Falcon 4.0: Allied Force
Encyclopedia
Falcon 4.0: Allied Force (F4AF) is an F-16
based combat flight simulator
created by
company Spectrum Holobyte and further developed by MicroProse
and now by Lead Pursuit
. Lead Pursuit was formed after gaining a license from Atari
(who later owned the license) to continue Falcon 4.0
development. Many of its employees were members of the Falcon 4.0 modding community .
Allied Force was released on June 28, 2005, and is largely a compilation and unification of existing modifications over the original Falcon 4.0
and the official patches
. Prominent members of the Falcon 4.0 modding community were hired into Lead Pursuit . Allied Force also introduced several major new features and significant improvements in realism and stability.
Allied Force focuses primarily on learning to fly and fight in an F-16, yet also allows the user to manage all the ground and air assets in a campaign if they wish, or control and vector fighters as part of an E-3 AWACS squadron.
The simulation allows the user to control the level of realism: the player can either set the realism settings on maximum, or enable options such as invulnerability and unlimited ammo; this may make the game easier for newcomers or players who wish to have a less realistic experience.
A player that enables many of the realism settings must work with his Wingmen, friendly assets such as AWACS, JSTARS, Airborne Tankers, Forward Air Control
lers, and other friendly aircraft if he wishes to be successful.
The emphasis of the simulation's air combat is the use of Beyond Visual Range missiles to destroy opponents many miles away, while maintaining the pilot's situational awareness. The player must therefore learn not only offensive tactics, but an ability to detect and counter a threat such as an incoming enemy missile. Due to the nature of Beyond Visual Range fighting, Within Visual Range (Dogfighting) is rare in the game's campaign modes. There is, however, an "Instant Action" mode, where dogfighting may occur.
, BFM
, navigation using on-board instruments, avoiding SAMs, and deploying various weapons against air and ground targets.
Missiles and guns, or
Guns only.
You are also alllowed to choose fog height and density, air defences or no air defences, where you dogfight, at what height you dogfight, and a option for unlimited 20mm cannon ammunition.
s before the time arrives for the next mission.
The campaign modes take place in the virtual battlefields of Korea
and the Balkans
, which can be configured based on historical data from 1999, 2005 or from how the area might appear in 2010. Each timeline will automatically change the type of weapons and sophistication of aircraft used in the campaign.
Korea
The simulation includes the original Korean peninsula battlefield between North and South Korea. Here NATO forces support South Korea
in various scenarios that can also involve China
supporting North Korea
.
3 campaigns are included for this region:
The Balkans (Italy
, Sicily
, Serbia
, Slovenia
, Hungary
, Greece
, Albania
, Croatia
, Bosnia, Montenegro
)
Here NATO forces take on Serbia, supported by Russia
.
3 campaigns are included for these regions:
"Operation Powderkeg, 1999" is similar to the actual Operation Allied Force
, although the number and type of enemy aircraft and SAMs have been increased to give the player a challenge.
(Any of the 6 campaigns above can be set in the years 1999, 2005 or 2010.)
The campaigns can also be played online over the Internet. Here teams of players around the world can fly together in strike package formations as wingmen and help one another complete the assigned mission by attacking ground targets, enemy jets, and accomplishing other mission objectives.
Multivipers is one example of such Virtual Squadrons.
Flyable
. Here the fight from any angle or viewpoint can be played, paused rewound or forwarded through. Also information can be shown on the screen such as turn rate, speed, turn radius, and altitude to help a pilot ascertain where they may be going wrong.
, considerably enhancing the functionality of the simulation as they've released them — particularly in the multiplayer aspect, which now allows extremely smooth close-up formation flying for players across the world. One of the most popular online Allied Force servers is Multivipers, which runs real-time campaigns lasting days. Players jump into missions — whatever missions they like — and their success or otherwise determines the course of the campaign.
the Falcon name could claim to be the longest running flight simulation series.
PC GAMER MAGAZINE
PC PILOT MAGAZINE
PC ZONE MAGAZINE
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
based combat flight simulator
Combat flight simulator
Combat flight simulators are video games used to simulate military aircraft and their operations...
created by
company Spectrum Holobyte and further developed by MicroProse
MicroProse
MicroProse was a video game publisher and developer, founded by Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier in 1982 as Microprose Software. In 1993, the company became a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte and has remained a subsidiary or brand name under several other corporations since...
and now by Lead Pursuit
Lead pursuit
Lead pursuit is the basis of all the dogfights since the World War II era. It describes when a chasing pilot has to gun down the bandit it is following...
. Lead Pursuit was formed after gaining a license from Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
(who later owned the license) to continue Falcon 4.0
Falcon 4.0
Falcon 4.0 is an air combat simulation originally released on December 12, 1998 by MicroProse. It is a realistic simulation of the Block 50/52 F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter in a full scale modern war set in the Korean Peninsula. Falcon 4.0s dynamic campaign engine runs autonomously...
development. Many of its employees were members of the Falcon 4.0 modding community .
Allied Force was released on June 28, 2005, and is largely a compilation and unification of existing modifications over the original Falcon 4.0
Falcon 4.0
Falcon 4.0 is an air combat simulation originally released on December 12, 1998 by MicroProse. It is a realistic simulation of the Block 50/52 F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter in a full scale modern war set in the Korean Peninsula. Falcon 4.0s dynamic campaign engine runs autonomously...
and the official patches
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
. Prominent members of the Falcon 4.0 modding community were hired into Lead Pursuit . Allied Force also introduced several major new features and significant improvements in realism and stability.
Features
- Significant differences from Falcon 4.0Falcon 4.0Falcon 4.0 is an air combat simulation originally released on December 12, 1998 by MicroProse. It is a realistic simulation of the Block 50/52 F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter in a full scale modern war set in the Korean Peninsula. Falcon 4.0s dynamic campaign engine runs autonomously...
, the original MicroProseMicroProseMicroProse was a video game publisher and developer, founded by Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier in 1982 as Microprose Software. In 1993, the company became a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte and has remained a subsidiary or brand name under several other corporations since...
version:- improvements to stability
- enhanced Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
- improved dynamic campaign engine
- reworked multiplayerMultiplayer gameA multiplayer video game is one which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time. Unlike most other games, computer and video games are often single-player activities that put the player against preprogrammed challenges and/or AI-controlled opponents, which often...
engine - refined user interfaceUser interfaceThe user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
and the graphics - extensive campaign theaters
- Airbases enhanced and terrain tiles redone
- AI wingman commands and functions, others reworked
- 110-page printed manual, plus 760 page PDFPortable Document FormatPortable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
manual
The Simulation
Falcon 4.0:Allied Force is a detailed simulation; like other simulations, it may take the user some time to become proficient and familiar with all of its features. Allied Force comes with a 716 page manual, which can act as a "quick start" guide to flying a military jet.Allied Force focuses primarily on learning to fly and fight in an F-16, yet also allows the user to manage all the ground and air assets in a campaign if they wish, or control and vector fighters as part of an E-3 AWACS squadron.
The simulation allows the user to control the level of realism: the player can either set the realism settings on maximum, or enable options such as invulnerability and unlimited ammo; this may make the game easier for newcomers or players who wish to have a less realistic experience.
A player that enables many of the realism settings must work with his Wingmen, friendly assets such as AWACS, JSTARS, Airborne Tankers, Forward Air Control
Forward air control
Forward air control is the provision of guidance to Close Air Support aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller . For NATO forces the qualifications and experience required to be...
lers, and other friendly aircraft if he wishes to be successful.
The emphasis of the simulation's air combat is the use of Beyond Visual Range missiles to destroy opponents many miles away, while maintaining the pilot's situational awareness. The player must therefore learn not only offensive tactics, but an ability to detect and counter a threat such as an incoming enemy missile. Due to the nature of Beyond Visual Range fighting, Within Visual Range (Dogfighting) is rare in the game's campaign modes. There is, however, an "Instant Action" mode, where dogfighting may occur.
Training mode
The game provides simulations and training missions for some common situations, such as: landing during an engine flameoutFlameout
A flameout refers to the failure of a jet engine caused by the extinction of the flame in the combustion chamber. It can be caused by a number of factors, including fuel exhaustion; compressor stall; insufficient oxygen supply; foreign object damage ; severe inclement weather; and mechanical...
, BFM
Basic fighter maneuvers
Basic fighter maneuvers are tactical movements performed by fighter aircraft during air combat maneuvering , in order to gain a positional advantage over the opponent. BFM combines the fundamentals of aerodynamic flight and the geometry of pursuit with the physics of managing the aircraft's...
, navigation using on-board instruments, avoiding SAMs, and deploying various weapons against air and ground targets.
Dogfight mode
Allows the player to setup a situation in which dogfighting will take place. This is a Single or Multiplayer mode. In Multiplayer mode two or more humans can combat one another over the Internet. Dogfight mode also allows the player(s) to choose between:Missiles and guns, or
Guns only.
You are also alllowed to choose fog height and density, air defences or no air defences, where you dogfight, at what height you dogfight, and a option for unlimited 20mm cannon ammunition.
Tactical Engagement mode
Here a player can build a mission with a number of customizable parameters, including the target, payload, enemy presence, customization of aircraft, etc. This is also a multiplayer mode.Campaign mode
Falcon 4.0:Allied Force has a dynamic and customizable campaign. Once a player starts a campaign, the game will begin executing the campaign in real time. Thus, even when the player is not flying, other aircraft, ships, armies and anti-aircraft sites may still be fighting. This is represented to the player in a 2D map where objects can be displayed or hidden. The player can accelerate the campaign to 64X normal time, set up new flights, select weapons load-outs, view target areas and map waypointWaypoint
A waypoint is a reference point in physical space used for purposes of navigation.-Concept:Waypoints are sets of coordinates that identify a point in physical space. Coordinates used can vary depending on the application. For terrestrial navigation these coordinates can include longitude and...
s before the time arrives for the next mission.
The campaign modes take place in the virtual battlefields of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, which can be configured based on historical data from 1999, 2005 or from how the area might appear in 2010. Each timeline will automatically change the type of weapons and sophistication of aircraft used in the campaign.
Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
The simulation includes the original Korean peninsula battlefield between North and South Korea. Here NATO forces support South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
in various scenarios that can also involve China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
supporting North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
.
3 campaigns are included for this region:
- Operation Tiger Spirit
- Operation Rolling Fire
- Operation Iron Fortress
The Balkans (Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Bosnia, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
)
Here NATO forces take on Serbia, supported by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
3 campaigns are included for these regions:
- Operation Powderkeg
- Operation Balance of Power
- Operation Under Siege
"Operation Powderkeg, 1999" is similar to the actual Operation Allied Force
Operation Allied Force
The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia was NATO's military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The strikes lasted from March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999...
, although the number and type of enemy aircraft and SAMs have been increased to give the player a challenge.
(Any of the 6 campaigns above can be set in the years 1999, 2005 or 2010.)
The campaigns can also be played online over the Internet. Here teams of players around the world can fly together in strike package formations as wingmen and help one another complete the assigned mission by attacking ground targets, enemy jets, and accomplishing other mission objectives.
Multivipers is one example of such Virtual Squadrons.
Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (Viper) versions included
Non Flyable- F-16A M
- F-16A Block 15
- F-16C Block 25
Flyable
- F-16AM /MLU (Mid Life Update) Block 50 level avionics
- F-16C Block 30
- F-16C Block 32
- F-16CG Block 40
- F-16CG Block 42
- F-16CJ Block 50
- F-16CJ Block 52
- F-16CM Block 40 CCIP (Common Configuration Implementation Program)
- F-16CM Block 42 CCIP (Common Configuration Implementation Program)
- F-16CM Block 50 CCIP (Common Configuration Implementation Program)
- F-16CM Block 52 CCIP (Common Configuration Implementation Program)
- F-16DG Block 40
- F-16DJ Block 52
Air to Air Missiles carried by the F-16 in the simulation
- AIM-9 SidewinderAIM-9 SidewinderThe AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
- AIM-9P, AIM-9M, AIM-9X variants. - AIM-120 AMRAAMAIM-120 AMRAAMThe AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM , is a modern beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. Designed with the same form-factor as the previous generation of semi-active guided Sparrow missiles, it is a fire-and-forget...
- AIM-120B, AIM-120C-4, AIM-120C-5 variants. - PythonPython missileThe Python is a family of air-to-air missiles built by the Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The first was the Shafrir 1 missile developed in 1959, followed by the Shafrir 2 in early 1970s...
- Python 4.
Air to Ground weapons carried by the F-16 in the simulation
- Gravity BombsGravity bombAn unguided bomb, also known as a free-fall bomb, gravity bomb, dumb bomb, or iron bomb, is a conventional aircraft-delivered bomb that does not contain a guidance system and hence, simply follows a ballistic trajectory....
- Mk.82, Mk.83, Mk.84, B-61 (Nuke), BSU49/B, BSU-50B, BLU-107/B (Durandal). - Cluster BombsCluster bombA cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub-munitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles...
- CBU-52/B, CBU-58/B, CBU-71/B, CBU-87/B, CBU-94/B, CBU-97SFW, MK-20D (Rockeye)CBU-100 Cluster BombThe CBU-100 Cluster Bomb is an American cluster bomb which is employed primarily in an anti-tank mode. It weighs 490 pounds and carries 247 Mk 118 Mod 1 bomblets....
. - Laser Guided BombsLaser-guided bombA laser-guided bomb is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser homing to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than an unguided bomb. LGBs are one of the most common and widespread guided bombs, used by a large number of the world's air forces.- Overview :Laser-guided munitions use a...
Paveway IIPavewayPaveway is a generic term for Laser Guided Bombs .Pave or PAVE is sometimes used as an acronym for precision avionics vectoring equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft...
- GBU-10C, GBU-10I, GBU-12B/B. - Laser Guided BombsLaser-guided bombA laser-guided bomb is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser homing to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than an unguided bomb. LGBs are one of the most common and widespread guided bombs, used by a large number of the world's air forces.- Overview :Laser-guided munitions use a...
Paveway IIIPavewayPaveway is a generic term for Laser Guided Bombs .Pave or PAVE is sometimes used as an acronym for precision avionics vectoring equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft...
- GBU-22B, GBU-24B, GBU-24B/B. - Air to Ground MissilesAir-to-surface missileAn air-to-surface missile is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft and strike ground targets on land, at sea, or both...
- AGM-88C (HARM)AGM-88 HARMThe AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile is a tactical, air-to-surface missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. It was originally developed by Texas Instruments as a replacement for the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard ARM system...
, AGM-65B/D/G (Maverick)AGM-65 MaverickThe AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close-air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities....
. - RocketsZuni (rocket)The Zuni is a unguided rocket deployed by the United States armed forces. The rocket was developed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. It can be used to carry various types of warheads, including chaff for countermeasures. It is usually fired from the LAU-10 rocket pod holding four...
- LAU-5003A.
A selection of other non flyable aircraft in the simulation
(all fixed-wing aircraft are flyable (except for AWACS) with a slight modiffication in the game files)- MiG-17 Fresco
- MiG-19 Farmer
- MiG-21 Fishbed
- MiG-23 Flogger
- MiG-25 Foxbat
- MiG-29 Fulcrum
- MiG-31 Foxhound
- Su-27 Flanker
- Su-30 Flanker
- Su-37 Super Flanker
- Su-25 Frogfoot
- Su-39 Frogfoot
- G-4 Super GalebG-4 Super GalebThe Soko G-4 Super Galeb is a single engine, advanced jet trainer and light ground-attack aircraft.-Design and development:First flown on 17 July 1978, with serial production beginning in 1982, the G-4 was designed to replace the G-2 Galeb in the Yugoslav Air Force.-Operational history:The G-4 saw...
- Soko J-22 OraoSoko J-22 OraoThe Soko J-22 Orao is a twin-engined, subsonic, close support, ground-attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as a low level interceptor. It was designed as a single-seat main attack version or as a combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon...
- F-15C EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
- F-15E Strike EagleF-15E Strike EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter, derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic warfare aircraft. United States Air Force F-15E Strike...
- F-14A/B/D TomcatF-14 TomcatThe Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
- FA-18C/D HornetF/A-18 HornetThe McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and...
- FA-18E/F Super HornetF/A-18E/F Super HornetThe Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The F/A-18E single-seat variant and F/A-18F tandem-seat variant are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun and can carry air-to-air...
- F-22A Raptor
- F-117A NighthawkF-117 NighthawkThe Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force . The F-117A's first flight was in 1981, and it achieved initial operating capability status in October 1983...
- EF-2000 Typhoon / Eurofighter
- A-10A Thunderbolt
- B-1B Lancer
- B-2A Spirit
- F-5E Tiger II
- AH-64A Apache
- AH-1 CobraAH-1 CobraThe Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois...
- Sepecat JaguarSEPECAT JaguarThe SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French jet ground attack aircraft, originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Armée de l'Air in the close air support and nuclear strike role, and still in service with several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force...
- Panavia Tornado ADVPanavia Tornado ADVThe Panavia Tornado Air Defence Variant is a long-range, twin-engine interceptor version of the swing-wing Panavia Tornado. The aircraft's first flight was on 27 October 1979, and it entered service in 1986. It was retired on 22 March 2011 by the Royal Air Forceand is now only in service with the...
- Panavia TornadoPanavia TornadoThe Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
- Mirage 2000
- KC-135 Stratotanker
- E-3 SentryE-3 SentryThe Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
- E-8 Joint STARSE-8 Joint STARSThe Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a battle management and command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force...
- KC-10 ExtenderKC-10 ExtenderThe McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is the military adaptation of the three-engined DC-10 airliner for the United States Air Force . The KC-10 incorporates military-specific equipment for its primary roles of transport and aerial refueling. It was developed to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker...
- C-17 globemaster III
Tactical reference
The game includes a useful database including most ground vehicles, aircraft, weapons, and ships that are in the simulation. Each entry is presented with an image and text information on the subject.ACMI player (Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation)
In game, players can record parts of their flight which can then be reviewed later in the ACMIAir Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation
Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation systems record an aircraft's in-flight data.They are often used by the military for aerial combat training and analysis.ACMI systems usually include 4 major subsystems.- Subsystems :Control and Computation...
. Here the fight from any angle or viewpoint can be played, paused rewound or forwarded through. Also information can be shown on the screen such as turn rate, speed, turn radius, and altitude to help a pilot ascertain where they may be going wrong.
Multiplayer
Lead Pursuit has been updating the game with new patchesPatch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
, considerably enhancing the functionality of the simulation as they've released them — particularly in the multiplayer aspect, which now allows extremely smooth close-up formation flying for players across the world. One of the most popular online Allied Force servers is Multivipers, which runs real-time campaigns lasting days. Players jump into missions — whatever missions they like — and their success or otherwise determines the course of the campaign.
The future
The development team Lead Pursuit are rumored to be in production of the successor to Falcon 4.0: Allied Force. With the demise of Microsoft Flight SimulatorMicrosoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a series of flight simulator programs for the Microsoft Windows operating system, although it was marketed as a video game. It is one of the longest-running, best-known and most comprehensive home flight simulator series...
the Falcon name could claim to be the longest running flight simulation series.
Game modifications
Although not programmed originally with modification in mind there are several graphical enhancements available from hobbyists to give the objects and terrain more detail.- New Aircraft and Weapon skins.
- New Terrain.
- New Cockpits.
Awards
AVSIM.COM- Best Combat Simulator -- Bravo Zulu Award. From the judges: "We thought this a fitting designation for the truly outstanding contributions of new simulators and related hardware, aircraft, panel, scenery, and add-on utilities we've seen this past year. We've selected what AVSIM Online's Editors judge to be the best from both freeware and commercial product (including shareware) publishers and developers."
PC GAMER MAGAZINE
- 89% Must Buy Award: "The real joy of the game is seeing the complex, constantly changing conflicts first-hand from the cockpit of the gravity-mocking F-16 jet. Three variants of the versatile Falcon are modelled, each with breathtakingly faithful avionics and cockpit functionality. Sensational campaigns, superlative realism, impressive scaleability. Go purchase the most realistic, most absorbing jet sim money can buy."
PC PILOT MAGAZINE
- 5 out of 5 Classic Award: "To say that the campaigns in AF are a triumph would be to undersell them. Put plainly, no high-street sim can offer you a more accurate portrayal of a modern military airborne radar system. Lead Pursuit should be congratulated for refurbishing Falcon so successfully. It's significantly closer to perfection than any of its rivals."
PC ZONE MAGAZINE
- 82% Essential Award: "You suddenly realize that this is a game, sorry simulation, of such intelligence, such utter authenticity and attention to detail that few, if any, other flight sims can match its passion for avionic and tactical perfection. If you dedicate yourself to learning how an F-16 really flies ... then you'll find that Falcon 4.0: Allied Force is a work of genuine excellence."
External links
- Lead Pursuit, the current developer and license holder
- Graphsim Entertainment, the current publisher
- Falcon History A timeline presenting the history of Falcon 4.0
- FalconLog Offline and online logbook information for Falcon 4.0 Allied Force
- Frugals World, Online community and database of helpful tips and information on how to fly and deploy weapons in the sim.
- FlyingAce.Eu - International mission repository for all versions of the Falcon sim
- Falcon Server Web Based Control Panel
- e-HAF.org The Hellenic Air Force Portal
- AMVI - Aeronautica Militare Virtuale Italiana - Italian community - Addon, Theater, Utility in download area
- TSHKK - Turkish Virtual Air Force - All Virtual Squadron From Turkey
- VIAF - Virtual Italian Air Force - the Italian virtual flight community dedicated to Falcon 4.0 Allied Force. The largest community by number of active users and number of operative fighting groups, the most advanced and intensive flight cooperative training and advanced qualifications, for Air-to-Ground, Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface/NAVAL, Carrier Operations, AWACS and Air Traffic Control training/qualification
- Falcon Brasil- Brazilian community
- Québec Air Force 101st Virtual Fighter Squadron, first French-speaking virtual fighter squadron in Canada
- Escuadron111 Virtual Fighter Squadron, first Spanish virtual fighter squadron in Spain
- 103rd "Aegean Ghosts" A Hellenic Virtual Fighter Wing (Member of Greek Operation Forces)
- "Halcones Nocturnos" A Latin American Virtual Fighter Squadron, dedicated to Falcon 4.0 Allied Force
- "Escuadrón Puma" A Chilean Virtual Squadron dedicated to Falcon 4.0 Allied Force
- Global Naval Strike Force International Multiplayer Community for Air, Ground, Sea Sims