Eagle Dynamics has released their latest DCS World newsletter featuring Matt Wagner’s second Q&A video alongside updates on weapon systems and the Marianas 1944 map.
Wagner’s new Q&A session tackles pressing questions from the community following last month’s initial Q&A video. Here’s what we learned about key upcoming features and modules:
Dynamic Campaign System
When can we expect the Dynamic Campaign? Wagner explains the system revolves around the Air Tasking Order (ATO) with both strategic and tactical AI components. The Strategic AI will generate missions based on battlefield priorities, with players able to either accept automatic mission generation or manually direct campaign focus. Players can take control of any mission that uses aircraft they own. The system will model logistics chains with supply vehicles moving across the map, making interdiction missions a key element. Wagner hopes to show something for single player by the end of this year, though he stressed the massive scope of the project has meant development has taken longer than initially expected.
F-35 and Super Hornet Plans
Wagner addressed why Eagle Dynamics chose to develop the F-35 before the Super Hornet, and how they’re approaching a modern aircraft without traditional documentation. He revealed that after two years of research, they found “a shocking level of information” available outside of formal manuals, allowing them to model a 2012-2015 era F-35. As for the Super Hornet, Wagner confirmed it’s planned but only after the Legacy Hornet is more complete. He mentioned having already written a full design spec for an early Lot 21 Super Hornet with the APG-73 radar, dismissing rumors that classification issues were preventing development.
F4F Hellcat and Pacific Theater
The Hellcat’s external model, cockpit, and animations are mostly complete, with the flight model and mechanical systems progressing well. The damage model remains the main outstanding work, but the team is still aiming for a release later this year. The free Marianas 1944 map continues development, recreating the summer 1944 battles for Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. Wagner noted the recent newsletters show significant progress on this Pacific Theater expansion.
VR Improvements
Rather than targeting specific VR optimisations, the team has focused on overall DCS performance improvements like multi-core support, which has benefited VR users. Wagner acknowledged that dot spotting remains an issue, with challenges varying between different VR headsets. The team is working to test with a broader range of VR devices to ensure improvements work consistently across all hardware.
Combined Arms Upgrades
Wagner shared some history about Combined Arms, which began as a professional JTAC training tool before evolving piece by piece into a game module. This explains some of its interface limitations, as it wasn’t originally designed as a cohesive product. He acknowledged the desire for a “Combined Arms 2” with improved interface and VR support, but explained that resources are currently allocated elsewhere despite the product’s commercial success.
Russian Aircraft Development
Plans for more Eastern bloc fighters? Currently, the team is focused on the MiG-29 and free Su-25 (Frogfoot Classic) for this year. When asked about more modern Russian aircraft like the Su-35 or Su-57, Wagner explained these lack sufficient reference materials compared to the F-35. He pushed back against suggestions that the F-35 is based on “guesswork,” emphasising the significant difference in available information between Western and Russian modern aircraft.
Future Helicopters
The Blackhawk remains a desired addition, but helicopter teams are currently occupied with the AH-64D, CH-47, and another unannounced helicopter project. Wagner noted good reference material exists for the UH-60L, but less for the glass-cockpit UH-60M which they’d prefer to model. He suggested that by the time resources are available, better documentation for the M-model might be publicly available.
Additional Topics
Wagner also briefly addressed plans for an updated Su-25T to come after the free Su-25 is completed, and improvements to the track replay system, which he explained was originally designed as a debug tool rather than a full replay feature. A proper rewind capability would require building an entirely new system from the ground up.
Alongside the Q&A coverage, the newsletter highlights several weapon system improvements coming to DCS. These include more realistic missile contrails that appear when air temperatures drop below -25°C, authentic guidance algorithms for older Soviet SAM systems that display proper flight path fluctuations, and redesigned SAM proximity fuses with “wagon wheel” blast patterns that better represent expanding rod warhead behavior.
The newsletter also showcases progress on the free Marianas 1944 map, which will recreate the summer 1944 battles for Saipan, Guam, and Tinian with historically accurate terrain features.
The full newsletter with additional details and images is available on the official DCS World website.
