DCS Black Shark

In this simulation, the player controls the Kamow Ka-50 military helicopter ( NATO code name : Hokum-A ). The special feature is an almost complete and detailed simulation of the cockpit and flight characteristics.

game

In cooperation with the helicopter manufacturer Kamow , the cockpit, the model of the helicopter and the flight characteristics in the computer were modeled according to the original. To visualize the simulation, Eagle Dynamics (ED) uses the further developed The Fighter Collection Simulation Engine , which was already used in Lock On . The player can fly training missions, single missions and in a semi-dynamic campaign mode. An evaluation of the mission is displayed after each flight. Flights can be recorded and saved as tracks and passed on. The tracks can later be played back in the program or exported as an AVI file.

simulation

Most of the cockpit elements and functions of the real helicopter also work in the simulation. From the arrangement of the controls to the lighting, windshield wipers, the on-board computer and the programmable decoy emissions - everything is reproduced and simulated down to the smallest detail - with the exception of the functions that have no influence on the player or the use of the helicopter (Cockpit ventilation and heating). All (rotary) knobs and switches can be operated by mouse click or keyboard shortcut and have an effect in the simulated helicopter or in the simulated world. Almost 500 keyboard commands are available in simulation mode, but these are hardly needed due to the interactive cockpit. This interactivity in the cockpit requires the virtual head to move freely, as this is the only way to look around certain obstacles (joysticks, pilot's legs). In order to better control the view, Black Shark also supports the optical motion sensor TrackIR as an input device, which has six degrees of freedom .

Black Shark is very realistic - there are 15 pages in the manual with the necessary steps to start from the cold state. According to community manager Black Shark Germany, these steps are sufficient to bring a real Ka-50 to life. In addition to the simulation of the actual helicopter, a lot of emphasis is placed on the correct simulation of weather influences (visibility, icing), other vehicles, military units, damage models and the weapon systems. The resulting complexity is reflected in the manuals, which at over 700 pages are unusually large for commercial games.

The introduction to this complex simulation should be facilitated by numerous training missions and nine introductory videos ( Producer's Notes ). In addition, the player can switch on various aids (unlimited ammunition, indestructibility, text markers about units, etc.) and also have the start and shutdown procedure done automatically by pressing a button.

Arcade

An arcade mode has been implemented to give players short-term access . In this mode, the helicopter is visible from the outside, the weapon systems are much easier to handle, flight behavior is simplified and the player is supported by an auxiliary radar.

Multiplayer

Since the Ka-50 will not be used offensively against other helicopters, the game will focus on engaging ground targets. The multiplayer missions are therefore co- op missions in which the (tactical) interaction of several virtual pilots is in the foreground. The challenges in multiplayer mode are: keeping a formation, recognizing and assessing dangerous situations and prioritizing sources of danger. Good communication and a comparison of (potential) targets / threats (the Ka-50 has a data link panel for this purpose) in exchange with the wingmen reduces the probability of targets being attacked several times, objectifies the assessment of the situation and thus maximizes the efficiency of the Use of weapons while minimizing the dangers.

Since the patch version 1.0.2 there is also the possibility to fly missions together with users of Flaming Cliffs 2.0 , so that a tactical cooperation between Ka-50 and the fixed wing aircraft from Flaming Cliffs is possible.

Digital Combat Simulator

The Russian studio Eagle Dynamics has previously gained a lot of experience with PC simulations such as Su-27 Flanker (1996), Lock On and the add-on Flaming Cliffs ( Su-25 T). Black Shark was originally planned as a further add-on to Lock On and is therefore based on The Fighter Collection Simulation Engine (TFCSE) already used in Lock On .

Due to the increased requirements, the development team turned away from the old TFCSE and started the new and independent DCS series. Every new module (like Flaming Cliffs for Lock-On ) will contain general updates as well as another very detailed simulated aircraft . All modules can be played independently, but also allow the connection to other modules. Different modules can be installed together. The cooperative interaction of an A-10C and a Ka-50 attack helicopter is therefore possible, even if the individual players only have their own module. In addition to the modules developed by Eagle Dynamics, other modules have now been created by so-called "3rd party" developers. Also the original from Lock On known aircraft (A-10A, F-15C, Su-25T, Su-25, MiG-29A and MiG-29S Fulcrum as well as Su-27 and the naval version Su-33) were in the so-called "Flaming" Cliffs "collection revised and with the F-15C, Su-27 and Su-33 now also have a PFM (professional flight model) and 6 DOF cockpits (6 axis cockpits). The model of the MiG-29 from the add-on is currently also receiving a professional level flight model including a 6 DOF cockpit, which the model is the only one that does not yet have. The basic software DCS-World is freely available and includes the Su-25T with an extended flight dynamic model (AFM) and standard system model (SSM - like all other models in the series) as well as a trainer version of the P-51D Mustang (TF- 51D).

The following modules have appeared so far:

Eagle Dynamics Module:

DCS: F-16CM Viper BL.50

DCS: F / A-18C Hornet

DCS: A-10C Warthog

DCS: Flaming Cliffs 3

DCS: Black Shark 2

DCS: L-39 Albatross

DCS: P-51D Mustang

DCS: Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst

DCS: Fw 190 A-8

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora

DCS: Spitfire LF Mk. IX

DCS: NEVADA Test and Training Range Map

DCS: Normandy 1944 Map

DCS: WWII Assets Pack

DCS: Combined Arms

DCS: Yak-52

Third party modules:

DCS: F-14 Tomcat by Heatblur Simulations

DCS: F-5E Tiger II by Belsimtek

DCS: MiG-15bis by Belsimtek

DCS: F-86F Saber by Belsimtek

DCS: UH-1H Huey by Belsimtek

DCS: Mi-8MTV2 Magnificent Eight by Belsimtek

DCS: M-2000C by RAZBAM

DCS: MiG-19P Farmer by RAZBAM

DCS: AV-8B Night Attack V / STOL by RAZBAM

DCS: AJS-37 Viggen by Leatherneck Simulations

DCS: MiG-21bis by Leatherneck Simulations

DCS: SA342 Gazelle by Polychop Simulations

Hawk T.1A for DCS World by VEAO Simulations

C-101 Aviojet for DCS World by AvioDev

DCS: I-16 by Octopus G.

DCS: Christen Eagle II by Magnitude 3 LLC

criticism

According to its own statements, Eagle Dynamics sees DCS as a study sim for the PC. It is therefore difficult for the simulation to do justice to a game evaluation using standard market standards.

While FS Magazin described the Digital Combat Simulator as the “new reference in military flight simulation” in the 02/2009 issue, Black Shark only received 72% in the 05/2009 issue of GameStar . FS Magazin emphasizes that version 1.00 is very stable, but criticizes the use of StarForce .

Eagle Dynamics and third-party providers are also frequently criticized for failing to fix known bugs and not completing aircraft that have already been sold at full price as "Early Access" variants, for example the BAE Hawk , which was released on April 1, 2015 , is still in Early Access status as of March 2, 2018.

Individual evidence

↑ Black Shark 1/7 ( Memento from July 6, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
↑ ^a ^b FAQ
↑ DCS: Black Shark (PC)
↑ Hawk T.1A [1] Hawk on Steam, date of publication lower right
↑ Hawk T.1A [2] DCS shop page

Web links

DCS - Digital Combat Simulator Homepage of the manufacturer (English and Russian)
Photos: Kamov Ka-50 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net Kamow in flight

[1] Black Shark 1/7 ( Memento from July 6, 2009 in the Internet Archive )

[digitalcombatsimulator-2] FAQ

[3] DCS: Black Shark (PC)

[4] Hawk T.1A [1] Hawk on Steam, date of publication lower right

[5] Hawk T.1A [2] DCS shop page