DCS: Black Shark is the definitive PC simulation and combat game of the Russian Kamov-50 (Ka-50) attack helicopter and is the first title in a new Eagle Dynamics and the Fighter Collection simulation series: "Digital Combat Simulator" (DCS). DCS: Black Shark offers an unprecedented level of realism in regards to flight dynamics, instruments modeling, avionics systems, and weapon systems, while its artificial Intelligence of ground vehicles and helicopters and weapon modeling is second to none.

It also includes a new mission editor including a powerful electronic mapping system that allows user to easily create missions and campaigns, and a campaign system that allows the front line of the battlefield to move back and forth according to your mission success or failure.

The Black Shark World

DCS: Black Shark operations are based in the western Caucus region and 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.

Comprehensive Access to Kamov-50 Avionics Systems

DCS: Black Shark comes packed with a wide range of piloting, navigation, targeting and defensive systems avionics for the Ka-50. Game copies include a detailed flight manual covering these, which include, but are not limited to: traditional electromechanical cockpit instruments, multifunction advanced moving map system AMMS (ABRIS), the "Rubicon" targeting-navigation system, the I-251 "Shkval" antitank targeting system, countermeasure dispensers, a head-up display (HUD) and helmet-mounted sighting (HMS).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Aircraft

The 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, relying sometimes instead on animations to supplement flight dynamics equations. This absence of detailed angle of attack modeling and the influence of cross wind led to problems during advanced maneuvers. To remedy this Black Shark features the same standard flight model (SFM) that was used for player-controlled aircraft in Lock On. With this advancement in AI aircraft flight dynamics it is now possible for the AI to conduct more advanced flight maneuvers and combat tactics.

Ground Vehicles, Ships and Weapons

Ground vehicles, ships and weapons such as bombs, rockets, missiles and cannons have been significantly improved in Black Shark. Improvements include: an expanded roster of available active ground vehicles, the ability of each ground vehicle to use multiple types of weapons simultaneously, an overall increase in the level of detail and the inclusion of infantry units.

Game Features

• Advanced helicopter and ground force AI that creates a realistic combat environment.
• Twice the ground detail of previous TFC simulations, featuring detailed modeling of 330,000 sq. km of the western Caucasus region.
• Head-to-head and cooperative multiplayer.
• Powerful mission editor with advanced scripting capability.
• Campaign system with a moving front line that depends on mission results.
• Highly-detailed six degrees of freedom cockpit featuring Mouse-clickable instruments.
• Unrivaled flight physics system featuring realistic damage model, system cascade effect and more.
• Detailed modeling and control of engine, fuel, hydraulics, electrical, navigation, radio, fire suppression, sensor, and weapon systems.
• Two gameplay modes: "Simulation" or "Game Console."
• Advanced weapon physics for missiles, rockets and cannon rounds including ricochets.
• Supports TrackIR, Matrox TripleHead2Go for multiple screens, D-Box motion platform.

Minimum System Requirements

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP / Vista
• Processor: P4 2.0GHz
• Memory: 2GB RAM
• Graphics: 256Mb graphics card
• DirectX: DirectX 9 compatible
• Hard Drive: 5GB hard drive space
• Sound: DirectX compatible
• Other: DVD-ROM drive, Keyboad and Mouse.

Recommended System Requirements

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP / Vista
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD X2
• Memory: 3GB RAM
• Graphics: 512MB (ATI Radeon HD4850+ or NVidia GeForce 8800+)
• DirectX: DirectX 9 compatible
• Hard Drive: 5GB hard drive space
• Sound: DirectX compatible
• Other: DVD-ROM drive, Keyboad, Mouse and Joystick.