MigBuster

Yes I really like the polished metal effect - great to look at it from that view point

All in 1 photo (likely a model?)

You would assume they mean anyone with a fleet of stealth fighters in 11 years time - or anything that looks like one.....maybe

Air Combat Command's challenge: Buy new or modernize older aircraft After a tense budget battle last year, the Air Force is gearing up to defend what service officials have called a series of hard choices about what to keep and what to dump. With finances tight, the biggest fight is over whether to modernize older platforms or risk a capabilities gap while pushing that funding toward recapitalization programs. Charged with keeping the combat air forces ready to go at a moment’s notice is Gen. Michael Hostage, head of Air Combat Command. He discussed the upcoming budget and challenges the Air Force faces Jan. 27 in a wide-ranging interview. Q. What should we expect to see for ACC in this coming budget? A. We made some very hard choices. The only way you save the amount of money that we are being told we have to cut from the budget is to make entire weapon systems go away. We talked specifically about the A-10, a weapon system I would dearly love to continue in the inventory because there are tactical problems out there that would be perfectly suited for the A-10. I have other ways to solve that tactical problem. It may not be as elegant as the A-10, but I can still get the job done, but that solution is usable in another level of conflict in which the A-10 is totally useless. It does not make any sense to cut the other program and cut A-10s if I have to give one up for the other. I really save the big bucks when I take an entire [platform] and shut it down because I save the squadrons of those airplanes but I also save the logistics infrastructure, the training infrastructure and all of the overhead. Q. Should we expect to see multiple platforms removed from the budget? A. Yes. That is the only way to make the numbers meet, the direction we were given. Now, again, whether the politics will let us do those things are another thing. Unfortunately, if I am told, “OK, we understand about the A-10, you can take half the A-10 fleet” — that, sadly, does not leave me in a very good place because now we have to keep all of that infrastructure that supports the A-10. I get to save some portion of money by cutting certain squadrons, but they will save the large dollars that goes with that infrastructure piece, and now I have to go after squadrons of other airplanes so I reduce the overall capability of the Air Force, and I am in a worse place then I would have been if I just cut the whole A-10 fleet. Q. Do you believe those program cuts can make it through Congress? A. Your guess is as good as mine. With the budget, we told them what we thought we needed to do, and now it is a matter of the politics of things, whether they will allow us to do it. There is a lot of opposition on the Hill, but that opposition does not come with money saying, “Here. You use this money and keep that fleet.” They are just saying, “No, you cannot get rid of that fleet.” But they are still cutting the budget so I have to do something, and, unfortunately, the something that is left is worse than cutting the A-10 fleet. It is far worse for the nation if I have to keep the A-10 and cut a bunch of other stuff because they will not give me enough money to keep it all. Q. ISR is another area that has been politically difficult in the past. Is that impacting your plans? A. Well, we are being driven by politics to take on a weapon system that is very expensive, the Global Hawk. It appears that I will be told I have to continue to purchase Global Hawks, and given the budget picture that we have, I cannot afford both the U-2 and the Global Hawk. I will likely have to give up the U-2. What that means is that we are going to have to spend buckets of money to get the Global Hawk up to some semblance of capability that the U-2 currently has. It is going to cost a lot of money, and it is going to take time, and as I lose the U-2 fleet, I now have a high-altitude ISR fleet that is not very useful in a contested environment. It will change how I am able to employ that airplane in a high-end fight or a contested domain. Q. Are there any programs you would fight tooth and nail for in the budget? A. I am going to fight to the death to protect the F-35 because I truly believe the only way we will make it through the next decade is with a sufficient fleet of F-35s. If you gave me all the money I needed to refurbish the F-15 and the F-16 fleets, they would still become tactically obsolete by the middle of the next decade. Our adversaries are building fleets that will overmatch our legacy fleet, no matter what I do, by the middle of the next decade. I have to provide an Air Force that in the middle of the next decade has sufficient fifth-generation capability that whatever residual fourth-generation capability I still have is viable and tactically useful. I am willing to trade the refurbishment of the fourth gen to ensure that I continue to get that fifth-gen capability. I am fighting to the end, to the death, to keep the F-35 program on track. For me, that means not a single airplane cut from the program, because every time our allies and our partners see the United States Air Force back away, they get weak in the knees. Q. So you remain committed to the 1,763 figure that has come out? A. Absolutely. Not one plane less. Q. What about upgrades to the F-22? A. The F-22, when it was produced, was flying with computers that were already so out of date you would not find them in a kid’s game console in somebody’s home gaming system. But I was forced to use that because that was the spec that was written by the acquisition process when I was going to buy the F-22. Then, I have to go through the [service life extension plan] and [cost and assessment program evaluation] efforts with airplanes to try to get modern technology into my legacy fleet. That is why the current upgrade programs to the F-22 I put easily as critical as my F-35 fleet. If I do not keep that F-22 fleet viable, the F-35 fleet frankly will be irrelevant. The F-35 is not built as an air superiority platform. It needs the F-22. Because I got such a pitifully tiny fleet, I’ve got to ensure I will have every single one of those F-22s as capable as it possibly can be. Q. Has the readiness issue subsided? A. The bottom line is, despite the budget deal, we are still going to the same spot at the bottom of the cliff that we were going to when they started the sequestration madness. They have shallowed the glide path a little bit over the next two years, but we pay it all back in the out years and we still hit at the same spot at the bottom of the cliff. We still have an urgent need to be allowed to reshape our force, to resize ourselves to fit within the amount of money the country is putting for defense, and as long as Congress is stopping us from doing that, we are going to have difficulty making readiness. Q. Given budget constraints, how do you encourage the development of new technology? A. What I am trying to spark is partnerships between labs and industry to produce capability of this leading edge technology that potentially is out there. Q. What areas might have the highest probability of payback? A. Obviously, we are very interested in directed energy. We are very interested in the materials technology that is burgeoning. Nanotechnology is very exciting and holds some great promise. There are some interesting technological areas out there, but I am sure not going to give away secrets of what the cool toys are we are looking for next. I want my adversaries to be surprised. http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140202/NEWS04/302020005

Saw this being discussed on f16 and thought of you http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/rates/fy2014/2014_f_h.pdf apparently hourly rate for fixed wing jets - so here's a few from the DOD - F-35A $17,148 A-10C $7,329 F-16C $8,982 FA-18E $10,873 F-15E $20,094 F-22A $21,464 I would have thought the F-35A would have had a similar cost to the F-15E as they are of similar size - but I guess the F-15E is much higher thrust and burns more jet fuel.

Mad

I would say guesstimate and set it relative to other objects. is the value simply just for the clean airframe? - guessing pylons and stores are not considered. The Shornet makes use of some planform alignment form a frontal aspect - although what that really affects...................

Wicked!

Hello folks, A few things for today’s update. First of all, it’s a bit cold in Moscow right now. Catching a LAX-MOW flight is always fun in winter, especially in late January – early February. Board the plane in balmy LA with +82 F outside (+27 C), bam, 12 hours later walk out to -16 F (-27 C). It’s so cold inside my apartment, I literally have to sleep wearing outside clothes under two sets of blankets. Managed to land here during the coldest week of the entire Russian winter. Eagle Dynamics offices are a bit better, especially during the day when the outside warms up a bit. Early in the morning when you just get in though, well, today we’ve been joking about working at Igloo Dynamics. The FW.190 manual is progressing very well. Been keeping me very busy. Sometimes jet lag is a good thing, gives me so much more time to work on those charts and graphics, but working from home at night with the world frozen stiff around me and the winds howling outside, well, it’s quite an experience. The Bf 109 is getting along nicely. Two programmers are working on it at the moment, one dealing with various internal systems, and the second one doing cockpit gauges and animations. The internal systems are pretty much done, there’s just a bit of work left on the engine model. The cockpit is kind of half-baked at the moment, the visuals are a bit messy, especially the connection between the external and the internal model that’s all glitchy. That’s why we’re just going to look down today. I’d rather not show the gunsight and the canopy framework. The P-47 external currently looks like this. Very long process to get the model to this point because so much of the work cannot be shown with screenshots. The model is fully articulated, and has all the internal parts that are all mapped and animated. There’s also a few sub-variants all in there, with and without the dorsal fin, a couple of different propellers. Only one variant is going to make it into the final game, but it’ll be decided later once the programming begins. Otherwise it’s at least a month of extra work for each of the changes in airframe or the propeller. With that, I’m off to the exciting world of Triebsworkanschlüsse and Kaltstartvorbereitung.

Elite Soviet pilots filmed test flying a captured Northrop F5E Tiger II With the capture of the huge air base at Bien Hoa, the North Vietnamese Armed forces were able to supply the Soviet, Chinese, & Polish air forces a number of US designs for evaluation: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e52_1320882209

Thanks for the support Brent - may you enjoy as many years of SF/FE as those before you.

Ah great video - loved the 80s such colour!

The F-35 was deemed to be the height of perfection - thus they decided they could never best it

Many congratulations to our January competition winners who each received a DCS Module. 1st Skyviper 2nd MoonCat 3rd Kulbit80 4th DispatchGeek Hard luck to those who did not win this time - however you will get another opportunity next month.

You want stability? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLwML2PagbY

More here: http://manglermuldoon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/aviation-news-pak-fa.html I picked up the so called PAK-FA patent a while back - didn't get round to translating yet though. Also on the subject of Indians not liking fighter deals http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dna-exclusive-100-price-escalation-on-rafale-fighter-aircraft-to-rs-175-lakh-crore-likely-to-dent-iaf-s-strike-capability-1957107 India’s biggest deal of procuring 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for $18 billion (Rs90,000 crore) has hit rough weather. Two years after French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation bagged the deal for its Rafale fighter jets on account of being the lowest bidder, its cost has now shot up by 100 per cent. In January 2012, when Rafale was declared the winner, its price was quoted between $60-65 million (Rs373-Rs400 crore). A top defence ministry official said the price of a fighter jet made by Dassault could now cost $120 million (Rs746 crore). The second bidder, Eurofighter, had quoted $80-85 million (Rs497-Rs528 crore). The price hike would mean that the deal would cost India nothing less than $28-30 billion (Rs1.75 lakh crore-Rs1.86 lakh crore),” said an Indian Air Force (IAF) official, who is privy to discussions of the cost negotiation committee. The defence ministry headed by AK Antony has developed cold feet after the cost doubled compared to the original estimate. With the general elections just months away, Antony is unsure about the fate of the deal, a defence ministry official said. “As the negotiations continue, the cost is spiralling out of hand. It is a major worry,” he said. An IAF official said that in 2007, when the tender was floated, the cost of the programme was $12 billion (Rs42,000 crore). When the lowest bidder was declared in January 2012, the cost of the deal shot up to $18 billion (Rs90,000 crore). Eighteen of the 126 planes will be purchased directly from Dassault, while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will manufacture the other 108 under a licence, at an upcoming facility in Bangalore. The IAF, which is fighting its depleting combat strength, was banking on Rafale as this was going to be the force’s leading fighter plane for the next four decades. “With chances of the MMRCA deal getting inked appearing dim, there seems to be no solution to the immediate problem of shrinking squadron numbers as existing aircraft are forced into retirement,” said another IAF official. The air force is seeking to replace its ageing MiG-21s with a modern fighter and MMRCA fits between India’s high-end Sukhoi-30MKIs and its low-end Tejas LCA lightweight fighter. The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 45 fighter jet squadrons. However, it only has 30 squadrons operational as old aircraft have been retired.

There is another here: http://www.sldinfo.com/are-the-indians-turning-away-from-the-russian-new-sukhoi-fighter/ Who knows - maybe they want a better deal - the thing is not in service yet.

Hello folks, Wait, isn’t it still Friday somewhere? The project is moving along. I have been putting insane hours into DCS the past couple of weeks, so much that it almost feels like a pre-release crunch. On the development front, the Me.262 cockpit shown last week has had the last few kinks straightened out and is considered finished. Just waiting for the flight dynamics programmers, currently hard at work o the Bf.109K, to finish that plane and get on the 262. The P-47 is also nearly there. The cockpit is virtually ready, while the external model is a bit farther along. The general pipeline for this project is a bit strange. Our cockpits are built a lot faster than our external models, and the programming time that comes after the 3D models are complete is even longer. The order in which the planes will be completed is as follows. The FW.190D-9, in the development of which our team is also taking part, will be completed first (no ETA, not up to me too announce). The Bf.109K-4 will come next. Then the P-47. Then the Me.262. Then the Spitfire. The plan is still to release these piece-meal to all alpha-access backers as they are being done. The landscape is also moving along. The most important part of the process is engine integration, that is, getting the DCS aircraft to fly over the new terrain, and all the other objects, vehicles, ships, and so on, to properly interact with it. This task is in late testing stages, and in the meantime creating the landscape itself has slowed down a bit. Once that task is complete, we’re going to dump an entire large team onto landscape creation, and will be looking at an alpha of a Normandy chunk in a matter of weeks. As for myself, well, I have been doing a whole lot of writing and graphic design, and brushing up on my German as well. I’ll just show a single screenshot for now. I am catching a flight to Moscow tomorrow afternoon. My main priority there is to finish the English version of the manual as well as its Russian translation, and to get started on the Bf.109 manual. I also want to get back to doing video updates, and hopefully give you guys a much better look at what’s happening with terrain and the 109K in video format.

DCS 1.2.7.23097 released. Updates to 1.2.7 go through the intermediate version 1.2.6.99999.3 due to some fundamental changes to the updater. It's a virtual version used to replace the updater which was a part of DCS World. From now on the updater is a separate entity. Thus will allow for faster technology updates. Changelog: DCS World Improved network play stability. Track file are now automatically created when a crash is detected. In order to help the team find and correct MP issues that we are not always in position to produce during testing, 1.2.7 introduces the writing of tracks even when the game crashes. These tracks can be provided to the testers and developers in order to reproduce the conditions that caused the crash and correct it. This feature is a big step towards solving possible future and current problems that are often difficult to hunt down. When playing on a server and you experience a crash, put up an MP crash post and include that track in your post. Same thing goes for server owners. CBU-87/103. Decreased the count of graphic effects for improving FPS. ECM effectiveness against air defense systems has been significantly increased. Adjust Control window for in-game input adjustment were added. Adjust Control button can be find in the system panel by pressing ESC. VHF AM radio frequencies now correctly increased by 10 Mhz. The input modifiers are separated for each input layer (for each aircraft). Corrected night detection ranges of ground units with IR sensors. Reworked the Dynamic Launch Zone (DLZ) of SAMs. It will now take to account the target’s data instead of the earlier fixed zone. Kh-25ML (AS-10) new flight dynamics implemented. Increased explosive mass of HE rounds. It is implemented for compensation of a fragmental effect absence. R-27R/T, R-27ER/ET. Corrected drag and lift. Adjusted DLZ data. Corrected a far LOD of projectile's green tracer. Added engine smoke for most aircraft. Added SAM launchers elevation above target LOS. To preventing the missile crashing to surface when target flying very low the SAMs will be launch missiles slightly above LOS of SAM to target. Added AI MQ-9 Reaper. Changed Tu-22M3 payloads. If you have custom payloads of Tu-22M3 please delete custom file C:\Users\<USER NAME>\Saved Games\DCS\MissionEditor\UnitPayloads\Tu-22M3.lua to prevent conflict. Added new GBU-31(V)3 penetrating bomb. AIM-9M/P, MIM-72G. Decreased lift and drag factors. Spanish squadrons added to the log book. AGM-84E changed warhead type from blast-fragmentation to penetration. Added new Su-33 model. Bombs are now visually loaded into the bomb-bays for the B-52, B-1B, and Tu-22. B-52 and B-1B now have CAS tasks. Support for Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 stick is now working again for all modules. Tuning is ongoing. Support for Logitech G940 FFB stick is now working again for all modules except Mi-8MTV2 rudder trim. Tuning is ongoing. You must set FFB shake in the FFB Tune Menu to 100%. New and improved ship wakes. Must set water setting to High. Adjusted valid store options for A-10A: Added: AGM-65H – Station 3 & 9 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (2 and 3 each). Added AGM-65G – Station 3 & 9 on LAU-117. Added LAU-131 – Stations 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10. Added LAU-68 - Stations 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10. Added MK-82/MK-82AIR – Option to load on TER for stations 3, 4, 8, 9. Added BDU-33 – TERs on stations 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Added BDU-50LD/HD on all stations. Made ALQ-131 – available on both 1 & 11. Made AIM-9M/P – available on both 1 & 11. Added 600 US GAL drop tank – Station 4, 6, & 8 Added ALQ-184 - Stations 1 and 11. Removed LAU-61 – all stations. Removed Mk-20 Rockeye – all stations. Removed AGM-65K – LAU-88 option for station 3 & 9. Adjusted valid stores for A-10C: Added STN 6 weapons as STN 5 & 7, minus JDAM/WCMD. TER authorised on STN 6 for BDU-33 only. Added ALQ-131 – available on both 1 & 11. Added ALQ-184 - Stations 1 and 11. Adjuted valid stores for F-5E: Added LAU-68 – Stations 3, 4, 5, & 6. Adjusted valid stores for F-15E: Added AGM-65G – Station 2 & 18. GBU-31(V)3/B – Stations 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18 only. GBU-31(V)1/B - Stations 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18 only. MK-84 - Stations 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18 only. GBU-10 - Stations 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18 only. GBU-27 - Stations 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18 only. Removed AIM-120 from stations 7, 9, 11, 13 (can only be carried on MELs where CFTs are removed). Removed AIM-7 from stations 7, 9, 11, 13 (can only be carried on MELs where CFTs are removed). Adjusted valid stores for F-16A (USAF) – Assumed Block 15OCU: Added AGM-65H –Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (max of 2 per LAU-8, Station 4 & 7 LAU-117. Added AGM-65D - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (max of 2 per LAU-8, Station 4 & 7 LAU-117. Added AIM-7 – Station 3 & 8. Added Mk-82AIR – Station 3, 4, 7, and 8 as singles and on TERs. Added ALQ-184 - Stations 6. AGM-119B – Station 3, 4, 7 & 8. Removed AGM-88 – Not carried by the A model. Removed AIM-120C - Not carried by the A model. Removed AGM-154C - Not carried by the A model. Removed GBU-12 - Not carried by the A model. Removed GBU-10 - Not carried by the A model. Removed LANTIRN - Not carried by the A model. Removed AGM-65E - Not carried by the A model. Removed AGM-65K - Not carried by the A model. Adjusted valid stores for F-16A-MLU: Added AGM-65H –Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (max of 2 per LAU-8, Station 4 & 7 LAU-117. Added AGM-65D - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (max of 2 per LAU-8, Station 4 & 7 LAU-117. Added AGM-65G - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117, Station 4 & 7 on LAU-117. Added AGM-65K - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117, Station 4 & 7 on LAU-117. Added Mk-82AIR – Station 3, 4, 7, and 8 as singles and on TERs. Added GBU-38 - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added GBU-31(V)1/B - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added GBU-12 – TER (2 only) on stations 3 & 8. Added LITENING II – Station 5R. Added AGM-119B – Station 3, 4, 7 & 8. Added AGM-154C - Station 3 & 8. Removed LANTIRN – MLUs upgraded for SNIPER/LITENING. Removed MK-20 Rockeye. Removed AGM-65E. Removed AIM-9P. Adjusted valid stores for F-16C Block 52: Added AGM-65H –Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (max of 2 per LAU-8, Station 4 & 7 LAU-117. Added AGM-65D - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117 and LAU-88 (max of 2 per LAU-8, Station 4 & 7 LAU-117. Added AGM-65G - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117, Station 4 & 7 on LAU-117. Added AGM-65K - Station 3 & 8 on LAU-117, Station 4 & 7 on LAU-117. Added Mk-82AIR – Station 3, 4, 7, and 8 as singles and on TERs. Added GBU-38 - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added GBU-31(V)1/B - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added GBU-31(V)3/B - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added CBU-103 WCMD - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added CBU-105 WCMD - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added GBU-12 – TER (2 only) on stations 3 & 8. Added GBU-27 - Station 3, 4, 7, and 8. Added LITENING II – Station 5R. Added ALQ-184 - Stations 6. AGM-154C - Station 3 & 8 only. AGM-88 - Station 3 & 8 only. Added 600 US GAL drop tank. Station 4 & 7 (cleared for ferry flights only) Removed LANTIRN – No longer in service, replaced by SNIPER/LITENING for current block aircraft. Removed MK-20 Rockeye – No longer in service – replaced by CBU-87/97 on current blocks. Removed AGM-65E. Removed AGM-65K – LAU-88 option for station 3 & 8. Adjusted valid stores for F/A-18C: Added AGM-65G – LAU-117 on Station 2 & 8 (as stand-in for AGM-65F). Added GBU-38 - Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. Added GBU-31(V)1/B - Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. (as stand-in for GBU-31(V)2/B) Added GBU-31(V)3/B - Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. (as stand-in for GBU-31(V)4/B) Added MK-82 – Single on Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. Added MK-82 – TERs on Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. Added Mk-82AIR – Single on Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. Added MK-82AIR – TERs on Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. Added MK-82AIR – VERs on Station 2, 3, 7, and 8. Added LAU-68 – Station 2, 3, 7, & 8. Added LITENING II – On station 5 (used by USMC). AGM-65D – Not used by USN/USMC. AGM-65K – Not used by USN/USMC. Adjusted valid stores for Tornado GR4: Added GBU-27 – Station 9 & 4 (as stand-in for Enhanced Paveway III). Added GBU-12 – 5, 6, 7, & 8 (as stand-in for Paveway IV). Added LITENING – Station 5. Removed BL-755 – No longer in service, not carried by GR4 (GR1 only). ALARM – Remove from station 2 & 11 – not carried on these stations, ALARM launchers which mirror the SRAAM launchers on the wing root stations are not modeled. Adjusted valid store options for the B-1B: Added: Mk-84, CBU-87, CBU-97, GBU-31, GBU-31(V)3/B, GBU-38. New, improved GUI for mission and track loading menu. Legend for airfields with PRMG-type ILS has been added to ME map. Added new sounds for missiles, cannon of all calibers, explosions. Added sound of bombs and missiles in flight. Altered the sound of the drogue chute, removed the sound from AI aircraft not equipped with a drogue chute. Corrected force feedback for the Logitech G940 joystick. Corrected debriefing window translation error for "All". Corrected radio items only being added after switching to a new unit. Corrected missing airfield names in client landing messages. Corrected dual GBU-12 loading for the F-16. Corrected anti-radiation missiles that was self-destruct soon after launch. Corrected crash that could result from closing the Mission Editor in certain conditions. Corrected crash that could possibly result from closing the simulation from the taskbar. R-73: Slightly decreased drag and lift. R-27 series: Slightly decreased drag. Corrected F-16A MLU skins. Corrected bug that could result in AI aircraft no longer take defensive action against incoming missiles. AIM-7M missile: Corrected motor data: thrust, time and fuel flow. Czech, German, French and Russian localisation updates. Fixed JTAC not responding to some radio calls. Fixed bug pertaining to the hiding of mission editor layers causing graphical artifacts in the Mission Editor. Fixed AI aerial refueling bugs. Fixed crash that could happen due to certain ground unit sounds. Multiplayer: Fixed client crash when switching slot after changing radio receive mode. Added more compatibility with earlier DCS missions. Corrected JTAC assignment procedure in ME. Fixed error when player tries to contact a JTAC. Fixed crash when SA-6 missile hits its target. Fixed bug with wrong course set of Patriot template. The ALQ-131 weight adjusted. The ALQ-184 weight and drag adjusted. Corrected sound effect of Mach cone. Many other minor corrections. DCS: Black Shark 2 Reworked the 4th mission of Deployment campaign. Changed insurgents force, some vehicles, AFAC task, added some explosions, etc. Corrected 8th mission of Deployment campaign. Closest airdromes assigned to red coalition. Corrected Radio Menu not being available for the Ka-50. The Ka-50 Shkval display renders smoke again. Ka-50 Deployment campaign. Corrected mission #5 Night Hunt. Flaming Cliffs 3 With DCS version 1.2.7 an installation of Lock On: Modern Air Combat is no longer required for FC3 installation. Corrected EOS scan volume and removed gyro-stabilization. For Russian aircraft TWS, a 3 seconds delay has been added before autolock to allow the pilot time to move the TDC off the target before autolock occurs. In such a case, the autolock feature is disabled until mode reset or break lock function (backspace) is activated. F-15C Track While Scan (TWS) mode will now center elevation scan on the PDT. Several A-10A switches have had their position set to on: PAC Switch, Inverter Switch, AC Gen Switches, Radar Altimeter Switch, Anti Skid Switch, Fuel Boost Pump Switch, and Engine Fuel Flow Switches. A-10A. Maverick lock ranges have been corrected (including SA-9/Strela). A-10A. CBU CCIP and CCRP impact point corrected. Su-33: extra part deleted, 2 additional LODs added. Removed the toe brake axis assignments for the F-15C. These will return with the updated F-15C. Corrected activation keys for Flaming Cliffs 3. Su-27. RLS lock lamps now blink correctly. Localizer bar on HSI for russian airplanes is now fixed. The Su-33 location on carrier deck has been corrected. Fixed gun sound freezes when the aircraft is damaged. The holes in cockpit external models have been eliminated. DCS: A-10C Warthog Added 2 new fictions Canadian skins: RCAF 409 Squadron and RCAF 442 Snow Scheme. Aircraft can once again receive a complete aerial refueling transfer. TACAN dial controls have been corrected. Command bars now working correctly during an ILS approach. The liquid oxygen regulator is no longer dependent on electrical power. The ADI pointers have been corrected as well as the pitch steering bar stow function. Added mouse-clickable mirrors that allow them to be stowed or un-stowed. Corrected data when entering altitudes in the CDU and altitude alerts; the numbers changed when entered in the system. Corrected Radio Menu not being available for the A-10C. DCS: Mi-8MTV2 Magnificent Eight Added Mi-8 Spring Tension campaign EN and RU. Adjusted main rotor droop (underspeed) dynamics in the flight model. Implemented tailboom strike modeling. Installation of IR suppression devices will now reduce performance characteristics (slightly lower engine power output). Implemented RI-65 voice warning system failure reporting (WIP). RI-65 and autopilot stabilization channels will now be on by default when starting “hot”. Implemented ESBR (electrical bomb release control panel) functionality with all associated weapon systems modeling. Corrected the number of preset channels for the R-863 radio. Circuit breaker “bump plates” are now clickable and animated. UV-26 countermeasures dispenser will now indicate selection of port/starboard/both release modes. Added visual canopy damage effects in the cockpit. Numerous updates and corrections to elements of cockpit geometry, textures, and lighting. New custom sounds for numerous cockpit switches/controls, pilot blisters, cabin door, and engine start audio. Restored wheel brake volume level in the cockpit. Updated Autostart and Autostop scripts. Implemented airframe configuration panel in the Mi-8MTV2 Helicopter Group menu of the ME to control setting of engine IR suppression devices, weapon hardpoints, addon armor plates, and engine lifespan condition (WIP). Added numerous new skins. Added command to toggle mirrors ([M])*. Expanded list of assignable joystick commands*. Corrected crash caused by reloading of rockets in the Mi-8MTV2. Corrected an error in the Mi-8MTV2 campaign. Corrected the Mi-8MTV2 SPUU-52 zero indication. Corrected SPUU-52 circuit break connection for the Mi-8MTV2. Corrected inability to disable the controller indication. Set in Options / Special. Mi-8MTV2 pedals trim now working for the Logitech G940 FFB stick. Animation of stick cover has been corrected. Added curtain to the door, texture of seats, bolts to the stick, a cover to the bomb sight, and corrected textures of IR suppression devices. Corrected several additional textures. Added Mi-8MTV2 country skins for France and Germany. Server crash, when client fires GUV is fixed. Pedals work with keyboard. R-863 radio fix. Corrected some weights. Adjusted wheels friction. Network phantom lacks engine exhaust and tail rotor bugs are corrected. DCS: P-51D Mustang Added Israeli skin by Mario “Markindel”. Added oil system leakage with subsequent damage effects for the engine as it runs out of oil. No visual effect yet, so watch oil pressure. Added new P-51D takeoff training track. DCS: Combined Arms Correct reload-time Bushmaster cannon and 7.62 ammo count for Challenger 2 . Correct hitting sound and other minor changes. Add sound smoke grenades. Correct sound for F1 view. Add sound change RPM. Added movement sound to light vehicles, sound of traveling over water. Updated engine sound for a number of vehicles. New missile launch sounds for TOW, BM-21 GRAD. Corrected problem when jumping from an aircraft to a ground unit. Fixed bug with IR pointer and laser when spot designation is frozen in space when exiting binocular view. JTAC callsign will display in F10 menu. Fixed bug if player take control after AI has fired, tank no longer ignores rearm-time for gun. Tanks ammo count and reload times are adjusted. Corrected AP shots 105, 120, 125mm. DCS: UH-1H Huey Corrected missions for UN Pilot campaign. Added M134 minigun as door gun option. Added new M134 and M60 payload icons in the ME payload editor menu. Implemented AI fire control logic for left pilot, left and right door gunners. Added hint indicator for status and ROE setting of AI gunners. Implemented countermeasures (flare dispenser) system. Implemented correct throttle model including ignition, STOP, IDLE, and IDLE RELEASE functionality. Implemented “hot start” dynamics as a result of throttle mismanagement during engine start (WIP). Corrected main rotor mast tilt angle. Corrected collective control animation of the main rotor assembly (WIP). Visual cyclic and collective pitch angles of the rotor blades now derived from FM data rather than raw control settings. Fixed flight model bug causing erroneous “warping” in translational lift. Added seatbelts to pilot 3D models. Added new door gunner human 3D models. Added recoil visual effect when firing M60 and M134 door guns. Implemented airframe configuration panel in the UH-1H Helicopter Group menu of the ME to control setting of external hardpoints, IR suppression kit, engine lifespan (WIP). Fixed and updated Elbrus Rescue mission. Changed the logic of door gunner commands so that the “3” and “4” keys affect left and right door gunners, respectively.* Reduced recoil when firing unguided rockets. Added wind sound to door gunner positions. Corrected UH-1H damage model zones. Corrected inability to disable the controller indication. Set in Options / Special. Updated flight dynamics. Corrected animation of door gunners. Corrected AI targeting of door gunners. Corrupted cockpit night illumination is fixed. The tail rotor drive shaft arguments are corrected. Corrected some weights. Tail rotor is absent on network phantom bug is corrected. Tail rotor direction fix. Tail rotor rotation in multiplayer is corrected. Corrected hints of crew control. Spinup time decreased. Updated UH-1H instant missions. *Changes in input commands require resetting input profiles to new default settings. To do so, delete (or rename if you wish to keep a backup) the saved input configuration folders (files) located in \WINDOWS DRIVE\User\User Name\Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input\UH-1H\.

DCS have announced plans to drop the Lock On requirement for DCS: Flaming Cliffs 3 DCS: FLAMING CLIFFS 3 COMING SOON! DUXFORD, UK, January 23rd, 2014 – The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics will release DCS: Flaming Cliffs 3 as a digital download for $49.99 in the first quarter of 2014. DCS: Flaming Cliffs 3 (FC3) is the next evolution of the Flaming Cliffs series that operates as part of DCS World. Feel the exhilaration of flying multiple fighter and attack aircraft from both the United States and Russia in engaging and dangerous combat missions. Jump into the American F-15C air superiority fighter and A-10A close air support attack jet; or the Russian Su-27, Su-33, and MiG-29 fighters and the Su-25 attack jet to test your flying skills. The FC3 aircraft provide an easy learning curve for new players and focus on a broad range combat missions. FC3 adds many new features and improvements to previous versions of the Flaming Cliffs series. FC3 is a module of DCS World, which makes it compatible with all other DCS World titles like A-10C, Black Shark 2, P-51D, Combined Arms, UH-1H Huey and Mi-8MTV2 Magnificent Eight. Trailer video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae3uc0jD3AM New Key Features for the Flaming Cliffs Series: • No longer is an installation Lock On: Modern Air Combat required! • A DCS World module that is compatible with all other DCS titles. • New Advanced Flights Models (AFM) for the A-10A and Su-25. New AFM for the Su-27 and F-15C coming soon! • New 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) cockpit and model for the F-15C, A-10A, Su-27, Su-25 and Su-33. New MiG-29 cockpit coming soon! • New campaigns and single player missions. • Improved flight dynamics for air-to-air missiles. • Updated and improved HUDs and other cockpit systems. • Resource Manager that adds logistics control to missions. • Expanded theatre of operations map into eastern Georgia. • Countless other improvements in the areas of the mission editor, special effects, new models, improved terrain detail and AI. About DCS World DCS World is a vehicle combat simulation game created by Eagle Dynamics. DCS World uses a powerful engine that delivers realistic and engaging gameplay. The battlefield includes a spectacular mission area - the location of the Georgian conflict in 2008. Fly the Su-25T in a massive, semi-dynamic campaign to achieve dominance in the skies over Georgia! DCS World serves as the basis for which all DCS aircraft operate within. The huge variety of aircraft, land units and warships are included from countries such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and others. Units are controlled by sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and they have an amazing level of detail. This all allows for the creation of engaging, real-world combat missions in this flashpoint region. DCS is a true "sandbox" simulation that can and will cover multiple time periods covering many types of combat and civilian units. About The Fighter Collection The Fighter Collection, as well as developing software for the entertainment and serious game markets, also operates, rebuilds and maintains Europe's largest collection of airworthy WWII fighters and is based at Duxford Airfield, in the UK. For more information visit our websites:http://www.fighter-collection.com/ http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1976673#post1976673 And existing owners will be able to forgo it as well : Just to be even more clear: This is the same as the FC3 version you are all familiar with, the key/only difference is that we now can legally sell it sans-Lock On. This will also allow us to sell the product world wide on Steam and other digital distribution outlets. When the final version of 1.2.7 is released, existing owners of FC3 will also no longer need a Lock On installation. http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1976684&postcount=5

Okay birdfight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-iYXS0dZIs

If you see here: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/shaped.html The values shown here were determined experimentally by placing models in a wind tunnel and measuring the amount of drag, the tunnel conditions of velocity and density, and the reference area of the model. The drag equation given above was then used to calculate the drag coefficient. The projected frontal area of each object was used as the reference area. I'm fairly sure the actual values need to be determined through physical experiments - but they could be published somewhere - or for this game they might be estimated in relation to similar shapes. A comment from someone who does FMs would be usefull.