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EECH 1.11 Released

Webmaster Ross — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:09:13 +0000

Enemy Engaged: Comanche vs Hokum version 1.11 has been released. You can get it here.

Feature Summary

3D Hind helicopter cockpit with full realistic startup
suspension physics modeling for main helicopters
fixed to use realistic rate of fire for all weapons
increased terrain texture details

SimHQ has a longer article about the release here.

DCS – Producer’s Note 7 – Defensive Systems

Webmaster Ross — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:48 +0000

Here is the seventh Producers Note for the DCS:Blackshark helicopter flight simulator.

This two part video shows you how the defensive systems of the KA-50 work. You may be disappointed to discover that there is no Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). But she does have flares and a laser warning receiver (LWR).
Nice to see that tanks and APCs are little tougher than they were in Lockon.

Hi-res download version is available here. (Free registration required)

DCS – Producer’s Note 6 – Weapon Systems

Webmaster Ross — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:00:13 +0000

Here is the sixth Producers Note for the DCS:Blackshark helicopter flight simulator.

This three part video gets down to business with putting some weapons on target.

Parts 1 and 2 of the video explain how to utilize the 30mm cannon, gun pods, and rockets. Part 3 covers the Vikhr Anti-Tank missle as well as unguided bombs.

Hi-res download version is available here. (Free registration required)

DCS – Producer’s Note 5 – Shkval Sensor

Webmaster Ross — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:02:11 +0000

Here is the fifth Producers Note for the DCS:Blackshark helicopter flight simulator.

This two part video provides information about targeting and performing recon with the main Shkval TV monitor, as well as targeting with the helmet-mounted display.
There are also some extra navigation features discussed at the end of the video.

Hi-res download version is available here. (Free registration required)

DCS: BlackShark English Manual now available

Webmaster Ross — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:58:53 +0000

The English PDF manuals for the DCS:Blackshark combat chopper simulator is now available HERE. (It requires a free registration)

The flight manual is 385 pages of text, diagrams and color photos, and teaches you all the detail about the KA-50 systems, including avionics, comms and the ABRIS Moving Map/GPS system. It contains checklists for practicing those cold ramp starts, and some basic operating procedures.

The User Interface (GUI) manual is 162 pages, and teaches you about the mission editor and the new pilot logbook.

What are you waiting for?

Top 10 Tactics for Simulated Helicopter Combat

Webmaster Ross — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:36:32 +0000

Keep your spacing – in multi-ship missions, allow space between aircraft, so as to allow all aircraft room to maneuver without risking collision or restriction of defensive weapon deployment.
Share the Workload – when flying with human wingmen, the lead chopper should handle navigation, and the others should be watching for targets, or SAM launches.

Don’t overfly dead targets – You may think you got them all, but if you’re wrong, they will be hiding in the smoke and will get you. It’s just not worth the risk. Take the extra time to fly a wide arc around them.

Turn as you fly – whether climbing, descending or staying level, make continuous turns as this helps to avoid blind spots, where enemies could be seen, which will give you the upper hand.
Lighten your load ASAP – as soon as your weapons are out, or your external tanks are empty, jettison them. This will make you more agile for making defensive maneuvers, and your engines will not have to work as hard.
Get in and get out – be as quick as possible in completing your mission. Who knows when enemy fighters or attack helicopters may appear.
Stay low and keep moving – sitting still makes you an easy target for tanks and other ground forces. Hovering in place also increases your chances of entering a Vortex Ring state. Keeping low can help you stay undetected because of terrain and other obstacles. Stay NOE (nap of the Earth) as much as possible and keep moving. When traveling through valleys, try to stay part-way up the valley wall, because there is shadow, and the enemy will be looking at the very bottom.

Avoid overflying population centers – stay away from towns, villages and cities, because enemy civilians or soldiers could have a radio/cell phone and alert enemy forces. (I assume mission builders will be scripting this with triggers in the Blackshark mission editor)

Attack from a distance – use your weapons from standoff range. Distance is your best defense. Don’t think that you have to fly right into the fray. Ignore those juicy targets, and stick to your mission goals only.

Plan ahead – What do we do if attacked by fighters? Where are our friendly support units? Where are our ingress and egress points? And lastly, practice you BFMs (Basic Flight Maneuvers) until they become second nature.

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DCS Blackshark (Russian version) goes Gold!

Webmaster Ross — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:03:21 +0000

The Russian version of DCS: Black Shark has gone Gold and is scheduled to be released by the 1C company, in both retail and digital download, for the eastern market on October 17!
details here

Unfortunately, the localization for western languages is still in process, and then the game will need to spend time being rated, so we may not see the North American version until Jan 2009.

Between now and then, they plan to release the ~550 page PDF manual, and a playable demo.

I believe that the Russian version will have option for English labels in the cockpit, or there will be options to add the localizations later.

Will you consider purchasing and downloading the Russian version?

DCS – Producer’s Note 4 – Navigation

Webmaster Ross — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:44:09 +0000

Here is the fourth Producers Note for the upcoming DCS:Blackshark helicopter flight simulator.

This three part video shows how the autopilot and navigation beacons can help a KA-50 Blackshark pilot compensate for the lack of a co-pilot.

The landscape looks amazing!!

DCS – Producer’s Note 3 – Basic Flight

Webmaster Ross — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:51:11 +0000

Here is the third Producer Note for the upcoming DCS:Blackshark helicopter flight simulator. This short video gives a sample of some of the nimble flight maneuvers that are possible with the coaxial rotor design of the KA-50 Blackshark.

Looks like fun! Guess I need to buy some pedals soon…

DCS – Producer’s Note 2 – ABRIS GPS System

Webmaster Ross — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:45:20 +0000

Here is the second Producer Note for the upcoming DCS:Blackshark combat helicopter simulator. This second video shows the insane depth of detail in the onboard GPS system. I like the fact that you can designate areas as no-fire or fire-zones and send them to your wingmates, and these can be preloaded in the mission editor.

Part 1:

Part 2: