Montrose

Check us out on the Air Combat Sim Podcast Episode 42 produced by Authentic Media on YouTube or your favorite Podcast media app. YouTube Link: (62) Air Combat Sim Episode 42: DCS Multiplayer Squadrons and The Virtual Armed Forces - YouTube Apple Podcast: Air Combat Sim on Apple Podcasts Are you interested in learning to fly, fight and maximize your abilities in Modern DCS Jets? Would you like to fly fun and challenging cooperative missions as part of a team? Do you have a willingness to learn? If your answers are "Yes," then give the Virtual Armed Forces a go! The Virtual Armed Forces (VAF) is looking to expand its ranks with enthusiastic and motivated virtual pilots and back-seaters who enjoy cooperative missions. The VAF has three squadrons primarily supporting three airframes: 111th Fighter Squadron "Ace in the Hole" flying the F-16C Viper VFA-136 "Knighthawks" flying the F/A-18C Hornet 428th Fighter Squadron “Buccaneers” flying the F-15E Strike Eagle We have openings available for all of our squadrons. We don't expect Chuck Yeager; we're happy with Charlie Brown. We prefer good attitudes to good sticks, because with good attitude skills can be learned. We ask only that you bring a good attitude, a willingness to use tactics and cooperate as a team, and dedication to undertake our training syllabus. In return, we will provide our own individual attention to develop your skills. Additionally, we foster a fun, friendly, and supportive environment with no formal rank structure or command hierarchy. Our membership includes several civil and former military aviators, and we're all here to have fun! The VAF also boasts custom individual skins created by one of the more prolific skinners in the DCS community. Our comprehensive training program teaches you basic airmanship and 2-ship formation tactics. We focus on realistic training in our Student Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. SUPT starts out with VFR flying, landing and take-off patterns, close formation flying and then moves on to IFR, Refueling and Weapons Training. Progression is at the student's pace and flight status is based on the ability to fly safe and to adhere to some basic operational standards. We recruit in small groups to ensure that individual training needs are met and that new members have an opportunity to get to know the group. Of note, we have integrated crews for the F-15E, and we have stood up the 428th FS “Buccaneers” for the F-15E. If you have ever wanted to learn the WSO position, or fly with a competent human WSO, then the 428th FS is for you! The WSO curricula are developed by two former real life back-seaters, and include A/A, A/G, and principles of situational awareness. Prospective WSOs can be confident that they are receiving excellent training, and pilots can be confident that the WSOs in the 428th FS will transform their experience for the better! Finally, we wish to cross-train all F-15E aircrews on the pilot and WSO stations to the extent possible to maximize tactical flexibility. We currently operate four servers: one server for training and three fiber optic data-center servers for missions and dynamic campaigns. We fly most days from 3pm Pacific until 9PM Pacific. Weekends are throughout the day on our Dynamic Campaigns unless otherwise scheduled. If you are still interested, please visit Please read the VAF rules and regulations and then apply by joining our Discord at https://discord.gg/3MchkEDVP2

Awesome thank you - I set my SS or render quality, colors, back lighting FOV, among a bunch of other things within PiTools so fornow I will go back to SteamVR

Okay this is great but how to you apply all your game title specific settings for color, rendering etc that is set using pitools if you don't launch the title form piTools? There is a lot of tweaking done in the PiTools app to make things look good.

So the only way to use OpenXR is to change your shortcut? with PIMAX headset 8k X it was working perfect but now in order to use OpenXR I can no longer launch from PiTools which means my headset isn't using any of the color, rendering, backlight etc. settings, is this correct? will it be possible in the future to have OpenXR as a setting within the VR tab in DCS so we can launch it as we like?

O and many I fly with would not fly DCS if is wasn't trying to be as accurate as it does. It would be sad as there is really no other options in this type of simulation. Falcon was similar and I for one loved and used for years. Of DCS was to cater to mainstream it would ruin the it for many of us.

What is our choice? What is the alternative? That may answer your question

All of our pilots in the VAF flying the F16 are seeing this as well. We are currently switching the radar from what ever mode your in eg RWS to TWS and then back to clear the ghost tracks. This had happened a while back but was fixed but has been re introduced a few patches ago

Good suggestion. We dont have set schedules and typically fly everyday which is why I put the time zones. I will add to the post. Thanks

Are you interested in learning to fly, fight and maximize your abilities in Modern DCS Jets? Would you like to fly fun and challenging cooperative missions as part of a team? Do you have a willingness to learn? If your answers are "Yes," then give the Virtual Armed Forces a go! The Virtual Armed Forces (VAF) is looking to expand its ranks with enthusiastic and motivated virtual pilots and RIOs who enjoy cooperative missions. The VAF has four squadrons primarily supporting four airframes: 75th Fighter Squadron "Tigersharks" flying the A-10C Warthog 111th Fighter Squadron "Ace in the Hole" flying the F-16C Viper VFA-136 "Knighthawks" flying the F/A-18C Hornet VF-142 "Ghostriders" flying the F-14A/B Tomcat We have openings available for all of our squadrons. We don't expect Chuck Yeager; we're happy with Charlie Brown. We prefer good attitudes to good sticks, because with good attitude skills can be learned. We ask only that you bring a good attitude, a willingness use tactics and cooperate as a team, and the dedication to undertake our training syllabus. In return, we will provide our own individual attention to develop your skills. Additionally, we foster a fun, friendly, and supportive environment with no formal rank structure or command hierarchy. Our membership includes a number of civil and former military aviators, and we're all here to have fun! The VAF also boasts custom individual skins created by one of the more prolific skinners in the DCS community. Our comprehensive training program teaches you basic airmanship and 2-ship formation tactics. We focus on realistic training in our Student Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. SUPT starts out with VFR flying, landing and take-off patterns, close formation flying and then moves on to IFR, Refueling and Weapons Training. Progression is at the student's pace and flight status is based on the ability to fly safe and to adhere to some basic operational standards. We recruit in small groups to ensure that individual training needs are met and that new members have an opportunity to get to know the group. Of particular note, we are in the process of standing up the VF-142 Ghostriders. If you have ever wanted to learn the RIO position, or fly with a competent human RIO, VF-142 is for you! The RIO curriculum is being developed by a former US Naval Flight Officer, and includes A/A, A/G, and principles of situational awareness. Prospective RIOs can be confident that they are receiving excellent training, and pilots can be confident that the RIOs in VF-142 will transform their F-14 experience for the better! Finally, we wish to cross-train all F-14 aircrews on the pilot and RIO stations to the extent possible to maximize tactical flexibility. We currently operate two severs one for training and one for missions. We fly most days from 3pm Pacific until 9PM Pacific. Weekends are throughout the day on our Dynamic Campaigns unless otherwise scheduled. If you are still interested, please visit Please read the VAF rules and regulations and then apply by joining our Discord at https://discord.gg/Yh5ujEeaC7

I attached a couple of images - this is full brightness and contrast adjustment. its only form say 10:00 till 2 mission time. Wasn't like this prior to 2.7. Hornet is a bit better but I posted them anyways.

Yes I don't understand why the settings are different based on time of day in the mission. Its like the brightness and contrast are set based on the outside light. I could be wrong but wouldn't these be set the same In RL regardless of outside lighting? Many of our missions start early morning and by 10am we can no longer see red contacts or the rings on the HSD - if we zoom its very faint. I tried maxing our contrast and brightness to find a good setting but they do nothing. I have chatted with a number of RL pilots who say yes lighting and shadows make it harder to see MFDs and screen type instruments like GPS they have anti glare and other features that make them readable. I do think their should be affect but currently it needs to be dialed down. I remember there was an adjustment for the Hornet to fix this . I checked yesterday and it seems the color red as an example is slightly orange and brighter than the red in the F16. I also recognize ED has a ton on their plate and need to start with issues/bugs that impact the largest number of pilots in the community. I am sure they will get to this. 2.7 is gorgeous in VR and 2D

Yes the VAF is seeing this as well. Removed all MODs and repaired DCS which made it worse - this only started with 2.7. You can't see the rings in the MFD or bandits on either the radar or HSD in certain lighting. The guys in our group who flew the F18 said they had the same issue a ways back and it was fixed. If we start in low light times like early morning we have way more MFD adjustment than when we start in the day. Even zooming in on the MFD we can't see enemy tracks. We have 6 pilots in VR and 2 on 2k monitors all get the same thing as described and shown above. I tried it in the Hornet same mission and although the lighting does affected the visuals on the MFD it no where near as bad .

The Virtual Armed Forces is looking for a few pilots to join our ranks that want to fly missions that are fun and require team cooperation. We have three active squadrons: the 75th Tiger Sharks squadron flying the A-10C, the VAF-136 Knighthawks flying the F/A-18C, and the 111th Fighter Squadron Aces in the Hole flying the F-16C. We take attitude before skills as skill can be taught. We are currently have openings for all three squadrons/air frames. Our requirements are a good attitude, willingness to use cooperative tactics and operate in a team, and willingness to take the time to go through our training syllabus. Our comprehensive training program teaches you basic airmanship and 2-ship formation tactics. We focus on realistic training in our Student Undergraduate Pilot Training program which starts out with VFR, landing and take-off patterns, close formation flying and then moves on to IFR, Refueling and Weapons Training. Progression is at the students pace and flight status is based on the ability to fly safe and to adhere to some basic operational standards. We seek quality individuals who like to have fun, fly cooperative missions, and fit in with our members. A small number of candidates are recruited at a time to ensure individual training needs are met and new members have an opportunity to get to know the group. Our missions are primarily on the Caucasus, Persian Gulf and Syria maps, and occasionally the Nevada Test and Training Region. If this sounds appealing and you are willing to meet our minimum requirements, please read the VAF rules and regulations (https://www.virtualarmedforces.com/index.php/rules), and then if you agree, apply by sending a PM.

I agree - I am spending a lot of time opening and resaving missions after each patch and then re uploading them to our server. A mission updater tool would be awesome!

Not sure this is the place but it would be nice to have a tool that would update your miz files to the latest version of DCS. When ever there is a patch I have to go through dozens of missions, open them in the editor and resave them under the new version. Takes a lot of time. Just an idea

this is a bug and I have tested 6 of my missions that used to work are now broken. I have reviewed to different scenarios that used to work that now don't. AI spawning into a base can now spawn in after the base coalition has changed. We now have enemy aircraft spawning on friendly airbases - this never used to happen. Late activation client slots can now be entered regardless of Coalition even when we use Coalition has Aerodrome. this never worked before. Another example is patrols will continue to spawn even when their airbase is lost - this never ever worked this way before. We run two servers and have built over 50 missions and this was never an issue until the last few patches. I wondered if this was introduced during the addition of Neutral Coalitions

The VAF uses a combo of MOOSE, MIST and CTLD. We use outside scripting for many functions but regularly we use; MOOSE: Retasking for Air Refuelers, AWACs etc. Detection script for enemy air response Patrol script for managing patrols and cleanup Carrier pattern script MIST: Spawning ground units triggering map object destruction among other things CTLD: JTAC control Helicopter ops for taking bases etc We could not build any of our missions without the addition of these tools

Results in huge frame drops when people broadcast. Made many MP servers unusable. Not sure why ED is even doing this as we have excellent tools now such as Discord and SRS

I'm getting crashes in the PIMAX 5k+ not using Steam so I think its a VR issue. Started with todays patch. I can sometimes fly for an hour before it crashes but I had 5 crashes today

Sorry but I do development - Beta is to introduce new stuff have people test and play then fix those bugs before you move on. It is NOT to work on bugs and add new features at the same time you are fixing those bugs! I am glad ED is taking their time to resolve the MAJOR issues with the current OB build. Take your time ED and thank you for all your hard work!

I sometimes have that and have to recenter the view. With PIMAX the FOV is so big it can be off the side which is just an empty box

Is this happening to you on the Open Beta Server? We have two serves and the same thing happens to all clients for a few minutes then unfreezes.

I actual find my PIMX 5K PLUS runs better without steamvr. I am currently using pitools render of 2.0 and in-game pd of 1.5 and it's awesome

I have a 9700k very very basic OC of 5.1 on all cores, 32gig of RAM and M.2 drives along with a 2080ti and I can run my PIMAX 5k plus with a in game PD of 1.5 and PiTools Render of 2.0 (max) to get SP average 50fps and MP average of 40fps. Everything is smooth and I can read everything in the cockpit without Zoom which I no longer have mapped. MFDs are crisp and as clear as 1080p

Interesting! I love my PIMAX 5k plus will try this but I don't use Steam at all when playing DCS in VR