1) A new flyable aircraft, the Su-25T. This plane brings with it many related improvements, such as:
- Radically different physics model, which has come to be known as the AFM (Advanced Flight Model), although the developers don't seem to like this terminology, because it implies the old model was 'simplified'. However, the change is *probably* very dramatic, and, as I understand it, is the flight simulation’s version of the 'Rag doll' real-time models of modern shooter games. In other words, the flight model is now calculated in real time. This becomes most visible in flight modes where the current model enters 'canned', pre-scripted operation, such as when entering a spin, performing a tail-slide, and other extreme situations. So, landing will now be a whole new experience! Basically, the airplane will behave much more naturally in general, but especially in edge of performance cases. For example, you plane can now suffer damage and even disintegrate from over-G, I think I also remember mention that engines can flame-out, possibly from flying inverted for too long. Many other details stemming from the new,
'honest', as they like to call it, model. NOTE: This model is applied only to new flyables as they are created. This *should* mean that only the Su-25T has it, but, I believe (I COULD be wrong) it has been retrofitted to the 'vanilla' Su-25 and the A-10.
- New, as well as improved, weapons and their modeling as related to this plane and air-to-ground work in general. This includes the use of aircraft-mounted cannon, revamped Vikhr missiles, and, I think, expanded variety of bombs and such things.
- New damage model. As you saw on the screenshots, the damage model is combined with the new physics engine to produce incredible results. Damage is calculated with much more detail and precision (maybe in real time as well?). For example, various parts of your aircraft can be torn off, the cockpit glass can be penetrated (from one side only or completely through, entering through one side and exiting through the other), the penetration of which might result in the death of the pilot, which is visible in one of the screenshots, various parts of the aircraft 'skin' can be torn off, showing the insides, subsequent hits add to the damage already taken and the a/c can be totally destroyed by a powerful blast (in the screenshot of the two falling and burning planes, both were actually downed by a single missile explosion). The damage model makes landings, especially rough ones, a very different experience. In short, as I understand it, this is going to be similar to what we've seen with IL-2, with the plane and all of its broken parts tumbling around in real-time. NOTE: As with the flight model, the new damage model only applies to the new flyable, i.e. the Su-25T. However, all other a/c have been retrofitted with an updated damage model as well, although not as detailed as the one for the Frogfoot-T.
- A complete dedication to accurate representation of the avionics. From the HUD, to the Shkval targeting system, to the 'night vision' pod, everything is there. The only 'hick up' is the inclusion of the standard SPO-15 Beroyza RWR, instead of the appropriate L150/SPO-32 Pastel, for which they could not find enough data to model. To make up for this, they modeled the 'Suhogruz' IR jammer, making it less likely to wind up with an Igla, Stinger, or Sidewinder in your tailpipe.
2) Major overhaul of existing avionics. This is most relevant to Russian jets, whose radars and HUD displays will now be much closer to what exists in real life. New radar modes, new modeling of existing modes, new HUD symbology, new functionality (automatic lock, etc.) and so on. I don't know what, if any, changes have been made to the F-15. Very interesting and involved discussions are still going on about this between the developers and some very devoted fans, so more improvements are to come later. As is stands, there are still be some inconsistencies between the real and the simulated, but its moving in a very good direction!
3) New textures and objects. We will now have 4 seasons to choose from. This, as I understand it, is the main reason for the large size of the add-on... 4 sets of the entire terrain map. Many more ground objects, buildings, structures, etc. (targets!). Some new object textures.
4) A multitude of other minor and important additions and improvements, like new SAM behavior, that are beyond mentioning here, escaping me or, more likely, have not been made public.
Lastly, to the immediate question of frame-rates, the answer is that they are better overall, however, the Su-25 model, both in terms of graphics and behavior, takes some more cpu 'cycles' than the older ones. Thus, flying the -T might be SLIGHTLY more system-demanding, but not dramatically so. Seems like a reasonable answer to me, especially when you consider that the landing gear alone (which is itself modeled in real-time) consists of roughly the same number of polys as some of the older plane models"
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