I. Gruppe Jagdgeschwader27

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNvV27 ... jvMA-iGqyQ

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPqnAP ... J0CZu9qMmg

here have been a lot of questions regarding what sensors and weapons will be available at the launch of the early access DCS: F/A-18C Hornet. This decision is based on balancing a great, first experience, while getting quickly into the hands of those prefer early access adoption. We realize that early access is not for everyone, but for many, it is. If you prefer a completed product, we ask that you wait for the final release. Take that time to monitor previews and early access reports to make an informed purchase.

We believe that starting with the more “simple” systems at early access roll-out allows a more shallow learning curve at the start. By then adding new systems gradually, it introduces the Hornet’s sensors and weapons in a more structured manner… much like what a real Hornet pilot goes through when learning the aircraft. This also allows us more time to fully develop the more complex systems in a way that delivers the most realistic experience possible.

Note that this is all very much subject to change for our mid-2000s F/A-18C USN Hornet.

Sensors:
A/A radar with RWS, STT, and ACM modes

Weapons:
Mk-82 series
Mk-83 series
Mk-84 series
CBU-99 and Mk-20 Cluster Bombs
BDU-33 Training Bomb
BDU-45 Training Bomb
2.75 inch rockets
5 inch rockets
20mm cannon
AIM-9L/M and CATM Sidewinder
AIM-7F/M/P Sparrow

Following the early access release, we plan to include many more sensors, weapons, and decoys for the final product. Please note that this list is also subject to change:

Sensors:
A/A radar with TWS, SCAN RAID, AZ/EL
A/G radar with MAP, EXP1, EXP2, EXP3, SEA, GMT, PVU, AGR, IRA, and TA
AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR Targeting Pod
Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)
Link-16
AWW-13 Datalink Pod
Weapons:
AGM-88C HARM
AGM-45A/B Shrike
AGM-84D Block 1C Harpoon
AGM-84E SLAM
AGM-84H SLAM-ER
AGM-65E Maverick
AGM-65F/G Maverick
AGM-154A JSOW
AGM-154C JSOW
Walleye I ER/DL
Walleye II ER/DL
GBU-10 Paveway II
GBU-12 Paveway II
GBU-16 Paveway II
GBU-24B/B Paveway III
GBU-38 JDAM
GBU-31 JDAM
GBU-32 JDAM
AIM-9X Sidewinder
AIM-120B/C AMRAAM
Mk-40 Destructor Sea Mine
Mk-63 Quickstrike Sea Mine
Mk-77 Fire Bomb

Decoys:
ADM-141 TALD
GEN-X

Let’s talk a little about sensors…
A key aspect of the Hornet early access release will be the air-to-air radar modes that consist of Range While Search (RWS), Single Target Track (STT), Latent Track While Scan (LTWS), and the Air Combat Maneuvering Mode of Boresight Acq (, Vertical Acq (VACQ), Wide Acq (WACQ), and Long Range Automatic Acq (AACQ). A lot of our efforts are now devoted to this.
Attached is an image just showing a symbol test. Several items are quite incorrect (it’s just a symbol test), so please don’t get too wrapped around the axle on this.
Once that is complete and the Early Access version of the Hornet has been released, we’ll be using the air-to-ground radar technology we’ve been developing over the past few years to create the A/G modes of the AN/APG-73 radar we are simulating. Our goal is to create the most realistic simulation of an A/G radar ever done for a game. This will be in addition to including the remaining A/A radar modes and functions.
Upon wrapping up the APG-73, we’ll move on to the ATFLIR, and at that time, develop a new and improved FLIR technology to provide the best and most realistic simulation of such a sensor.
You may also note in the image that we’ve been working on the lighting system for the IFEI. In fact, the panel was modified.
As for the Hornet start up video, we are just waiting on one critical item to be resolved with the caution and advisory system. The AV-8B will have the limelight to itself this weekend, but I hope to the Hornet start up video to you the week after… finally.

As many of you know, we’ve had to push back the Hornet start up video much longer than we had originally hoped. This has primarily been due to getting most of the Caution and Advisories at start up correct. One of the more obvious start up elements is the ”deedle-deedle” and “flight controls, flight controls” audio at right engine start up. While it would be easy to simply script it at right engine start, we need to understand exactly what causes this and make sure we account for the factors that lead to it.

These audio elements in fact goes hand-in-hand with the Master Caution. Anytime a caution is triggered, the Master Caution light comes on the Master Caution Tone (“deedle-deele”) is heard. There are MANY items that can trigger a caution and this has been keeping the team busy the last couple of months. For a start-up, this is generally triggered by a Flight Control System (FCS) caution. There are several items that can lead to and FCS caution, but the one that we care about in this case is either a FLAP OFF or AIL OFF cautions. Either of these will in turn trip an FCS caution. An FCS caution in turns results in a “flight controls, flight controls” audio caution.

Unfortunately, despite having literally hundreds of Hornet manuals, there is no good information why these two FCS warnings manifest themselves at right engine start up. Through some of our great SMEs (Hornet pilots and ground crew), we now understand that these control surfaces can “droop” over time, once the aircraft shuts down (further than the FULL down position at shut down). When the aircraft starts up, the system sees this as an a flap or aileron failure and thus trips the caution. We are now in the process of updating the aircraft for accounting for control surface droop.
These would also be indicated on the FCS page and an FCS Reset and running a BIT would be required to clear them.
Anyhow, it’s these little details that we feel are important for the proper simulation of this aircraft, but it has resulted in additional development time. In the end, we think it will all be worth it and provide you the most authentic Hornet flight simulation for the PC.

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet FAQ
Every day we get a lot of questions about the upcoming DCS: F/A-18C Hornet. So, we thought it best to create a little Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) post on our forums here:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=197186
This will be updated from time-to-time as we notice more frequently asked questions. Here is what we have so far:
Q: When will the Hornet be released?
A: We will announce the Hornet’s Early Access release date at the same time it becomes available for Pre-Purchase (sorry, no more best-estimates). The Pre-Purchase date will depend on when on when we feel we have stable build of the Hornet that provides the key Early Access features of a PFM flight model; functional engine, fuel, electrical, hydraulic, radio, lighting, caution/advisory, flight control, emergency systems; and the sensor and weapon systems as detailed here:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p= ... stcount=13
Q: What weapons and sensors will be included?
A: Please consult the detailed list here:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p= ... stcount=13
Q: Will carrier operations be included?
A: Basic carrier operations will be available at Early Access launch, but they will first be reliant on the carrier operations based on what we have currently for the Su-33. During the Early Access period, more detailed and realistic carrier operations of Case I, II, and III will become available.
Q: What squadrons will be available?
A: At least initially, our focus is on US Navy Hornets. This applies to skins, sensors, and weapons.
Q: Will the Hornet be released with DCS World 2.5?
A: DCS World 2.5 will be available prior to the release of the Hornet.
Q: Prior to release, what’s the best way to get a head start learning this aircraft?
A: In addition to the videos we are providing, we suggest a careful read of the F/A-18 NATOPS.
https://publicintelligence.net/u-s-navy ... ops-flight…/
Q: Can I become a Hornet beta tester?
A: Please see our post here:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=50779
Q: Will the Hornet come with a new, highly-detailed Nimitz-class aircraft carrier with new features and functionality never seen before in DCS World?
A: These will be two separate modules, but we plan to provide a bundle deal that includes both. We currently plan a less-detailed version that will be a free part of DCS World.
Note: There is nothing else we can really say about the new carriers at this time.
Q: Will the Hornet release with a manual?
A: The Hornet will release with a Hornet Early Access Guide that will instruct you on how to fly and employ the aircraft. As new features and functions are added during the Early Access phase, the guide will be updated to reflect this.
Upon release of the final product, the full manual will be released.
Q: Will the Hornet be able to share datalink information with the A-10C?
A: Once we implement Link-16, this is something we will certainly explore using the A-10C gateway datalink capability. The A-10C uses SADL, not Link-16.
Q: Will the Hornet be able to communicate with the JTAC?
A: Yes, but this will come after the initial Early Access release.
Q: Will a cockpit-view pilot be provided?
A: Yes, but probably not for the initial Early Access release.
Q: Will nuclear weapons be available for the Hornet?
A: No
Q: Will there be an option for a Hornet with no pylons?
A: Yes, but probably not for Early Access release. That will come later