Since the scenario is always the same, besides a minor variation mentioned later, you probably know the drill already, so let’s crack on.
SL Flakscheinwerfer 37
Let’s start with something different. The Flakscheinwerfer 37 is a set of powerful searchlights composed of a generator and the light itself. In-game, it looks fantastic and has a great range. I did not bother testing its efficacy alongside other weapons, as this is a quick showcase, but the effect is both realistic and scenographic. In fact, although the advent of radar-guided or assisted guns reduced the usage of searchlights, they were still employed well into the Cold War.
Before proceeding to the next unit, a quick heads-up: I modified this scenario and the following to add a second Apache flying closer to the showcased units.
Infantry AK-74
The AK-74-equipped infantry is the first to be thrown into the fray. Note the expression of excitement on this guy’s face. Let’s call him Bob. In the video above, you can see how competently he aims his AK-74? Judging by the 3D model, Bob is, in fact, a veteran who probably started his career back in LOMAC.
20-something years later, the AK-74 is still a good weapon in modern DCS. It is accurate and has a good rate of fire. Unfortunately, it appears to do zilch against the two targets. And yes, I have disabled invulnerability.
Infantry M249
Belgium. I visited the country a couple of times, and I can vouch for the quality of their chocolate, beers, and chips. The Orval is my favourite Trappist beer, by the way. Anyhow, an often forgotten fact is that several well-known weapons originate from Belgium. For example, the Belgian Fabrique Nationale produces or produced the P90, the FAL, and the Minimi. The last was adopted as the M249 by the US.
And after this totally unnecessary preamble, we arrive at the M249’s performance in-game: it has a good rate of fire but sucks damage-wise. Next!
Infantry RPG
Hello. This is Rob. Contrary to the previously introduced Bob, he is an expert RPG user. Today, he and his buddies will show us how effective an RPG is against a helicopter. At least in DCS.
The results of the merry band of 5 Robs are not impressive. But I really want to see how many RPG dudes are necessary to score a hit. Let’s add more Robs.
You know, it is hard not to think about Black Hawk Down when rotary wings and RPGs are involved. Black Hawk Down is a war film portraying a fictionalised version of the events that occurred during the Battle of Mogadishu. Unfortunately, the movie invents or misrepresents several key points. Ridley Scott did not even have the decency to properly remember the dead and wounded Pakistani and Malaysian soldiers of the relief column. Meh…
Anyway, in the events of Black Hawk Down, two Black Hawks went down, hit by RPGs. Let’s see how many RPGs I need in DCS to achieve the same effect. After adding “a couple” more Robs, they finally to hit one of the two targets. It only took like a battalion of them. I wonder if PRGs are so terrible against moving vehicles as well.
Let’s have a quick look with TacView, to better quantify how many grenades were necessary to hit an Apache.
This reminds me of another documentary I watched, called 300 – you know, the “Fight in the shade” scene!
APC BTR-80
Let’s now move to armoured vehicles, starting with the BTR-80. This APC, acronym for Armoured Personnel Carrier, is a veteran of many wars. In DCS, it comes equipped with a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun. This weapon should be able to inflict some considerable damage on the helicopters. However, the BTR did not react to the Tornado.
ATGM VAB Mephisto
So, I saw this thing and, mindful of the ability of soviet tanks to launch ATGMs, I decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, it did not react to any threat. It looks cool, though, and I love how its thingy poked out. It reminded me of Wall-E.
IFV BMP-1
I know, I know, you all want to see if the best SPAAA is still nightmare material, but kids, you have to be patient. We must start with his older brother, the BMP-1.
This infantry fighting vehicle has an odd 73mm cannon, capable of firing RPG-like projectiles. It is also equipped with ATGMs on top of the usual 7.62mm machine guns.
Unfortunately, in DCS, it engages helicopters only with the MGs, delivering negligible damage.
IFV BMP-2
And here it is, the “Blyat of Babylon“.
Sporting the same gun as the Ka-50, the mighty 30mm 2A42 autocannon, the BMP-2 has always been ridiculed for its absurd precision when engaging aerial targets.
As expected, the BMP-2s quickly dealt with the helicopters. The real test starts now, against the low-and-fast Tornado. Given how many non-radar-guided SPAAA missed it, I do not expect the BMP-2 to hit the target.
And, of course, they got at the first salvo. Typical…
I honestly have no words to comment on how the BMP-2 performs in DCS. It’s still one of the best SPAAA. Instead, I will simply quote J. R. R. Tolkien:
“There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men for this treachery.”
Never change DCS, never change.
IFV BMP-3
Let’s move on to Cthulhu’s big brother: the BMP-3. This vehicle shuffles its armament around, mixing a 100mm gun-launcher with a derivative of the 2A42 called 2A72. The newer version has several improvements, but also a lower rate of fire, which somewhat hinders the BMP-2’s ability to be comically effective against aerial targets. Not that the BMP-3 is bad against most of them, of course. Still, you can tell that the Soviets did not play DCS. Otherwise, they would have stuck to the 2A42…
IFV BTR-82A
The newer variant of the BTR-80 family is the -82A. It sports the same 30 mm 2A72 autocannon of the BMP-3, but here it appears to be more effective against the two Apache helicopters. Why is this the case? Je ne sais pas.
IFV M2A2 Bradley
The M2A2 Bradley is the vehicle on which the M6 Linebacker is based, with the M6 replacing the ATGMs with Stingers. Oddly enough, the M6 unit did not use the chain gun along its surface-to-air missiles.
The M2A2, instead, relies entirely on its M242, 25 mm chain gun to engage aerial targets. In DCS, this gun performs well, although it shows much worse precision compared to the BTR-82, not to mention the dreadful BMP-2.
IFV Marder
The German Marder is a capable Infantry Fighting Vehicle with an interesting offensive solution. Its Maschinenkanone 20 mm, Rh-202 made by the brilliant Rheinmetall, is mounted on a small turret and offers a superb rate of fire. Although it does achieve the “wall of bullets” effect of the M163 shown in the previous video, the damage inflicted on the Apaches is impressive. The only drawback appears to be its precision, which is worse than that of the last two IFV discussed.
IFV Warrior
The last Infantry Fighting Vehicle discussed is the British FV510 Warrior. Its primary weapon is the L21A1 30mm cannon: a solid and precise weapon, but it is characterised by a low rate of fire compared to other modern IFVs. In the specific scenario discussed, this limitation heavily affects the performance of the Warrior as an anti-aircraft asset.
Tanks
The next five units shown are main battle tanks. They all follow just about the same pattern, with various machine guns used to target the apaches, and the main guns to poke at them at a distance. I expected gun-launched ATGMs from the Soviet tanks, but they did not shoot any. However, I remember dodging a few of them back in the day: these sorts of things teach you rapidly that hovering is a bad idea.
As you have seen, the 3D model of some units is not particularly great. They probably date back to LOMAC or close to that. On the other hand, certain vehicles shown in this and precedent articles have tiny details such as welding lines and residues, and shake due to the recoil. This apparent excess of quality of ground units, often appearing not bigger than a pixel from 30,000 ft, reminded me of something.
A few years ago, I mentioned how ED should, in my opinion, diversify its product range. Now that maps are light years ahead of what we had in 2008 and LOMAC, introducing vehicle modules with a simulation level close to GHPC or at least a damage model a-la War Thunder, would be fantastic. Combined Arms was very promising years ago, and I remember organising some funny ground-versus-ground fights, but it became boring rather quickly due to the lack of depth and fidelity. It is still a good product to play as JTAC and compensate for the lack of a strategic and dynamic AI, but that’s mostly it.
Back to the tanks, as shown, they follow a similar pattern with mixed results. Most coaxial or mounted machine guns are ineffective against the well-armoured Apache. Two tanks stand out: the Challenger II, which confirms its reputation of being extremely precise, and the T-90 made by Current Hill. This is a 2020s modernised variant. The mid-2000s T-90A is also present, which fits better into the “core” of DCS, albeit not as much as the original T-90, in my opinion. Still, the model looks great, and its heavy machine gun eventually inflicted serious damage to the Apache.
Scout HL with DSHK 12.7mm
Hello. This is Ross. Like Bob and Rob, he is an expert with his weapon of choice. In this case, the almost mythical DShK 12.7mm, often simply called “dushka”.
This weapon is ubiquitous. Literally. It is difficult to find a conflict sporting Soviet equipment where this gun was not involved. One may argue that this is the AK of the heavy machine gun, a design so successful that only the M2 Browning and a few others are as omnipresent.
In DCS, the DSHK has a good range, but it’s relegated to a spray-and-pray role.
LT FV101 Scorpion [CH]
The Scorpion is a peculiar tank, one of the few European light and reconnaissance vehicles in the game that carries a high-calibre, 90 mm, gun. Yes, I would like to see the Centauro added at some point.
The DCS version of the Scorpion is made by Current Hill, and the model looks great. This vehicle is also one of my favourite units in Armoured Brigade II, but I’m digressing.
So, what I wanted to verify is whether the Scorpion used its main cannon to engage helicopters, as the MBTs do, or it employs only its small-calibre guns. Unfortunately, the Scorpion uses only the coaxial machine gun.
SPG Stryker MGS
Dulcis in fundo, we have reached the 52nd and last unit shown in this series. Probably.
The Stryker MGS, acronym for Mobile Gun System, is a Canadian LAV on top of which is mounted a derivative of the Anglo-American M68 105mm gun. The result is a vehicle inspired by the mentioned Centauro and other similar solutions, which combines firepower and superb agility and speed. Although in real life, the Stryker MGS did not particularly shine and was retired in the 2020s, in-game, it looks and performs well. Obviously, and I suppose most male viewers may relate, the only thing I cared about was whether the big gun engaged helicopters. And to my surprise, it does! Big boom = me happy. Even in a video game.
FlyAndWire 