DCS World updated

[Brainling]

DCS got updated today and we finally have a TGP for the Hornet! It's not the ATFLIR, which is a more advanced pod, but it's the LITENING II. It's the same pod the A-10C uses, and what the Marines use on their Hornets. Only the Navy uses the ATFLIR.

It's not fully implemented, but it's implemented enough to target your own GPS and laser guided weapons, and lase for others. It can also spot track lasers from other jets (A-10's, Hornets and Harriers). It basically has all the most important functions and has the correct HOTAS mappings for FoV, black hot/white hot, TV/FLIR mode and zoom.

This is a really big day for the Hornet and moves it's capabilities forward light years. It's a complete and usable combat platform now. Still waiting on things like TWS and ground radar, but this to me is the last of the "must have" capabilities for the Hornet to be as combat effective as the A-10C.

 

[ElektroVodka]

Nice, thanks for the heads up @Brainling i just updated the server.

 

[Brainling]

I put some time in last night with it. It's really pretty functional at this point. It's missing a few really key features, but I think they'll come quickly. Notably there is no HUD symbology for where the TGP is looking and the TGP doesn't currently have the "northing" arrow, to give you an idea of what direction it's looking and to help you calculate azimuths easily (for instance when you want a JSOW to start it's terminal run from a particular azimuth so it drops it's bomblets long ways along a column).

Other than that it did everything I wanted it to. Lasing your own targets for LGB's and Maverick E's is super simple. Giving GPS coords to your JDAM's and JSOW's is also very simple. The HOTAS controls are complete and functional. Outside of a few minor things you never have to take your hands off the controls to work the sensor.

Aside from the two functions I think are critical listed above, there are a couple of QoL things that would be nice too have as well: Slave to HMD (e.g. TGP looks where you look, or at least can be snapped to where you're looking if it doesn't track with your head) and Maverick slave/hand-off to be able to target Maverick F's with the TGP (or at least narrow in on a target).

 

[Kinger]

I put some time in the Hornet with the TGP myself last evening and I agree it's a pretty substantial addition to that aircraft and really makes it feel much more fleshed out. My biggest complaint is the lack of HUD symbology indicating where the TGP is looking.

 

[Kinger]

Maverick slave/hand-off to be able to target Maverick F's with the TGP (or at least narrow in on a target)

I thought I saw something from Wags saying this would never happen in the Hornet as it wasn't available IRL

 

[Nejtun]

I put some time in the Hornet with the TGP myself last evening and I agree it's a pretty substantial addition to that aircraft and really makes it feel much more fleshed out. My biggest complaint is the lack of HUD symbology indicating where the TGP is looking.

Exactly this ^^
I just tried it out and its great and all that but some sign of where it starts in the HUD would be so helpful

 

[Brainling]

I thought I saw something from Wags saying this would never happen in the Hornet as it wasn't available IRL

This may be true. It's something the F-16 can do, so I just figured the Hornet could to.

 

[Kinger]

Looks like bringing down those ships in Capture Kobeletti just became a bit easier..........

 

[Brainling]

Yeah, but it's most useful when we have the SEA mode of the A2G radar, as he mentioned. With a DBS2 scan you can generally tell the difference between a very big ship and a small one, so you can attempt to do things like target their carriers directly. Or target the escort frigates first to take out a huge part of the anti-air a carrier strike group has.

 

[Kinger]

I have the feeling ground radar is still a ways off.....

 

[Brainling]

I'm not holding my breath for it. It's a complicated thing to program, but the DCS code is also a damn mess making everything harder to code and more brittle.

 

[Brainling]

Anyone want to DCS on Sunday?

 

[Nejtun]

I want to DCS everyday! what were you planning Matt?

 

[Brainling]

Not sure, something with modern stuff. I'll put some thought in to it. Maybe a spawner mission on PG or something.

 

[Nejtun]

We have LAS variable and Krasnodar variable on the server, where we can choose our missions and what have you. Mike would need to pull his finger out and get Nevada for LAS variable though, Mike..... get the map........ MIIIIIIIIIIIKE!!!!!!!!

 

[Kinger]

All this yelling......

 

[Nejtun]

If I could make my text flash and add a sound I would Mike.

 

[Brainling]

Nejtun: Keeping the dream of MySpace and the 90's internet alive.

 

[Nejtun]

My router just gave what I think is it’s last gasp. It’s bank holiday Monday tomorrow so no technitian out until Tuesday afternoon!
Unless it gets a second wind between now and then I won’t be doing any DCS today, fingers crossed it has a bit of life in it!

 

[Kinger]

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