Helicopter Gunship DEX News

A quick hotfix which hopefully fixes any missing vehicles!

This update adds the following...

1. Added in the "HERO" version of the M261 Rocket Pod. This includes both the standard and APKWS versions. Tomorrow I shall be working on the "I-Beam" aiming system for the M261 ːsteamhappyː

2. Optimised the 3D models for standard and APKWS models so that they use less polygons when stored in the launcher.

3. Fixed a bug in the rotor wash effect which would sometimes leave particles visible on the ground after the helicopter has taken off.

4. Optimised the start up routine for the rotor wash system.

5. Double checked the player bubble system and as far as I can see it is now working correctly on all terrains. If you do notice a missing vehicle then please let me know - a screen shot is also always useful. ːsteamsunnyː

6. Modified the terrain's physics material type to see if that helps remove the final bit of bounciness from the helicopter skids. Some rocking/bounce is to be expected (as they do in real life) but it shouldn't be excessive and should dissipate fairly quickly and certainly shouldn't cause the helicopter to "boogie" on the spot! ːsteamlaughcryː

This update adds the following...

1. Fixed a bug in the bubble system which was preventing it from working correctly. This bug was introduced on the last update and would cause some vehicles to disappear and never return!

2. Corrected the stores system for the Lynx 3 so that when loading a DAGR + Hellfire rack it will find and utilise the DAGRs correctly.

3. Updated the stores system so it will always select "SAFE" mode when starting the mission

4. Updated the autopilot PID settings to (hopefully) make the autopilots more stable.

5. Updated the rigidbody settings on helicopters with skids to prevent them "flapping" while in flight.

6. Fixed the text material used by various cockpit instruments to prevent them glowing in the daytime.

This update fixes a couple of bugs in the game...

1. Updated the Viper flight model so that it works correctly when using "Intermediate" or "Beginner" flight models.

2. The weapons loadout screen now attaches itself to the main camera instead of being attached to the helicopter itself. This stops it from moving around if the helicopter bounces a little when placed on the helipad.

3. The spot light on the weapons loadout screen now only switches on when needed i.e. during low light/dark missions. This prevents the helipad/helicopter from becoming overbright and causing a bloom effect.

A bit of a mixed bag of updates in this one... ːsteamhappyː

1. New, more efficient player bubble script which controls the detection of when objects are outside the bubble and enables/disables them. Aircraft operating outside the bubble will now be able to target units that are disabled but they can't yet destroy them.

2. Added in vector contour lines to both the Mission Planning map and the TSD display for Central Libya. They are currently set to show every 10m of elevation change but this might be to low as it can make the display look cluttered. Comments welcome ːsteamhappyː

3. Added in the DAGR laser guided rocket system. It is identical to the APKWS in terms of power and range however, a pod of 4 DAGR rockets can be mounted on a rack in lieu of a Hellfire missile giving you some extra flexibility (plus the pods look cooler than the usual M261 cans!).

DAGRs are available on the following helicopters...

AH-64D & Longbow - 16 x DAGR or 4 x DAGR + 3 Laser Hellfires
Lynx 3 - 16 x DAGR, 8 x DAGR or 4 x DAGR + 3 Hellfires
Kiowa - 8 x DAGR
Gazelle 342L & 349 - 8 x DAGR or 4 x DAGR
AH-1Z & AH-1Z CRS - 16 x DAGR or 4 x DAGR + 3 Laser Hellfires

4. Fixed some HUD elements that would turn black if the colour got too dark.

5. AH-64D (without Longbow) can now carry dual Sidearms on its inner & outer pylons.

6. Fixed some MFD elements that would change colour when setting the HUD colour.

7. Reworked the "Radio" audio effect to hopefully make speech clearer.