underwater environment

Just wonder if there is any thought or it has been suggested before. Would it be possible for DCS world to expand into underwater realm. I am not talking about a full blown sub simulator. Simply underwater environment (we don't even need fishes or whales) and subs that can go underwater. Currently, the DCS world is all about dogfights and bombings. Having underwater realm would introduce another element of war, ASW. Current platforms such as Perry frigate, S-3 vikings and helos could find the real job they were designed for. With that, I am pretty sure people can push out new flyables such as P-3, ASW helos. It'll be a lot of fun. I think DCS has matured enough to perhaps just starting to think about that.

I second that.

Having visited that realm a few times, having made a cock-up of F18 carrier landings, it doesn't currently look deep enough, so i'd expect the maps to have to be changed a little before submarine warfare could become a thing.

it might be interesting though

I think DCS has matured enough to perhaps just starting to think about that.

That I'm not sure about. There are some pretty important aspects of the current simulation that aren't really mature. Some are being worked on, but I think others don't have any planned updates yet. Currently, ATC, AWACS, missile guidance, damage model, and AI behavior at the least need an overhaul. There are definitely other things that would be competing for developer time.

in the terrestrial environment little has been done using the tanks but it would be nice to use the SAMS stations too

in the submarine environment it would be much more complex.

+1

I know that at least the Caucasus map has transparent water and a seabed, not too sure how accurate the depth map is but it's a step in the right direction.

Given that the OHP, Arleigh Burke, Ticonderoga and near enough every Russian and Chinese naval asset has ASW weapons of some sort, as well as the Tu-142 and Ka-27, it would make sense to have a proper underwater environment simulated some day, especially seeing as the Kilo class submarine currently in DCS looks fantastic, is fully animated (masts, planes, rudders, propellers, tube doors, even the hatch that's used for reloading by way of an adaptor is animated), there's even an submarine launched AShM to go with it (3M-54E1), however nothing is really implemented in DCS World, you can spawn the submarine but aside from following waypoints like any other ship it can't do anything.

Now ED have plans to implement the Mk-40 Destructor and Mk63 Quickstrike mines with the F/A-18C (Both are essentially conversions of Mk80 series bombs to be used as bottom influence mines in shallow waters. (Source: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3285514&postcount=13)

Add to that ED have a torpedo boat (German Schnellboot) as well as a Type VII u-boat in development as part of the WWII asset packs, it would seem silly to add a torpedo boat that couldn't be used as such, as launching torpedoes is kinda the point of it, same goes for the Type VII which is y'know a submarine.

Plus nearly every surface combatant in DCS has some sort of ASW capability. The American Arleigh Burke Flt IIA class destroyer, Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate and Ticonderoga class cruiser all are equipped with the Mk32 deck mounted torpedo launcher, which can fire Mk44, 46, 50 and 54 torpedoes (depending on modification). Every Chinese naval asset has access to ASW rocket launchers and ASW torpedo launchers and practically every Russian asset has access to these as well (apart from the Tarantul-3 class corvette).

Going on the Tu-142 and every other IRL MPA that I can think of has access to ASW weapons and sensors, torpedoes, depth charges, sonobuoys etc, plus an overwhelming number of maritime helicopters is designed for ASW or at least has access to ASW weapons/sensors. Both MPAs and these kind of helicopters are practically alienated without an underwater environment.

I can appreciate though that this shouldn't take precedence over more pressing features and issues but in my view should definitely be under consideration.

I don't think we even need model the whole seabed. Modern combat submarines (not those scientific submersibles that can dive down to 20k+ meters) can at best get down to 600-800 meters. For shallow waters, yes, put some barren sandy floor there. But for deep waters, just limit the view camera there. When ships sink below that threshold, just let it fade away.

I would love to have a full fidelity submarine module for DCS! Dangerous Waters is getting old...

There was a decent PT boat sim out there on Steam at one point. You could man the helm, fire torpedos, and control the deck gunners for inbound attack aircraft. It was challenging and fun to make a run on ships. This would be a great module to introduce into the WW2 scene. I know a ton of guys that would enjoy running a torpedo boat and fending off aircraft and subs while trying to make a run on ships.

One day

It has ton of work to be done... but one day it realized, ASW(i.e. P-3C, SH-60B) even submarine would be playable.

I just happen to see this video about a UBOAT simulator game in development that might be close to what you have in mind. It is really well done it has some great ideas that could some day be used in DCS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4Otj64O8I

This thread imo is not deserving of comment...