F-16C Viper

This is an alpha module. This module is still being developed and is missing central features and equipment options. While it is playable, it may have major bugs, and procedures may have inconsistent or unexpected results. The intrepid and very interested may want to buy it; others should probably wait for a more stable or complete release.

The F-16 is represented in both Digital Combat Simulator and Falcon Benchmark Simulator. This article will focus on the DCS version, which models the F-16C Block 50.

Features

Yeah all you fuckers wish you flew the Viper
Probably since the time you wore a diaper
We got every mission that you do
I'll fly 'em all better than you, yeah!
All you fuckers wish you flew the Viper.
'Cause we're Single Seat, Multi-Role
We can fly right up our own asshole, yeah
All you fuckers wish you flew the Viper.

Dos Gringos

Get amped to RP a cool guy by listening to a couple of hilarious Viper pilots.

• Dos Gringos - Live At Tommy Rockers (No Really, It Was Live)

Air to Air Weapons

Deal with whatever the Sky Gods missed or forgot to care about

• AIM-9L/M/P/X Sidewinder
• AIM-120B/C AMRAAM
• M61A1 20mm cannon

Air to Ground Weapons

Spend $1M to blow up a $500 truck in just a few easy steps

• 2.75” rockets LAU-68 and LAU-131
• AGM-65D/G/H/K Maverick - Not Yet Implemented
• AGM-88C HARM - Not Yet Implemented
• AGM-154A and AGM-154B JSOW - Not Yet Implemented
• CBU-87 and CBU-97
• CBU-103 CEM and CBU-105 SFW Inertially Aided Munitions (IAM) - Not Yet Implemented
• GBU-10, GBU-12 laser-guided bombs
• GBU-24A/B laser-guided bomb - Not Yet Implemented
• GBU-31/A and GBU-38/B Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) - Not Yet Implemented
• M61A1 20mm cannon
• Mk-82 LDGP/AIR
• Mk-84 LDGP/AIR - Not Yet Complete

Systems

The nerd shit

• AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING targeting pod - Not Yet Complete
• APG-68(V)5 RADAR
  • Air to Ground Mode - Not Yet Implemented
  • Single Target Track
  • Track While Scan
• AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targeting System (HTS) - Not Yet Implemented
• Color Multifunction Displays
• Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) - Not Yet Complete
• Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) - Not Yet Complete
• Link 16 Tactical Data Link

Flying the Viper

The F-16 can do whatever you need it to do, as long as you don't need a lot of different things all at once or don't plan to stick around doing all those things for very long. It's easy to start, easy to fly, and easy to fight in.

Quick Startup

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Follow these steps to get a cold and dark jet on the ramp ready to fly and fight successfully. The auto-start is probably fine but it doesn't turn on everything that you need and this method is a few minutes faster.

1. Rearm with preferred loadout
2. Wait for rearm/refuel complete
3. Set LGB laser codes as required using the Kneeboard - IMPORTANT: Must be done when cold and dark
4. MAIN PWR Switch to MAIN PWR
5. FLCS Test - Observe ABCD channel lights illuminated
6. JFS Switch to START 2
7. IFF Master Knob to NORM
8. Lights Master Switch to NORM, brightness as required
9. Nosegear light TAXI
10. Parking Brake ON
11. Close Canopy, lock canopy
12. Throttle past Shutdown detent to Idle (Right Shift + Home)
13. UHF Function Knob (backup UHF radio) to BOTH
14. RWR Power ON
15. MWS, JMR, RWR, 01, 02, CH, and FL to ON
16. Set Countermeasures MODE and PRGM as required
17. HUD Brightness up a couple clicks
18. SYMBOLOGY (JHMCS) Brightness up a couple clicks
19. Arm Ejection Seat
20. Wait for RWR startup jingle
21. MMC, ST STA, MFD, UFC, MAP, GPS, DL, and MIDS LVT to ON
22. INS Knob to STOR HDG
23. Right Hardpoint ON, FCR On, RADAR Altimeter ON
24. ALT RADAR to AUTO
25. Wait for INS Alignment to complete, as indicated by flashing RDY on the DED INS (LIST 6) page
26. INS Knob to NAV
27. Click ICP Dobber RTN
28. Verify all required systems are on and operating
29. Enable Nosewheel Steering (NWS)

Takeoff

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1. Taxi to runway
2. Line up on centerline or offset left/right as required
3. While rolling slowly, ensure no left/right drift and disable NWS
4. Apply brakes to stop
5. Set throttle to full afterburner
6. Release brakes at 95% fan RPM
7. Apply rudder to maintain runway alignment
8. Begin to rotate at ~150-180 kts depending on takeoff weight
9. Hold pitch at 10 deg. AOA pitch up
10. Let the jet lift off
11. Gear up before 300 kts

Dogfighting

1. Turn your JHMCS on at startup
2. Enter DOG FIGHT mode with the DOG FIGHT mode switch
3. Press TMS UP to enable the circle in your JHMCS
4. Look at the target and put them in the circle
5. Press TMS UP to try and lock the target
6. With some of that pilot shit, get a good firing solution for your selected weapon
   • 420 kts is pretty close to best turn rate in a clean jet
   • Swap selected missile types with NWS / AR DISC / MSL STEP

Beyond Visual Range

1. You have AIMRAMS right? If not hit the burners, then see Dogfighting
2. Click A-A on your UFC
3. Set TWS on your FCR with TMS RIGHT LONG
4. IFF your potential targets by slewing the FCR cursor over them and press TMS LEFT. Repeat until all targets are identified.
5. Bug your target with TMS RIGHT. Before you're in engagement range, you should probably make sure you can actually bug each target.
6. Are there friendlies between you and your target? If yes you probably shouldn't toss an AIMRAM toward them. Maneuver to support the friendlies and consider using heaters, see Dogfighting
7. Get into engagement range
8. Press WPN REL and make a FOX-3 call on the radio
9. If there is more than one target, cycle to the next target with TMS RIGHT and fire off another
10. If possible (i.e. you're not immediately defending), keep the target on your FCR and notch your opponent until the missile goes PITBULL
11. Evade the enemy and dump some countermeasures, they probably shot at you and you're about to die unless you do something about it

Air to Ground

Section Incomplete

Landing

Section Incomplete

Training Material

Manuals

1. Chuck's Guides - DCS F-16C Viper

Videos

1. Youtube: Matt Wagner - DCS: F-16C Viper Playlist