Helicopter Gunship DEX News

This update adds the following...

1. Fixed the elusive "No Collective" bug which.

2. Added manual vector control for the Harrier. You will need to assign joystick (or keyboard) controls to the new "Thrust Vector" control under "Aircraft Controls".

For Joypad users you can change the "Collective" (left stick up/down) into "Thrust Vector" mode by holding "Modifier 1" (left bumper).

3. Joypad users can now access an analgue trim system by holding "Modifier 2" (right bumper) which will switch the "Collective" (left stick up/down) into "Trim" mode.

4. Improved wingtip contrails.

5. Heat blue for the Harrier now follows the nozzle direction.

6. Added a new information display above the "TRIM" setting that will show you your current "NOZZ" (nozzle) angle.

7. Fixed HE blast zone damage calculations so damage is now applied correctly. This will improve the effectivness of pretty much every weapon!

8. CAS support aircraft will now attack from a slightly higher altitude which should help their shot grouping.

This update adds the following....

1. Updated flight model for fixed wing aircraft which is a lot more closer to real world physics. This is a bit of a double edged sword as it makes flying aircraft a little more tricky - you'll need to trim for different airspeeds, engines now produce accurate power, turning at high speed is more difficult.

I've tried to match each aircrafts flight performance to real world as best I can with most aircraft having the highest turn rates at around 280-350kts.

2. GAU-8 now fires at very nearly real world rate (3,000rpm vs 3,900).

3. AT-6 missiles have a better guidance system

4. Selected firezone for CAS aircraft will now no longer be moved by the A.I. You can still redesignate it though.

5. CAS waypoint sequence has been updated so that the aircraft will dive in from a slightly higher altitude. This should help them get guns/rockets on target more often.

7. Shilka and Strela turrets have been updated so that they can turn faster allowing them to track an engage faster moving targets.

8. All aircraft now carry a full load of fuel and this can often weigh several thousand kilograms!! Don't expect full performance with a full fuel load.

Known Issues

Due to the updated physics, the Harrier may not be able to perform a vertical takeoff if it is too heavy.

Instead I've adjusted the automatic nozzels so that it gives a bit more forward power to allow rolling take offs as necessary. It does take a little getting used to and the solution is less than ideal. However it is only a stop-gap as I will be adding in both manual nozzle control and a runway next week. ːsteamhappyː

This update adds the following...

1. Reworked the flight models for fixed wing aircraft so they act more like proper aircraft. The Harrier should feel a little "looser" when in flight. There's still some tweaks to be done to vapour trails etc.

The downside of these tweaks is the Harrier may struggle to take of vertically with a heavy load at the moment which is actually realistic - but what it really needs is a runway!

2. Updated the A.I. pilots so that they can fly the aircraft with the new flight model. This should fix, or at least reduce, the chance of the Su-25 misssing its waypoints and flying into the ground.

You may find the Su-25 (or even the A-10) takes a little longer to line up with their CAS route intially.

3. Update the Kh-23 missile to have better flight characteristics to increase accuracy.

This update adds the following...

1. Helicopters can now RTB correctly.

2. Helicopters now land a little faster rather than being very hesitant.

3. Remastered all the audio settings so sound attentuates more accurately with distance.

4. Applied a low pass filter effect to all cockpit views simualting a muffling effect

This update addresses some of the feedback I've had on the A-10 etc...

1. A-10 will now fire more rockets in a salvo. This should guarantee a kill on APCs. IFVs may still survive if they're lucky! However, they will now hold their target and will re-engage if they survive. The 2nd run should get them! ːsteamhappyː

2. A-10 will now fire their cannon at a closer range ensuring better accuracy.

3. A-10 will now call out "Guns, guns, guns" properly.

4. Fire zones are now fixed so the A.I. won't wander off after targets outside the initial firezone.

5. A-10 will now report if it is out of targets. You'll need to reposition them manually.

6. A-10 now has its IR textures.

7. Updated the flight model of the A-10 so that it isn't quite as fast in turns when fully loaded and it's roll rate is slower - It now flies in a more realistic manner.

8. Updated the Harrier's gun to the new sound system so that it sounds much nicer!

9. Updated most of the missiles now to have better sound effects.

10. Updated some of the priority logic for rockets and guns so that they will engage APCs before IFVs except when using HEAT rockets in which case they'll go for IFVs before APCs.

11. Wingmen should no longer call out "Rifle" twice when firing their missiles.