MigBuster

Last week we discussed the many aircraft projects that will be under development in 2019. Today, let’s look at some of the non-aircraft projects. As mentioned last week, we cannot promise that all of these will be released in 2019, but they will all be under focused development. Ships Although we released a greatly improved and free Nimitz-class aircraft carrier at the time of the Hornet release, we are also working on a separate Nimitz-class aircraft carrier module. This product will have an incredible level of detail and include such features as a detailed and operable LSO and Air Boss stations, detailed modeling of the hangar, animated deck crew, briefing room, and control of the carrier. Once this project is complete, the team will finish up the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and then return to and release the updated Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier. Combined Arms No combat environment is complete without a good solid ground game, and we continue to improve on and add to your abilities to control ground forces either from a commander position or behind the controls of a single unit. As with 2018, we will continue to address issues and look at new features to improve Combined Arms, based on your feedback, throughout 2019. We will continue to add new content in the form of new units both to the core sim and the WWII Asset Pack, as well as exciting new missions and campaigns. We are currently at work on new CA-related effects like main gun fire, dust trail, localized damage, and smoke grenades, while also working on improved ground unit AI like line-of-sight issues, pathing, and more intuitive control. Radio Communications The biggest radio communications task are the aircraft carrier communications that includes CASE I, CASE II, and CASE III for departure, marshal, approach, and the Landing Signal Officer (LSO). Once this massive task is complete, we will move on to an overhaul of the airbase radio communications. New Maps With 2018 we saw the release of the DCS: Persian Gulf Map. For 2019 we and our partners are working on two new World War II maps, a Syria map, a Falkland Islands map, and a new free map that we’ll discuss later in the year. In parallel, we will be finishing up the Persian Gulf map with the addition of Liwa Airbase and Ras Al Khaimah airport; Al Ain Air War College; ruins near Shiraz, Kerman, and Bam; and fix remaining bugs. Once complete, it will be the largest DCS World map as measured from airfield to airfield. Dynamic Campaign While a hangar of great aircraft is certainly a wonderful thing, having an engaging, exciting, and dynamic combat environment is equally important. We have been developing the inner-workings of a dynamic campaign system which will continue into 2019. Based on the strategic goals and tactical situations, the systems will create dynamic Air Tasking Orders (ATO) that players then join to help their side to victory. This work is non-trivial, but we believe the addition of this system should be exciting for DCS users. DCS World Multiplayer In the closing weeks of 2018, we made the Dedicated Server software available to a handful of trusted 3rd party online servers. Based on their feedback, we have been tuning and expanding the software to best suit customer needs. One aspect of the Dedicated Server we are also exploring is the availability of free maps to Dedicated Server hosts. In addition to this new Server software, the team has also been at work developing an integrated Voice Over IP (VOIP) system for DCS World which is based on the growing Web RTC standard. The first phase will allow users to use and create “rooms” and the second phase would integrate the VOIP into in-cockpit radio controls. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter about Modern Air Combat (MAC), we also plan to include leader boards, rankings, and other online statistics for DCS World online players. DCS World Foundation In parallel to all the above, the team continues to work on the foundation items of DCS World like air and ground artificial intelligence, performance optimization, more detailed damage models for all unit types, Vulkan implementation, improved VR optimization and improved Touch Controller support, aircraft wake turbulence. DCS World Steam Edition to DCS World e-Shop Transfer You can now transfer modules purchased on Steam to your DCS World e-Shop installation. Note that this only applies to Steam DLC that uses Steam protection, not StarForce keys. All DCS World DLCs released on Steam from 12th May 2017 can be transferred. Here are some modules released on Steam after 12-May-2017: DCS: M-2000C DCS: NEVADA Test and Training Range map DCS: Spitfire LF Mk.IX DCS: AJS-37 Viggen DCS: Normandy map DCS: WW2 Assets pack DCS: Su-33 for DCS World DCS: AV-8B Night Attack V/STOL DCS: F/A-18C Hornet DCS: Persian Gulf map Please see this link for complete directions Given that Steam no longer accepts our 3rd party license keys, binding of keys purchased on the E- Shop cannot be transferred to the DCS World Steam Edition. Hornet Missions of the Week In our quest to bring more and more great, new content to the Hornet, we are now providing a Hornet Mission of the Week! The first two missions can be found here: River Run Strike Fighter These missions will also be integrated into the Hornet Instant Action list of missions. Sincerely, The Eagle Dynamics Team

1. Related to another app on there 2. The update screwed Windows The game does work on the latest Win 10 version 1809 and latest NVIDIA drivers - that is what I am running. This really is an option with Win 10 - similar to doing an Update - re-installs windows but keeps files etc (if you tell it too). Settings-> Update and Security -> Recovery ->Reset this PC. Backup to be on the safe side but should go through fine.

You say the icon stays on the windows taskbar - do you get any options if you right click on it? Does Windows button + Up cursor do anything (or right/left)

So StrikeFighters2 Europe.exe / Israel / Vietnam etc all do exactly the same thing? In the NVIDIA profile did you set anything like prefer max performance and vertical Sync to on? Also in settings - is everything in Game Bar and captures off as well?

Do you have any other exes in the main game folder? Where is the game installed?

Try in order: In Windows Settings disable all the Game mode features if you have not done so Security software (AV and Malware) - can you switch off any sandboxes or Anti Virus bits on a temp basis Do you have anything like Samsung magician running in the background? Profile is NVIDIA Control Panel -> Manage 3D Settings -> Program Settings Tab -> Press Add and select game if not done already

Any error messages? What happens if you delete options.ini and versions.ini from saved games and run the game again? Do you have an NVIDIA profile setup? Don't suppose you know if the combo worked before applying any patches.

Previous system to this was an i5 4670K & GTX-780. All my games are on an SSD - it is mostly game loading time that gets reduced not improved FPS etc. Games do often access the disk during play so it can reduce some holdups (stutter) in some games but depends and is system specific. Most likely your HDD is fine assuming it is SATA 3. CPU/RAM/GPU/VRAM/FPS/FrameTime are generally primary concerns when a game is running over Disk access.

Seems to run OK - there are a few changes that might need to be made. I can see for example I am running it in Win 7 Compatibility Mode...others might not be using this at all can vary. I made some comments on Win 10 here with a link to a privacy tool. My system is very custom and very expensive (CPU also overclocked and water cooled) and is self built. Would suggest looking at prebuilds they might also be cheaper. Unless you have any other games that need SLI then would think 1 card is enough. A must for any new system is Solid States disks (SSDs) What resolution do you run your monitors at because I only run currently at Full HD (1080p) single so any higher usually needs more resource. You say you have 1070s? ..........SF was pretty okay with high settings on a single GTX 780 albeit with an i5 running 4.4Ghz on all cores. Are the 1070s proper gaming cards with multiple fans or HP proprietary?

AGM-65E2 and AGM-65L look to be the latest variants of the LMAV. https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/raytheon-restarts-production-of-laser-maverick-missiles-05397/

Assume this is your CPU https://ark.intel.com/products/64595/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E5-2670-20M-Cache-2-60-GHz-8-00-GT-s-Intel-QPI- SF/DCS/BMS all based on old code it seems from years back despite many changes. They all do multicore and hyperthreading to a degree but don't really seem to utilise it anywhere near fully.......thus only 1 core with high utilisation in the tests . Therefore for combat flight sims a CPU with a higher clock speed is currently better than more cores in general. Probably 16GB RAM for SF2...but if intending to do DCS multiplayer then 32GB

Happy New Year to you all!

Winter 50% Off Sale. Last Few Days! DCS World 2018 and Beyond Epic video Lasting until just January 7th at 0600 GMT, save 50% on most DCS World modules! This applies to aircraft, maps, and campaigns. The only exceptions include: DCS: F/A-18C Hornet at 25% off DCS: Persian Gulf Map at 25% off UH-1H Argo Campaign at 20% off DCS: SA342 Gazelle at 15% off Note: the sale only applies to released products. Get these deals in DCS e-shop Take advantage of these great savings while they last! Pre-Order DCS: Christen Eagle II! It is our pleasure to announce that DCS: Christen Eagle II by Magnitude 3 LLC is now available for pre-order on the DCS e-Shop for $23.99. A release of a feature-complete module is scheduled for January 23rd, 2019. Launch Trailer Purchase from DCS e-shop The Christen Eagle II touches on many aspects not previously explored in DCS World. It aims to capture the unique experience of flying an aerobatic biplane capable of maneuvers previously not possible. The Christen Eagle II is an-easy-to fly airframe with a constant-speed propeller, and it includes inverted fuel and oil systems that allow the pilot to concentrate on the flight maneuvers. The Christen Eagle II offers something to every virtual pilot, regardless if they are a veteran or a newcomer, combat pilot or an aerobatic artist! DCS: Christen Eagle II features: Highly-detailed and fully functional dual cockpit Highly-detailed external model with fully animated control surfaces and other systems State-of-the-art internal and external textures Exhaustive set of external liveries Advanced flight model based on technical documentation and real Christen Eagle II pilot experiences Complete aircraft system and subsystem modeling, which includes the Lycoming AEIO-360 engine, electrical, fuel and flight control systems Fully functional KY-197 Radio Authentic sound sets (canopy, cockpit items, engine) A couple of instant missions and tutorials to get you started Cooperative multiplayer – fly with a friend in the same aircraft, either as an instructor, student or a passenger Complete aircraft flight manual Modern Air Combat (MAC) Update Since the announcement of MAC, we have been listening to customer feedback and we have been busy expanding the product to maximize your enjoyment. In addition to the 14 aircraft and four maps, we’ve been engaged with the following features that will bring the product to the next level flight game entertainment: A redesigned Mission Generator that allows you to easily create exciting missions based on a selected mission type. This will provide a much more focused and fun gameplay experience that is designed around action and fun An entirely new interface. MAC will feature a very modern, intuitive and beautiful interface that will feel at home in 2018! Taking advantage of the new Dedicated Server system, MAC will allow you to earn accomplishments and points that you can then use to purchase DCS World products. The new system has a detailed point-earning system that is also tied to leader boards and record scores Enhanced assists to help new players will come with MAC like auto-trim, navigation and target marker locations, and unified control inputs All of this will result in a much better product, but it has extended our development time. We look forward to bringing you MAC in the 2019! DCS: BAE Hawk Update We regret to inform you that VEAO is no longer a developer for DCS World. As such, they have also ceased support of their Hawk. Although we offered to support their product, they declined making the files available to do so. Given this unfortunate situation, we will fully refund all Hawk customers that purchased the module starting from 1 October 2018. If you wish a full refund, please enter a support request here. For those that purchased the Hawk prior to 1 October 2018, will continue to make DCS World 2.5.3 available, such that you can still fly the Hawk. To avoid such issues in the future, all future 3rd party agreements are now required to make the game files available in case they are no longer able to support their product. DCS World Updates Due to the holidays and our staff taking some much-needed time off, our next DCS World update will be 16 January 2019. Happy New Year! The Eagle Dynamics Team

Ran another campaign mission with same settings above to see a bit more what is happening. Very high aircraft and defence objects over N Vietnam but perhaps not as intense as mission 1 Average VRAM usage = 3.6GB <- this is dedicated video card RAM Logical CPU cores - only 7 and 10 seems to be doing much overall Average cpu7 = 70-80% usage Average cpu10 =13% usage Average RAM = 7.5GB Average fps = solid 60fps Average Frametime = 16.8ms with some spikes to 28ms although remained fairly smooth Quick compare with DCS Spitfire over Las Vegas city area over high settings and letting things settle down Average GPU use = 39% Average VRAM usage = 4.9GB <- this is dedicated video card RAM Logical CPU cores - only 12 and 10 seems to be doing much overall Average cpu12 = 38% usage Average cpu10 =15% usage Average RAM = 11.9GB Average fps = solid 60fps Average Frametime = 16.7ms with no spiking but does not feel as smooth

SF2V Heavily modded (July 2013) Linebacker II Campaign mission over N Vietnam Average GPU usage very low (14% with rare spikes to 38%) Average VRAM usage 4GB Average RAM use 6.3GB Average CPU usage and power very low (18%) FPS solid at 60fps but a few drops when tried to come home at 16x time acceleration even though the system burned through it far better than previous setups.

How many cores of the Xeon does the game use? what is that 3.2Ghz max clock speed? Is this on the stock game? any particular scenario that can be run fairly easily?

The last update mentioned it was being worked on still for the Hornet. The 3rd party Viggen has some kind of AG radar implementation I understand but I don't have that so not sure. Thinking that any F-16 will be released in a pre-alpha Early Access state thus might advise waiting a few years. Could get it just to review it but not really that keen - at least other modules have new things to learn - like the F-4E <cough>.

What is the highest res the game gives you? Have you tried manually changing Options.ini ? - and what happens? [GraphicsOptions] DisplayDeviceID=0 DisplayWidth=2560 DisplayHeight=1080 DisplayDepth=32 AspectRatio=2.370370

Hi Dave - hope you are well er Resolution or aspect ratio of the monitor? shirley this must be text editable somewhere am thinking

Hasn't really affected me as much. Pro does have a lot more flexibility and access to GP. You can use O & O Shutup 10 for privacy and updates https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 - Enterprise/Home /Pro are essentially the same OS really :) Good bit of kit and free but use at own risk - do not recommend stopping updates personally you can also roll back still if you need to without this.

Well that's the real trick isn't it! So looking at the link CPU i7 8700 is very good....don't think you can do that much better currently. Only get the K version if overclocking. The i7 8086K I have is essentially a good 8700 but I wanted a guaranteed 5Ghz on all 6 cores. OS Win 10 Home nothing to be scared of - you can still do a lot of things like you did in Win 7 the control panel is still there but you do need to use the new Settings app which is like settings on a tablet/phone etc - so nothing difficult just getting used to where things are. Technically a different and far superior OS to Win 7 - yes as said above some great benefits like being able to essentially rebuild without losing files and Apps - you will notice major updates pretty much do this - similar to phones / tablets etc. Win 10 Pro - any point going with that ? not seeing why you would. You can defer updates but you still cant stop them completely - unless you set to metered (but you can do that in home and its fairly pointless IMO). You lose some control although not to the level of Phone/tablet OS. Privacy and control is a big issue for some - not as bad as corporate owned Linux (Android etc) but it is the way the world has gone - there are more things you can do in Windows but I don't bother. Solid State Disk Drive The most important thing is having Windows on an SSD and ideally the games as well - so the default 128GB SSD I cant see as being viable - would suggest a 512GB NVMe SSD minimum for some future proofing. Even the SATA 3 SSDs are still ridiculously fast and far superior to SATA 3 HDDs. You will notice in my sig I have totally ditched the old mechanical drives. RAM 16GB minimum currently would hopefully be enough GFX Card a GTX 1070 might cover all your current games at 1080p or lower but cant say about any future games. Assuming that must be in a PCI 3.0 express slot then going to an RTX card later should still be viable if a new space game used the new tech like DLSS and is likely to be VR as well!! DCS It can be costly...........looking at my purchase history DCS has cost about $760 in software so far (you dont need to spend anywhere near that) and if you were doing a system primarily for DCS and liked high settings I would say 32GB RAM and a GTX1080ti or RTX2080ti minimum to cover Multiplayer. If you do 4K or VR then it appears you currently still have to lower settings even with a 2080Ti.

What are the specs you are looking at? Are you only looking to play those older games and nothing like DCS?

DCS World Winter 2018 Sale is Here! At long last, get great savings on the entire library of DCS World products! Lasting until January 7th, 2019, save 50% on most DCS World modules! This applies to aircraft, maps, and campaigns. DCS World 2018 and Beyond Epic Video The only exceptions include: DCS: F/A-18C Hornet at 25% off DCS: Persian Gulf Map at 25% off UH-1H Argo Campaign at 20% off DCS: SA342 Gazelle at 15% off Note: the sale only applies to released products. Get these deals in the DCS e-shop DCS World Eagle Dynamics Module Drawing Want an Eagle Dynamics DCS module for free? Here is your chance! Just Share the following post on your Facebook page and you will be automatically entered in the drawing on January 7th, 2019. We will randomly select 10 winners to receive any currently available Eagle Dynamics module. DCS 2018 and Beyond on Facebook DCS: P-51D Mustang and World War II Update We are pleased to update our first Warbird for DCS World, the Mustang! This week’s update includes both a complete overhaul of the cockpit to include deferred shading and physical based rendering technology, as well as a more detailed 3D model and textures. In addition to a huge update to the cockpit, we have also greatly improved the external model and added the option to fly the P-51D-25-NA version. This was the most common P-51D for the European Theater of Operations (ETO) with its primary difference being its radio and IFF systems. This is most visible by the dorsal antenna. As notes in prervious newsletters, both the Bf 109 K-4 and Fw 190 D-9 have also gotten outstanding improvements to their cockpits and external models to bring it to DCS World 2.5 standards. With the huge updates to the P-51D, Fw 190 D-9, and Bf 109 K04, and all the time and resources invested, the price of each warbird will return to $49.99; however, all three aircraft will take part in our Winter 2018 sale. These are free updates to existing owners. DCS: P-51D Mustang DCS: Spitfire LF Mk.IX DCS: Bf 109 K-4 DCS: Fw 190 D-9 These are free updates to existing owners. Coming next year, we have new AI air units like the P-47D, Ju-88, Fw 190 A-8, A-20G, C-47, Bf 109 G, Mosquito, C-47 and others taking to the skies of DCS World War II. Of these, we are already at work making the P-47D, Fw 190 A-8 and Mosquito flyable. In parallel, the new damage model system is now being applied to all our warbirds. We also have a new and exciting World War II map in development. DCS: P-51D Mustang - Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney Campaign Developed by Reflected Simulations, this campaign is the perfect setting to fly the newly updated Mustang! Purchase from DCS e-shop Become a member of the most famous fighter unit of the USAAF, take part in escorting large bomber formations, support the ground troops after D-day, or engage the Luftwaffe over the snowy hills of the Ardennes. The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney is a semi-historical campaign for the P-51D Mustang. It follows the 352nd Fighter Group from May 1944 through the Normandy landings until Operation Bodenplatte in January 1945. This campaign has a plethora of details and Easter eggs to make you feel like a young American flyboy in the Army Air Forces in 1944. Key Features: 14 semi-historical missions focusing on the 352nd Fighter Group A detailed background story, mission contexts, checklists and encounter reports Detailed briefings and briefing images, including separate PDF mission files Unique kneeboard graphics and checklists for each mission Hundreds of specially recorded voice-over messages and radio broadcasts Historically accurate custom skins A wide array of missions including fighter sweep, bomber escort, armed reconnaissance and ground attack DCS: C-101 by AvioDev Update This week, AvioDev is proud to make available the Enhanced Flight Model (EFM) for their C-101EB version and launch the more-weaponized C-101CC version. Purchase from DCS e-shop DCS: C-101 Aviojet module includes both the C-101EB and C-101CC models. The C-101EB model is the primary jet trainer and aerobatic display aircraft of the Spanish Air Force, whilst the C-101CC model, with its 7 hard-points and uprated engine, is a versatile light attack aircraft that has seen combat with the Honduras Air Force against drug traffickers. It is also in service with the Jordanian and Chilean air forces. The two models of the C-101 have many similarities that include cockpit layout, core-systems operation, and aerodynamic design. This commonality brings something for everyone to include lead-in jet training, advanced aerobatics, and light attack. Features of DCS: C-101 include: Complete electrical system modeling Complete circuit breaker simulation with correct failed systems behaviors TARSYN gyro system replicated with exacting detail Accurate flight director system Custom air data simulation (airspeed/altimeter behaviors, etc.) Custom navigation system simulation Complete fuel system modeling Complete hydraulic system modeling Flight controls/landing gear can sustain damage if poorly handled Accurate pressurization system Accurate oxygen system Icing model Fully adjustable cockpit and exterior lighting A quick trailer on C-101EB/CC w EFM is here DCS World 2.5.4 Open Beta This week we updated the Open Beta from 2.5.3 to 2.5.4. Highlights of this Open Beta update include: Updated P-51D Mustang to include the P-51D-25-NA version Improved cockpits and external models for the Bf-109 K-4, Fw 190 D-9, P-51D Mustang, and Spitfire Corrected blue fog Increased AGM-65 range based on altitude Fixed Su-33 late activation crash Corrected ATC request for takeoff error F/A-18C Hornet: added GBU-12/16/10 laser-guided bombs, A/A Waypoint (bullseye) and BRAA, AGM-65F SHIP mode, and corrected cockpit errors and ACM HUD symbology Numerous improvements to the RAZBAM AV-8B NA and M-2000C, as well as the Heatblur AJS-37 Viggen Please find the complete change log here Happy Holidays, The Eagle Dynamics Team

Happy Holidays Stephen!