DCS Update available now. Check out all the new fixes and enhancements. (2024)

04 October 2024

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends,

The September 2024 DCS update has been released and we kindly encourage you to download the latest version and read the full changelog. Multiple third party terrains have also received impressive updates, notably the South Atlantic, Sinai, Syria, and Kola maps at 20% off during early access. These improvements improve immersion and make for engaging missions.

In light of the impressive new DCS: Kola map summer textures, Orbx Systems has prepared a summary on their most recent improvements and development timeline. Please read the details below.

The following promotional message is from Pimax Virtual Reality hardware: Go to Pimax and use the code DCS2024 at checkout to receive 15,000 ED Miles when purchasing a Pimax Crystal Light VR headset. This offer is valid until November 29th, 2024. Visit thePimax area of the DCS Forum for dedicated Pimax VR support.

Thank you for your passion and support.

Yours sincerely,

Eagle Dynamics

Development Progress

We're excited to bring you a new DCS update that features a variety enhancement and fixes across several DCS modules that both improves gameplay and realism. Last week we discussed some of the improvements coming to the F-16C Viper and F/A-18C, and these were included in this week’s update. Additionally you will find a wealth of enhancements for a variety of our modules including Combined Arms, Black Shark 3, MB-339A/PAN by IndiaFoxtEcho Visual Simulations, JF-17 by Deka Ironwork Simulations, and terrains including the South Atlantic, Kola, Syria, and Sinai maps. For more details on all the fabulous enhancements, please read the full changelog.

Development Progress

“Check out the September update video of the reworked map’s visuals and additional Finnish airfields. We greatly appreciate your role in bringing Kola to life and invite you to visit https://kola.orbxdirect.com/ to submit new improvements.”

– Orbx Systems

Progress So Far

Compared to the initial release, the Kola map now has substantially improved natural terrain that includes a more detailed elevation mesh, summer and winter ground textures, vegetation, shorelines, lakes, and rivers. The initial focus area for airfields and infrastructure spans the Finland-Russia border regions, but we’ve also started adding more detail to parts of Norway and Sweden. If you were holding off on purchasing this wonderful map, now is the time to experience this epix terrain.

Major updates since the Early Access release:

• The addition of a complete set of high-resolution, winter textures that will be critical for the upcoming ‘Arctic Thunder’ campaigns by Reflected Simulations and Baltic Dragon.
• The summer textures have greatly improved with much higher resolution that improves the low altitude environment.
• The addition/improvement of four highly-detail regions covering four airfields in Finland: Rovaniemi (EFRO), Kemi / Tornio (EFKE), Kuusamo (EFKS), and Ivalo (EFIV); and five in Russia: Severomorsk-3 (XLMV), Severomorsk-1 (ULAK), RU-1110 (UMOE), RU-4464 (UOLE), and Murmansk (ULMM).
• Added or improved two road runways in Finland (at Vuojärvi and Rovaniemi), three airfields in Norway: Bodø (ENBO), Kirkenes (ENKR), and Lakselv (ENNA); and five in Sweden: Kiruna (ESNQ), Jokkmokk (ESNJ), Luleå (ESPA), Vidsel (ESPE), and Kalixfors (ESUK).
• An improved road and railroad network connected within the coverage area that includes bridges and tunnels that allow AI routing across the map.
• Many new cities, towns, infrastructure, tunnels and other objects have been added to the map.

Future Plans

The next release will see the inclusion of Andoya (ENAN) airfield in Norway and Alakurtti (RU-0059) airfield in Russia with some additional infrastructure in the surrounding areas. Orbx has also reviewed a series of bugs and errors aiming for small performance improvements.

Future releases will see the addition of more airfields and surrounding infrastructure including: Evenes (ENEV), Bardufoss (ENDU), Kittilä Airport (EFKT), Enontekiö Airport (EFET), Pudasjärvi Airfield (EFPU), and Sodankylä Airfield (EFSO). Beyond these, Cold War-era installations, military airfields, and other key points of interest are also planned.

The upcoming Arctic Thunder campaign by Reflected Simulations & Baltic Dragon for the Kola map will consist of two scenarios: one for a Finnish Air Force F/A-18C and another for an USAF F-16C Viper. Both will share the same storyline and missions making it possible to play from different perspectives.

Orbx has remained committed to continually providing frequent optimisation updates to the Kola Map. Please note that whilst in early access you can still enjoy a 20% discount!

Promotional Advert

Experience top-tier Virtual Reality at unprecedented levels of comfort with the new Pimax Crystal Light headset. Offering 8.3 million pixels per eye at 120hz, the Crystal Light offers the highest clarity available in consumer VR in a lighter and more affordable package than the original Crystal.

For a limited time only, use codeDCS2024when purchasing your Crystal Light to receive a credit of 15,000 ED Miles, worth $15 at checkout in the DCS e-shop!

Starting from just $799, the Crystal Light allows you to make the most of ultra-detailed cockpits in DCS. Key features:

• Inside-out, ‘6 Degrees-of-Freedom’ tracking: No need for external base stations.
• Glass aspheric lenses, QLED panels, and local dimming:Vivid colors and deep contrasts that increase readability and bring the world to life.
• 2880 x 2880 native resolution (per eye, up to 120Hz):Delivers super smooth and crisp visuals.
• Lightweight for ultimate comfort: Weighing just 815g (1.8lb), the Crystal Light offers incredible performance in a smaller package than the original Crystal.

Foveated Rendering (static, non-eye-tracking): renders only the center and focus of the User’s vision in full resolution, resulting in FPS gains and exceptional GPU efficiency.

The Crystal Light has become the daily driver for many pilots. See what others have to say:

• Flight Simulation: “Impressive visual quality, affordability, and comfort”
• Skil (Grim Reapers): “...it seems to be the response to the community's desire for a cutdown truly dedicated PCVR headset”
• Laubox: “This is a new level of gaming realism”
• C.W Lemoine: “If you’re looking for a good cost, this is a great upgrade…”

Available Now:

• Follow this link and use code DCS2024 during checkout to receive 15,000 ED Miles with your purchase of a Pimax Crystal Light, available until November 29th.
• Learn more about the Pimax Crystal Light and read the full terms and conditions of this exclusive offer via this link.

Additionally, Pimax has also recently launched native support for OpenXR and Quad Views, reducing the need for any additional third-party software. Watch the video for a demonstration.

We hope you enjoy the latest DCS Update and we truly look forward to your feedback on the new enhancements to the F/A-18C, F-16C, F-4E Phantom II. Please make sure to read the full changelog for more details.

Thank you again for your passion and support,

Yours sincerely,

Eagle Dynamics