DCS: F/A-18C Hornet | Defensive Systems Update

[@LAWest]

I can’t imagine how wide the smile on Wag’s face is whilst he casually looks around at the -new clouds- new defensive system.... Great tutorial as always and thanks ED for all these new upcoming features!

[@Merkabah727]

Its funny because it is true. I feel like I can't even fly or especially stream until these clouds come because I would be hating on myself.

[@James_vs_gravity]

thanks for all your hard work, loving the updates

[@BIGNEWY]

Thank you appreciate the support

[@thecircusfreak5364]

@@BIGNEWY you guys have been kicking ass recently, love the new update format. It’s given me and those I know who play DCS a lot of confidence in the product. It feels so stable after each update - its been awesome. Hope you guys keep raking in sales, I’d love to see what this sim can become.

[@BIGNEWY]

@@thecircusfreak5364 Thanks, we agree, the new update schedule is giving us more time to test, which is important with the complexity and depth of all the code. Thanks for supporting us.

[@bleakbody6610]

Wags, you expect us to pay attention to the video... that's almost impossible with these clouds

[@armor3667]

You're telling me. That is the only reason I clicked on this video lol

[@TheSd1cko]

Was thinking the exact same thing! Can't wait to see them for myself in VR!!

[@Mistjeager]

All I could think of when I saw the Jammer on in the radar was an exclamation point followed by the Alert theme from MGS.

[@TrumpeterOnFire]

Really liking how the hornet is coming along so far. Making tremendous progress after the various scandals. Keep it up ED, this is really great.

[@md123180]

I came to DCS a couple of days ago. I came because I wanted to fly the F/A-18. However, after smooshing the P-47 a few times, I'm beginning to realize just how realistic this simulator is. Now the complexity of the F/A-18 scares me, but damn is it an incredible simulation. I was expecting MS flight sim type experience. This...I might as well fly the real thing...and I can't explain how awesome that is to me. So, from someone just beginning to open this massive can of worms you guys at Eagle have created, amazing job. I hope to see you in the skies soon...ish...maybe eventually. I still have to learn to start the P-47 from memory. I'll be working up to this someday.

[@indeepship____3944]

This is going to be dope also nice clouds

[@magsiaveragegamer6880]

Im guessing you are from jolly rogers?

[@notproplayer3649]

The thumbnail is awesome, almost true to life. Awesome update too, funny thing is that I have been using the aspj jammer without even knowing it didn't work, at least the habit will finally be useful now!

[@goreoproductions6955]

That 2021 roadmap made me so excited. 2021 is going to be an amazing year for the hornet, and DCS in general.

[@skykaptain007]

2021? I don't want to go back to 2020

[@MrRabauke80]

@@skykaptain007 Give it a few more weeks, maybe you'll change your mind :-D

[@ohiodabbio917]

@@MrRabauke80 i think we have all seen enough lately (wink wink)

[@Mo-mw4zg]

Thank you Wagz! new DCS'er in mid 2020 and have 250+ hours already. Looking forward to all the improvements in 2021! I read the forum post and it got me pumped! keep up the lords work team!

[@-RudeSeagull-]

YES, the jammer is going to be amazing for guys like me who ground and pound. I am SO excited to get this.

[@Plumsytheghillieone]

Ground pound is the act of employing air to surface weapons. Ground AND pound is the act of landing the plane, then going on Tinder ;)

[@Impact117]

I was hoping for updated flare count, but the FLIR tracking of jamming contacts is still a very nice feature. Will the Angle Only Tracks be shared via MIDS ?

[@MattWagner]

New flare count is still planned, but we must first create a new flare type... not a simple case of just changing a value in a line of code. We'll get there. Thanks

[@LazyBoot]

@@MattWagner Doesn't the Viper and A-10c2 already use those new flares though?

[@MattWagner]

@@LazyBoot. Negative.

[@Impact117]

@@MattWagner Wondering what you mean by that. Wouldnt it be a smaller flare with less burn strength ? Or is ED looking into a whole seekerhead / IR rework type of thing ? Regarding Jamming: Is there more to come or will it stay at the FC3 22nm burn through on airborne jammers ?

[@mw2mw3rhett]

@@MattWagner What makes the flares on the F-18 different from the other planes? Is it the way they're dispersed or something else?

[@1CAG]

Wags is taking the *cough* new clouds *cough* teasing to a totally new level. Ahhhh... the torture.... :)

[@lordlobs]

Thanks for showing off some different weather presets, Wags! The clouds look amazing

[@daveg5857]

Glad I chose the Hornet to put the time in to learn, put the time in. It just gets deeper and deeper. Love it!

[@pyroscot]

Excellent many thanks Wags just what the hornet really needed 👍 some great work from the guys at ED recently.

[@juliankohn1647]

Thank you for the videos. It's the fastest and easiest way to learn and understand the new updates

[@OzDeaDMeaT]

You guys and gals have been busy. I can't wait for this stuff to be available. Thanks for the video Matt :)

[@BrotherBloat]

now this.... THIS is incredible! thank you ED and Waggs :)

[@jaynuck]

Wags, amazing sir. Thanks to you and the team for yet another awesome drop.

[@Deltarious]

Really looking forward to these and the gen-x decoys!

[@intrepid_wandering]

Superb work. The patches have been smooth and bug-free as well. Keep it up!

[@flymax4066]

Dude the clouds!!!!! Tears coming in my eyes and goosebumps everywhere! holy fck this is amazing!!!

[@Dravira]

Love how he teased the clouds looking right and left at the beginning. Good ole ED fashion

[@codecodderson3607]

SOO are we gonna get the flare count to 60 now ?

[@MattWagner]

New flare count is still planned, but we must first create a new flare type... not a simple case of just changing a value in a line of code. We'll get there. Thanks

[@puppers2607]

A jammer that actually works? Very nice

[@andrewchr]

Niiiceeee!! I've been waiting so long for these systems to be finally implemented. Also... clouds!

[@josephnoe2956]

Awesome stuff! Will the ASPJ have different effects against different SAM systems? I'd imagine an SA-2 will be easier to spoof than, say, an SA-10?

[@rain3422]

FINALLY, IM SO HYPE FOR THIS UPDATE

[@lankypilot778]

Progress continues to be amazing, couldnt be more excited for this yr & what's ahead. Thank you team!

[@Jafergon]

Thanks for yet another update and all the hard work! One day less to get those clouds!!!

[@jackal1743]

" Trigger, be careful when flying into the clouds.. "

[@sam8742]

God I love ace combat the the lack of realism kills me

[@jackal1743]

@@sam8742 I mean going through clouds will ice up your plane but not as fast as ace combat lol

[@Kid574]

@@jackal1743 True but still, it's something AC does while DCS doesn't 😜

[@sam8742]

@@jackal1743 I imagine that it would take hours of flying in clouds to ice up

[@lacku2677]

ECM XMIT is finally gonna work :DD

[@MonnieRock]

60 chaff / 60 flares still planned ? Timeframe?

[@BIGNEWY]

Still on our list to do, can not give a timeframe yet. Thanks

[@Golden5er]

@@BIGNEWY Anything on programming countermeasures sequences on the ground? (or AA / AG mode access on the ground?)

[@aarnoman1088]

@@Golden5er Also would like to know.

[@MattWagner]

New flare count is still planned, but we must first create a new flare type... not a simple case of just changing a value in a line of code. We'll get there. Thanks

[@Raven-sv4es]

fantastic addtions will come to my favorite fighter jet

[@williamsmith7914]

holy scnikies it is getting real now!!! TY for your development

[@alexanderryan-jones600]

Thanks to Ralfidude all I can hear now is "Thanks Daddy-Waggy."

[@Templar7832]

Fab video and having ECM at last will be SOOOOO good! And mmmm clouds 👍🏻

[@eazzy171]

Love the updates 😍😍. Great work ED

[@matk4731]

Excellent work sir. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃

[@Gert-DK]

Looking forward to the update

[@alexanderbeck5998]

Thats nice🤗, now its just a case of testing the jammer out on how much it is effective

[@Davidb4825]

Here's my idea for the next video: Start recording, kick the autopilot in, push F2 and get yourself the largest of all coffees and a good book...

[@Ltduketfd]

And I'd watch whole thing.

[@ThesynEden]

So EW is finally getting closer to reality?

[@thesquishywafflesanddoopvi1277]

2 weeks

[@thesquishywafflesanddoopvi1277]

@@911canihelpu "2 weeks" is a running gag in reference to guesses when new features will be released. Anywho, the Hornet has a non-functional EWS switch next to the countermeasures switch. After the update, it will be functional. The Tomcat supposedly has a functioning jammer, but I'm not sure if it really does anything.

[@tatersalad58]

I hope that the jammer functions will be coming to the other aircraft as well.

[@theespatier4456]

Wags: Something something counter-measures something something Me: Clouds

[@wiwa23]

Haha...that panning left and right! Epic! 😇😂

[@ClintThrust-e8r]

Those clouds are nice. Now, where’s my Mosquito?

[@inrptn]

My thoughts exactly...

[@getsideways7257]

You mean my Hind?

[@getsideways7257]

@@CakePrincessCelestia I don't think anybody is going to make a Tonka, since variable sweep is a pain to do with multisampled aerodynamics. Agree that it would be nice though.

[@sloppydog4831]

Nice one! This implementation of the jammer is unique among every flight simulator I've ever known.

[@DriveFast_FlyHigh]

Why does the radar cut out when you are jamming? Too much interference or is the radar actually doing the jamming?

[@Ltduketfd]

To help break the lock

[@_RAF_SkyRider_]

It's just raw emitting power! Jammed everything

[@ekka7441]

Have a read about interference blanking units. Should give you an idea why and how

[@antonwestergaard5211]

Thanks for the Update daddy-waggy😘

[@kaistraka7153]

Why must you do this

[@Hovis_711]

Ralfi has corrupted another young mind

[@comic14]

@@kaistraka7153 sup banshee

[@kaistraka7153]

@@comic14 Lmao wassup comic

[@shadoweagle1307]

Still no flare/chaff program editing on the ground?

[@MattWagner]

You will be able to do so in the next Hornet update. Thanks

[@Fabri91]

Damn, those clouds!

[@eldridgefelder3427]

I've been waiting for ECM for so long. Thank you for adding this feature!

[@dedododo-dedadada7957]

Clouds are looking FANTASTIC! Now I will finally be pulled away from MSFS20!

[@ThruTheWireless]

Damn Wags, all these hornet updates are making me dust it off and get back into the cockpit, time to shelve the viper for the time being. There’s also something else here that’s making these latest videos look purtty, can’t quite put me finger on it :D

[@sam0899gamer]

Hey Wag's, with the new clouds in sight, are we gonna get updrafts and downdrafts, windshear, microbursts and all the nasty stuff a CB would give us if we would fly above/below it?

[@risingsun9595]

Jammers are actually effective? Would be nice if all jammers got buffed to be more than paperweights.

[@MattWagner]

Clearly effective in the demonstration.

[@risingsun9595]

@@MattWagner The F-18's is, at least. You can see ralfidude's video on jammer effectiveness

[@ryanlegrand141]

Does this mean the groundwork is there now for more detailed ECM on the other aircraft in the near future?

[@spacechimp6442]

Looks like after the next update the Hornet will be pretty much complete.

[@Chenstrapftw]

On the topic of jamming, any plans to implement some AI EW aircraft? Would be a great addition for mission making to have more potent EW threats. Also how will AI F18s work in regards to jamming? How will they be effected.

[@getsideways7257]

@@realQuiGon What about same side jammer interference?

[@getsideways7257]

@@realQuiGon Guess that'd be too much to ask for, after all.

[@ohiodabbio917]

You guys are really putting in the work! Thank You! You guys deserve a beer or three! KEEP IT GOING!!

[@thunderpants]

Cloud Appreciation Society was here

[@damsonn]

I wonder what aircraft is teased @0:44 in the distance?

[@MattWagner]

A Hornet wingman. Thanks

[@plokkum]

Would love to see a video on the improved visual effects that was announced in the latest roadmap update 😬

[@durandil]

I hope this updat will come soon. ECM are very important.

[@broworm1]

Hi Wags, will jamming also have an effect on naval targets while in A/G SEA mode? For instance trying to lock up a (jamming)ship for harpoon launch. If not, is this feature planned?

[@triggerdcs]

How effective is the Hornet jammer against other fighters radar? is the burn through the same ~21nm just like the others or it is stronger?

[@GruntyGame]

I'm wondering if you can range a jamming target with the litening.

[@williamwinborne3253]

Hey Matt, are JDAMs for the Viper being worked on now that the HARM and Mav are so detailed? Thanks for your hard work.

[@EricSeelig]

This is awesome! The next update for the Hornet is going to be amazing. Since I seem to be the only one not hypnotized by the [admittedly awesome] clouds, a few questions... ;) - Do S/A and Auto modes use the programs stored in memory? Or is that what the AUTO_1, _2, and _3 programs in CMDS_ALE47.lua are for? - How do you stop the program in S/A mode, is it aft on the countermeasures switch like in the Warthog? - With no missile warning system on the Hornet, how does Auto mode work with IR missile threats (e.g. MANPADs)? And how does it select program in S/A mode?

[@SC86Canada]

Great video, Can you make one on making the BIT test actually work properly at startup?

[@G3R3SkYwAlK3R]

My vision is a bit clouded... eeeemm what was this video about? F/A-18 ahhh you had me on F

[@matts2758]

Can you use the laser on the targeting pod to get range data on a jamming target?

[@Paul-oi2wz]

I would understand if that will be the last thing to implement, but will you implement force feedback to the stick please?

[@wombraider7796]

What ranges are burn through? Would jamming and then locking up with the flir and using that as an aiming point for a mad dog amram be viable?

[@elsnocc6572]

Any updates on the mosquito/mi-24?

[@MattWagner]

forums.eagle.ru/topic/254461-official-news-2021/?do=findComment&comment=4532354

[@ekjk123]

when will the new clouds/f18 additions be released?! im so excited! thanks for all your hard work ED

[@Harker_N]

Is that the ASPJ threat audio I hear around 1:20 or am I wrong? Is it implemented? Great video by the way. Finally, a jammer that can actually work. I wonder how it'll work vs more modern/older systems.

[@eldridgefelder3427]

@MattWagner Does the real F-18C actually have its own radar disabled when jamming? Or is this a ED feature for balance reasons? The F-15C in DCS doesn't disable its own radar when jammer is active, does it?

[@eldridgefelder3427]

@mandellorian Thanks for the detailed response. This answers it well. Do you know if it's possible to enable the ASPJ jammer without waiting for an actual launch onto the F-18 before it activates? To jam lock-ons before actual launch on your aircraft.

[@mobius7089]

@mandellorian No, no it doesn't. They systems talk to each other explicitly for deconfliction.

[@mobius7089]

EDism

[@SafetyHammer.]

Where is the orignal video (before update) can't find it in your channel. Link if possible

[@MattWagner]

This is a card in the video and a link in the video description.

[@Zekkenrata]

Will this jammer be capable of breaking locks even if the lock is not on your aircraft? For example if I’m in a formation with F-16s and a f-16 is locked up and I’m receiving background radiation making it seem as tho I am the one locked up, can my jammer still work to break lock for the group, or just myself?

[@alisonwake2487]

Hey guys , lets check this new system... Me : staring at clouds 🥰

[@Motorman2112]

Could you get range data from the targeting pod before you burn through the jamming?

[@CipherGL]

Hey wags, any info on F15E progress?

[@TheSaintArmando]

Ask Razbam, they are developing it, not ED

[@georgelind4668]

Will there be an update to increase the flare capacity for the f-18, if they release smaller flares?

[@dustinmarlow2801]

how do you "come out of it" for S/A mode? undesignated, cms aft?

[@stal2k]

Any word on the GEN-X Decoys, is that coming after EA is over? Edit: Also super pumped about the roadmap, can't wait for Vulkan and the new whirly birds! Congrats ED if you guys even pull off 80% of that it's going to be an amazing year for DCS.

[@zeelyweely1590]

If I'm not mistaken, the GEN-X was listed as something that would come after EA in the Hornet thread.

[@rjtoten]

does the ASPJ BIT function (is there any display or procedure related)? is it a planned feature? are the RWR filters (rotary knob) a planned feature as well? Thanks

[@snakeoo7ca]

Is the countermeasure switch to activate DISP in S/A a keybind?

[@MrMulkerrins]

When's this update out? Or am I being clueless not knowing how to turn on the ASPJ ?

[@jak2671]

Great stuff Wags. Glad to see AOTs in and looking good! Is a rework of the radar planned before the module is out of early access to fix the issues like TWS MAN and BIAS centering and RWS logic for the display of bricks vs. HAFUs?

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

It's looking like a really promising year. Q1 with the Hornet slated for being out of EA, stacked with features, and upcoming changes to the SuperCarrier to enhance the Hornet carrier ops. And of course clouds for Q1 too. Good on ya, Wags.

[@getsideways7257]

Thanks, Matt! A question: has your team ever considered Seamus Blackley's approach to flight dynamics? Although I highly doubt he actually did implement a real time Navier-Stokes solver for Flight Unlimited back in 1995, but it's hard to deny it flies very much differently to all other sims, so I doubt it's just another variation of BET. Just imagine how much easier it would make adding new aircraft: the plane's geometry itself would provide all the answers about the aircraft's behavior and at the same time it would automatically take into consideration vorticity effects (that play a large part when it comes to such aerodynamically advances shapes like the Hornet's). Also, when your team first introduced visualized wake turbulence, it looked very much like actual fluid dynamics in real time. Can't that be used for a flight model? Tables are nice and all, but very rarely they cover anything beyond the typical range of AoAs, thus not allowing for proper departure modeling (and even then I suspect it would require "animated" tables to properly model it). What's worse, one either needs pre-existing aero data to model the plane or an immense amount of calculation in CFD suites to populate the said tables. I think it's about time we entered new era of flight dynamics, especially considering the usage of things like CUDA and OpenAL has become more widespread.

[@quintenmaas326]

Hey Wags, I saw that you guys are working on getting trans-sonic shock cones into the game, I was wondering if you are planning on updating the sonic boom sound effect because it doesn’t really sound realistic to me. And like my previous comment. Keep up the good work.

[@SDsc0rch]

QUESTION - If a ground radar site locks onto your aircraft does everybody on your side hear the lock tone on their RWR??

[@antonioparisi6315]

Nope, only you’ll hear the RWR

[@SDsc0rch]

@@antonioparisi6315 - I should have been more clear. If an enemy AI locks you, all human players on your side hear the lock it was a bug But it's been a long time since I've played DCS, so I'm wondering if that bug still exists?

[@antonioparisi6315]

@@SDsc0rch no It doesn't 🙂

[@SDsc0rch]

@@antonioparisi6315 - so they fixed the bug? or are you denying that the bug ever existed??

[@antonioparisi6315]

@@SDsc0rch what's the difference anyway? You won't hear the RWR when on of your allies get locked, that's what matters.

[@spheren]

Will this functionality be added to any of the external jamming pods or is this specifically the hornet for right now?

[@Rubberduckzillas]

0:43 Alright team, someone identify what that silhouette is!

[@SimoneSerponi]

Jammer incoming... finally!

[@awcleve]

Is the update supposed to be out next week?