DCS: Attack Aircraft. Which is best & what to buy

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This video explains why I consider Harrier to be the most capable attack aircraft in DCS...and by a large margin.
If you are considering buying a module for DCS and prefer the attack role, hopefully this video might sway you to consider the Harrier as opposed to some of the other modules. If you are adamant that the A-10, Viper or Hornet is the most capable then maybe you don't fly the Harrier or maybe you havn't explored its full potential? Do comment on why you think that I am wrong...preferably without typing the noise of the GAU8 but do keep it light hearted :-)

Intro 0:00
CAS 1:41
SEAD 3:50
Battlefiled Air Interdiction 7:16
Air Interdiction 9:48
Deep Strike 12:43
Night Attack 13:14
Features 19:03
Air Combat 19:24
Other Tricks 20:59
Sensor Fuzed Weapons 21:36
SFW
Downsides 23:02

I have also uploaded some of my unedited practice attempts to attack a parked aircraft at a defended airbase at night on some of the other modules
A10: Misery trying to evade the SA15 and trying to find the target with only NVGs

Viper: I cheated and used HARM to take out the SA15s but to offset that I removed the lightning pod....not that I used that in the Harrier anyway

Live fire of a CBU 105

[Madeyes]

Still hoping for the GR7/9. Extra pylons for A2A, more sensors, Zeus ECM. MAWS. However 1 thing we really need is a prior FARP/hide system & proper grass runways to utilise its CaS to the full. Add to this the US radar equipped 8B & it’s definitely up there with the best. And I’m not at all biased because I worked on them for 15 years 😳😉

[ManWar]

Remember, this game isn’t about being the best in a server. You’re supposed to have fun flying your dream jet.

[joskaokos]

I fully agree with you. The most entertaining plane in the dcs. It takes time and learning, but persistence will bring the expected results. After that, it doesn't seem difficult to operate the machine.

[marcosavila]

i have been just around the F14, F-16, A10CII, F-15E for more than 5 years, its time to go deeper into the Harrier, i have all the campaigns too, for years, but i always pick another plane, now im really studying this bird because i really love it, tx for the boost

[DemonLordGamingAC]

Came back to this video to report a mission I created originally for the Viggen. Taking off from Pagan Airstrip in Marianas, which is a very short Grass airfield. And then fly about 300 miles to a SA-10 protected island. And also protected by 3 pairs of Tunguskas and Tors.

My idea was to fly and find the sites using the U/22A jammer for ELINT. It didn't work. The Viggen can take off from Pagan, not easily, and it can reach the target with a decent amount of fuel, but once there, pinpointing the target is admittedly an issue. You need to calculate the QFE for the target, for the dumb munitions to have their steering queues. Given, no matter how hard I try, the Viggen could not finish that mission. It does not work well without knowing the exact target location. (It can use it's radar but it's not precise enough for a BK-90 strike, like a TPOD.)

I accomplished it first try with the Harrier. Taking off effortlessly with 4 Sidearms, 2 rocket pods, destroyed the SA-10, came back home, landed vertically, rearmed with 6 JDAMs and 2 Bags, even over MTOW, took off again effortlessly and completely destroyed all 6 SHORADs after the SA-10 was neutralized. I also had a lot of fuel to spare and loiter over by doing repeated strafes with the gun. The Harrier truly dominated this one.

BUT when you do know the target location beforehand... Oh boy, the Viggen will rip you a new one! If you wanna talk "fly treetop level and strike fast" you can't beat the Swedes with their purpose built fast attack aircraft

[kilianortmann]

Nice video, I also really like the Harrier, still have a lot to learn in DCS but the Harrier really clicked with me.
I really love the hotspot tracker, the analog weapons panel (can see the weapons settings, no matter what I selected on the MFD) and the laser JDAM.
For deep strike I also like the Tomcat, incredible speed and range with 2-4 1000 lbs GBUs and with the TCS a pretty capable manual bombing system.
You might also consider to try out the Jeff, it is simple and intuitive to use and has lots of cool toys, it just can't carry them all at once.

[julianmorrisco]

I’m convinced. I’ve been letting my Harrier gather moss whilst learning other modules as my quick fam with it made it seem very complex, and I felt I could get my fix with other planes more easily. But things like the IR hotspots, LJDAMs and FLIR HUD have convinced me that it’s worth the learning time as they’re not available elsewhere. I tend to focus on older planes and helis, from warbirds to the fishbed and F5 but this vid made the harrier look like so much fun.

[stuartmack]

Glad to see someone giving a nod to the Harrier. It is undeservingly under-rated. I don't own the A10-C, but have flown it on a trial license. While it is an impressive DCS module, I just find it kinda boring to fly, and it has such a steep learning curve. The Harrier by comparison is fun to fly and only half the price, especially if you catch it on sale. It's smoother learning curve makes it a smart choice for new players looking to buy their first serious hi-fidelity module...as i did, and with no regrets. I own a few modules now including the F-16 and FA-18, but sometimes I just love zipping around in the harrier at low level through hilly terrain, just as I used to watch them as a kid growing up in the Scottish Borders.

[TomWilson-syjo]

I love the Harrier but for almost the opposite reason. I like flying it as it would have loaded out in the 80s and 90s. In those loadouts there is no JDAMs, no Litening pod, minimal Maverick and Sidearm loadouts as logistically they would be scarce, this makes it an incredibly challenging but still very capable platform.

[RedBravo]

That was interesting. Never knew that Sidearms were more difficult to detect than Harms. Nicely done. Love the Harrier.

[FJFuentesCO]

Just got the AV-8B and really enjoying it. Very capable aircraft and a lot of fun to fly! Being able to land on a FARP or Road really add a lot of flexibility. I like all of the aircraft you mention for different reasons. Just with the Harrier had some different engine sounds from the external view. Love the sounds of the Hornet, A-10 and F-16, but not the Harrier so much, but whatever, still loads of enjoyment!

[RossOneEyed]

While I own the AV8B....and the F/A18C I just have to say, I spend the most amount of my flying time in the A-4E. Part of that is the time frame (would love to have a real 105G). Old Cold Warrior here, and the time frame is just one that appeals to me.

[Lochaby]

*Strike Eagle has entered the chat* very well thought out vid. Great insite, thanks!

[DemonLordGamingAC]

I have no Idea why they "nerfed" the Harrier's payload. You can no longer take a full load of 3 bombs in the middle pylons + Sidearms/winders

[MattJonesGR]

I only fly the Harrier. Always wanted to be a Harrier pilot as a kid. There won't be a GR7 or 9 in DCS for a long time as I put in a freedom of information request for RazBam for the flight manuals from the MOD and they were rejected as some of the avionics are still classified. That said the one in DCS for me is close enough :)

[MrSomethingdark]

I really want Razbam aircraft to be finished. They are not my primary purchase because of that but if they were to be completed and maintained I would certainly enjoy them!

[grisanverse]

The AV8B is a great module; very capable and incredibly funny; especially in onboard operations.

[markhobbs]

I have to agree,

The one that I find strangest is the systems and MFDs in the hornet and harrier are clearly taken from the same base design and have the same layout.

But for some reason there's always 8 more buttons you need to press in the hornet to do the same task

[swe-timberwolf]

It is not enough to change the contrast on the display, you need to lower the brightness as well quite a lot. once you done that it is much easier to spot targets in the A-10

[MrScar]

Hey Pukin Dog. Subbed your channel some time ago, but was looking at this video today. Its awesome, and has all the reasons why i love the Harrier. Was flying it quite a bit around 2 years ago but i think its high time i get back into it and re-learn it. Great content, thanks!