DCS: Chinook CH47F Pre-order features revealed

Hi everyone,
With Eagle Dynamics announcing a delay* to the July release of the F model Chinook more of my time can be spent watching the Euros, hooray!
*Now another 'Two weeks'

Ok so seriously, it was a bit quiet leading up to the planned release day so I wasn’t too surprised when ED announced a slight delay, I’m ok with that and it’s not all bad as we now know what the Early access features are and the ‘after early access’ features as well. So I wanted to take a look at what’s on offer and break it down. And once I'd finished and looked at the timeline it's more like a deep dive
So first of all the statement from ED if you've not seen the news reads:
“We are preparing to launch the DCS: CH-47F into Early Access, along with the new DCS: Afghanistan map. Much of the remaining work focuses on the cargo carrying functions, damage model, flight control systems, and avionics. We are also working on the countermeasure systems and door gunners. Furthermore, we are pleased to introduce new pilot models that will enhance the visual authenticity of the cockpit experience.
Based on the results from recent internal and external testing, we have decided to move the launch date to the 3rd of July, 2024. " This video is essentially in two parts (I think it's my longest so far) these are also the details in the recent ED newsletter:

Part 1 - Early Access features
Highly detailed external and internal modelling, including cockpit and cargo hold.
Ability to load and unload cargo from the internal bay based on weight and volume.
Single-point sling loading.
Unmatched helicopter flight dynamics that only DCS can provide.
Basic trim system and AI helper.
Fully interactive, VR-ready cockpit.
Highly detailed pilots and animations
Two 6DOF highly detailed cockpits and external model
Fully clickable cockpits with mouse interactive control
AI-side gunners equipped with M60D machine guns.
High-level Multi-Function Displays (MFD) and sub-pages with ability to build flight plans in flight.
Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and pilot controlled Countermeasures Dispenser System with chaff and flares.
Integrated ARC-186 radio with Voice Chat
U.S. Army Paint Schemes
Early Access Manual

Part 2 - Work in progress
DAFCS trim system and force trim
Multi-crew. A second crew member can be another player or the AI
Flight engineer functionality on different stations.
Gunner on the ramp.
Different machinegun models for side and ramp gunners.
Night Vision Goggles.
Heads Up Display System
Missile Warning System (MWS)
Completed MFD pages
Multi-point sling loading
Engine fire extinguishers and EAPS system.
Extended range fuel system (ERFS II).
Autopilot Hold Modes
More Paint Schemes
Training Missions
Additional Missions
Full manual

Digital Combat Simulator world links:

Pictures:
Thales Scorpion
Helmet mounted tracking system
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to B Company 3-82 General Support Aviation Battalion (WDDRB0), 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., participate in a training exercise on how to employ the versatile extended range fuel system, known as the “fat cow”, name in reference to the large CH-47 Chinook helicopter
Paratroopers attach a ground cable to a Chinook helicopter
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to the 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company
A U.S. Soldier, assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade
Master Sgt. Jack Kenyon, course manager for the 89B Ammunition Supply Course
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to the 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company
While deployed to support the relief efforts following Hurricane Maria
U.S. Soldiers of the 390th Seaport Operations Company (SPOC)
A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook, from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
DIGITAL COMBAT SIMULATOR UH-1H HUEY Flight manual

[robihobby]

I'm really looking forward to it. I pre-ordered it on the first Day! Last week I installed my Virpil Collective & Hawk Grip in my Sim Rig. It's going to be awesome in VR! I hope the Pilots look better than in the Kiowa. But it will. The nice thing is that Germany has ordered a lot of CH-47F and I'll soon see them in the air in real life. Thanks ED for the Module. And I hope the UH-60 Black Hawk comes next. 😁👍

[delalima]

i don't mind a delay, thanks for the very detailed video

[ChrisUK]

LATEST UPDATE 2nd July from Nineline: Dear All, due to a number of unresolved issues we have decided to delay the release of the DCS: CH-47F. We will keep you informed on a timely basis and look forward to bringing you this iconic aircraft very soon. With this delay we will also be able to bring you a series of instructional videos. Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay. Thank you for your understanding.

Please Note: The upcoming patch will release without the CH-47.

[Ignition]

No HUD, basic trim, no multicrew, only basic AI helper, no NVG. The AH-64D released with all this features and many more. It had working weapons and sensors. This helicopter was very rushed.

[ImpendingJoker]

DOF stands for Degrees of Freedom, not Depth of Field in this case.

[bBersZ]

Good catch on those missing pitch links. 😆

[anthonysacco]

So basically.... The model isn't remotely close to being done.. it may look good but you can't do anything with it yet

[afteram]

Do we see our own pilot model in VR, or only from the outside?

[damcopter]

"Basic trim" is a very very very sad news because that means the CH47 DCS is not going to fly/be handled as the real one....at least for the 2 first years before the full release.

[shagrat]

I put the ACTUAL list from the announcement here:

Early Access Launch Features

- Highly detailed external and internal modelling, including cockpit and cargo hold.
- Ability to load and unload cargo from the internal bay based on weight and volume.
- Single-point sling loading.
- Unmatched helicopter flight dynamics that only DCS can provide.
- Basic trim system and AI helper.
- Fully interactive, VR-ready cockpit.
- Highly detailed pilots and animations.
- Two 6DOF highly detailed cockpits and external model.
- Fully clickable cockpits with mouse interactive control.
- AI-side gunners equipped with M60D machine guns.
- High-level Multi-Function Displays (MFD) and sub-pages with ability to build flight plans in flight.
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and pilot controlled Countermeasure Dispenser System with chaff and flares.
- Integrated ARC-186 radio with Voice Chat.
- U.S. Army Paint Schemes.
- Early Access Manual.

[bruto]

No more ED module for me until the Razban matter is solved and support for any other module is granted . Lack of trust after three modules bought (Harrier, Mirage 2000 and F15 E) are at risk.

[Fancy_Naeser]

Great...Apreciate what we´ll get. Cannot understand all the Karen´s wich tend to complain about everything everytime...get a life seriously or make a better sim!
For the time after the CH47 release i can recommend RotorOps or Pretense missions. They include a lot of CTLD.

[sterlingarcher]

Every ED module is rushed out - they need the cash to finish the development.
I’m cool with having it early and learning the changes later.
If people don’t want it until it’s finished - don’t buy it yet.

[peteypyotr]

Bit of a stretch calling these "features"

[christopherdillon]

I hate over critical dcs players all I want is a chinook

[orleansjunky]

ED development in a before the horse or starcitizen development but not starcitizen lol

[shd]

Alea iacta est. (Let the die be cast).
We know early access is effectively free beta testing.
But I'm happy to help out.

There are reasonable concerns from some that the definition of EA is slipping. That the quality of the final product will suffer. They are correct to offer opinion and critique and indeed hold off purchase until they are happy.

Wrong to 'assume' poor quality though. I can't play msfs helicopters. They are awful. DCS is a different league. I trust they will meet expectations and (like Polychop proved) patience is valuable.

Meanwhile, a relatively barebones Chinook will keep me happy. I've always felt "test pilot" like with EA.

I'm no ED shill, I am quite old and come from a time that allows me some perspective on where we are comparatively.