Weapons
Development Progress
Appearance of Missile Contrails at Low Temperatures
Modern missiles use reduced-smoke solid-fuel rocket motors, as well as liquid-fuel motors. However, these cease to be “low-smoke” at altitude due to the drop in air temperature. The exhaust of solid-fuel missiles, such as the AMRAAM’s HTPB/AP fuel, contains Hydrogen Chloride HCl, which at low temperatures forms crystal hydrates that generate a dense contrail. The exhaust of liquid-fuel missiles contains water vapor, which also generates a dense contrail in cold air.
In winter, a contrail can appear even at low altitudes. At Arctic temperatures, the contrail may appear even at ground level.
In the screenshot, an F-15C aircraft launches a missile at a target high above it. As illustrated in the image, the first part of the missile's flight has a “low-smoke” trail where the air temperature is above -25°C. As the missile climbs, a dense contrail appears as the air temperature falls below -25°C.
On the Kola map, you can set the air temperature down to -30°C, and this results in “low-smoke” missiles having trails at surface level. This is an important tactical point, as the smoke trail reveals not only the missile launch but also its trajectory.
Trajectory Fluctuations of Older Generation Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Systems
We recently added authentic guidance algorithms for the older Soviet SA-2 and SA-3 SAM systems. Due to the low angular accuracy of first generation radars, and the design features of the radio command control system, noticeable fluctuations are observed in the flight path of SAM missiles. These limitations lead to increased errors in the targeting, which was compensated for by large warheads.
We have implemented two guidance modes for these missiles. By default, the improved proportional navigation mode is used, but if the target uses a jammer, or has a velocity of less than 100 meters per second, pure pursuit is used.
Realistic Pattern of Proximity Fuze
We recently added new and more realistic SAM missile proximity blast patterns for fuzes. The proximity blast pattern is now a more realistic, “wagon wheel” shape rather than spherical.
This allows the SAM missile warhead to more effectively fuze when the target is in the lethal area of the expanding rod zone. This increases the SAM lethality. This new mechanism allows us to set unique shapes and sizes of patterns based on fuze and warhead types. It is an important step in the development of munitions for DCS. You can expect the first implementation of this feature for the AIM-120 air-to-air missile in the next update.
Marianas 1944
Development Progress
The free Marianas 1944 map currently in development will focus on the brutal battles between the United States and Japan for the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian in the summer of 1944. This coincided with the Battle of the Philippine Sea that saw large-scale naval warfare between aircraft carrier task forces.
World War II History and Key Battles
The Mariana Islands became a flashpoint in 1944, and it shaped the outcome of the Pacific Theatre of Operations (PTO). Three major operations stand out:
- Battle of Saipan (15 June – 9 July 1944)
- Battle of Guam (21 July – 10 August 1944)
- Battle of Tinian (24 July – 1 August 1944)
Each of these iconic battles, fought across rugged terrain in sweltering summer heat, showcased the evolving tactics of amphibious warfare combined with naval close air support. These battles changed the course of the war in the Pacific by establishing air bases within striking distance of Japan.
Modern vs. 1944 – Island by Island
While the modern Mariana Islands map features contemporary infrastructure, airfields, and urban centers, the DCS: Marianas 1944 map will present a significantly different depiction of these islands.
Guam
- Today: It is one of the largest U.S. military bases in the Pacific, and it includes expansive naval and air force installations that cover much of the island.
- WWII Era: Small towns, villages, and relatively little infrastructure.
Tinian
- Today: Sparsely populated and far removed from its former prominence in global history.
- WWII Era: An agricultural hub in the summer of 1944, it was later transformed into a crucial military staging area during the final stages of the war, including B-29 bombing missions over Japan.
Saipan
- Today: A popular destination with golf courses, resort areas, and recreational facilities, it reflects a strong tourism industry.
- WWII Era: Dominated by plantations and small-scale settlements.
Rota
- WWII Era & Today: Rota remains one of the lesser-developed islands in the chain, with minimal changes over the decades. Rota offers a quieter pace of life in the Marianas.
Pagan
- Today: Largely uninhabited since a volcanic eruption in the 1980s, it is mostly untouched by modern development.
- WWII Era: Home to a local population and Japanese military presence.
The goal of DCS: Marianas 1944 is to faithfully recreate the conditions that defined the battles of 1944. You can look forward to authentic period-based airfields, buildings, vegetation and agriculture, roads and rail lines. The 1944 version poses the unique challenges of older navigation technology, limited logistical support, and high-stakes amphibious operations. This WWII-era environment will offer an immersive glimpse into the intensity of the Pacific War.
We look forward to sharing more details on DCS: Marianas 1944 as development continues. In the meantime, make sure you explore the free DCS: Marianas map, and stay tuned for future updates on this thrilling journey back in time.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677150/DCS_Marianas/
Q&A
by Matt Wagner
Your overwhelmingly positive response to Matt Wagner's January Q&A has not gone unnoticed! Many new and interesting questions came from the previous video, so this one will seek to provide some answers, such as the status of the dynamic campaign and future aircraft development. Watch the February 2025 Q&A video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc70MbLrenw
Thank you again for your passion and support,
Yours sincerely,
Eagle Dynamics
