Thought this would be interesting to share here,The differences between Lot # of Hornets.The DCS Hornet will be based on a Charlie Model Lot#20

Differences between LOTS 
(lot means production year of the airframe, each lot includes previous upgrades etc )

Lot 12.
The Lot 12 series F/A-18, introduced in FY90, provided the
F/A-18 with a night attack capability.  
This was accomplished by providing NVG compatible
cockpit lighting and displays, a thermal imaging navigation set, digital map set, multipurpose color displays, and a raster HUD. In addition, an independent aft cockpit capability was included for the two-seat F/A-18D (USMC) version.

Lot 13.
The Lot 13 series F/A-18 was introduced in FY91. The enhancements provided by this Lot included the OBOGS, which replaced the lox converter. The NACES and SEWARS were added and armament capabilities were enhanced through the additional hardware provisions for AGM-86 Harpoon and AGM-84 Stand-off Land Attack Missile. The Inertial Navigation System (INS) was also upgraded to the AN/ASN-139 that uses ring laser gyro technology.

Lot 14.
The Lot 14 series F/A-18 was introduced in FY92. This update added full AN/ARC-210 HAVEQUICK/SINCGARS VHF FM Radio provisions to the aircraft and the AN/AAS-38A FLIR/LDT was also incorporated into the F/A-18. Additionally, the Deployable Flight Incident Recorder Set (DFIRS) provides non-volatile storage of the last 30 minutes of flight incident data in a deployable unit.

Lot 15.
Delivered in FY93, the Lot 15 series F/A-18 integrated an enhanced engine into the airframe. The F404-GE-400 Power Plant was replaced by the F404- GE-402 EPE. The new engine provided increased power, coupled with reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, the XN-8 Mission Computer and the 91 series Operational Flight
Program (OFP) were introduced.

Lot 16.
The enhancements provided by the Lot 16 series F/A-18, which was introduced in FY94, included the integration of the AN/APG-73 Radar Upgrade (RUG) Phase I. The primary improvements provided by the AN/APG-73 RUG Phase I were increased Electronic Counter Countermeasures capabilities, increased memory and processing
speed of the signal and data processing functions, and increased receiver bandwidth combining to provide growth capabilities for incorporation of advanced radar modes. The AN/ARC-210 HAVEQUICK/SINCGARS VHF FM Radio was also installed along with the LAU-115 Launcher improvements and incorporation of the 09 (formerly 93) series OFP.I-10

Lot 17.
In FY95, the Cockpit Video Recording System (CVRS) and the AN/AAS-38B Advanced FLIR were introduced. Additionally, there were provisions added for the GPS.

Lot 18.
Lot 18 series F/A-18 were delivered in FY96 and included the GPS, the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Set, and a sixth avionics multiplexer bus. Additionally, the 11 series OFP was introduced.

Lot19.
Introduced in FY97, Lot XIX series F/A-18C/D Aircraft received a Stores Management System upgrade and an AN/APX- 111(V) Combined Interrogator- Transponder (CIT).

Lot 20.
In FY98, Lot 20 series F/A-18C/D Aircraft were delivered, integrating the Phase II AN/APG-73 RUG, ATARS, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, Joint Stand Off Weapon, and EGI to meet the precision navigation capability that future weapon systems require. EGI provides an all-altitude, worldwide source of navigation and attitude information.

Lot 21.  
One F/A-18E Aircraft was delivered in fourth quarter FY99 at NAS Lemoore and included a modified airframe, new engines, and an additional weapons station under each wing. The Lot XXI aircraft also incorporated a low drag pylon, AN/ALE-47 dispensers, AN/ALE-50 Chaff Dispenser, XN-8 Mission Computer, AN/ARC- 210(V) VHF FM Radio Set, GPS, AN/ALR-67(V3) Radar Warning Receiver, and a modified FCC. F/A-18E/F Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) 1 are equipped with the AN/APX- 100(V) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) vice the AN/APX-111(V) CIT.

Lot 22.  
Lot 22 began LRIP 2 in third quarter FY00 for the F/A-18E/F, which included the AN/APX- 111(V) CIT and Advanced Tactical Forward Looking Infra Red.

Lot 23.  
Lot 23 began delivery in first quarter FY01 with the Digital Communication System (DCS), Radio Frequency Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (RF DECM), Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, and Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability (TAMMAC

Few screenshots popped up on DCS forums

 

https://s14.postimg.org/w75dr1qpt/image

Yep saw them but thanx brother.

Wow, we're close to photorealism in flight sims!

***mini update*** 

 

 

Nice video, new map looks awesome. ..gimme

Yea,I like the look of the Persian Gulf Map,I know they've been working on it for more than a Few Years I'm thinking now that 2.5 has been released Amonth ago we should see a Pre-Purchase  Soon(ish) 

 

Sounds are awesome. ..just like an actual aerial display. ...

34 minutes ago, Boomer said:

Sounds are awesome. ..just like an actual aerial display. ...

Haha....Yea,Some scenes I had to look twice....very realistic 

***Mini Update*** 

"Hornet update time!

As mentioned earlier, a lot of the work is focused on the air-to-air radar, and Single Track Target (STT) mode in particular. This uses “electronic roll” logic and we are now finalizing the antenna scan and limits. Once that is done, we can finish up the ACM modes and STT lock in BVR mode. This would also then allow us to finish up air-to-air symbology for the HUD and attack display.

I had hoped/planned to next do an IFR field landing video, but we first want to set up proper instrumentation for the approach. USN Hornets are NOT equipped with standard ILS equipment. Instead, they most often use ACLS, PAR, or ICLS. We had first planned ICLS, but it appears this is no longer used, so we will instead develop ACLS ground stations that can be placed at an airfield, but like a TACAN station. Instead, I think the next academic video will be aerial refueling (became functional this week).

The waypoint system is making great progress, with just a few items to clean up on the DATA page and include the appropriate HUD data.

The art team further improved the cockpit by adding an albedo property to the textures using a PBR rendering method. This gives the surfaces a more authentic paint on metal look. You can see this in the two attached images.

Other advancements have also been made on the Hornet external sounds and the vapor effects.

Thanks,
Matt “Wags” Wagner
Senior Producer

url=https://postimg.org/image/5qql2s0ax/][/url]

**mini update**

"https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=197186

2018-03-08
Q: Will interactive training missions be included?
A: Yes, the following free lessons are planned for the Early Access:

1- Cold Start
2- Airfield Taxi and Takeoff
3- Carrier Takeoff
4- Navigation
5- VFR Airfield Landing
6- IFR Airfield Landing
7- Case I and II Carrier Landing
8- Aerial Refueling
9- AG Gun and Rockets
10- Unguided Bombs
11- Air-to-Air Radar Overview
12- Air-to-Air Gun
13- AIM-9
14- AIM-7
15- Defensive Systems"

**EA missions updated**

Updated again:
1- Introduction and Basic Controls
2- Cold Start
3- Airfield Taxi and Takeoff
4- TACAN Navigation
5- Waypoint Navigation
6- VFR Airfield Landing
7- IFR Airfield Landing
8- Air-to-Air Radar Overview
9- Aerial Refueling
10- Carrier Takeoff
11- Case I and II Carrier Landing
12- Air-to-Air Gun
13- AIM-9
14- AIM-7
15- AG Gun and Rockets
16- Unguided Bombs
17- Defensive Systems

***mini update***

"

Over the weekend the team implemented both big and small items into the latest build that move us ever forward to an Early Access release. We are still on track for an Early Access release prior to the end of Spring 2018. However, we have no tighter estimate at this time given the complexities involved and the unknowns of how long testing will require.

1- The Waypoint navigation system is now functional in the simulation and tied to the Inertial Navigation System (INS). This includes indications both on the HSI and HUD. This also includes most of the functionality for the HSI/DATA/WYPT page. This will provide most waypoint functions used by players. After Early Access release, we will implement the option for the programming of three waypoint sequences in the Mission Editor and the creation of Offset Waypoints using the HSI page. The last big item for waypoints in the Early Access release will be implementing the Waypoint Designate (WPDSG) option, that will set the selected waypoint as the target point. This is important for both weapon and sensor cuing.

2- Starting from an airfield or aircraft carrier has some key differences when setting up the cockpit controls. For example: When starting from an airfield, the Hook Bypass switch should be set to FIELD and the Anti-Skid switch should be set to ON; when starting on an aircraft carrier, the Hook Bypass switch should be set to should be set to CARRIER and the Anti-Skid switch should be set to OFF. This weekend we enabled the ability to set default cockpit configurations for Ramp, Hot, and Runway starts to account for the starting location.

3- Aerial refueling is now implemented. Now I just need to get good enough at this to not embarrass myself too much in a video.

4- Fuel dump logic and animation has been implemented. This can be quite important to meeting max trap weights.

Onward and upwards!"

Thanks,
Matt “Wags” Wagner
Senior Producer

***Aggressor***