DCS: F/A-18C

[Phantom88 3,278]

update**

"Our latest Hornet squadron addition for DCS World: VFA-34 "Blue Blasters".

Please note that we are first prioritizing skins for actual operators of the F/A-18C, that includes the USN, USMC, Finland, Switzerland, and Kuwait. After which, we hope to include "what if" skins for F/A-18A operators like Canada, Australia, Spain.


As for the USN squadrons, we are first prioritizing those squadrons that have yet to or recently move to Super Hornets."

 

[Phantom88 3,278]

***LeatherNecks USMC***

 

[Boomer 1,619]

Nice...

[Phantom88 3,278]

***THUNDERBOLTS***

 

[Phantom88 3,278]

**From News Letter**

”

Work continues at a brisk pace on the Hornet. Since the last Hornet update, most of the navigation systems (TACAN, ADF, and Waypoints) are now functional, the flight model / flight control system is further refined, internal and external sounds have been improved, texturing of the cockpit art is now using an improved albedo effect, aerial refueling is working, fuel dump has been added, conditional switch position based on airfield or aircraft carrier start has been implemented, more realistic LEX vapor, and a more dynamic simulation of the individual engines. The team is making great progress.

The big items to still implement though include STT/ACM radar modes for air-to-air radar, AUTO, CCIP, and MAN modes for unguided bombs, and the moving map display option. Once these are completed, we will move the Hornet into full testing.

We are also working on an extensive set of interactive training missions.

[Phantom88 3,278]

***GOLDEN WARRIORS *** 

 

[Phantom88 3,278]

***mini update***

"

Hornet Radar Update

As noted in the last several updates, one of the primary tasks is coding the air-to-air modes of the AN/APG-73 radar for the Hornet. The current focus is on Single Track Target (STT) mode as this will be vital for radar directed gun, radar-slaved AIM-9, and PD illumination for AIM-7. This work is currently revolving around target angles/range filtering and symbology display behavior.

Work is still in progress on search/acquisition radar modes in regard to scan limits applied by antenna servo electronics, in addition to physical antenna gimbal limits. This all involve coordinate transformation (antenna/scan frames, SPRS (Space Pitch/Roll Stabilized), body frame while accounting for antenna electronic roll stabilization.

In parallel, the needed data for future MSI (Multi-Sensor Integration) routines and modes like LTWS (latent TWS) is being coded and would be sent to the MC2 (Mission Computer 2).

A lot of work is being done on code-structure refinement. Given all the functionality is being worked on, we have to avoid the code from becoming spaghetti-like.

The implemented and in-progress data structures and algorithms (like target search, target data filtering, antenna electronic roll stabilization, etc.) will help us in later projects, and we hope this will reduce those development times.

Attached is a very simple debug screenshot.

Thanks,
Matt “Wags” Wagner
Senior Producer

 

[Phantom88 3,278]

***RAMPAGERS***

 

[Phantom88 3,278]

***mini update*** 

 

As we mover ever-closer to the Early Access release of the Hornet, more and more of our work is shifting to the air-to-air radar and weapon systems.

Over the past several weeks, the focus of air-to-air radar work has been on Single Target Track (STT) mode. This is critical for what we plan for the Early Access release. This week, it is initially operational in the simulation, as you can see in the attached. The next big step is to complete the attack radar symbology and data and then the various HUD information. Still very work-in-progress.

Similar to SPI in the A-10C, the Hornet allows you to designate a Target Point (TP) that can then be used to slave sensors and weapons to. There are several ways to create a TP, but the one we are finishing up now is the ability to set a waypoint as a TP using the WPDSG function on the HSI. HSI symbology is complete, as well as most of the HUD data. We just need to set up the target diamond of the TP location when looking through the HUD.

Earlier we talked about the ability to set a course line based on a selected TACAN station or Waypoint by using the course knob. This week we also added the ability to set a course using the UFC… much faster.

Thanks,
Matt “Wags” Wagner

 

[Phantom88 3,278]

***mini update*** 

 

 

[Boomer 1,619]

Looking good, cheers.

[Phantom88 3,278]

***mini update*** 

"

Hornet Mini-Update 2018-4-11

We are very much in a sprint now to create a Hornet press preview, which will then fold into the Early Access release version.

As is probably a familiar mantra by now, much of the work is focused on the air-to-to air radar with implementation of STT, accurate gimbal limits in reference to the antenna frame, and SRPS scan being done “electronically” based on gimbal command to correct azimuth and elevation values. This results in the actual antenna maximum sweep azimuth varies with aircraft roll angle in RWS. The antenna servo electronics have additional scan limits applied to gimbals: 40 degrees of elevation at maximum azimuth, and 50 degrees of azimuth at maximum elevation. This results in the gimbal scan limit having the shape of octagon (gimbals physical limits + the limits applied by servo electronics). This can be observed by moving the antenna up or down using manual elevation control on the throttle. You’ll be able to observe this by not touching manual elevation and set the aircraft roll to 90 degrees.

In the attached image, you can see some of this new radar code now manifested on the HUD in regards to target range and Vc. A big push is now on auto-lock for the ACM modes and correct attack radar symbology on the HUD and radar display (AA Gun, AIM-9, and AIM-7).

Navigation is basically done for the Early Access, but we’ll return to this after Early Access release and add additional functions like the GPS, Mark Points, Offset Aim Points (OAP), and ICLS. For now though, you will have TACAN, ADF, and Waypoints.

With Early Access navigation ready, this part of the team has now moved to implement the AG bombing modes on the HUD and clean up the AG gun HUD mode. Once this is done, we’ll be able to create some pretty cool videos.

The flight models is undergoing continual refinements and tuning, and it’s already quite close. However, we strive to make it even better!

We have completed all the planned skins for actual F/A-18C squadrons and we’re now working on skins for F/A-18A/A+ squadrons. We have not forgotten about you Canadians, Australians and Spaniards!

We will have seven interactive training missions at the launch of the Early Access Hornet to include: Introduction, Cold Start, Taxi and Takeoff, TACAN and ADF Navigation, Waypoint Navigation, Straight In Landing, and Overhead Pattern Landing. More will come as Hornet systems come to completion!

The Early Access Hornet Guide is undergoing art creation, and it’s our hope that we can release this prior to the Early Access release of the game.

Thanks,
Matt “Wags” Wagner

 

[Boomer 1,619]

Excellent update, cheers.

Edited April 12, 2018 by Boomer

[Phantom88 3,278]

***NEW RAIN EFFECTS***SNEAK PEAK***

[Phantom88 3,278]

**BLUE ANGELS**