladly paid more for it than what it costs. Especially when other payware companies making military models charge 25%-50% more for their models which don't even come close to the VRS model. I hope you guys can get something back with the release of the FSX version. For $45 U.S. this model has no rival, military or civilian.Even though I don't run FSX, I can't wait to see the screenshots and videos that will be coming out in the near future.

and was brought back down to reality. A well modeled fighter in FS makes no since when the conditions around which an aircraft like this is needed is not present. Shooting at air is no fun, no campaign or missions gives nothing to accomplish, the lack of a challenging enemy to stratagize against leaves the whole experience cold. Just like a well modeled Concord needs a well modeled KJFK and Heathrow to fly between a combat aircraft needs it's environment simulated also...

Reality is, whether one chooses to ferry faux passengers, faux cargo, or faux ordinance, it's all the same. You say a concord needs a KJFK and EGLL, right. Combat AC like the F/A18 needs is an airport (KJFK or EGLL) and an aircraft carrier, not necessarilty bombing range or AI AC to shoot down for real. There are plenty of freeware carriers to use and trapping this jet on a 3-wire deck is definitely a challenge.The system modeling and presentation in the cockpit is as good as anything out there, so flying high over commercial heavies or flying 50ft above the deck at fighter speed, simulation of flight is complete with this VRS product.Pat

My guess is you never flew with a serious squadron using any of the main mods or even Allied Force.Also, there is a carrier in FSX, but a really nice one in Acceleration.

I do have Allied Force, and in my opinion the VRS hornet has better simulated systems than Falcon. I have not tried any of the modified panels, so I can't speak for those.