DCS: AH-64D has entered Closed Beta Testing, and this is a significant milestone. Our Closed Beta Test team consists of many community members that assist us in testing new modules near the tail-end of development as an addition quality control step. This has proved valuable for us to help identify bugs in highly complex modules that requires many eyes to ensure thorough testing.

We sincerely thank all our Closed Beta Testers for their time and hard work. Testing is not always fun; it can be tireless work.

A critical aspect of the Closed Beta Test effort is network play. This has historically been an area more difficult to test internally because of the requirement for many players online. Yesterday, the Closed Beta Test team conducted their first large-scale network test with excellent results. We hope you enjoy the attached images.

We understand that you are eager for the release, and we are working at full speed to make this happen. We are still on track for an Early Access release before the end March 2022. Thank you for your patience and support; it will be worth it.

Kind regards,
Wags

We are pleased to share our progress on the M206 IR Decoy Flares that provide protection against air-to-air and surface-to-air infrared weapon systems. The Advanced Infrared Countermeasure Munition (AIRCMM) consists of the M211 Flares and supplements the M206 Aircraft Countermeasure Flares. The M211 Flares are specifically designed for low flying, slow moving rotary aircraft.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll talk about use of unguided rockets. The AH-64D uses the M261 rocket pod with up to two pods per stub-wing. At early access release we’ll include the M151 high explosive, M229 high explosive 17-pounders, M257 illumination, M274 smoke, and M282 multi-purpose penetrator 2.75-inch rockets.

While it is possible for the CP/G to employ rockets, it is very seldom ever done outside of training. Rather, rockets are the domain of the pilot. The CP/G earns their keep by providing accurate laser ranging and steering commands to the pilot via the Rocket Steering cursor and TADS. This is termed coop mode, and I’ll show this later in the video.

Forget all the other stuff- focus on the Line of Sight and the range source. This stuff is easier than it looks.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll discuss an alternate mean of aiming rockets using the Line-of-Sight Reticle and Rocket Steering Cursor.
There are multiple techniques to deliver rockets in the 64, and we hope this option will be useful. There is no correct technique, only the one that works the best for you.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, it’s time to talk about the AGM-114 Hellfire II missile. There are two primary versions of the Hellfire II: The Semi-Active Laser-homing version and the active radar-homing. The radar-homing version will come later during early access when we add the Fire Control Radar, or FCR. At release, we will include the AGM-114K laser version, commonly called the “SAL”.

Each AGM-114K weighs 100 pounds, has a tandem, shape-charged High-Explosive Anti-Tank warhead, with a theoretical range of 11 km, but more practically around 8 km. The motor burns for only 2.5 seconds, but it can reach Mach 1.4. Up to four can be loaded on each of the four possible Hellfire launchers.

Although it would be a heavy bird, you could carry up to 16 Hellfires into combat.

There are two principal ways to fire a Hellfire, autonomous mode in which your aircraft is laser-designating the target and Remote mode in which another aircraft or ground asset is laser designating the target for you on a matching laser frequency. We’ll first discuss autonomous mode that would be handled from the front, CP/G seat.

Coming by March 31, 2022 (Q1 2022)

Planned remaining videos:
- Landing
- Controls Setup
- Defensive Systems
- George AI
- Cold Start

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll explore flying the 64. We’ll discuss how to taxi, takeoff, also called picking up or “pulling pitch”, and basic trim. We’ll dive into landing and the attitude and altitude hold modes in later videos.

We’ll begin today’s lesson in western Iraq. I’m on the ramp with all the systems set up and ready to go. We’ll discuss the startup procedure in the final video of this series.

To give you a head start learning to fly and operate the AH-64D, we have released the Early Access manual.
Please find the PDF document here.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/AH64D_flight_manual_en/

Spanning pages 361, the guide provides a detailed accounting of all the history, sensors, weapons, systems, and basic tactics of our AH-64D. The guide is a work-in-progress, and as new systems are added to the module, the guide will be updated. We believe, more than anything else so far, that the guide illustrates the extreme amount of detail and care that has gone into this project. Enjoy.

Coming No Later than 31 March 2022

By the book:

VMC Approach to a Hover

From an altitude and airspeed that affords the best observation of the landing area, place the LOS reticle on the intended point of landing. Press and hold the force trim interrupted and reduce the collective approximately 20% below cruise torque. Place the acceleration cue at the 40-knot ground speed position and adjust the collective for a 500 fpm or desired rate or descent. Maintain the FPV slightly above the intended point of landing to prevent “under-arcing” the approach. Control the flight path vector vertically with the collective and horizontally with the left/right cyclic. Maintain the acceleration cue behind the tip of the velocity vector to ensure a smooth, consistent deceleration while maintaining a 500 fpm or desired rate of descent. Prior to descending below the obstacles or 50 feet, keep the trim ball centered. Once below the obstacles or below 50 feet, use the pedals to align the nose with the landing direction. The decision to abort the approach should be made prior to descending below the obstacles. When the velocity vector is within the LOS reticle, select Hover symbology and terminate to a 5-foot stationary hover. Engage the hold modes as desired to assist in maintaining the hover.

Rolling Landing

From an altitude and airspeed that affords the best observation of the landing area, place the LOS reticle on the intended point of landing. Press and hold the force trim release interrupted and reduce the collective approximately 20% below cruise torque. Place the acceleration cue at the 40-knot ground speed position and adjust the collective for a 300 to 500 fpm or desired rate of descent. Maintain the FPV slightly above the intended point of landing to prevent “under-arcing” the approach. Plan to touch down in the first 1/3rd of the useable landing area. Control the flight path vector vertically with the collective and horizontally with the left/right cyclic. Maintain the acceleration cue behind the tip of the velocity vector to ensure a smooth, consistent deceleration while maintaining a 300 to 500 fpm or desired rate of descent. Prior to descending below the obstacles or 50 feet, keep the trim ball centered. Once below the obstacles or below 50 feet, use the pedals to align the nose with the landing direction. Maintain the velocity vector straight up and down the 12 o’clock post of the LOS reticle with the pedals and lateral cyclic. Maintain at or above ETL or VSDE until touch down, or if single engine maintain at or above VSSE until 30 feet. Once the aircraft touches down reduce the collective slightly to settle the aircraft, then increase the collective to 30% dual engine (60% single engine) or more prior to applying aft cyclic to aerodynamically brake the aircraft. Maintain heading with the pedals and a level attitude with lateral cyclic. When the velocity vector is within the LOS reticle, select Hover symbology and maintain the acceleration cue in the center of the LOS reticle. Neutralize the flight controls and reduce the collective after the aircraft has stopped. It is permissible to utilize the toe brakes to assist in stopping the aircraft.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll explore the defensive systems that will be available at launch. These will include the Aircraft Survivability Equipment, or pronounced “ACE”, that consists of the wire strike protection system, the AN/APR-39A(V)4 radar signal detection set, and the Common Missile Warning System, pronounced “C Moss”.

Combined, they work to detect, warn, and provide countermeasure options against both radar-guided and infrared-guided threats.

Later in early access we will add the AN/AVR-2A laser signal detecting set, the AN/ALQ-136 electronic radar jammer, and the AN/APR-48A Radio Frequency Interferometer.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, learn how to setup our controls to fly the -64.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll learn how to cold start our AH-64D.

Please note that this was recorded from a pre-release version in mid-March 2022. Later in development, aspects of the procedure may change.

My Cold Start Cheat Sheet:

Pre-Flight
1. Doors
2. Lights
3. Engine Levers Off
4. Rotor Brake Off
5. Parking Brake On
6. CMWS Off
7. COMM Levels
8. Battery
9. Tailwheel Locked
10. Lights Test
11. Fire Detection Test

APU
12. APU
13. ENG/SYS Page
14. Check EUFD
15. Check DMS Page
16. Set COMM Page
17. ASE Off and Setup
18. Set TSD Page
19. Set FUEL Page
20. Set FLT Page
21. Set WPN Page
22. IHADSS Boresight

Engines Start
23. Set NVS as Desired
24. Uncage SAI
25. ENG/SYS Page and ENG Page
26. ENG 1 Start Wait for TGT Less than 80 C
27. Power Lever to IDLE at Ng Increase
28. Repeat for ENG 2
29. Power Levers to FLY When OIL PSI is Less than 70 and NGB Temps Above 20 C
30. Check RPMs at 101%
31. APU Off

Before Taxi
32. Parking Brake Off
33. Tailwheel as Desired

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll explore our AI crew for the 64 that we call George. George is a common reference to auto-pilot systems in real aircraft.

When we developed this system, we did so with helicopters in mind that pose a unique set of challenges compared to fixed wing AI crew command systems. For instance, you must be able to rapidly input maneuver instructions, it must not block any of our forward view, it should not require head-movements, and it must be flexible to adapt to different flight conditions.

While there are certainly some very capable AI command systems for fixed-wing aircraft, they would not translate well to helicopters.

At early access release, George will be available for both the pilot and co-pilot/gunner, or CP/G. You will be able to fly and entire mission from just the pilot or CP/G seat.

During the early access period, we will continue to improve and refine it, particularly the automatic sighting and engagement abilities of the CP/G.

The legendary AH-64D has flown into Early Access and we are already overwhelmed with the response from the community. Thank you to those of you who have made this dream a fruition, we could not have done it without you.

The AH-64D is a revolutionary development in the history of war. The flying tank is designed to withstand massive impacts and inflict serious damage. It can operate during the day or night and even in terrible weather conditions.