DCS Modules

The freebies

These modules come included with the free DCS World client

• Su-25T “Frogfoot” — an FC3-style simplified simulation of the modernised (and never deployed) Frogfoot.
• P-51D Mustang — a full simulation of the of a two-seater training variant of the P-51 Mustang.
• Caucasus — the base terrain, setting of the 2008 Russio-Georgian war, covering Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, as well as the Russian Federation republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Adygea, and the Krasnodar krai.

Aircraft modules

The DCS aircraft modules can be separated into four main categories: full-sim jets, helicopters, and prop planes — all of which feature clicky cockpits and advanced systems simulation — and the Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft, which are simplified, hotkey-driven sims that have been grandfathered in and inherited from Eagle Dynamics' older Lock On: Modern Air Combat simulator.

The jets

• A-10C Warthog — the poster child DCS module, for all your BRRRRRT needs.
• AJS-37 Viggen — a Swedish supersonic nap-of-the-earth anti-shipping jet? Gör't (men som beta)!
• AV-8B NA Harrier — can't decide whether you want a plane or a helicopter? Why choose when you can just go VTOL? (beta)
• C-101EB and CC Aviojet — Spanish airforce jet trainers and aerobatics aircraft (largely defunct early access)
• F/A-18C Hornet — for all your carrier-based multi-role needs (very early access).
• F-5E-3 Tiger II — a simple and lightweight daytime jet fighter and trainer.
• F-86F Sabre — a venerable Korean-war era early jet fighter.
• Hawk T.1A — RAF jet trainer and aerobatics aircraft (largely defunct early access)
• L-39C and ZA Albatross — two-seater (and MP multicrew) Czech training aircraft.
• Mirage M-2000C — “La baguette”, a French supersonic lightweight multirole aircraft (beta).
• MiG-15bis — NATO designation “Fagot”, the main adversary of the F-86 Sabre.
• MiG-21bis — NATO designation “Fishbed”, the world's most common fighter jet, and after all, what's not to love about a supersonic maze of switches with nuclear capabilities?

The sharks helos

• Ka-50 Black Shark 2 — the oldest and, alongside the A-10, the most iconic of DCS modules, and the similarities with the A-10 do not end there.
• Mi-8MTV2 Magnificent Eight — one of the most common helicopters in the world, and the base chassis of the Mi-17 “Hip”.
• SA342L, M and Mistral Gazelle — anti-infantry, anti-tank, and anti-air versions of one of the fastest helicopters ever.
• UH-1H Huey — get your Vietnam on, and then crash due to a burned-out engine.

The props

• Bf-109 K-4 Kurfürst — late-war version of the classic 109.
• Fw-190 D-9 Dora — not as iconic as the 109, but still a cornerstone of the
• P-51D Mustang — I guess the yanks need to feel like they contributed too…
• Spitfire L.F. Mk IX — fly a legend. Then try to land it. Good luck.

The Flaming Cliffs

These planes are essentially old LOMAC add-ons that have been reimplemented within DCS. They offer simplified flight modelling and very little in the way of systems modelling compared to the full sims, and also use hotkeys rather than clicky cockpits for controls. While they can be bought individually, one should never do so. Instead, the Flaming Cliffs 3 package contains them all for a much smaller sum.

• A-10A Warthog — for all your simplified BRRRRRT needs.
• F-15C Eagle — everyone loves the SPAMRAAM and now you can too.
• MiG-29A “Fulcrum A” and S “Fulcrum C” — a Russian classic. Remember to check your fuel level.
• Su-25 “Frogfoot” — another classic, built on the principle of, why fire one rocket, when you can fire a bajillion rockets?
• Su-27 “Flanker B” — get back at the SPAMRAAMers by doing the same, only without being detected.
• Su-33 “Flanker D” — dito, but now do it from a carrier.

Terrain modules

• Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) — lousy with tourists, nuclear pockmarks, and UFOs, this patch of mountainous desert around Las Vegas offers lots of room and different possibilities for all kinds of training scenarios.
• Normandy 1944 — from Cherbourgh to Le Havre, this map covers not just the French but also a sliver of the English side of the channel, and allows for many recreations of those early days in June.
• Persian Gulf — previously advertised as the “Strait of Hormuz,” this map covers the southern coast of Iran and the northern tips of UAE and Oman. Ghorbanifar-provided Hawk batteries not included.

Add-on modules

• Combined Arms — take control over ground forces, either indirectly as a tactical commander or directly as a driver or gunner of most vehicles.
• NS 430 Navigation system for Mi-8MTV2 — a dashboard-mounted GPS (totally not the Garmin 430) for the MI-8. That's it.
• WWII Assets Pack — additional static and active units and decorations for mission- and campaigns set on the Normandy 1944 map.

Campaign modules

The paid campaigns for DCS can generally be divided into four different categories: training campaigns, exercises, conflicts, and peaceful tests of operational and systems skills. Aside from the specific aircraft being flown, some campaigns also require other terrain modules.

Training campaigns

• Basic Flight Training (BFT) for A-10C — a set of flight qualification and performance check rides, including emergency procedures.
• Advanced Aircraft Training Qualification (AATQ) for A-10C — continue form BFT with this set advanced flight task qualifications and performance check rides, including in-air refuelling, night operations, threat avoidance, and unguided weapon delivery.
• Tactical Training Qualification Campaign (TTQC) for A-10C — continue on from AATQ with this set of ground attack qualification and performance check rides, including CAS, SEAD, and interaction with ground forces.
• Aggressors Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) for F-5E — learn the basics of dissimilar air combat as part of the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis AFB (requires the NTTR terrain module).
• Aggressors Air Combat Maneuver (ACM) for F-5E — move on from BFM to hone your dissimilar air combat skills as part of the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis AFB (requires the NTTR terrain module).
• Aggressors BFM for F-15C — relearn the basics, this time in a heavier, more powerful aircraft, once again joining the Nellis 65th Aggressor Squadron (requires the NTTR terrain module).
• Kursant for L-39 Albatros — before you're allowed into the larger MiG and Sukhoi interceptors, you must prove your worth as a “kursant” — cadet — in the L-39 training aircraft.

Exercise campaigns

• 16-2 Red Flag for A-10C — join the Red Flag exercise held in Nevada and hone your skills in a complex combat arena (requires the NTTR terrain module).
• 16-2 Red Flag for AJS-37 — nu ska vi ut och härja; supa och slåss och svärja; bränna röda stugor, slå små barn, och säga fula ord… (requires the NTTR terrain module).
• 16-2 Red Flag for F-15C — fly CAP and escort for other combat elements as another Red Flag exercise comes to Nevada (requires the NTTR terrain module).

Conflict campaigns

• Argo for UH-1H — join the Hellenic navy mission to the Black Sea region and operate your UH-1H off of the ‘Argo’ frigate in everything from cargo delivery to SAR to ASW.
• The Border Campaign for Mi-8MTV2 — support the special forces in deliveries, night raid, and ground support along the Republic's border.
• Charnwood for P-51D
• The Enemy Within for A-10C
• The Georgian War for F-15C
• High Stakes for P-51D
• The Museum Relic for MiG-15bis and/or F-86F
• Operation Epsom for Spitfire LF Mk. IX
• Operation Piercing Fury for A-10C
• Republic for Ka-50
• Stone Shield for A-10C
• The Ultimate Argument for Su-27

Peaceful campaigns

• Oilfield Campaign for Mi-8MTV2