DCS: F/A-18C Hornet | AGM-84H SLAM-ER

Building upon lessons learned from the AGM-84E SLAM, the AGM-84H SLAM-ER adds greater range, a more effective Man-in-the-Loop (MITL) guidance system, and the ability to create intermediate steerpoints to reach the target. The missile is armed with an 800 lbs. warhead.
The SLAM-ER is a long-rage, precision strike weapon that has a range of 155 nm. The system can be launched at a known coordinate using GPS/INS guidance in fire-and-forget mode, or guide to a coordinate and allow the pilot to manually steer the missile with in infrared seeker to a target of opportunity. MITL also allows attacking a moving target.
DCS: F/A-18C Hornet: www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...

[@mdfogarty]

Truly, you are the Bob Ross of Hornet ground attack. So relaxing.

[@oldfrend]

...and there's no such thing as blue on blue, just happy little accidents

[@wee6838]

I want a Waggs podcast

[@FGCH03]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rm3950]

"So relaxing" hahaha! ....Like a 80 y.o. grandma watching Ross with crackers and tea. But, but, who's the real artist here? After all, Picasso did say every act of creation/art is an act of destruction. Such an existential crisis this is causing! I'm anything but relaxed. Paint brush or Hornet? Hornet or paint brush?

[@FalconMasters]

150 mile range! wow

[@deathrooster14]

Finally something i can use in Georgia at War. ;)

[@cypher1o1]

I wonder what's the range for mitl

[@jeanalexandre8398]

JF-17's CM-802AKG has 100+ mile range and it's been released for quite some time....

[@lacku2677]

@@deathrooster14 I'm probably gonna get hated on this, but Georgia at War isn't that fun. All the enemy planes are AI and way too easy. And there's no sense of progression if the enemy ground units keep popping up in the same place. There's no base capturing. In my opinion, BuddySpike is the best server and DynamicDCS, because they are actually challenging. However Georgia at War does win in having a lot of concurrent players.

[@taylorc2542]

How does ED get such detailed information about a relatively new weapon? I'd think this would be classified, but does Raytheon just give the operators manual to anyone?

[@TrickerDCS]

Do we get college credits for videos like this? Nice Work Wags

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

Half-credits :)

[@robbiemane]

COME ON AND SLAM AND WELCOME TO THE JAM

[@frogisis]

lol i'm never going to be able to use them now without hearing that and i love it

[@williamampuero7909]

The sum of updates over the last 2 years is mind boggling. This is truly a special sim.

[@jakubdabrowski3846]

And Hind, Apache, Mosquito coming this year... The best times for flight sim fans.

[@iain8837]

Unless you are a KA-50 pilot!

[@IRoNCLaW]

@@iain8837 defect. 🙂

[@dixonjamesofficial]

Wow Cyprus looks breathtaking from that altitude

[@beppe9638]

Why i have no Cyprus in my Syria map ???

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I first got the Hornet, then the Super Carrier, learned all the basics and did my first complete mission from start to finish with the SLAM-ER. Cold and dark start, cat shot, made my targets go kablooie then RTB, did a Case III landing and grabbed the #4 wire. Taxied to a spot on the deck, shut it all down by the book. No better feeling you can get in DCS. And this took 3 months of learning. Many times I splattered on the fantail or missed the ship altogether. And Wags was guiding me every step. And a few other select KZbinrs like Super Cap, Spudknocker and Growling Sidewinder to name a few. Gratitude for all who made that possible.

[@DarkFire515]

Ah RAF Akrotiri. Spent a few very happy weeks there in the summer of '93. Good times. Great video!

[@mcintoshdev]

I spent a whole hour on Cyprus after I landed in a C-130 and waited for the CH-53 that took me back to USS New Jersey (BB-62) in 84'.

[@bennperkins4006]

@@mcintoshdev C-130's, CH-53's and a USN Battleship, with Cyprus in the mix! Sounds like a great story!

[@manizaeim]

Another docs update for chuck :D

[@candle_eatist]

@Nybbl er Chuck is like the DCS equivalent of the indian youtube math teacher, and those guys deserve medals as well

[@getsideways7257]

Too bad people can't read more than a few words at a time nowadays... Otherwise they could just RTFM

[@noisytwit]

@@getsideways7257 or maybe some people learn differently and just reading a thousand pages of text doesn't work for everyone. I lean more on kinaesthetic learning for results so Chucks guides are perfect.

[@getsideways7257]

@@noisytwit Or maybe then you need a YT tutorial instead? Why substitute reading with reading?

[@manizaeim]

@@getsideways7257 the Official ED Docs often are not as sync as it should be, hence you will get the update manual usually after couple of months!

[@cuttheloop]

Yo, Walleye.... you're dismissed.

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

The F/A-18C is quite the package in game these days, nice work ED. Looks like we're getting Cyprus here pretty soon as an addition...thanks, Wags.

[@diacoal2433]

I'm pretty sure Cyprus is part of the Syria map

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

@Diacoal at the time I posted this, it hadn't been added, but yes it is part of the Syria map, which is going to see further expansion.

[@Z28Power95]

Spent about 140 hours just on the SU-25T and A-10C II. Even started playing on the hardcore servers with dynamic campaigns and no labels that get progressively more difficult as you clear objectives. They're definitely impossible to do without support from aircraft equipped with radar and awesome long range missiles like this one. I have the F/A-18C, F-14 and AV-8B as well but haven't used them yet. The F/A-18C definitely seems to encompass the most systems with the least complicated displays (well, easier displays to navigate). Thanks for all the vids. Hope development of this awesome simulator never ends. With the constant updates (including graphical improvements), I'll gladly provide continued support purchasing DLC's.

[@lordlobs]

Great video! The datalink's image quality is a lot better than I expected from these ranges! Amazing stuff!

[@norman191000]

This is amazing how the VHS quality of the video feed feels. Great job, both coders and artists!

[@CameTo]

Good stuff. Nick was really true to his word, and turned ED around in 1 year.

[@chipwillis]

Wow! This is crazy good! Gotta love the Cyprus Tease as well!

[@timmy3822]

Oh wow, Akrotiri looks amazing! I lived there for several years. You have no idea how excited I am to be able to fly from there in DCS. Oh and the new SLAM-ER looks dope too xD.

[@sam8742]

Try blowing up your old house?

[@MikeyRox44]

I was an avionics technician and PC for F-18 C/E and did all the weapons release and control checks (amongst many other things). This is awesome to see the weapons in action and all the launch procedures that we weren't involved with most times. I definitely plan on losing many hours to this once I get a decent PC.

[@mrpawno4955]

Hope you get a decent pc as soon as possible :)

[@ShqipeInfo-bc3ss]

I thought those A-G systems in DCS were not real, but made up for DCS for fun. How they know how the actual system was made, isnt that secret? Or how it works? Are you saying, that this in DCS is actually identical or even the same system as in real?

[@gagecook7506]

​@@ShqipeInfo-bc3ss these are 4th generation aircraft and they aren't exactly "secret" these planes and weapon systems and planes have been around for a while and there is no need to keep any info on them secret. the people who make these modules most of the time get real pilots that flew that aircraft to give insight into how everything actually works

[@groundpoundersimulations8317]

Can't wait to get my hands on it...and Cyprus looks awesome!

[@VideoUser3053]

What amazes me in these videos is the complexity of the systems and how that’s programmed … I mean where do you even start?! Superb work and another excellent explainer.

[@Farrister]

Looks incredible, looking forward to trying it out! Are the munitions locked to the launching aircraft, or could a buddy from the same flight with a DL pod be the MITL for a buddy-launched missile?

[@LeoH3L1]

You guys at ED absolutely rock!

[@ascherlafayette8572]

Thanks wags I've been dying for this to come out

[@ricbish4122]

Wow! Extended range and 800lbs of whoop ass! This looks great! Can’t wait!

[@irishpat64]

Talk about "Reach Out And Touch Someone" Whao!!!!

[@EaglefireflyGaming]

SLAM'd straight into those planes! Nice video and feature Matt!

[@cshader2488]

what an incredible weapon. nice addition!

[@rta2779]

As always very clear explanations. Thank you 👍

[@man_vs_life]

Hot damn, even final manual guidance. Looking forward to giving this a whirl.

[@jibcot8541]

Wow 150 miles range! this makes it too easy! Very cool love it 😎

[@airbornestuff]

Cristal clear as usual. Great job !

[@johnchristian664]

That's pretty darn skookum! Night standoff attacks will be pretty cool. :D

[@clevercat5844]

Awesome way to wake up! Thanks Waggs!

[@kevinschmitt845]

Wow! Thanks for the tutorial! Awesome.

[@phoenixsui]

Its just so cool, i am like a little child everytime you show us stuff like this. Cant wait for the Hind and hopefully sooner than later the AH-64 a propper western Attack helo.

[@DanielSirqueira]

Thank you very much for another video!

[@cipher8048]

GJ Wags , hope to see the new FLIR rework !

[@tiizy3605]

Oh cool, Cypress and a nice weapon!

[@Arkaine_]

A data cartridge function would be a blessing in order to create those intermediate waypoints.

[@EdvardHansson]

Have been waiting for a LONG TIME for the mumi page... guess it is the last thing they do when all the variables are in place..

[@matk4731]

Wait what Cyprus! Your such a teaser Wags😜. The Hornet is getting to be soooo good. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃

[@MarcKalfsbeek]

You get much to less thumbs up for al the video's you make. So much appreciated you take so much time for it. Thanks!

[@solarwind9431]

F-18 never ceases to amaze

[@SsgtHolland]

Very nice! The Hornet is almost ready to leave the nest..

[@simplewolf5946]

The technology of these weapons blows my mind

[@alloutlife88]

Very cool stuff Matt, I like SLAM's alot so this will be very fun to use. Btw, when's the new FLIR coming?

[@ALPHARICCO875]

Super 👍 Thank you Matt

[@TheChad138]

When I was in the Navy working on the S-3b, I went to school to work on this targeting pod, but all we were allowed to do was change out modules.

[@JustRektNorskSpilling]

Hows it going with the Apache? Can’t wait much more :) Keep up the good work.

[@AndreiCeleste]

Another video for my evening watch... just perfect!

[@fyzy7]

Well done ED!

[@c-boy767]

Matt, can you please make a video showing your private gaming room? With your f16 and f18 cockpit?

[@bigblackahuna7815]

Glad to see Cyprus is close and the SLAM-ER is a great weapon. When will we see 1760 smart weapons for the Viper?

[@simonhouel1984]

Damn that thing is scary. Imagine what kind of toys they have now ...

[@broworm1]

Hi Wags, couple of questions: Does the in range indicator factor in navigating to the waypoints? Can i 'prep' multiple stations using the method shown? to ripple them?

[@indyjons321]

Now we just need the GBU-39

[@gregduncan]

Made my morning seeing this video. Been waiting for the slammer. What’s the maximum range of the datalink to get a good image? Can I fire at max range do a full 180 turn then on the aft antenna and still get a good image? It looks like it’s sufficient to hit a precise coordinate on its own?

[@plokkum]

Cyprus looks like my helicopter playground 😍 Also, that SLAM-ER is insane! It's almost cheating 😁 Can't wait to see the new FLIR technology implemented!

[@Deltarious]

Really looking forward to this! Along with mission cards that we can set up in MP to make mission planning easier this is one of the last big editions to the Hornet that makes it feel near 'complete' for me.

[@spyantreas]

Love the scenario. Waiting for the real reenactment! ❤

[@nebil5041]

only in your dreams

Free to try. Remember 1974?

[@vnavspeed6737]

cant wait you try...

[@charenton82]

Matt tu es le meilleur!

[@sol2544]

Alright, I'm sold. Sorry JF-17, your cruise missiles are fun, but I want SLAMs now

[@lenn55]

Great new addition. Btw, every time someone mentions ED I think of the "other" ED. lol

[@FirstDagger]

Edwards?

[@spacekraken666]

Elite Dangerous?

[@getsideways7257]

Do we need to know?

[@MrGs500f]

150miles! I thought it was 100km. This missile is pretty rad.

[@almightyIrie]

specially when you keep in mind that even campaigns like OP Pontus are build around reaching the AO right after takeoff rather than having to do some sort of flying.. i mean, what is this, a flight sim?

[@saarsaban4290]

150miles is 241 km amazing

[@rainey06au]

9:20 and 12:20 for the best look at Cyprus!! Oh you're such a tease Wags!

[@Sinni64]

Is the Automatic Target Recognition Unit working in DCS? Would be very usefull in the Fire and Forget mode

[@JulioDiNapoli]

Wuuuhhuuuu ! Thank you Wags !

[@mcintoshdev]

Wow. That is going to be a nice stand off weapon for sure!! Is that out today in 2.7 OB?

[@gpjuan]

Did I spot ALT on the steer points? Does that mean that I could slip a SLAM-ER under an SA-10s radar or use train masking to do the job?

[@Aussilightning]

If you can make it follow a train to its target I think you just win.

[@gpjuan]

@@Aussilightning It will give some different options esp. with DCS Liberations on single player to take out SA-10 on single player. The Skynet IADS plugin makes HARMs a lot less effective as it keeps turning on/off radars.

[@shadowblade145]

@@gpjuan Wooooooooooooooosh

[@bobcoughlan929]

Looking forward to trying this out Can’t wait to see AH64 videos, when the module’s ready for that, of course.

[@fourthhorseman4531]

Those C-130s never hurt anyone!

[@ericlegear7134]

Thanks for the introduction. Is there a way to execute a simultaneous time-on-top with two weapons?

[@henrikoldcorn]

It’s normally “time-on-target”, but I’d also like to see that. Would make for incredible footage seeing multiple missiles from multiple aircraft all come in at once.

[@donrumsey]

thanks for the tutorial! Does STP need to be boxed for the turn points to work?

[@b0bl00i]

Really nice, is there any reason why the image has such terrible contrast?

[@furiz1-1]

Nice thanks!

[@PotholesInMyLawn]

impressive

[@Braeden123698745]

Can't wait to scout out some pesky SAM sites in the Kiowa and give coordinates to a Hornet and have them send in a SLAM-ER

[@WinchesterDelta1]

That was great :)

[@aramos3639]

Next we’re getting the SLAMEST

[@angelareid.7699]

As an English teacher in Vietnam, I appreciated that joke. XD

[@Sinni64]

yeeeeeeaaaaaah. Finaly the day is here

[@russtuff]

AMAZING!

[@mr.incognito8704]

Hey Matt, are we going to get the GBU-54 for the hornet as well? Thanks

[@pascalganz4852]

Hi Matt. Any chance to get a picture of your TDC axis setup page (tuning)? My TDC using a thrustmaster warthog throttle is still to sensitive... thanks

[@rumi_137]

Fantastic

[@Kathlanus]

Any hint when we'll get to play with this?

[@notproplayer3649]

What's the difference with the agm84k? Will we be getting this variant?

[@mscir]

Does the plane have a phased array so they can focus a lobe on the missile(s) for better signal strength?

[@jimmorrison2783]

Any plans to have a wingman be able to carry the datalink pod and control your misses in terminal phase?

[@Dash99erOfficial]

Awesome

[@radsy5821]

As far as I can see that WEP > SLMR station selection is necessary for the datalink to receive video, correct? Is there any way to cross-check that it's been selected?

[@Ironwulf2000]

Interesting... no comments about the 'DYNAMIC MISSION' up the top of the mission editor ;)

[@saarsaban4290]

wow i cant wait i want to do a formation with those adults toys

[@ghostdog688]

Just casually flexing the Syria Map expansion at the start... I always love the reveals around the new demonstrations ;)

[@PedroRodriguez-ui6pq]

Nice!!!!!

[@MrPhantom453]

Name dropping: Cyprus!! 👍

[@thebrain7441]

Any chance we will see more Aim-120 variants?

[@getous]

Kinda missed when this was added, and then been busy with life. Guess I'm going SA-10 hunting now.

[@nilsdietrich209]

I am curious where ED gets all the documentation and procedural steps for an active weapon system. Are they just making it up or is that accurate?

[@amatthew1231]

Everything they put into DCS, be it ED or any of the contracted studios, have to source real documentation when they develop a module. Many documents like flight manuals or technical specifications were classified but became available by the government. It is for this reason we do not have the F/A-18 Super Hornet which is the current variant of the Hornet fielded by the US military, most of it's internal systems are completely classified. But the F/A-18C is mostly unclassified as it's been phased out by the Super Hornets. The only aircraft that are semi-fictional are the Flaming Cliffs 3 low-fidelity modules such as the F-15c, SU-27, Su-33, and MiG-29. They pretty accurate but probably over/underperform compared to their real world counterparts, and its very difficult to find documentation on the Russian fighters but they came out when DCS world was still trying to get off the ground and needed content for people.

[@_DANZIG_]

Will there be some videos about the hind before it goes into ea?

[@_DANZIG_]

@@CakePrincessCelestia steam says it will be playable 31.5 :/

[@philhealey2520]

Thanks Wags, quick question is the data link effected by clouds/will it be in future?

[@danieldorn2927]

Why should datalink be affected by clouds? Isnt it radio transmitted?

[@philhealey2520]

@@danieldorn2927 I don't know, i thought it worth asking. I was thinking that when it's stormy my satellite TV loses bit rate and maybe data link would too

[@getsideways7257]

@@danieldorn2927 What makes you think water doesn't affect radio signal propagation?

[@danieldorn2927]

@@getsideways7257 It is negligible. Its not like datalink uses massive bandwidth. Even with thick clouds commercial airliners are able to communicate with the ATC. Would be terribly bad if radio communication was dependent on the weather.

[@danieldorn2927]

@@philhealey2520 I am sure the bandwidth difference of transmitted audio and video signal up to 4k resolution to the trackfiles for situational awareness is massive. Each trackfile has how much information? Bearing, Altitude, GPS coords? And how often is this information refreshed? Every second? Cant be that much. Looking it up, its max capacity is 238 kbps, which is about 30 kilobyte per second. Compare that to the average satellite internet speed of 12 Mbps, or 12000 kbps.

[@AhmadDanHamidu]

I noticed in the outside view showing the missiles in flight, that there was no exhaust plume from the missiles after they were released. Are these missiles gliders or do their engines come online later? Also, what kind of engines do they have since I can see that they have exhaust pipes at their rear end?

[@MattWagner]

It’s a small jet engine with no exhaust smoke.