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Ka-50 systems modelingThe Ka-50 flight and systems model has been implemented using the following methodologies. | |||||||
Helicopter Dynamics Modeling
Rigid body dynamics equations have been used to calculate the helicopter’s flight trajectory. In essence, this means that all external forces and force momentums are used to calculate a body’s position and rotation in 3-D space.
diagrams, damage degree influencing the lift properties, and center of gravity (CG) position and inertial characteristics. Aerodynamic forces acting on each sub-element of the airframe are calculated separately in their own coordinate system taking into account local airspeed of the sub-element. | |||||||
Landing GearLanding gear is modeled as separate gear arms, each consisting of a wheel and an asymmetric shock absorber. The nose wheel is self-orienting, based on acting external forces. Such a model allows for modeling of realistic behavior including the development of shimmy effects at high speeds. Retracting and lowering the landing gear can lead to CG repositioning. When modeling landing gear operations their kinematic properties, external and hydraulic forces are all taken into account. The result is very realistic behavior in all conditions. | |||||||
Damage modelThe damage model is based on aerodynamic and rigid contact forces where applicable. Damages to airframe components, landing gear, wheels, sensors and devices are all taken into account. Any damage will affect the helicopter’s physical and functional properties and reposition the CG. Ka-50 damages in the game
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Rotor modelThe Ka-50 Black Shark’s rotor model is revolutionary among helicopter simulators. It is based on a joint model of each blade with its own complex motion relative to rotor axis and flapping (horizontal) and hunting (vertical) hinges. Each blade is separated into multiple segments, each having its own air velocity vector based on its orientation, twist, and induced velocity at current rotor section. Induced velocity is calculated by solving the equations based on simultaneously application of motion quantity theorem and blade element method. All this produces natural helicopter dynamics such as conical rotor inclination in forward flight (oscillations in hover with fixed stick, cyclic stick input increasing accordingly to the airspeed), power excess after transition from hover to forward flight, ground effect (over inclined surface or close to ground objects), “vortex ring” phenomena, airflow stall from the blades, blades intersection (collision). In the case of individual blade damage, corresponding dynamics are naturally modeled as part of overall rotor model. | |||||||
Powerplant
The Ka-50 powerplant consists of a gearbox with free-wheel clutches, two TV3-117VMA turbo-shaft engines with electronic engine governors, an auxiliary power unit and turbo-gear.
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The hydraulic systemThe hydraulic system incorporates all of the servo boosters, accumulators, tanks, and boost pumps. As in the real system, it is subdivided into Main and Common systems, each having its own lines, pumps and consumers. In the servo booster model, the displacement of the output power rod as a function of the fluid pressure (and selector valve position) is taken into account along with external factors such as hinge moments, support reactions etc. The system pressure is determined by the charge in the accumulators as a function of the pumps delivery and loads consumption and also damage leaks. | |||||||
Fuel systemHelicopter’s fuel system includes fuel tanks, fuel lines, boost pumps and valves. Fuel usage leads to change in the center of mass position within allowed operating limits. Fuel system is fully controlled from the cockpit by the pilot.
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Electrical System
The Alternating Current System The primary electrical system is fed by alternating current (AC) 115/200 V, 400 Hz generators. This supply is further divided into left and right systems on independent channels to provide system redundancy. Generator operation is dependent upon the left and right engines being active as each engine contains a gearbox that runs a generator. The left channel systems can be powered by the right generator and the right channel systems are powered by the left generator. In the event of both generators becoming inoperative, a back-up, static DC to AC inverter can take over power to the most important systems and direct current will trigger the in-flight warning system. The Direct Current System Systems requiring direct current (DC) power are supplied at 27V by use of AC to DC transformer-rectifiers. Transformer-rectifiers are active while the generators are in operation. If one of the transformer-rectifiers is switched off though, systems will be switched to the operating transformer-rectifier. If both transformer-rectifiers and/or generators are off-line, the most important avionics systems will be switched to emergency DC power. Damage to the electrical generation system is also manifested in the visual damage model of the Ka-50. An event-oriented approach is implemented such that a loss in electrical power to systems will have a cascade effect. This specifically means that the loss of one electrical system will have repercussions affecting linked elements of the electrical system. | |||||||
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Ka-50 Avionics Systems OverviewAlthough a highly detailed flight manual will be provided with DCS: Black Shark, the following provides you with a small sampling of the avionics systems modeled in our simulation of the Ka-50. Piloting, navigation, targeting and defensive systems and included in this overview. | |||||||
Cockpit InstrumentsThe Ka-50 cockpit instruments are generally traditional electro-mechanical gauges that are mounted on the front dash and side / back panels. These instruments are divided into three general groups: flight control, engine control/monitoring and systems control. Other cockpit interfaces include traditional switches, dials and multiple-position switches. Additionally, the Ka-50 has multiple banks of warnings lights and cockpit illumination controls. |
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Advanced Moving Map System AMMS (ABRIS)The ABRIS panel is a multi-function display that allows the pilot to perform the following tasks:
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“Rubicon” Targeting-Navigation SystemThe targeting-navigation system is designed to integrate combat, navigation and flight tasks by processing both digital and analog information. “Rubicon” is integrated with the “Shkval” targeting system, airborne information display system and weapon control system. |
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“Radian” Navigation System“Radian” is a sub-system of “Rubicon” that helps automate flight navigation. “Radian” can store information in its memory such as coordinates for two airfields, six waypoints of a flight plan, ten operative targets, and four reference points. | |||||||
I-251 “Shkval” SystemThe “Shkval” system consists of a television camera combined with a laser range-finder and laser illumination designator to guide the anti-tank missile system.The “Shkval” system can be ground-stabilizing and is capable of auto-tracking a designated target. There are two Fields Of View (FOV) levels: Wide FOV with a 6x magnification and narrow FOV with a 22x magnification. FOV gimbal suspension limits are: ±35° in azimuth and +15° to -80° in elevation. The video picture is shown as a gray-scale image on the IT-23VM TV monitor. The “Shkval” can be set to scan for targets automatically and the angular rate of scan can be manually be set by the pilot while in the cockpit. To slew the “Shkval” camera, the pilot uses a small mini-stick on the helicopter cyclic. |
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“Ranet” Information Display SystemThe “Ranet” information display system is designed for processing and displaying flight, navigation and targeting information on the heads-up display and the IT-23 video indicator. | |||||||
Head-up display (HUD) ILS-31The head-up display (HUD) is modeled as a collimator optical device with focus set to infinity. This allows the pilot to look outside the cockpit through the HUD while still being able to read the symbols displayed on it.Flight, navigation and targeting information is displayed on the HUD which is received from the “Ranet” information display system. |
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Helmet-Mounted Sight (HMS)The HMS system is designed to hand-off targeting information to the “Shkval” system. The angular coordinates from the HMS, as determined by the pilot’s line of sight, are transmitting to the “Shkval” targeting system for cueing.The field of view limits are ±60° in azimuth and from -20° to +45° in elevation. |
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OVN-1 Night Vision GogglesNight vision goggles (NVG) are included to allow the pilot to navigate in dark / low-light conditions. |
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AutopilotThe autopilot system is integrated with the targeting and navigation systems and it produces control input for automatic flight system for deviation of the helicopter from the assigned attitude and altitude. |
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Inertial Navigation SystemThe Ts-061 inertial navigation system includes a gyro-platform and three accelerometers, designed for the determination of the flight direction and the attitude of the helicopter. The system also measures accelerations to calculate inertial speed and position of the helicopter. | |||||||
Air Data SystemThe air data system is designed to receive input from various instruments, process these inputs and then present them to the pilot. | |||||||
Doppler Navigation SystemThe doppler navigation system is used to determine the speed and angle of drift of the helicopter. | |||||||
Data-link EquipmentThe data-link system allows exchange of up to 16 targets and reference points between helicopters. The automatic exchange of ownship coordinates is updated between the four aircraft of a flight. This data-link information is displayed on the ABRIS. |
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L-140 “Otklik” Laser Warning ReceiverThe laser warning receiver detects combat range-finders and laser designators. If the helicopter is lased, an indication of the type of laser is provided and the location quadrant that the laser is being detected from. |
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Countermeasures EquipmentThe countermeasures dispensers are located on the wing tips.For the programming of countermeasure dispensers, the UV-26 control panel is used. Depending on the type of threat, the pilot can set the appropriate dispenser program for expending chaff and/or flares. The pilot can determine the number of flares to dispense in the volley, the time between each flare, and the time between volleys. Using the control panel it is possible to select with dispenser to use (left or right) and when to start or stop the dispensing program. |
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UHF Radio R-800The R-800 UHF radio allows the pilot to communicate with the control tower and other aircraft. The R-800 is also used to send and receive encrypted data link information. |
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Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) ARK-22The ADF provides navigation using NDB (non directional beacon) or broadcasting radio stations. It can also monitor ground radio stations in the MW band. |
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) AircraftThe primary innovation regarding AI aircraft in “Black Shark” is the inclusion of a new and improved Flight Model (FM) system. In previous Eagle Dynamics products such as Lock On, the AI-aircraft FM did not reach a high-level of realism. For example: animations were sometimes used to supplement flight dynamics equations; this would in turn lead to unrealistic flight behavior in certain situations like high angles of attack and departures. This absence of detailed angle of attack modeling and the influence of cross wind led to problems when AI aircraft attempting to land in a cross-wind.
When using the SFM, the equations to derive aircraft motion take into account the unique inertial and aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. The engine model uses the factors of thrust and fuel-burn rate to further determine aircraft speed and altitude. These calculations allow the SFM to model realistic flight characteristics of aircraft (acceleration, rate of climb, maximum altitude, maximum and minimum speed, turn radius, instantaneous and sustained turn rates, range and flight duration). When converting the “Black Shark” AI aircraft to the SFM standard, it was necessary to modify more than 50 aircraft! With this advancement in AI aircraft flight dynamics, it is now possible for the AI to conduct more advanced flight maneuvers and combat tactics:
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Ground Vehicles, Ships and Weapons
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AI Helicopters Flight ModelThe flight dynamic model of AI helicopters (hereinafter referred to as the “AI model”) in “DCS : Black Shark” is a simplified version of the “advanced model”, used for human-controlled helicopters. However, it is still based on the same equations of calculating realistic motion. The standard model provides realistic trajectories of motion and effects of control inputs during maneuvers.The primary feature of AI model is an approximation of forces that are applied to the rigid body of a helicopter. With the AI model, aerodynamics forces on the chassis and forces from the rotors are calculated by using the same algorithms as in the advanced model with some simplifications to reduce unnecessary calculations. For example: the standard model rotor model calculates the inductive speed and the thrust in same manner as the advanced model but with a reduced number of calculated segments taken into account. The flap motion of blades and lift vector of the rotor are calculated using current flight parameters and control inputs. The aerodynamic portion of the AI model includes a dynamic calculation of the fuselage as a source of aerodynamic drag and as an empennage that provides the flight stability. Every AI helicopter in the DCS series has its own unique set of empennages and fuselage air flow properties.
As in the advanced model, the AI helicopters can use tricycle landing gear that is composed of wheels, a compression strut and a nonsymmetrical shock absorber. The modeling of a unique fuselage and empennages that comprise an AI helicopter provide realistic flight properties when a helicopter is damaged. This is done by removing destroyed aircraft elements from the aerodynamic calculations. Tail rotor, stub-wings, parts of the main rotor (rotors), etc can be lost. Even though controlled by the computer, the AI must still control the helicopter by inputs to the rudder pedals, cyclic and collective. The AI control algorithms take into account the flight limitations for each type of helicopter. | |||||||
Black Shark World“DCS: Black Shark” operations will be based in the western Caucus region and will include portions of Russia, Georgia and a small part of Turkey. With Russia, special attention is paid to the Krasnodarskiy, Karachayrvo-Cherkesiya, Kabardino-Balkariya and Stavropol’skey regions. Some of this area will be recognizable from “Flaming Cliffs”, but “DCS: Black Shark” has added a considerable new amount of terrain, particularly much of Georgia. The “DCS: Black Shark” map is approximately 330,000 sq. km of ground and sea area.The map includes a wide array of topography that includes plains, agriculture fields, forests, hills, mountains, streams, rivers, lakes and seas. The detail of the terrain height map has been increased in “DCS: Black Shark” in order to provide a more realistic height field to fly over in a helicopter at low altitude. Given the nature of attack helicopter operations, having a detailed height map was a must-have. Large portions of the “DCS: Black Shark” terrain height elevation matrix contain twice the number of triangles that were used to create the “Flaming Cliffs” terrain. ![]() Two examples of increased terrain mesh detail. To the left is the area between Tuapse and Sochi and to the right is an example of the Batumi region. ![]() The terrain elevation matrix is particularly detailed in the Mineralnye Vody area of the map. The left image above shows the elevation matrix from the same height as the previous images. The right image above shows the center of the area but at twice the scale (zoomed in). Note that the mesh is still looking very detailed. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Examples of normal terrain mesh and textures on left and improved terrain mesh and improved textures on the right With the expanded terrain, we have also added numerous towns, cities, roads, rail lines, power lines, forests, rivers, streams and many other features to populate the world. In regards to both the new and existing terrain from “Flaming Cliffs”, we have increased the detail and object / road density. Many of the buildings will also receive a face-lift with upgraded detail. To support air operations in the new areas, “DCS: Black Shark” has added six new airfields, two in Russian and four in Georgia. These new air bases are represented by the light-blue dots in the image at the beginning of this section. To give the small streams a more natural look, “DCS: Black Shark” will include animation to the water texture. The below images compare streams in “Flaming Cliffs” and “DCS: Black Shark”. | |||||||
Radio Navigation and Physics ModelingDCS: Black Shark features an authentic model of radio navigation equipment. The DCS world includes various radio navigation aids available in the theater of operations modeled in the simulation, including:
The DCS Ka-50 model includes the following radio equipment:
DCS: Black Shark features an expanded ground personnel and airfield tower radio communications menu. Having provided power to and properly configured the radios, the player can communicate with the ground crew to request payload changes, fuel loads, sighting devices (HMS or NVG), electric power to the aircraft, etc. The player can communicate with the tower to request permission for engine start, taxi, test hover, etc.
The frequency configuration files allow the DCS player to configure the various frequencies used by in-game units, including own flight, tower, AWACS, etc. | |||||||
Hydraulics
The Ka-50 hydraulic system is used to provide hydraulic power to various helicopter systems. This consists of two subsystems:
Each system consists of a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic fluid tank, filters, valves, pipes and control elements. The pressure source for both systems is provided by variable displacement pumps. The main system’s pump is mounted on the left accessory gearbox of the main gearbox, and it operates when the rotors are driven by the engines and also when in autorotation. The common system’s pump is mounted on the aft accessory gearbox of the main gearbox, and it operates when the rotors are turning or when the APU is on. There are hydraulic accumulators in each system to prevent pressure oscillations. In the brake system there is a separate accumulator to power the parking brakes (for up to 2 hours) after engines shut down, or power the brakes during taxi in case of a common system failure. The main system’s tank has a capacity of 13 liters and the common system tank has a capacity of 17 liters. Hydraulic system control is through fluid pressure and temperature indicators and the pressure switches. The indicators are located on the upper part of the cockpit control panel. The indicators include marks that specify the operating range of each indicator:
Pressure switches are installed in:
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