DCS Future Modules and Technology

[DD_Fenrir]

In case some of you aren't up to speed on what's in the pipeline or when we might see I thought you might like a summary of the future board of fare for DCS.

Planes

1. F-15E Strike Eagle: this much anticpated ground attack version of the inimitable Eagle is close to release. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/266436-f-15e-wip-updates-no-discussion/

2. F-4E Phantom II: the phabulous Phantom is coming to DCS. Expect it towards the end of this year. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/291775-announcing-the-f-4-phantom-for-dcs-world/

3. C-130J Hercules: a fully flyable verison of the venerable Hercules is inbound and apparently not too far from release. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308919-dcs-c-130j-announcement-from-2022-09-02-newsletter/

4. MB-339: this sporty little Italian trainer & light attack bird is to be released with the next patch at version 2.8. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/302053-dcs-mb-339-official-trailer/#comments

5. F4U-1 Corsair: the bent wing bird plus a period carrier and an AI A6m3 Zero to tussle with is supposedly close, but I suspect we'll see it Q1/2 in 2023. https://leatherneck-sim.com/2022/06/01/2022-summer-update/

6. A-1H Skyraider: this beast is apparently well along; look for a mid-late 2023 release. https://youtu.be/n6VGZrIa0iw

7. La-7: The superb Soviet fighter of late WW2; yet another module that looks well along in development; at a guess maybe available mid-late 2023. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063511095682

8. Eurofighter Typhooon: The German version of this multi-national Gen 4.5 highly manoeuverable fighter is going to redefine the game with it's glass cockpit, and IRST and Meteor missiles. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/232147-progress-pictures-on-the-eurofighter-typhoon/

9.  Tornado GR.1: finally the Anglo-German-Italian attack jet is coming to DCS. In early development I would epect to see this in 2+ years. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308918-dcs-tornado-introduction-from-2022-09-16-newsletter/

10. F-100 Super Sabre: the legendary 'Hun'. Expect it a couple of years. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308921-dcs-f-100d-super-sabre-introducing-the-hun-from-2022-08-19-newsletter/

11. IAI Kfir: This Israeli illegitimate and beefed up copy of the Mirage V will be evry at home on the Syria map. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308922-dcs-kfir-by-aviron-introduction-to-the-lion-cub/#comment-5050492

12. G.91R: This Italian light attack fighter that looks like a tricked out F-86 will be available in a couple of years. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/272980-dcs-g-91r/

13. A-7E Corsair II: the jet version! Again, progress is looking good but expect it in a couple of years. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308963-flyingiron-simulations-introduces-the-corsair-ii-from-2020-02-27-newsletter/#comment-5050911

14. MiG-23MLA Flogger: an export version of the famous cold-war Soviet interceptor. Progress has been slow and no prediced release date yet but again, maybe 2024-25. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/272893-dcs-mig-23-development-update/

15. P-38J Lightning: In the distant future, after they've completed the A-7E Corsair II, FlyingIron Simulations have postulated importing their MSFS P-38 into DCS.... I live in hope! 

16. the rumor mill also has hinted at ED developing an F6F Hellcat, and even mentioned in passing the desire to recreate a Battle of Britain era planeset, but there's no confirmation on these so don't get too excited...

 

Helicopters

1. OH-58A Kiowa: this observation and light attack chopper module has been being threatened for release since late last year, but something seems to be hindering release. Fingers crossed for something soon. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/215355-polychop-simulations-oh-58d-kiowa/

2. BO-105 PAH1A1: another observation and light attack chopper, this one has a protracted development with some bumps, but progress is being made. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/91082-bo-105-pah1a1-progress-news/#comments

3. DCS: Black Shark 3: the Ka-50 attack chopper is getting an overhaul, with all new 3D model and weapons and sensor upgrades. https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/newsletters/a0d920ff0602d2d181d2702d2b2d06dd/

 

That's it for the flyable stuff, next terrains and others!

[DD_Fenrir]

Terrain

1. Normandy 2.0: this "update" (actually a whole new map) using new terrain mesh geometry, expands the detailed area of normandy by a factor of 6 and now includes London and Paris. Release date is still unknown, but hopefully early 2023 at latest. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/310220-normandy-20-faq/

2. Kola Peninsula: a map geared to Cold War and modern day scenarios including Scandavia and Russia around the North Cape. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308923-dcs-kola-map-introduction-from-2022-07-29/#comment-5050501

3. Sinai: This is modern map includes the Nile Delta in Egypt with southern Isreal and western parts of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308296-introducing-dcs-sinai-from-newsletter-12-august-2022/

4. Kola Peninsula: a map geared to Cold War and modern day scenarios including Scandavia and Russia around the North Cape. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308923-dcs-kola-map-introduction-from-2022-07-29/#comment-5050501

5. Northern Australia: bit of an odd one but it's an Aussie devloper so they're probably best starting with what they know... modern era map again, but apparently this area is much used for military exercises so some useful training scenarios can be re-enacted.  https://forum.dcs.world/topic/308920-dcs-top-end-australia-introduction-from-2022-08-26/

 

Other

1. Supercarrier: we await implementation of the Briefing Room (an interactive briefing space for Multiplayer) and Air Boss station. 

2. AI A-6E Intruder: an AI carrier strike bomber asset to help flesh out cold war and early '90s mission scenarios.

3. F-14 virtual pilot body: no more spectral pilots and RIOs! Soon you'll be able to see your legs and arms whether in the front or back office in the Tomcat.

4. F-14A 135GR & F-14A 95GR: expansions to the F-14 Tomcat module; the current F-14A variant represents a late '80s to '90s bird; with the 135GR we get a version with an earlier RWR that represents US Navy fleet aircraft from the late '70s early '80s; the 95GR is an Iranian Air Force version and will reflect the more limted sensor capabilty and earlier weapons variants that this bird was limited to.

5. Forrestal variants: further versions of the Forrestal classs carrier are promised, including  USS Saratoga in the near term and USS Ranger and USS Independance in the long run.

6. C-47 Paratrooper drops: at some point we will get the ability to commamd the AI C-47 from the WW2 Asset Pack to drop paratrooper loads allowing recreation of some of the famous airbourne operations of WW2.

7. Flak units on train cars: 3d models showing 20mm, quad 20mm and 88mm guns mounted to flatbed railway trucks have been shown; hope to be able to make strafing trains a more spicy affair for the WW2 boys...!

8. Updated AI assets: some of the assets in DCS have been around a very long time and are showing their age. As such a series of overhauls have been started on the B-1B, B-52 and the S-3B Viking to bring their level of detail up to modern standards.