The DCS: F-15E Strike Eagle by RAZBAM has entered our final validation and testing phase. The pre-order, which comes with a 30% discount, is currently planned for the 15th of February, 2023. Once the pre-order begins, we anticipate the F-15E to be released into Early Access a few months later and perhaps sooner.
F-15E Digital Book - Be Afraid Of the Dark (Part 1)
Author, podcaster, and photographer Steve Davies will be including, free of charge, his digital book: F-15E Be Afraid of the Dark (Part 1) with each purchase of the DCS: F-15E! This is a riveting story encompassing the operational history of the F-15E Suite 3E standard up to 2002.
Be Afraid of the Dark (Part 1) tells the story of the F-15E Strike Eagle’s inception, development, entry into service and operational history up to 2002 (Suite 3E standard).
Based on extensive original research at Boeing’s historical archives, interviews with the men and women who turned the idea of an air-to-ground optimised Eagle into a reality, and access to the front-line crews who rode the aircraft into combat between 1990 and 2002, the book totals 100,000 words of insight, technical discussion and anecdote, all gloriously illustrated by 150 colour images.
This impressive book was authored by Steve Davies, a highly reputed military aerospace defence writer, host of the 10 Percent True podcast, and occasional co-author and contributor to DCS campaigns. Steve has revised portions of the original text and re-imagined the design of the book for this unique partnership between 10 Percent True, RAZBAM and Eagle Dynamics, and we hope it makes your experience of flying the mighty Strike Eagle even richer and more fulfilling.
Steve plans to revisit the text to include F-15E developments and operations between 2003 and 2023. This will be available in time through his website as Be Afraid of the Dark (Part 2).
F-15E Instruction Notso Tutorial Series
As with most 4th generation fighters, the F-15E is a highly-complex aircraft to master. In addition to the manual and included training missions, RAZBAM has teamed up with former F-15E Weapon System Officer (WSO) to create a series of DCS: F-15E instructional videos. We highly recommend watching them to get a headstart learning this beast.
After three years of research, hard work and dedication, Deka Ironwork Simulations is pleased to announce their selection of the DCS: J-8II as their next module. They will be developing the J-8PP variant, and we look forward to sharing more information soon.
During the 1980s, China’s J-7 and J-8 could no longer confront the threats of the Su-24 and Tu-22 from the north. Therefore, there was an urgent need for a fighter with medium-range interception capabilities that consequently gave birth to the J-8II. In order to install a larger radar, the nose air intake and its shock cone were replaced with an ogival radome and lateral air intakes. Benefitting from an upgraded power plant, using two WP-13B turbojet engines, the J-8II, as an interceptor, can carry medium-range air-to-air missiles and fly Mach 2.2 at 12,000 meters.
The upgraded J-8II by Grumman (a.k.a J-8PP) was fitted with APG-66(V) radar, 1553B bus, and other western devices. For the first time, the 1553 data bus concept was introduced to the Chinese aviation industry. To launch and guide Aspide/PL-11 medium-range missiles, a Chinese made continuous wave emitter was installed to work with the APG-66(V) radar. The J-8PP can perform medium-range interception against low-altitude / high-speed and high-altitude / high-speed intruders. It also has limited ground attack capability.
The DCS: J-8II module will include the flyable J-8PP and the AI J-8F.
Key features of J-8PP include:
AN/APG-66V-PRC-F8 radar with NAM, STT, ACM, GM, and AGR modes
AWG-27 for loadout management
Fire Control Computer from Westinghouse
LN-39 INS
HUD from GEC
Head Down Display from Honeywell
Air Data Computer (CPU-140/A) from GEC
Radar Warning Receiver SPJ/IFF
2 x WP-13B turbojet engines
Air-to-Air missiles: Aspide/PL-11, PL-8 and PL-5
Unguided weapons: 250kg GP bombs and 57mm/90mm rockets
A: In brief, during the 1980s China was unable to develop advanced air-to-air radar or semi-active radar missiles at that time, thus turned to UK, France, Israel and the United States to upgrade the J-8II in terms of fire control and weapons, and eventually selected the U.S. AN/APG-66(V) radar for the modification. In the agreement between the U.S. and China, the U.S. should provide 55 sets of production modifications (50 kits and 5 backup) and 4 prototype sets. The total estimated cost of the contract was $501,754,733, and the contract was finally signed with the U.S. on October 30, 1986. China called it "Project 82", while the U.S. called it the "Peace Pearl Program".
Q: How many J-8PP has been produced?
A: In 1987, the Chinese technical support team arrived in the America. The following year, the design work was completed in cooperation with Grumman. On January 20, 1989, China shipped two J-8II, a static test nose and supporting equipment and technical documentation to America. In 1990, the modification of the two J-8II was completed and China provided a revised English flight manual as requested by the U.S. test pilot, and the aircraft was in complete condition. The avionics test and EMC test were completed, and the start-up and test-run was done at Grumman Bethpage Airport. In the same year, the contract was terminated by China. The next year, the U.S. handed over two prototypes and modification packages to China. The two aircraft now reside in Beijing and Shenyang, but the full-size nose now in Kansas, USA.
Q: What kind of info is shown on HUD/HDD? How many HDDs?
A: HUD and HDD should be familiar to everyone. The HUD of J-8PP adopts the F-16A/B style, and a combined glass is added to increase the instantaneous field of view. The HDD is the F-16C/D style, which is located on the right side of the front panel. The HDD is used to monitor system functions, select weapons and modes.
Q: Is RWR domestic or American? Is it easy to use?
A: It's domestic, and similar to SPO-10. It can only be used to distinguish the signal type (search/lock), rough direction, whether the irradiation is approaching or not. Relatively primitive.
Q: The J-8II is so similar to the SU-15, is there any connection between the two?
A: The J-8, the predecessor of J-8II, was actually designed by China after imitating MiG-21. The Soviet Union did not provide China with any technical information on SU-15. Part of the technology of J-8II came from MiG-23 and F-4, and its appearance may be similar to the convergent evolution caused by the relatively close ecological niche.
Q: Are there any flight characteristics or defects of the J-8II, and are there any changes in the flight characteristics of the J-8PP?
A: The most characteristic feature of J-8II is that it can easily reach the maximum IAS speed and maximum Mach number in level flight (unlike some third-generation aircraft that need to dive). The delta wing also brings a very good stall characteristic, the minimum speed for maneuvering is lower than 200km/h, and the angle of attack can be greater than 30°. The J-8II has speed stability in most situations, but when it decelerates with g-load in supersonic, the aircraft has a slight nose-up characteristic.
Compared with J-8II, J-8PP only has changes in the center of gravity and weight, and some cooling inlets on fuselage have been added. It will not lead to much change to the flight characteristics.
Q: Can you introduce more about the flight control system?
A: The flight control of J-8PP has three-axis automatic stability augmentation system; pitch, roll and course holding; automatic leveling; low altitude automatic pull-up; pitch/bank automatic trimming functions.
Q: Is the cockpit in Chinese?
A: Except those upgraded avionic devices and corresponding panels, most are in Chinese. J-8PP uses metric unit. We will provide EN and CN localization for hint of clickable switches.
Q: Will it provide visual/performance cockpit for selection like DCS: JF-17?
A: Yes.
Q: Can players perform flights beyond the safety margin specified in the manual, such as reproducing the overspeed phenomenon during the J-8II test?
A: Although the manual stipulates the maximum Mach number 2.2, due to the better thrust characteristics of the turbojet engine at a large Mach number, it is easy to overspeed. The right envelope of the aircraft is mainly limited by aerodynamic stability and aerodynamic heating. You will experience uncontrollable side-slip phenomenon after exceeding M2.35.
Q: What weapons can J-8PP carry?
A: Air-to-air weapons include PL-5, PL-8, Aspide/PL-11; Air-to-ground weapons include 250Kg GP bomb, 57mm/90mm rockets. Check below figure for details
Q: DCS: J-8II module price?
A: Not as expensive as DCS: JF-17.
Q: How's the documentation? Especially for such an aircraft with only two produced (modified).
A: We cannot make anything out of nothing.
Q: Does J-8PP have HOTAS?
A: The weapon control system of J-8PP is simplified AN/AWG-27. Therefore, the throttle was also modified to F-15 style.
Q: What's the difference between APG-66(V)-PRC-F8 and APG-66(V)?
A: The main detection performance remains the same. Since it's to upgrade J-8II air-to-air capability, most AG modes (SEA1, SEA2, BCN) were removed (Money was definitely one of many reasons).
Q: What about datalink?
A: There's one similar to Lazur-M GCI system. But we will not model it in game. The IFF and countermeasure systems of J-8PP will be simplified in game.
The F-15E Strike Eagle was developed in the mid 1980's as a multi-role fighter, designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An impressive array of avionics and electronics systems give the F-15E the capability to fight at low or high altitude, day or night, and in all weather. The Strike Eagle is the USAF's premier strike fighter still in use today.
The Strike Eagle delivered fighter aircrew several first-time capabilities. Its APG-70 radar, based on the very capable APG-63 from the F-15A-D, boasted a synthetic mapping capability that can create pictures of the target based solely on radar imaging. A self-contained, networked electronic warfare suite gives the aircraft excellent self-protection capabilities with enhanced battlespace information being delivered to the ergonomic two seat cockpit layout.
The Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) allows the aircraft to fly at low altitudes, at night and in all weather conditions to attack ground targets with a variety of precision-guided and unguided weapons. The LANTIRN system, consisting of two pods attached to the exterior of the aircraft, gives the F-15E unequaled weapons delivery accuracy. The Navigation Pod contains a Terrain-Following Radar that allows the pilot to operate at very low altitudes following cues displayed on the heads-up display. This system can also be coupled to the aircraft's autopilot to provide fully "hands off" capability.
Each of the low-drag Conformal Fuel Tanks adapted to smoothly fit the F-15E's fuselage can carry 750 gallons of fuel. The tanks hold weapons on short pylons rather than conventional weapon racks, reducing drag and further extending range. For air-to-ground missions, the F-15E can carry most of the weapons in the Air Force’s inventory. It may also be armed with AIM-9M Sidewinders or AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for the air-to-air role. The "E" model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun that can carry up to 500 rounds.
The subject of this study level simulation is the F-15E Strike Eagle Suite 4E+ software installed in Strike Eagles around 2003.
Key Features include:
Advanced Flight Model that provides realistic performance and flight characteristics for the F-15E Strike Eagle with P&W F100-PW-229 engines.
Highly detailed external 3D model and textures for the most accurate F-15E currently available in any simulation software.
Highly detailed and accurate 6 DOF cockpit based on 3D scanned objects with high resolution textures, specular and bump mapping, and mouse-interactive controls.
Detailed and thorough simulation of the F-15E’s AN/APG-70 Radar.
Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems (JTIDS) datalink.
Training material includes:
A set of interactive training missions covering all the most important instruments, weapons and aspects of using the aircraft.
Fully detailed manual for the aircraft and all systems
A free story-driven campaign built by Baltic Dragon
A set of single missions for Singleplayer, Multiplayer and Multicrew.
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