What Modules are Available?

In the meantime, there are a large number of modules for DCS with all kinds of application scenarios.

Highly recommended for the beginner are the models of the series "Flaming Cliffs 3" (FC3). This module contains 7 aircraft with a good to very good flight model, but without a clickable cockpit.

• Su-25 (without T): A classic Russian ground attack aircraft without many frills.
• Su-27: A Russian air superiority fighter of the 1980s, it is a typical opponent for the F-15 Eagle and the most important Russian fighter of the last decades.
• Su-33: Carrier variant of the Su-27 with similar characteristics to the Su-27.
• Mig-29A + S: In various versions as interceptor and multi-role fighter of the 1980s.
• F-15C Eagle: The American air superiority fighter of the late 70s and 80s.
• A-10A: The original variant of the A-10 and predecessor of the A-10C as a ground combat aircraft.

The aircraft of the FC3 package are available individually or just as the FC3 package. However, the aircraft are identical and buying the whole package is usually worthwhile.

Also a real classic are the A-10C and Ka-50 Blackshark 2 modules. Both require some study of the on-board systems and are present in most online missions for good reason. The A-10C is a very precise tool, quite simple flying-wise, but very extensive in handling various weapons and data management systems. The Ka-50 Blackshark is a solid Russian combat helicopter in coaxial design. This means it has two main rotors and is therefore the easiest to fly of all helicopters in DCS. With its solid armament, it is a great workhorse on the battlefield.

With the Normandy map, the propeller planes from the WWII era are now becoming more and more important. And absolutely rightly so, since they are the purest form of aerial combat: man against man only with on-board guns. Pure adrenaline! The Normandy map can be used from DCS World 2.0.

In principle, all modules are worth their money and many DCS pilots have all modules in their own hangar. But tastes are very different and everyone is sure to have his or her favourite module.

The easiest way to get an overview of the currently available modules is to visit the DCS shop.

How does the Activation Work?

Modules purchased via the DCS shop are usually bound to the account that bought the module. Otherwise, activation can also be done manually there after the serial number has been entered and checked.

The installation is done via the module manager after you have started DCS-World and logged in. The login data is the same as in the DCS shop. The first time you start DCS-World after installing the module, a window for copy protection opens. It is actually self-explanatory. In the future, Eagle Dynamic wants to simplify the mechanism even more.

In the background, a checksum is formed over various aspects of your PC hardware and stored with your licence. As long as your PC hardware does not change significantly, the licence is activated.

When I replace my hardware, I do ... What?

Certain hardware changes or the reinstallation of the operating system require a new activation of all modules and cards if the total exceeds 12 points according to the following table:

• Change of CPU ID: 13
• Change of Windows PID: 3
• Change of computer name: 3
• Change of hard disk ID number: 3
• MAC address change: 6
• Changing the memory size: 6

The copy protection of DCS modules allows 10 activations per module. Once these are used up, you get one new activation per month if you are at zero. So you will always have one remaining activation per month. To prevent this from happening, it is possible to deactivate the modules before changing the hardware. The activation is then credited back to the account. The easiest way to do this is via the module manager in DCS itself.

If DCS stops running because of some error, there is still the possibility to bring it to life manually via the file <module name>-protect.exe, found under: <installation directory DCS World>\Mods\aircraft\<module name>\bin. Each module has its own Protect.Exe in the respective module folder, in the subfolder Bin. Simply run it for each module and select Activate/Deactivate in the menu and click on the blue lettering Deactivate in the next window.

Activation no longer possible? Delete Registry Values.

In rare cases, an automatic or renewed module registration after a patch is not successful and the copy protection system can neither go forward nor back. In this case, you can find a *.reg file to clean up the registry under the following link (table in the lower third). After executing the downloaded file, you should be able to register the module normally and have one less activation. The problem usually affects many DCS users and the module manufacturers often credit each module buyer with a few activations to compensate for this.