I hear the TacPac is coming out soon and I was just wondering what this will mean as far as F/A-18 simulation goes. I know FSX will not have the campaign and "depth" that a combat simulation such as Jane's has, but when looking at a mission --- ie air threats, ground threats, radar, etc --- how does VRS Superbug + TacPac compare to Jane's F/A-18? What does Jane's have that VRS doesn't and vice versa? Will VRS be a "decent" contender for the F/A-18 niche?

I am currently flying DCS A10 which doesn't have dynamic campaigns but is still fun having just one scenario and trying out different approaches and seeing which one works -- kina like a learning environment with a few variables constant. This is why I'm not really bothered about the dynamic campaign. However, I like my multiplayer goodies like buddy-lasing, sharing information, etc. Does VRS have this?

Interview with Varmint is most accurate source of TacPack information at the moment:

http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_461a.html

It looks like there will be buddy lasing, and simple object placement tool. Ground threats are already there. In next TacPack phases there will be AI (Basic, aggressor and target drone AI).

Mission editor is one of the planned features, but it won't make to initial TacPack release.

I think TacPack is very promising, because there are some chances to use FSX as a base for combat simulator.


On the other hand, there are hints that next DCS module will be F/A-18C.

Hmmm... yeah. I've read that article and I was wondering if I should get the Superbug and TacPac and get my afterburner fix... but I'm not really a fan of FSX. I tried FS9 before and just learned what I can about flying IFR and VFR and that was it.

How's the switchology in the Superbug though? Is it any good? Comparable to DCS BS/A10? What can the Superbug do at the moment? Drop bombs? Fire missiles?

At the moment, if I were just flying around in an F/A-18, I don't see the point in getting a Superbug, no matter how detailed (yeah but do they do what they're supposed to do?) the aircraft is. I wanna do things, not just go from A-to-B. I thought the TacPac might be the ticket, but I'm not too keen on plunking down my cash for an "expirement" in FSX modification.

I'd say if there is a plane comparable to DCS it's VRS SuperBug.

Superbug is focused on avionics, flying, systems and carrier ops, not combat - there are weapons systems modeled, you can drop bombs, and shoot missiles, but there is no enemy AI in the air to shoot you back.

It's a very good plane, but if you look for Jane's F/A-18 replacement then I'd wait and see what TacPack will be.

Are you saying that VRS Superbug is comparable to DCS as far as accuracy goes (or as far as they can make it accurate) and as far as graphical and technical detail goes --- the only exception is AI? If that's the case, that's awesome, since "AI" isn't really the VRS shortcoming but FSX...

However, yes, I am looking for a F/A-18 replacement and assuming TacPac will be what the devs say it is, why isn't it an F/A-18 replacement? Of course, barring the usual dynamic campaign blah blah.

There are few things classified about F/A-18E, but as far as I know SuperBug is as detailed as it can be. TacPack and later Pro version will even improve this product.

What I'm saying - right now it's a combat plane in civilian environment. You can shot AI, but it can't shoot you back. For me shooting at airliners is a bit pointless At the moment it's not a replacement for Jane's F/A-18, with TackPack it might be.

The best thing is, that TacPack will be multiplayer combatible

I know it's a civ sim and kudos to them for putting a combat aircraft in and actually trying to make it do combat stuff. I do get what you say about enemy aircraft AI, I don't think there will ever be a way to put combat AI in FSX, but I'd be very happy if I were wrong.

How about mud-moving though? Is there a way to bomb vehicles/buildings in Superbug? All I could figure out from TacPac is that persistent craters and being able to target simobjects...

Yes, it will be possible to bomb a vehicle, ship or building with TacPack. SAMs will be possible too. TacPack page says something about basic, aggressor target drone AI and wingmen in future releases.

It still doesn't have FLIR

Hmmm... I don't quite recall my Hornet days, but can a Hornet find targets WITHOUT FLIR? Um, like, even if FLIR isn't working, is there like a targeting pod/camera that can acquire and ID targets? Or are we limited to ground radar?