AH-64 Pack

[TomatoArden 0]

Different loadouts are a must for every Franze based main aircraft, everything has had it at this point it would be heresy to not include it :) Stingers will be included but they will be optional rather than default.

Ah firebirds, some nice apache footage in that movie.

Nice, will the rocket pods be replaceable as well? say with an extra pair of hellfire racks, or maybe dual fuel tanks for extended range (like on the picture posted earlier in the thread of an israeli ah-64)

[nodunit 397]

Nice, will the rocket pods be replaceable as well? say with an extra pair of hellfire racks, or maybe dual fuel tanks for extended range (like on the picture posted earlier in the thread of an israeli ah-64)

Yeap, everything on the pylons can be swapped out for another or at least given a designated loadout that would be either multirole, multi tank etc.

Also mini update, decided to tinker with it again and got the FCR finished, it was missing some wiring from all the renders, most noticeable from the front, they stick out more than others.

Lunch time.

Also for the hell of it, bonus picture. Ever wonder what the apache looks like without EFABS? Scrawny, in a way it games similarities to the Mangusta.

Edited October 1, 2010 by NodUnit

[eggbeast 3673]

flechettes please :)

[SmokeyTheLung 10]

Here are some more shots of the TADS screen, I threw in the "line of sight" reticle;

http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g347/SmokeyTheLung/APACHE_NFOV_LOS.jpg

http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g347/SmokeyTheLung/Untitled-1.jpg

...man I'm really trying to sell this thing!

edit; that first file should be called WFOV, the second link shoes a NFOV.

Edited October 2, 2010 by SmokeyTheLung

[Fox '09 14]

looks awesome dude.

[sgt_savage 586]

Stingers will be included but they will be optional rather than default.

Thanking you kindly :)

[nodunit 397]

You've got an eye for detail I see Smokey, I was going to call you on the black lines on the gunners sight direction but it looks that its actually there..nice job.

I really like what you are doing but two things, the image looks a bit squashed horizontall and the other is more of a request, could you retype the symology words in Arial or Tahoma? I'm not sure what the font is that the military uses but these two seem to be closest.

Sorry, no major update this time (not sure if this one can really be called an update either), but there is something I figured I might share, rotorheads should like this one.

I present to you a more detailed and accurate articulated rotor system..*sigh* tempting to keep..so very tempting, at the very least I'm keeping some parts of the rotor housing for accuracy and detail, those filled boxes where the nuts join the housing into the hub don't cut it anymore.

OH and about the flachettes, if this is going to be anything like the late OFP version then it will have multi purpose, HE and flachete for all theatre's be it strafing light armored vehicles or clearing squads.

Edited October 2, 2010 by NodUnit

[SmokeyTheLung 10]

Will do, I was wondering what font they use. I'm thinking that everything but the cross hair got a little to stretched looking. I will re-draw.

Just got a quick question before I do, and please forgive my inexperience here;

This is pixel based art, is that what I should be using? Or vectors? If pixel, what resolution would you recommend I use? (right now I'm going very large, figuring you dudes could always scale back...)

THanks for the help in advanced

p.s. Chopper looks rad

[nodunit 397]

I'm not entirerly sure what font they use but Arial is what I used for the text on the high poly control panels..problem is that it's not the only font, the numbers on the keyboard were entirerly different.

As far as the art, pixels most likely, I'm not aware that you can use vectors ingame though that certainly would be something...thing is our overlay is going be very dynamic so the only things that would really remain in place would be the crosshair, everything else would likely change in some way.

Franze would likely be the better to reply on that, I forgot how the overlay works, iirc in OFP we used objects with alpha mapping for the words but much has changed since, I don't know what is and isnt possible.

[SmokeyTheLung 10]

Another quick question for you dudes;

In reality the gunner is looking at a 5"x5" display. Most guncam footage is stretched to a widescreen format, this is what I did with the last photos.

Should I make this thing widescreen? Or should it be a square image?

I personally think it would be out of this world to somehow overlay the working gunsight to the cockpit, so the gunner dosn't have to zoom in to use the weapons, (guessing that's not possible due to engine limitations) think DCS black shark. If done like this you wouldn't have to worry about the aspect ratio of the sight being off.

Edited October 4, 2010 by SmokeyTheLung

[nodunit 397]

I think if you make one texture in widescreen format the game will be able to configure the ratio from widescreen to non..but again I'm not sure and know little of it or how we plan on doing what we want/what all we want. When you say overlay do you mean as in what OA's apache has right now just with crosshair?

Since the thread has been bumped I suppose I'll post something WIP.. I'm sure you guys are tired of seeing the m230 being mostly gapped in the renders, well I am to so I'm working on making it. Keep in mind it is very WIP, tehre are many thing I will probably remake and it is missing a few things.







And as seen on the helicopter...

[sgt_savage 586]

Keeps getting better and better :) Is the m230 going to be animated? Recoil of the barrel I mean :P ?

[HamishUK 0]

OK I take back what I said....This is gnarly.

[Fox '09 14]

awwww yeah

[reconteam 19]

Excellent work, but I must admit I don't think your efforts will be fully appreciated when the BIS Apache is already in game.

There was some discussion about the differences between the British Apache AH1 and the American AH-64D earlier in this topic, but just so you guys know the Block III upgrade for the AH-64D features more powerful engines.

Also many Apaches are being upgraded with MTADS (also known as Arrowhead) which is a modernized version of the whole TADS/PNVS system. There are some minor visual differences with the optics housing and gunners cockpit of the aircraft so upgraded. I can provide some photos if you want.

[nodunit 397]

Keeps getting better and better :) Is the m230 going to be animated? Recoil of the barrel I mean :P ?

Of course, the Franze OFP apache's had recoil so why not this one :).

Excellent work, but I must admit I don't think your efforts will be fully appreciated when the BIS Apache is already in game.

There was some discussion about the differences between the British Apache AH1 and the American AH-64D earlier in this topic, but just so you guys know the Block III upgrade for the AH-64D features more powerful engines.

Also many Apaches are being upgraded with MTADS (also known as Arrowhead) which is a modernized version of the whole TADS/PNVS system. There are some minor visual differences with the optics housing and gunners cockpit of the aircraft so upgraded. I can provide some photos if you want.

That's fine by me, I'm not really looking for appreciation and I doubt everyone will enjoy what this will become especially those who love balance (more agility, accurate and deadlier weapons, elevating rockets for precision strikes from varying ranges without changes the level of the helicopter and LOAL/LOBL as some examples), as I said earlier, appearance is only a portion.

I would be curious to see what you have, I've scoured the net for pictures of Arrowhead and M-TADS as well as M-DSA all of which will be included along with VUIT-2 and TEDAC. Even though M-DSA is yet to be fielded the idea is there so why not use it. M-TADS is complete (M-DSA needs some tweaks) but Arrowhead is still in building phase, once that is done I'll show the 'modern dislpay package'.

Aside from visuals we're not yet entirerly sure what the differences will be between say Bock II apache and Block III(but we are going by this http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/PUB_AH-64D_Versions_lg.jpg ) since ingame we aren't effected by heat thus we can carry radar and full payloads as we please.

Edited October 5, 2010 by NodUnit

[soldier2390 0]

just to let ya know..ill be using this! so far this seems amazing and the most acurate AH-64D to ever be made\released for this game! and i will appreciate it very much!

thanks for your time and effort!

Dave,

[-Eddie- 10]

Fantastic looking model, can't wait to try it out in-game.

And here's some info and pictures you may find useful:

http://www.ukapache.com/apache_mtads.htm

The page provides a brief oversight of the upgrades on the Apache AH Mk.1 (British designation). The pictures might be quite handy too, for instance the sensors now on the front of the EFABS and the wingtips.

However... I'm not sure if most of this is just relevant to the British Apache as most of the upgrades/sensor fits are for the HIDAS system.

[nodunit 397]

Thanks for the link to the HIDAS, we've seen a few longbows and even alphas with sensors being added to their frame, even a modern alpha with lights on the engines like delta to make way for wingtip sensors. Given that up close these look very similar I wonder if they perform the same function.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stocktrek/4517296836/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxtribolet/4195515117/sizes/o/

Edited October 5, 2010 by NodUnit

[eggbeast 3673]

A typical combat load for an AH-64 Apache includes eight Hellfire missiles and 38 2.75" HYDRA rockets. These rockets are point and shoot dumb-fires; they currently have no guidance system. This may change soon, giving them Hellfire-esque qualities. HYDRAs are very effective at dealing with personnel and unarmored vehicles. There are variety of HYDRAs to choose from. M151 "High Explosive" rockets have a burst radius of 10 meters/10 yards, but produce enough shrapnel to be lethal to people up to 50 meters away. M261 Multipurpose Submunition rockets contain nine 3.2 ounce shaped warheads which can penetrate light armor and wipe out personnel. They are designed to produce insane amounts of shrapnel as well, with each submunition becoming about 200 fragments traveling at up to nearly one mile per second. M257 Illumination rockets can illuminate a one square kilometer area with one million candlepower. The M229 is basically an elongated M151 with an additional six pounds of explosive power. The M247 is designed with a shaped charge warhead with minor anti-armor capability. It's similar in purpose to function as the Hellfire, but far less effective, no longer in production. The M255E1 Flechette warhead projects over 1000 hardened steel flechettes, primarily for anti-personnel purposes.

more spec on hydras here:

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/hydra-70.htm

happy to help script this if other more talented people don't volunteer.

pic of rounds

http://www.harperplus.com/apache/photos/page/31/4

movie of explosions

http://gotwarporn.com/2008/04/how-about-another-flechette-round.html

and wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_70

CRV7 guided hydras

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRV-7

Edited October 5, 2010 by eggbeast

[-Eddie- 10]

CRV7 guided hydras

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRV-7

The CRV-7 isn't a type of Hydra rocket, and afaik is not in service with US forces. The CRV-7 stands for Canadian Rocket Vehicle and is in use with most western forces apart from the US and Germany who use the Hydra 70.

Apparently an aircraft (not sure which nationality) firing a CRV-7 'inert' rocket was disqualified from a competition as the rocket shattered the target on impact (instead of punching a nice clean hole through it). The judges firmly believed it was fitted with an explosive warhead instead :D

A question for Franze/NodUnit, will the Thermobaric Hellfire (AGM-114N) be included as a type of Hellfire the Apache carries?

[wolfbite 8]

They come in pints? I mean Thermobaric?

[-Eddie- 10]

They come in pints? I mean Thermobaric?

Well I suppose that technically, while the US uses the Thermobaric Hellfire (AGM-114N) the British actually use the 'Enhanced Blast Weapon' (AGM-114N). I find it extremely funny the MoD had to rename the weapon so the legal department would let them use it:)

[rksl-rock 1300]

Aside from visuals we're not yet entirerly sure what the differences will be between say Bock II apache and Block III(but we are going by this http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/PUB_AH-64D_Versions_lg.jpg ) since ingame we aren't effected by heat thus we can carry radar and full payloads as we please.

In terms of capability within arma there is no real difference between Block II and III.

A couple of antennas more and replacement of a few old ones but thats it. The block III changes relate to the avionics and engines. Since there are no avionics to speak of in ArmA2 then there isnt much to change. But you could increase the lift by 20-25% in the envelope command to simulate a more powerful engine as BIS did for the BAF pack.

[nodunit 397]

Could do that, it would be a neat little change.. I'm hoping we can do something about image quality between TADS and M-TADS, more clarity..maybe, not sure what all we can or will do to differentiate the types just yet, I'm not coding savey so it's all over my head.

Thermobaric Hellfire? Hm..never heard of that one, since that falls into coding thats all on Franze though, will have to give him a shout since there are a few questions that he can adress that I can't. I know at the least we will have AGM-114K and L.

Edited October 5, 2010 by NodUnit