Our first development is the BAE Hawk T.1A trainer.
Why the Hawk?
Well first, simply its the jet we have modelled, skinned and fully working in FC2 and has the simplest of features to get working in DCS as the cockpit is mostly analogue. It allows us to get into the inner workings of DCS and allows us to produce a high quality product without having to get too technical with MFCD functionality, advanced radar dynamics, etc.
Secondly, it's the fast jet trainer that the RAF (and other air forces) use for pilots getting into the Fast Jet Programme. This also fits in with our ACTS concept which I'll talk about a little later.

We have also discussed producing the Hawk Mk. 128 T2 variant.
The Mk. 128 includes modern LCD displays instead of conventional instrumentation, and allows preparation for flying modern fighter aircraft, particularly the all "glass" Typhoon.

And so, on to my favourite jet, the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Ever since our first developments back in 2008 for the RAF Recruitment team we have loved working on this aircraft.
She is complex as hell, flies like a bat out of hell and quite frankly is a match for any other aircraft in the world, even putting the Raptor to hard work in recent exercises.

This baby is going to be a beast to build into DCS and one hell of a challenge, but it's going to be great fun!!

We will start with an early tranche, most likely the Block 1 moving onto Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 with complex Air-to-Ground systems and full DCS integration.

The VEAO team are pleased to announce that we have signed contracts to develop the following aircraft for the DCS flight simulator engine.

DCS: Hawk
DCS: Eurofighter Typhoon

We will be starting with the BAE Hawk T1.A as this is the model we have developed the most so far and is the easiest to integrate into DCS as it is less digital.
So far the integration into DCS is going well, however we are learning as we go along, as are other mod teams.
We have created forums for general discussion at this time and may expand these later.
These are very exciting times for the team and the community and we are very pleased to make this announcement.

Thanks,
Chris.

Would it be cool if DCS turned into the new FSX with all new planes and scenery coming out all the time? Or not?

Comrades, we have an opportunity for 9 of us to go online and perform the worlds worse Red Arrows display in history

Would it be cool if DCS turned into the new FSX with all new planes and scenery coming out all the time? Or not?

Does the real Hawk have no INS?

What day is it?
Saturday, oh so I guess it's eye candy day!!!

Enjoy

Would it be cool if DCS turned into the new FSX with all new planes and scenery coming out all the time? Or not?

A quick update for you all.
Work has started on the electrical, fuel and hydraulics systems.
Who knew pouring over schematics was so much fun :/

Meanwhile the skinning team are doing an awesome job and we hope to post some pics soon.

Work on the manual has also started and you can expect some great work from our illustration designer.

Things may seem a little slow, but it just seems that way. Lots and lots of coding to be done

Cheers,
Chris.

A quick update for you all.
Work has started on the electrical, fuel and hydraulics systems.
Who knew pouring over schematics was so much fun :/

Meanwhile the skinning team are doing an awesome job and we hope to post some pics soon.

Work on the manual has also started and you can expect some great work from our illustration designer.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1509016&postcount=84
[quote]
We are proud to present an awesome skin made by Blondie - Skin XX278 2012 Hawk Solo

I'm sure you'll agree he's done an awesome job!!

One small step for man, one giant leap for Ells!!

Who would believe that doing a 3 stage flaps switch was so hard.
Well let me clarify, I've never coded in lua before. My background is Web design and ASP, however all coding follows the same logic with different hooks.

After racking my poor little brain for the past two weeks, I had a eureka moment in the shower...

I figured out the logic and the hooks and now we have a fully functional 3 stage flaps switch, and of course working Gear buttons

Ok I know it's not much but for me was a big breakthrough.

At least I can crack on helping the team with simple little coding things.

YAY for me!!!
Hehe

I'll post a quick video up soon of a tour of the pit and some working stuff.

Chris

Well it's the moment you've been waiting for.
What does the Hawk cockpit look like in DCS: World?

Here you go:
http://youtu.be/TKYg8PBZaiM

As the disclaimer on the video says this is an early build and improvements to the model, textures and everything else you see are continiously being worked on, but please feel free to ask any questions about what you see.

Also don't forget to subscribe to the new channel to see updates we post up.

Enjoy,
Chris.

I've just added another video which shows the close up of the cockpit switch test system.
This will also show you some great attention to detail within the model.

Same disclaimer applies.

http://youtu.be/sMNIKaecDBc

Another short update.
Work has been going well on the SFM and trials last night were very impressive and even the trim functions are working very well.

But more excitingly work has begun on the Advanced Flight Model!!!
ED have given us access to AFM functions and after our engineers passed out with excitment they are starting to get to grips with way more physics stuff than my little brain can handle.

This is an exciting time for all dev teams and whilst none of us know how long it will take to develop an accurate AFM, you can bet it's going to be awesome when it's working properly.

We'll be releasing a short video soon showing off the cockpit and some functioning switches/buttons/gauges/dials.
Suffice to say that I flew around the map for about 6 hours last night just looking at the cockpit shadows as I banked around the sunlight and had a big grin on my face.

On the coding front, I've made good progress with basic electircal and fuel systems and now to get the engines started from cold
I'm sure our coders will rip my code apart for structure, but it's working, and I'm learning haha

Anywho I hope you enjoy the video when it's posted up.

Cheers,
Chris.
______

Comrades, we have an opportunity for 9 of us to go online and perform the worlds worse Red Arrows display in history

Weekly update:
It's been a very quiet development week for me with Olympic fever going on here in London, go Team GB!!!

Our coder Yammo is back from holiday and has started to work on systems integration. Not much to show here yet apart from what you've seen in the videos.
We have 3 stages of development on systems:
1. Simple click a switch do something, turn something on, etc.
2. Link systems together, I.e. lights to electrical, engines to fuel, etc.
3. Build in full schematic systems for fuel, avionics, electrical, engines etc.

This approach allows us to get functions working one by one and is easier to debug.
If we started with no. 3 and built in all of the bus and busbar systems in electrical, it would be much harder to debug.

Crow has started on cockpit lighting and I can tell you flying around at night with side lights lighting up the panels is awesome.

Blondie and Crash are busy with new skins.

We're holding fire on the AFM at the moment to get the basic systems up and running so we can tie them into the AFM, although work is ongoing with Hawk aerodynamic data gathering.

Have a great weekend guys and I hope you're enjoying seeing London in all it's glory with the Games.
By the way, I spent 3 and a half years working on the Athletes Village building the apartment blocks the Athletes are staying in and am very proud to have contributed to something so amazing.

Team GB!!!

Perhaps DCS It's a Small World?

Oh wait, ED will NOT risk Disney's army of lawyers.

The Jedi Master

Brill, will buy it as soon as its available!
But, as others have said, DCS World needs to be true to its name, currently its just a very small and sadly boring bit of the world.

That Hawk needs to be taking off from RAF Valley, whipping across the Menai straits, up past Mount Snowdon and slipping down the valleys, for a simulated low-level attack on (I wont say the O word) avoiding interception by Typhoons whilst dodging along the Thames....

Cheers
Keith

A small update:

I am currently moving out of my flat, so all of my gear is nice and snugly locked away in storage until I get back into a permanent home with Internet connection.

I still have my laptop so can keep working on development but I may be offline for a while (albeit I do have my iPhone to keep in touch).

Development is still going well and the cockpit model is almost ready for a little touch-up to make it look used. Most parts are now modeled, animated and ready for linking to code which Yammo is hard at work on.

As previously said there won't be much visuals to update on as now it's knuckle down and get coding and let's be honest code doesn't look sexy haha

Ok, enough of this washing machine malarky and time for an update.

I think it's safe to say that bringing Tango into the team was a wise decision, the man is a machine!!!
In just a couple of weeks he has achieved what would have taken me several months to code.

All code has been written from scratch based on the Hawk systems and behaves exactly like a BAE Hawk T.1A

Here is a simplified list of what is currently functional within the cockpit:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
* Batt 1 and Batt 2
* Battery discharge logic
* Battery charge logic (Hawk T1.A spec)
* Commoned battery bus
* Battery contactors
* Essential Bus
* Generator bus
* Ground power connection logic (Hawk T1.A spec)
* Ground power shortcut key
* Ground power contactor
* All AC inverters, transformers and contactors are modelled
* Standby instruments and standby radio power switches
* All systems will be tied to the correct busses, requiring certain minimum voltages to operate

AHRS - ATTITUDE DIRECTION INDICATOR (PRIMARY ADI)
* Attitude indicator
* Gyro spool-up and down, and accurate useful run-time after power failure
* Acceleration effects due to maneuvering
* Acceleration effects due to increase/decrease in speed
* Natural erect rate
* Fast align sensitive to gyro RPM
* Auto fast-align based on power state
* Fail flag

AHRS - HORIZONTAL SITUATION INDICATOR (HSI)
* Gyro-spool up and down, and accurate run-time after power failure
* DG mode Earth rate error based on aircraft latitude
* DG mode transport rate error sensitive to aircraft latitude, heading and ground speed
* DG mode transport rate correction (fixed at 350 kts GS and sensitive to aircraft heading)
* DG mode Latitude selector knob fully operational (used to calibrate earth rate and transport rate corrections - AHRS does not know aircraft position)
* DG error accumulation due to maneuvering
* DG mode tumble
* DG heading manual set function
* SYNC mode includes magnometer simulation (located in the top of the vertical fin)
* Magnometer errors due to maneuvering (positional)
* SYNC mode auto correct rate at 1.5 degrees/min during level unaccelerated flight using inputs from magnometer
* Manual and auto FAST SYNC mode
* SYNC IND fully functional in SYNC mode (parks in vertical position in OFF or DG modes)
* Fail flag

STANDBY ATTITUDE INDICATOR
* Gyro spool-up and down, and accurate useful run-time after power failure
* Gyro errors specific to this instrument
* Acceleration errors
* Maneuvering errors
* Instrument-specific transient errors during maneuvering
* Multiple failure modes (topple compensation mechanism and topple due to maneuver limits being exceeded)
* Manual cage mode/erect
* Natural erect rate
* Fail flag

STANDBY DGI
* Gyro spool-up and down, and accurate useful run-time after power failure
* DG mode
* Maneuvering limits
* Accumultive error due to maneuvering
* Earth rate error
* Transport rate error sensitive to aircraft heading
* Manual heading set
* Manual cage function
* Topples when maneuvering limits exceeded
* Fail flag

TURN AND SLIP CO-ORDINATOR
* Gyro spool-up and down, and accurate useful run-time after power failure
* Topples (permanent in-flight as no reset function)
* Inaccurate at low RPM/topples on ground if spin-up time not observed before taxi
* Fail flag (flag disappears when at operating RPM)

DUAL AIRSPEED INDICATOR
* Compressibility effects
* Outside Air Temperature affects Mach (simulation weather system limited)
* Affected by alpha and beta

PRIMARY ALTIMETER:
* Requires DC supply
* Kholsman calibration window (hPa)
* Displays density altitude (sensitive to OAT as well as pressure)
* Fail flag

BACKUP ALTIMETER
* Pure pressure instrument
* Kholsman calibration window (hPa)
* Displays density altitude (sensitive to OAT as well as pressure)

VERTICAL SPEED INDICATOR
* Based upon atmospheric model
* Instrument lag

MAGNETIC COMPASS
* E2C compass including all behaviors during turns ("swing" sensitive to heading and direction of turn, sensitive to acceleration, pendulum effects)
* Integrated lighting

AIR DATA SYSTEM
* Complete air data simulation

CAUTION AND WARNING SYSTEM
* CAWS (Caution and Warning System) core fault system is implemented and fully functional.
* Attention-getter lights fully implemented with complete logic.

COCKPIT LIGHTING SYSTEM
* Panel night lighting in development
* Tied to correct electrical systems
* Fully independent brightness control system
* Emergency lighting system tied to DC ESS bus
* Emergency lighting dimmer due to reduced number of bulbs used for function

I'm hoping to record some video this week to post up, so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks,
Chris.

Well a quick update now and I'll try and record some video this week.

I have been writing the manual for our testers this evening so they know what the systems should and shouldn't be doing (hence why no recording a video). The electrical systems section in the manual is complete, albeit I need to insert some schematics when they're re-drawn.
Next is AHRS, Central Warning Panel (CWP) and cabin pressurization as they are also complete in-sim.

I just need the go-ahead on the format of the manual and I'll post an example couple of pages up.

And if I type one more thing about electrical busses without imagining big red double decker things driving around London, I'm going to jump under one!!

Tango has been tweaking a few systems here and there and the fast erect sequence on the ADI is now working beautifully as well as the topple (yes I do like to throw the Hawk around to get my SAI and DGI to topple just to watch the effects hehe).

Cabin lighting is also being worked on and we now have back lighting for main panel gauges which looks very sexy at night.
Also some spots around the cockpit which again look great.
They are also being tied into the electrical systems and switches/dials.

We have carefully selected a few Alpha testers that will help test out these systems, mainly AHRS.
They are real world pilots or mechanical engineeers in one shape or form either in armed services or commercial flying.
There are a few ex Hawk pilots i'm also in contact with to help us out.

For now, we are keeping the Alpha testing team small and with real life experience in the systems we are coding.
Sometimes this means flying for a few hours straight and level to see directional drift so not sexy fun flying but necessary to check systems are working as they should.

You wanted fidelity, well you're gonna get it, big time!!

That's enough from me tonight and I hope to bring you a video very soon.

Cheers,
Chris.

Now I'm off to bed to dream about these.....

Internal Build (5) 11-09-2012

NEW FEATURES:

* Cabin pressurization
* CAWS integration
* Positive and negative safety valves
* Cabin leak rate
* Cabin altitude indicator
* Air-conditioning mode selector


UPDATED SYSTEMS:

* Backup ADI tweaked
* AHRS earth rate error and transport error now sensitive to actual aircraft latitude and not tied to the latitude knob (thanks to ED for the help getting the coordinates out of the sim)

You gotta wonder how they can do the Typhoon from available open sources...?

But oh my, that would finally be an aircraft worth buying into the DCS environment.

Guess what time it is, yep it's eye candy time!!!

Say horay for the candy man, the candy man, the candy man....ok shut up Ells and show the candy...

Introducing the DCS:Hawk night time lighting, in cockpit and externals.

Independently variable cockpit lighting, also demonstrating the landing light.


Emergency lighting.


Full brightness normal lighting.


Full brightness normal lighting plus emergency lighting.


Updated landing light.


Externals

Here is an extract from the DCS:Hawk flight manual covering the Electrical Systems.

This should hopefully give you some idea of the fidelity in the systems that we have implemented and will continue to implement throughout the project.

The manual is very much in draft format but the content writtten is pretty much there and reflects what is, and will be, implemented in the DCS:Hawk.

Happy bedtime reading.

http://www.veao.eu/dcs/hawk/manual/DCS_Hawk_Flight_Manual.pdf

Chris.

I know a hallway in Grosseto where you could find it on the wall. If you had access to the airbase, that is

I'd love for a true Multirole aircraft to enter DCS, and then THIS one in particular, yet I guess it would feel "stupid" to play a system where you just know some things have been fictionally created due to lack of real world material. The other potential problem I could see is that there are no real adversaries in DCS that would really match the EF's capabilities. Anything lower than SU-30 is kinda unfair.

Note this is WIP, and may be subject to changes.

NEW FEATURES:

* Weapons system
* Weapon Main Panel
* Missile Panel
* Lamps and indicators
* Complete WMP and MP logic


CURRENTLY WORKING:

* MASS (Master Armament Safety Switch)
* All WMP indicators and switches
* Jettison function
* Missile pylon selection (station 2 and 4)


CURRENTLY WORKING (SORT OF):

* Pylon selection (only pylon 1 works; 5 is bugged in the base sim - ED fixing)


TO BE ADDED:

* Light for missile lock on missile panel - waiting for ED
* Missile functions - waiting for ED

EDIT TO ADD: I'll edit this post when items are fixed/added. I was debating posting this or not.

Best regards,
Tango.

I present to you two new skins (still WIP).

208Sqn RAF Valley - XX218

and 100 Sqn at RAF Leeming - XX189

The current XX278 2012 Hawk Solo skin is also being updated ready for Blondie's show at VFAT in December.

I think it's safe to say that Blondie and Crash are doing amazing jobs with the skins at the moment and we'll bring you some more skins to come soon.

Chris.

XX159 Celebrating 100 years of Naval Aviation

A quick update before bed time.

Whilst I'm trying to catch up with Tango's code by writing the manual, I've had a bad week at work last week and this week hasn't gone too well so far either.

I've updated the manual to incorporate the Lighting System and next on my list is the AHRS system (gonne be a long time writing that one up).

In terms of development, Tango is working away at weapons and I'm happy to say he hasn't blown himself up yet, although the laughter I heard over Teamspeak I'm sure was testing if bombs would go off when dropped whilst sitting on the runway :-/

ED have changed a couple of things which means we have greater control of external flight surface animations and more to come on that soon.
For now I'll say that they are really stepping up the pace to give the dev teams and ultimately you, the best flight sim in the world.

Blondie and Crash are still hard at work on skins and we are currently testing two new skins in the Sim. We currently have 4 in-sim with more to come.

Eye candy is on hold at the moment until the new skins are ready to be shown off and then I'll post some screenshots and a video with a whole bunch of stuff.

Oh yeah, did I mention I'm on holiday from this Friday for a week, lazing on a sunny Spanish beach with my girlfriend thinking about you lot getting to grips with FC3.

Enjoy it guys, it's AWESOME!!!

Thanks Gunterlund.

Well a quick update from me before I head off to sunnier climes to lay on a beach for 10 days.

The manual has had a couple of updates on Lights and AHRS and I've started on weapons. I'll post an updated version when I get back.

I'm just adding our logo to a couple of screenshots of the latest skins that Blondie has made which are awesome and I'll post them up.
And as the perfectionist that he is, is tweaking them all of the time to get them as realistic as possible.

Coding wise, there are some excting things going on that I don't want to share right now but will be big things I'm sure you will love and we'll post an update soon.

So, have a great week, enjoy the new screens when I upload them and see you when I get back.

Chris.

Yes, this will be something we will hopefully be implementing

Thanks Bandit.
At this time it's too early to say. We are still in discussion with the Typhoon Consortium as to what features we can release for a public vs military solution.
As soon as the details have been nailed down we'll post them up.

Cheers,
Chris.

Its called an Aircraft Mnf License.

Many aircraft manufactures hire teams to search out companies using the likeness of their aircraft. What they require is a license agreement, which often results in small revenue share back to them.

In 2009 VEAO attained a licence from BAE Systems and the RAF to produce a Eurofighter Typhoon external model for public display at the Waddington International Airshow here in the UK.
That was a one-off project for BAE and the RAF.

Since then it has always been our goal to attain licences to produce the Hawk and Typhoon for military and commercial applications. These discussions are underway with BAE and the Typhoon Consortium.

We will not sell any model without these licences. As a company we will not take that risk.

There is some interesting case law on the subject of IP rights (Intellectual Property).
And I read in the papers in fact only yesterday that Budweiser are suing for the new movie about a drunk pilot crashing a plane and he was drinking Bud.

Basically if you don't have permission to use a brand, it's not worth the risk.
The same applies to producing aircraft models for DCS if you're going to sell them.

It's not TFC or ED's responsibility to attain the licences, it's up to us 3rd party devs.

I hope that clears some stuff up,
Chris.

It is our goal to use our products in military applications as well as commercially to the DCS community.

That being said, essentially we will have two products, a full spec military version and a commercial version with certain features disabled for obvious reasons.

Chris

It's been a while since the last pics, but we've been slightly busy with some other things.

Here is our second multiplayer flight testing out some systems, flight model and animations.

Many thanks to 74th_Javelin for the flight and for taking the shots on his triple screen monitor setup.

Please note AA is not turned on, so some jaggered edges are showing.

I hope you enjoy these ones showing off the new skins in widescreen.

Chris

We're still here!!

Still working on this fuel modelling!

* Fuel density change due to temperature
* Fuel density change due to pressure
* Fuel mass flow rate changes due to pressure/temperature in normal and failure modes

In addition to:

* 3D computation of acceleration vector (due to maneuvering) to determine fuel position in tank for purpose of determining fuel transfer between tanks
* tank transfers and NRVs
* negative g tank
* fuel boost pump (normal and failure modes)
* fuel pressurization system (normal and failure modes)
* fuel waxing/freezing

** THIS LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE **

Best regards,
Tango.
____________

Happy New Year falcon_120!


Great thanks! Just finishing up the code for the fuel system; I've got the code written for determining fuel position in the tanks. I'm now working on the fuel pressurization details and tying all that in with an as-yet non-existent engine model, so got all that to write as well before it is complete!

There is much stuff going on behind the scenes (as always) and we will update as and when we can!

Best regards,
Tango.

Quote:

Hey Falcon,
As Tango posted he is working on some of the most complex issues for the aircraft. We are coding both planes; Hawk and Tiffy to real world levels essentially so every nut, bolt, fuel pump, tubes, etc. all need to be coded so we have greater control over those elements for failures and damage modeling as an example.
I'm extremely busy with work things at the moment and away for weeks on end but when I'm home I'm slowly coding the Typhoon cockpit switch test functions which should allow for a smoother transition later, like we did for the Hawk.

The first goal of 2013 is to have a cold start jet, hence why Tango is coding the fuel and engine systems currently. Following on from that most of the essential primary cockpit systems are already coded so we can start fully testing every function on engine power, and loss.

The second goal is the secondary systems; radio's, navigation, failures, warnings, etc.
Then as and when ED release "components" to us, we will code them in.

The third goal is to have the rear cockpit modeled and tied into the front cockpit. So if you flip a switch up front, the rear responds and vice versa.
Dual cockpit control is still being conceptualised and discussed. As and when we have more info on that we'll release it.

A little note on this; the Hawk requires certain functions to be enabled in the front cockpit before the rear can be used, I.e. two pilots. We are currently discussing ideas on single player use of dual cockpit switching and how that will work. In real life, as far as I know, you can't just jump in the back and away you go. We may add a simulated pilot up front to enable those functions and allow switching between the seats. Again it's still being discussed.
The dual cockpit function may not make it into the first release of the module but will be upgraded for free later to allow the ability.

And of course work is still ongoing with the EFM so of course that is a goal for this year.

We are hoping to publish the module for release some time this year, but again it's still too early to give a specific date.

I hope that answers your question.

Thanks,
Chris.

Hi Supersheep,

Actually you raise a great question. Under gravity feed conditions, several limitations exist.

1) No negative g flight
2) Restriction of power below 95% especially at high altitude and high speed (eng fuel flow exceeds gravity flow rate so it can exhaust the collector in a few minutes)
3) Fuel quantity indicator (FQI) becomes unreliable during any maneuver
4) Fuel qty in the wings and collector are at the same *level* geometrically, so the FQI under-reads (yes, this will be modelled too!)

Under pressurization the level of fuel in the collector is physically higher than the level in the wings even though they are otherwise directly connected (albeit through non-return valves).

Best regards,
Tango.

In terms of weapons, we are still considering exact versions of weapons, but here is what that the Hawk can carry.

Extract from our flight manual:
Two underwing pylons can be fitted, one left and one right; the pylons are interchangeable but not jettisonable.
Each pylon is equiped to carry a MATRA (M155) rocket launcher containing 18 x 16mm SNEB rockets projectiles, a practice bomb carrier or a carrier bomb light stores (CBLS) No 100 Mk1 or Mk3 for carrying 2 x 28lb ballistic practice bombs.
Each pylon on the T. Mk1A is eqquiped to carry a 600lb cluster bomb or Sidewinder millise launcher (LAU-7A).
With the exception of the Sidewinder launcher the pylon stores are jettisonable.
A 30mm Aden gun, contained in a non jettisonable gun pod can be carried under the wing on the fuselage centre line.

Aiming facilities for the available attack modes are provided by a D195R Integrated Strike and Interception System (ISIS).
In the T. Mk1A the gun can be selected for firing at the same time as any of the pylon-carried stores are selected for release or firing.
When AAM are selected the firing or release of any other pylon-carried store is inhibited.
On some aircraft a ground launched banner target can be towed and released.

Hope that helps

Chris

Just a quick update - work has not stopped on the Hawk - I'm currently migrating the existing code base to take advantage of new capabilities we've been given in terms of code integration with the sim which is why things have been a bit quiet regarding progress. I hope to have some new features implemented soon (and more manual writing for Ells )!

I can share this though - now have realistic N1/EGT relationship based on external factors (altitude, speed and OAT).

Best regards,
Tango.

Hey guys,
A quick update for you.

After a 3 month work assignment away from home, I'm returning this weekend.
And once my replacement motherboard is delivered and installed I'll be back up and running in no time, plus a new GTX680 to give me 120 fps in DCS

This means more regular updates, the promo video for DCS:Hawk that I promised a while back and helping out the team on additional tasks for the Hawk.

I'm also going to work on the Typhoon cockpit test switch system so things can get moving on her also, but our primary focus is still the Hawk.

I'm also very pleased to announce that we will be in TFC's hangar again this year for Flying Legends on the 13th and 14th July.
We will be showcasing all of the ED DCS products along with DCS:Hawk and letting the public fly her for the first time, hopefully in Multiplayer across two pc's and probably streamed live across the Internet (bandwidth dependant).
So, if you're in the Duxford area that weekend definitely pop by and try out the Hawk, along with watching an awesome airshow of TFC's planes.
http://fighter-collection.com/cft/flying-legends-pages/

I'm also hoping to be able to show you some pre-release modules like we did last year, but that's very much dependant on TFC and ED allowing me to (I was a little sneaky last year hehe).

Ok, back on topic, the Hawk, what are we up to?
Well, we have a working cockpit DLL. It doesn't sound like much but it is a huge thing in the 3rd party module world and we are only one of two teams that have it working at the moment.
A huge thanks goes to Tango, our lead coder and also to Beczl for the pointers to get us there.
Having the DLL gives us much greater control over the cockpit functions within the sim, and the external world influences they have.

An example of this is that we can create our own navigation system, that are not reliant on the default nav systems in DCS. Not to say there is anything wrong with the DCS ones, we just want to make them better

It also means that the cockpit systems tie in very nicely to the AFM.
An example of this is that currently when we load the Hawk in DCS the landing struts collpase and the plane hits the ground. Of course it's what we mean for it to do as it means the interfaces are working beautifully between the cockpit and EFM for testing.
That way when we get the code talking to each other, hitting the gear lever doesn't just mean it retracts or extends, it will have a greater affect on the air flow and aerodynamics of the jet.
Things like stall buffeting can be fully implemented, all the real world niceties to have in the sim.

Pretty much most of the systems like electrical, fuel and engine are all coded. Tango is busy converting those over to the DLL so we can tie them into the EFM and AFM.
In cockpit systems like lighting, oxygen and air conditioning are also fully coded and being converted into the DLL.

So once the code has been converted and optimised, we'll have a fully working jet sitting on the ramp waiting to be started up, flown and shut down just like in real life.

One of our lead testers has a good friend that is helping us out with systems and flight model. He is an ex Hawk instructor so we value his opinion and expertise immensly.

Just a reminder that we are building the module to the highest military specification possible, not just DCS fidelity level.
There are reasons for this that I can't go into right now. Certain real world functions may not be able to be present in the public release module and that really depends on future discussions and contracts.
But rest assured if we have to "simulate" certain restricted functions, you won't notice the difference unless you've actually flown the Hawk in real life. Again this really depends on licence agreements.

In terms of that, we have already started discussions with BAE Systems and will be demonstrating the module to them in the near future.

That's probably enough for a quick update for now and I'll be posting more regularly from now on.

Thanks to all for your messages of support and patience.

Cheers,
Chris.

Sorry Cowboy, I won't be able to make it down to Weston due to work that weekend.
It also gives us, well Tango, some time to get the code transferred to the cockpit DLL.
There is still lots of research going on for an accurate flight model and whilst that still may not be ready for July, we'd like to have something at least that flies like a Hawk. May would be just too early for both.

In several weeks time I'm hoping to open up applications for Beta testers. We have a team of Alpha testers already that make up members from various VFS' and ED testers as well as real life pilots.

Once we have a solid flight model, the Virtual Red Arrows are also going to put her through her paces in a 9 or 10 ship formation flight to see how the graphics fps load may be affected. I can't wait to get some screens and video from that flight

So, i guess that some of you may be able to fly her before July

At the moment I'm also testing how the multiplayer function is working in terms of if you have the mod installed or not and you join a server without it loaded on your PC.
We may have to release a downloadable external model pack to ensure compatibility.
Ill keep you updated on that as testing goes on and will need some public help with a session coming soon so keep an eye out.

Cheers,
Chris.

A quick update for you.

Tango has nearly completed porting the cockpit code over to the DLL so I have a busy days testing tomorrow (good job I booked the day off work) before I head off to snowy Austria for a week snowboarding.

As you will have seen we have opened up applications for Alpha Testers.
This is for a select few that have real life experience in either the Hawk or similar systems.
This is a significant milestone for us on the project and one we are proud to have achieved.

At this point it is too early to say when the Open Beta testing will begin as there are still a few things we are working with ED on and discussions with BAE.

Our thought process is that we will run a similar system to ED in that it will be a paid for Beta and details of costings etc are still under discussion but likely to reflect standard ED pricing.

I know I keep promising a video, of which I will do when I'm back from holiday next week, showcasing the full cockpit and functions.

Many thanks again for all of the posts, PM's and Emails giving your support.

Cheers,
Chris.

Easter Update
Well technically Easter finished in the UK 36 minutes ago, so I hope you all had a good four day break from work and enjoyed your Easter eggs and any religious festivals you attended.

After catching up with Tango tonight I understand he had a great chat with the potential Alpha testers on Saturday night and we will be shortly sending out the NDA agreements to the successful candidates for signing.

Which brings us to the next phase; systems testing.
About 85-90% of the cockpit systems have been converted over to the DLL and after a quick flight this evening they are looking fantastic.
The DCS:Hawk manual has had a big update since I was away and I will continue to update it this week hoping to get the majority of systems functionality written so the testers know what they will be testing against.

We have implemented the Mantis bug tracking software so the testers can report bugs and we can feed back on them. This is a great tried and tested bug tracking system which will benefit us well.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) software
This allows us to copy protect our module, similar to the current DCS titles sold by TFC/ED.
After making my bank account a little lighter this evening, we will be implmenting a world renouned system that is quick and easy to manage on our side and painless on your side.
I'd like to point out that it is not Starforce which some have had issues with in the past.
Our new Alpha Testers will be the first users to try it out and we will take their feedback on how it works, but initial demo trials have shown it works very well and like I said painless on your side to install and activate the mod.

So, what's next?
Well, development is still ongoing with the coding and as you saw in the Eye Candy section Blondie has made some more awesome skins.
Next on the coding front is the navigation and radio systems which I've mentioned before.
Modeling has begun on improving the ejection seat and Crow is one of the best modelers I know out there so you can expect outstanding work from him as always.

Dual Cockpit
Some of you have contacted me by PM and Email to ask about this.
Once the Alpha Testers have confirmed correct functionality of the cockpit systems they will essentially be "copied" into the rear section of the aircraft and tied to the front section. So if a switch up front is flicked, the rear responds accordingly and vice versa.
Then it's onto the seat swtiching functionality, which I can't go into details yet as it's still being worked on. As soon as we have more info on that, you'll be the second to know, well the Alpha Testers will be the first.

Open Beta Module
Again, some of you have been asking about this.
It's too early to say yet but we will likely implement an open beta module.
This means that it will be "open" to the community to purchase, as per ED's modules have been, and will allow for further feedback to tweak and develop systems.
We are still a way off from this and discussions are still ongoing about price and licences so I'll leave it there for now.

Website and Forums
Another thing on my list to do is to rebuild our website and forums and I'll announce when they have been upgraded.
This will also incorporate the DRM licence software and e-commenrce sections allowing you to buy the module when it's ready and retrieve any lost licence keys.

Have a great week and another update soon,
Chris.

Yes all features described are already working in 1.2.3 and 1.2.4
As Tango said updates will be done by us when ED release new versions. They won't be part of ED's updates.
We are looking at an auto-updater system and how this will work when ED do an update, or more importantly when you update your system, as you may not do it on the same day.

All things we are discussing with ED.

I spent about 4 hours last night testing all features in 1.2.4 to make sure nothing has broken, and all good

We of course know when ED are building new releases and have access to them so we can anticipate any problems with our modules prior to ED's release.

And as it's our own DRM solution, not ED's, this feature should be on all of our products (unless something changes in World preventing it, but unlikely).

In terms of which aircraft next, maybe the T2 or T45, we'll have to see as it's a whole new cockpit model, all glass.

Beaker, I'm pretty sure that's on Tango's agenda already

Quick update:
Ramp cold start procedure given to testers today.
This is a mix between our code and SFM tweaks until AFM gets written.

This has always been a goal of mine as I felt it meant something to start-up from cold, align systems, taxi out and take off (seemed more real).
I can't wait to get home tonight to try it out.

The Alpha testers are doing a good job bug finding and Tango is doing an awesome job coding it.
Crow has also started on remodelling the ejection seat and soon to start on the rear cockpit model.

Blondie is working on a commemorative skin and I look forward to showing you that soon.

We're working closely with ED on other systems that need tweaking and are getting great support from them.

Have a good weekend all and ill bring you another video soon.

Cheers,
Chris.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1752808&postcount=563

VEAO Hawk

This is a work in progress video of the pilot animations from outside view.
Not final textures or animations but shows the attention to detail we're working on.

Enjoy,
Chris.

Hi,

It's been a bit quiet since my last update! Here is the latest list:

* HYD SYS completed
* RAT logic modelled, including the shuttle valve that regulates hydraulic pressure in SYS 2 when RAT is supplying hyd press
* Fixed certain aspects of the nav system
* Implemented the audio system, and added nav beacon audio with correct pitch, keying and timing of transmission (WIP: sync to the sim so that everyone hears the idents at the same time)
* Completed the cockpit lighting system
* Started tying systems to the associated electrical busses
* Numerous other fixes and additions

It's starting to feel like an aircraft now!

Best regards,
Tango.

Ok guys, you asked for eye candy so you've got a lot this morning.

This is from our latest Alpha build 0.0.13.0 compiled last night.

Features of the video are internal canopy opening mechanism, engine start-up sequence day and night and night lighting tied into electrical systems.

That should keep you going for a while.

Yes we know the fuel light is on. As the fuel system is currently being implemented you'll notice zero fuel on the gauge, therefore the light is on the CWP.
Also the warning flags on the dials and wep panels are illuminated. Night textures for those are WIP.

Oh and you'll get a little sneak preview of the new canopy seat and textures

http://youtu.be/vNF2-5PU8n4

Normal disclaimer; not final product, textures, features, etc

Next eye candy will be a memorial flight showcasing the TFC memorial skin for Jim.

Enjoy,
Chris.

Development Path
We can now confirm our development path and anticipated timescales for the Hawk release.

Firstly we will be releasing the combat trainer variant of the T.1A as an open Beta, similar to ED products. Our aim is for November/December this year but there are external factors which may push this back but that's our target.

We will then shortly after release the display version of the... T.1A
There are quite some differences in the cockpit, external model and engines.
This will be in early 2014.
Anyone that purchases the Beta will automatically receive the display variant free of charge.
Once we reach final product of the combat variant the display variant will then be an additional paid for seperate module.

The modules need to be separate anyway to handle the differences.

Next on our list is the T.2
This is due to potential military contracts.

We did discuss the Goshawk in great depth and at this time we feel that our focus should be on the T.2 and we will possibly do the Goshawk but only if we get potential military contracts or see a greater opportunity in the US market for it.

The reason for this is focus on the Typhoon which is in service in multiple countries and greater potential for contracts.

If things change we'll let you know.

Thanks,
Chris.