DCS World Steam Edition News

[h2]Data Transfer Cartridge[/h2]
[h3]Development Progress[/h3]



In the next DCS update, the initial version of the Data Transfer Cartridge (DTC) will be available for both the DCS: F-16C Viper and DCS: F/A-18C. This initial version will offer new interfaces allowing players to create and load DTC settings for radio communications and countermeasures from within the Mission Editor. This long-awaited functionality is available for both single-player and multiplayer missions.
After initial release and product tuning, we will add additional DTC items such as navigation routes and points, targets/pre-briefed points, datalink, weapons, stores management, radar, Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) library, and more. We will also expand the tool to other aircraft such as the DCS: A-10C II Tank Killer and DCS: AH-64D

The DTC will use a common interface between aircraft types, but offer unique options based on their real-world counterparts. It will be an exceptionally powerful system that allows both detailed programming options, but also the ability to create multiple DTCs per aircraft, to export them, load them, and share them with friends.

[h2]Cold War Germany[/h2]
[h3]Development Progress[/h3]



What's been done?
Our partners Ugra-Media have been working hard on the DCS Cold War Germany map lately. Based on community feedback, the map border has been slightly tweaked, and new locations added. This includes new cities and border checkpoints, key Cold War locations, detailed road and rail networks, historically accurate airfields and improved environments. During internal playtests, the Ugra team checked the navaids and airfields, ensuring that each airbase was ready to receive historically accurate aircraft. Extensive rendering optimizations have been made to ensure consistent performance in large missions.

What's working now and next steps?
Ugra is currently focused on testing and preparing the map for release. This includes checking airfields, roads and terrain, and translating names into different languages. In the meantime, the colour palettes are being fine-tuned for time of day and all weather conditions. Additionally, Following initial Community feedback, Ugra has significantly improved the map, adding more air defense sites, new locations, original objects, and POIs such as quarries in Leipzig. Looking beyond this early access release, further testing and performance optimisation for high object density areas will be the focus to ensure stable frame rates in both single-player and multiplayer scenarios.

Significant milestones and moments to share
One of the milestones worth highlighting to recreate the diversity of Cold War-era missions is the near completion of historical airfields with accurate taxiways and ground structures. Ugra-Media has used historical sources, and where information was lacking, they have also relied on the memories of the people who served at those air bases to add authenticity and detail. Due to the exceptionally high degree of object detail, quantity and diversity, Ugra has been very careful about memory limitations, requiring constant vigilance to stay within the limits of DCS. Overall, these developments bring them closer to presenting an exceptional map that depicts Germany in the 1980s.

“We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing more milestones. Stay tuned for the release, coming this April!”
- Ugra-Media

[h2]F-4E 81-2 Red Flag[/h2]
[h3]Campaign by Reflected[/h3]



Get ready for the great new F-4E Red Flag 82-1 Campaign by Reflected Simulations! Taking place across thirteen meticulously crafted missions, you’ll experience historically accurate procedures, custom voice-overs, and missions randomized for replayability. Complete with detailed briefings, authentic kneeboard images, and dozens of faithful skins, this campaign will showcase the best of DCS from advanced dogfights to carefully choreographed ground attacks. Stay tuned for this exciting new campaign coming very soon in the next update!

Thank you again for your passion and support,

Yours sincerely,

Eagle Dynamics

[h2]F-5E Remastered[/h2]
[h3]Livery Competition[/h3]



https://store.steampowered.com/app/3352080/DCS_F5E_Remastered/

The iconic F-5E is known for its agility and timeless design. Here’s your chance to give this legendary aircraft a fresh look. Show off your artistic talents by creating a livery for the F-5E Remastered and get a chance to win incredible prizes! All liveries must be based on or derived from a historical paint scheme.

Prizes

• 1st Place: USD 100 DCS ED Miles + 1 Free Eagle Dynamics Module + Livery added to the module
  
• 2nd Place: USD 50 DCS ED Miles + Livery added to the module
  
• 3rd Place: USD 25 DCS ED Miles + Livery added to the module
  

How to Participate
1. Create Your Livery
- Design a unique and exciting livery for the DCS: F-5E Remastered using the official template provided.

2. Submit Your Entry
- Entries should be submitted as a ZIP file containing your livery textures and a readme.txt file with your callsign, DCS username, and email address.
- Submit your livery via the competition submission page by replying to the designated forum thread. You can use an external link if the ZIP file size is too large.

3. Submission Format
- File Format: .PSD files only.
- Screenshots: At least three images showing front, side, and top views of your livery on the DCS: F-5E.
- Maximum of Three Liveries per Participant.

Voting and Judging

• Entries will be judged on creativity, quality, and in-sim applicability.
  
• Finalists will be showcased on our forums for community viewing.
  
• Special attention will be paid to period-authentic liveries that reflect the real-world F-5E operators—especially those based on or derived from genuine historical markings.
  

Rules and Guidelines
1. Original Work
- The submitted liveries must be your original creation. Plagiarised designs will be disqualified.
- Custom Pilot and Helmet liveries are not required, but the template for these is now available if you choose to include them and may improve your chances of success.

2. No Political Themes
- Liveries may include official air force insignia but should not include any political symbols, flags, emblems, or themes. This includes political parties, slogans, or any imagery that may be interpreted as divisive or controversial.

3. Cultural Respect
- Avoid using offensive, inappropriate, or culturally insensitive imagery. We want this competition to celebrate creativity and the global DCS community in a positive and respectful manner.

4. In-sim Usability
- Liveries should be practical and functional for in-sim use. Entries should complement the realistic nature of DCS, and liveries that are too outlandish or impractical may not be considered.

5. Submission Deadline
- All entries must be submitted by the 15th of June 2025 at 23:59 GMT. Late submissions will not be considered.

6. Legal Notice
- By submitting your livery, you grant Eagle Dynamics the right to use, modify, and feature your design in DCS, promotional materials, and official media channels.

The winners will be contacted and announced on our forum, so stay tuned! We’re excited to see how you envision the F-5E Remastered looking on the battlefield. May the most creative and detailed design win!

Download and get started with the F-5E Remastered templates.

[h2]Instant Action Generator[/h2]
[h3]Development Progress[/h3]



We are pleased to share the latest developments on our Instant Action Generator (IAG), a new tool that will replace Instant Action. The IAG will give players a quick and easy way to jump into the action without the complexities of creating missions using the powerful, yet complex, Mission Editor. The IAG will offer customisable scenarios: air-to-air, ground attacks, bomber escort and attack, anti-ship, suppression of enemy air defenses, and more with just a few clicks. Existing Instant Actions missions will be moved to Missions.
Recent efforts have focused on sorting aircraft by historical eras, improving AI logic for different skill levels, and allowing players to fine-tune everything from loadouts to spawn points from an interactive map. The goal is to provide newcomers with an intuitive and powerful tool to create simple missions and veteran players with the means to experiment with different match-ups, weapons, and scenarios. Please note that the IAG is designed to create fast and simple scenarios, and not large, complex missions.
Other enhancements include carrier operations, manual selection of allied and enemy units, and dynamic weather and time-of-day settings. As a result, the generator delivers a fast but flexible environment where testing a new module, practicing before a multiplayer match, or simply enjoying a casual dogfight is more accessible than ever. We will continue refining the IAG to ensure it remains a valuable tool for pilots of all skill levels. Stay tuned for more updates.

[h2]Hammy and Friends[/h2]
[h3]Skills Challenge[/h3]



The event features three high-stakes challenges. First, prove your nerves of steel in the Carrier Landing Challenge by landing on a moving deck with 40-knot winds. Next, trade laser-guided precision for good old-fashioned “dumb bombs” in the Bomb Lofting Challenge; the question is whether you can still strike near the target from half a mile away. Finally, push your limits in the Canyon Race, navigating twisting gorges at breakneck speed. Every dollar donated during these three days goes directly to K9s for Warriors, so you can fly, compete, and give back to those who’ve served. Join their Discord server now!

Thank you again for your passion and support,

Yours sincerely,

Eagle Dynamics

[h2]CH-47F [/h2]
[h3]Development progress[/h3]



Since our CH-47F newsletter update last month, we have been adding new features and tuning existing ones. The latest set of features has been rather complicated, and we thank you for your patience whilst we continue development.

We are working on additional MFD pages and numerous controls via the CDU. Currently we are focused on DAFCS native functions, which include hover mode. The Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS) Native Functions will include inertial, radar altimeter holds velocity, and position hold. Other items in development include new flight planning functionality, an improved damage system, and more paint schemes. The Extended Range Fuel System (ERFS II) is also in development.

[h2]A-10C II Pilot Model[/h2]
[h3]Development Progress[/h3]



We are excited to unveil our updated A-10C pilot, designed with highly accurate gear and visuals. The new, Scorpion helmet features a lightweight shell and tinted visor with realistic wear-and-tear markings. Oxygen mask connectors and straps have been precisely modeled to move naturally with the pilot’s head turns, creating a more authentic VR or TrackIR experience.



The flight suit is crafted from flame-retardant Nomex-like material, complete with realistic folds, wrinkles, and carefully placed pockets. Buckles, harness straps, and G-suit elements match real-world hardware. We will continue refining textures, visor reflections, and movement physics for the oxygen hose to ensure a truly lifelike representation when piloting the Hog.

We look forward to implementing final touches and launching this updated pilot model soon. Keep an eye out for patch notes, and thank you for your continued support and feedback.

[h2]AMVI[/h2]
[h3]Joint Thunder 2025[/h3]



A Live and Dynamic Theater of War
The two coalitions, BLUE and RED, face off in the Sinai theater in a large-scale strategic conflict. BLUE’s air superiority is countered by RED’s formidable ground forces, creating a tactical balance that requires constant planning, coordination, and adaptation.

Realistic Missions, Unit Coordination
Every flight will have a decisive impact. Takeoffs, theater entries, attacks, and returns will be managed by real human ATC, AWACS, and JTAC operators, ensuring an uncompromising level of realism.

A Refined and Ever-Evolving Experience
Joint Thunder is not a competition, but a proving ground for pilots and squadrons, where training and the ability to operate as a team are crucial. From air interdiction missions to ground troop support and airspace defense, every role will have a strategic impact. Joint Thunder 2025 begins on the 7th of April, 2025. Join AMVI discord channel.

Thank you again for your passion and support,

Yours sincerely,

Eagle Dynamics

[h3]DCS Core[/h3]

• Weapons. Crash WeaponBlocks.dll!wRadarSensorBase::getRadarAimError - fixed
  
• ME. Absolute Mission Time trigger interface change, added time and date input
  
• Crash in some cases when several AIM-120 initial target gets destroyed before they reach it - fixed
  
• Crash in some cases when certain MODs installed and corrupt “database” in simulation - fixed
  
• AI. RU AWACS - no answer on DECLARE command - fixed
  

[h2]DCS Update[/h2]
[h3]Development Progress[/h3]



Mission State Save is a new feature permitting you to create and fly scenarios over several sessions whilst preserving and carrying forward mission progress, without the need for complex scripting. Mission Save works by generating a new mission file at any point during the flight. The generated save mission carries over the date and time, all units state and location in addition to other mission state relevant parameters.

We are releasing this feature as early Work-in-Progress to gather your feedback to help us refine and prioritise future improvements. We are also looking forward to requests from script creators.

For more details about this feature, please see the Mission State Save guide.

New Campaigns
Included is the new DCS: F/A-18C The Rampagers by Baltic Dragon, offering modern naval aviation on the USS Harry S. Truman, and the DCS: Mosquito FB MkVI Freeman’s Folly Campaign by SUNTS, featuring WWII missions based on historical squadron records and weather data.

DCS Core Updates
AI Aircraft improvements include several changes to aircraft flight and formation behavior and helicopter attack patterns. Certain AI aircraft received changes to their loadouts offering more accurate weapon support.

AI Ships and Ground vehicles have received some improved effects notably the addition of a lighter grey smoke to designate vehicle damage at 50-25% of its HP. This combines with the existing more pronounced smoke effect for vehicle damage ´near death’ of 25%-0% HP.

Weapons updates include significant changes to the AIM-120 missile’s fuzing logic and conical proximity sensor pattern. The R-24 missile has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, covering aerodynamics, motor performance, warhead configuration, and guidance. Several surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, such as the Hawk MIM-23, Kh-25MPU, Kh-22, and MIM-72G on Chaparral, have received adjustments to their flight characteristics, drag profiles, and/or guidance.
Core, GUI, and Mission Editor changes addressing longer mission load times or delays when occupying multiplayer slots have been implemented. Various interface issues such as the ESC menu failing to appear under certain conditions, F10 map zoom lock issue, and some dynamic spawn at FARP issues, have also been resolved. The Mission Editor now provides better sound file handling, more icons in draw tools and new absolute mission time trigger type.

Other fixes and additions involve model and visual tweaks for multiple units, including adjustments to recoil effects, dust visibility, and collision models. Certain 3D missile models details have been updated. The encyclopedia entries have been expanded to include the SA-5 (S-200) site and updated AIM-9 Sidewinder information. An IR jammer issue on the Su-25T has also been corrected to ensure it only affects missiles in the tail aspect.

A known issue remains where unusually large explosion craters can appear in rare instances. The development team is actively investigating and working on a fix.
Module Updates

For the F-16C Viper, the TGP target tracking jitter issue that had been affecting precision strikes has been addressed. IR missile detection problems have been resolved, ensuring proper threat awareness before launch. Additionally, the CCIP bomb aiming calculations have been corrected, improving ground attack accuracy.
F/A-18C has received fixes to its speedbrake compensation system when using the EXTEND button. The RAID antenna elevation displays now show correct information, and the anomalous drag properties associated with the BRU-41 weapon racks have been eliminated.

Some important improvements to the AH-64D have been implemented. Multicrew operations now benefit from enhanced FCR synchronization, while the position hold function no longer exhibits oscillation problems. George AI has received a comprehensive update with revised engagement ranges and burst intervals for more effective gun employment. Two longstanding issues—wheels sinking into terrain and No-Fly Zone desynchronization in multi crew—have also been addressed.

The Mi-24P Hind has gained new capabilities with the addition of SYNC mode for the ASP-17 gunsight and R-60 missiles that now properly react to flares before launch. You will also notice that landing gear problems following repairs have been corrected.

The Ka-50 Black Shark 3 ABRIS map labels have been corrected. The Shkval targeting offset issues, and mirror reflections during rainfall have also been fixed. Finally, the windshield wipers now do what they are supposed to do, wipe.
Our remastered F-5E Tiger II features enhanced visual effects with improved afterburner visuals and more realistic cockpit shaking under high G maneuvers.
For classic jet enthusiasts, the F-86F Sabre has received an important input fix, resolving a joystick assignment error that prevented proper VOIP control mapping and restored full functionality.

Flight training in the Yak-52 fixes include wheel brake disengagement during hot starts and improved pneumatic starter parameters.

The Flaming Cliffs 2024 module brings exciting new content with additional instant-action missions in Afghanistan for the Su-25T. Visual enhancements include overwing vapor effects on the Su-27 and Su-33, adding some atmospheric realism.
Finally, our historical WWII collection sees the Mosquito FB Mk VI receiving Russian localization for its lessons, making this iconic aircraft's training materials accessible to more pilots around the world.

[h2]Mosquito FB IV Freeman's Folly[/h2]
[h3]Campaign by Sunts Simulations[/h3]



Accessible for novices and veteran Mosquito pilots alike, the Freeman’s Folly doesn’t require the WWII Asset Pack and delivers 16 total missions brimming with authentic details. Enhanced by nearly a thousand voice-overs, images, and interactive ground-crew sequences, each mission features historically accurate flight plans via F10 map depictions, as well as unique in-flight GEE-H and AI Mark VIII radar oscilloscopes. Watch the unique explanation video and prepare to embark on a richly detailed WWII adventure that captures the spirit of Mosquito operations with compelling storytelling and historically informed gameplay. Get the DCS: Mosquito FB VI Freeman’ Folly Campaign now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3549300/DCS_Mosquito_FB_VI_Freemans_Folly_Campaign_by_SUNTS_Simulations/

[h2]F/A-18C The Rampagers[/h2]
[h3]Campaign by Baltic Dragon[/h3]



From realistic departure and recovery protocols to fuel management, air-to-air refueling, and a host of mission types such as CAS, E-CAS and DEAD, the Rampagers campaign immerses you in carrier operations with detailed briefings, kneeboards, and voice-acted dialogue. The campaign’s 3,000+ lines of chatter, original soundtrack, and multiple possible endings promise over 50 hours of replayable content. Purchases also support donations for Syrian war refugees. The DCS: F/A-18C The Rampagers Campaign by Baltic Dragon is available in the latest DCS update.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3559790/DCS_FA18C_The_Rampagers_Campaign_by_Baltic_Dragon/
For a detailed list of all the improvements and additions made in this week’s update, please do read the changelog. This is also your last change to take advantage of the DCS Spring Sale savings on our E-Shop, hurry! Offers end on the 23rd of March, 2025 at 23:59 GMT.

Thank you again for your passion and support,

Yours sincerely,

Eagle Dynamics