by Tim "Flyboy" Henderson

  First, let's look at the MFD in DI's Super Hornet simulation.

DI's FLIR

Again, the photo realistic cockpit makes this a very nice looking MFD indeed. But more important to some, there are a couple of additional function keys provided. Notice the ALG function second button from the left at bottom. And notice the STBY designation at top left.

Jane's AT FLIR

Compare Jane's AT FLIR MFD, which as far as I could tell can only be brought up in the center MFD. There appear to be only two modes: ON and OFF, with STANDBY avoided for simplicity. There is also a note in the DI manual that moving from OFF to STBY will require a five second delay while the gyros spin up.

Personally, I have no problem with simplifying some of these things. A strict comparison of obsessive tendencies on the part of designers would have to give the nod to DI in the functionality department.

But lest you think all is now clear and DI must win the toss, consider the total package. For pure avionics detail, Jane's wins. Factor in realism in flight control and interaction with AWACS, FAC, tower and wingmen. Again, Jane's wins hands down. Factor in a moving and pitching carrier and Jane's is the winner. Consider pilot and squadron records and ability to interact with the mission structure in campaign or single missions: again, Jane's wins the toss.

Click to continue

DI HCOM

Or suppose you want to lase the target for your wingman or your buddy in multiplayer mode? You can't do this in DISH. Or what if you would prefer to program your HARPOON for high flight and then sea-skimming near the target? Sorry, only JF18 allows this much flexibility.

SUMMARY

The additional length of the Jane's manual is necessary to cover the additional modeling in weapons and targetting systems. There is much more functionality in these systems overall, adding additional complexity to Jane's F/A 18.

Does this mean Jane's is absolutely exhaustive? No. For example, the real F/A 18 actually displays RWR info in the HUD, but Jane's does not model this for the sake of reducing clutter.

In the end DISH is a good simulation that will be better when the Command version arrives. But limited COMMS and limited gameplay (without a mission builder) are going to cause some to bypass this one. No possibility of Game Commander.. big downer. On the other hand, those looking for the most detailed carrier deck ever modeled might be snapping this up in a hurry.

Obviously, there is much more to be examined. Will wingmen perform their tasks equally well in both sims? I don't have enough experience to answer that. And personally, I prefer the padlock in DI's sim.

Some will not greatly care for the virtual cockpit of Jane's F/A 18. Some will think they have died and gone to heaven. There are always trade-offs, and now you know some of the ones that occur in DI's Super Hornet and Jane's F/A 18 E.

For more on these simulations see our Air Combat Previews and our F/A 18 Index. For info on the Command version of DI's sim see Super Hornet Update.

Join a discussion forum on this article by clicking HERE.