We got the chance to interview Matt Wagner, Producer of the upcoming DCS: A-10C combat flight simulator from The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics. In our Q&A segment, we query Matt on a number of issues from random multiplayer missions to damage modeling to gun recoil and a whole lot more. Fair warning: This article will feature some technical terminology now and again so get your Google search bar warmed up! If you are a flight simulator or military aviation enthusiast, however, you should be right at home with it.
Additionally, Matt sent over some very pretty and exclusive screenshots of the upcoming sim for your viewing enjoyment.
Read our full Q&A with Matt Wagner as well as checkout the exclusive screens, After the Break!
GS) How many campaigns will be included in DCS: A-10C and will they be accessible in online co-op play?
MW) We currently plan on two phased campaigns. By phased campaign, I mean that each phase can have multiple missions that you can randomly play as you progress through the campaign. The campaigns are non-linear. In addition, each mission has many random factors.
One campaign will basically be a reverse of the Ka-50 campaign in DCS: Black Shark. You play as an A-10C pilot starting from the south of the combat theater and gradually advance north as you push enemy forces out of occupied Georgia. The second campaign will take place in the expanded terrain area to the east. This area includes Tbilisi, South Ossetia, several new Georgian airfields and new Russian airfields including Mozdok. These will be single-player campaigns.
GS) Will the Sniper XR targeting pod be available for use in the upcoming sim?
MW) For DCS: A-10C we have instead decided to model the Lightning II AT targeting pod in great detail. Doing the Sniper TGP would not have allowed us to include the level of detail we want.
GS) Will we see Wind-Corrected Munition Dispensers?
MW) You bet. Both CBU-103 and CBU-105. Using WCMD, players can designate a ground location (often with TGP) and then release a WCMD at the target point much like it would do a JDAM. However, whereas JDAM are GPS-guided, WCMD are INS-guided. They both though use the same CCRP delivery.
GS) How has the aircraft start-up procedure been altered for DCS: A-10C? How long will it take to perform all the checklists under ‘realistic’ difficulty settings?
MW) You can expect the same, if not more, level of detail for the A-10C start-up as you saw in DCS: Black Shark. Given the A-10C is a much ‘deeper’ aircraft, you can expect to see a lot more options, tests, and pre-flight preparations compared to the Ka-50 though. Your start-up procedure will be VERY close to the real jet.
Doing the start-up manually, you can do it in about five minutes. Like Black Shark though, we will have an even faster and easier one key press auto-start.
GS) How and where did you get your information on airframe capabilities/data?
MW) For the past four years we have been the developer behind the A-10C Desk Top Simulator (DTS) for the Air National Guard, Active units, and Reserve units. The DTS is now deployed world-wide with all A-10C squadrons. In fact, the DTS provides training elements that no other training solutions can currently match.
As part of the agreement with our customer, we secured the ability to create an ‘entertainment’ version of the DTS. This agreement took about two years! Although there were a couple of items we had to alter for security reasons, what you will see in DCS: A-10C is about 95% accurate to the real jet. In fact, DCS: A-10C is actually much more accurate in many areas. Because the DTS was just focused on the changes between the A and C models, many of the systems were brought over from the existing The Battle Simulator (TBS) engine. For DCS: A-10C, we had to create the engine, fuel, electrical, hydraulic, lighting, flight control system, emergency systems, radios, TACAN, ILS, and 6 DOF cockpit from scratch. As a whole, the DCS: A-10C is much more realistic and detailed than the military DTS version.
GS) Will recoil play a role in firing the GAU-8 cannon?
MW) Yes, assuming you did not enable the Precision Attitude Control (PAC). PAC uses the pitch and roll channels of the Stability Augmentation Systems (SAS) to keep the gun pipper on the target and minimize recoil effects.
GS) Has the in-game map been expanded at all and, if so, how – by size or by content?
MW) Yes, the map has been extended to the east to include many of the focus areas of the Russian – Georgian conflict. To the north, the Russian terrain has also been expanded to include the large Russian military airfield at Mozdok.
DCS: A-10C also for the first time provides a ‘map switcher’ that allows users to load different maps… not just the Black Sea map. For DCS: A-10C, we are working on a Nevada map that will include Nellis Air Force Base and the primary A-10C training ranges to the west.
GS) Has the airframe damage modeling system been changed at all for DCS A-10C?
MW) As with DCS: Black Shark, a full and accurate damage model is included. This not only includes detailed physical damage representation on the new A-10C model (textures and geometry) but most sub-systems can be damaged with realistic, resulting effects. When damaged, the full range of emergency procedures is available including the fire extinguisher system, isolating pitch and roll control surfaces, Manual Reversion Flight Control System, and the complete set of BIT and other avionics tests.
GS) Could you tell us how the random mission generator works and if these randomly-generated missions work in multiplayer?
MW) An unlimited number of side spawn locations, called Nodes, can be created to determine front lines. We plan to include 100 such Node pairs. In addition to Nodes, force layout Templates can be created. As with the Nodes, a broad range of Templates will be provided. When a mission is generated, it randomly selects a Node set, Template set, weather, time of day and skills levels. This is an open system and users can also create their own Nodes and Templates.
GS) Are there any plans for a true dynamic campaign in the future?
MW) Yes, at some point. In fact, the Mission Generator is a key first step in making this happen. This is in addition to now being able to hear all radio communications from allied flights… assuming you are on the correct radio frequency.
GS) What kinds of enhancements have been made, if any, to non-player aircraft AI?
MW) The biggest is the radio communication system for AI flights. Each flight group can now be assigned a broadcast frequency and the player must have one of their three radios tuned to that frequency to hear them or send them orders. You now hear them take off, navigate through their route, spot targets, engage targets, take damage, etc.
AI flights can also now be assigned to Orbit waypoints and they can be radio ordered to push from holding points to engage targets by the player.
We think it very important that the player now be able to not only hear what is going on around them, but be able to interact more with non-flight groups. This is also true for ground forces and JTAC units.
GS) Are there any plans to visiting earlier times in aviation with upcoming titles?
MW) Most of our work is based on simulator the modern battlefield. As such, we currently have no plans to model aircraft no longer in service. However, the right contract could change that.
Q) When deciding what aircraft to do focus on in the next DCS game, what are the criteria you consider?
MW) It truly does vary, but the most common reasons are:
1- Existing contract.
2- Access to very detailed documentation and subject matter experts (pilots of the aircraft).
3- How well it fits into our long-term TBS and DCS program plans.
4- How well we think the broad market will accept the product (not just our online forums).
GS) With the void of civil aviation sims growing even larger with Microsoft’s departure, are there any rumblings or thoughts to venture into that territory?
MW) While we have discussed internally, we currently have no plans for such projects. However, with the right contract, that could all change.
We would like to thank Matt Wagner, The Fighter Collection, and Eagle Dynamics for their hospitality and patience in answering our questions about their upcoming DCS: A-10C, which should be due out on Windows PCs early next year *See NOTE Below. We hope to see you all on the flight line and be sure to check their official website for more details!
*NOTE: It has come to our attention that the plan is for DCS: A-10C to be released in downloadable form by the end of the year. Sorry for the confusion!
