This update is focused on two key areas, the F-14 Tomcat and Vaicom performance. It restores previous functionality for the F-14A/B and adds a couple of changes to keywords and fixes up some non-functioning commands and removes some that were never wired in previously. It adds functionality for the F-14B(U) and as a first pass and this we will make changes in future releases based on user feedback. It also adds new coding to block the flashing of the Jester Wheel when some commands were issued.
On the performance side a massive code cleanup of the communications between Vaicom and DCS with increased use of caching and removing data not used from the network traffic. With the rise of OpenKneeboard Out Vaicom was grabbing more data from DCS, this was causing frame rate latency issues for some users, particularly on very busy missions or servers with lots of units and client slots.
New
- Added Tomcat shutdown command and sequence handling, including F-14B(U)-specific routing, cue playback, and alias registration.
- Added module-aware AIRIO context-key flows, including EGI direct waypoint support.
- Added Flight Plan tab-aware diagnostics collection (now tied to FLT PLN tab view).
- Added expanded map-marker diagnostics support with increased marker cap (20 → 64).
- Added expanded AI CREW keyword categories in kneeboard output, including Startup, Shutdown, Walkman, and Miscellaneous etc.
Improved
- Refreshed F-14/AIRIO Jester script mappings and command coverage across radar, weapons, LANTIRN, datalink, TACAN, NAV/utility, CMDS/defensive, and GGW/JDAM behaviors.
- Modernized AIRIO command architecture: improved command wiring, labels/hints, routing/validation, and proxy timing reliability.
- Improved AIRIO option-hint selection and EGI direct-waypoint sequencing reliability.
- Improved AIRIO GGW preplanned command handling with broader spoken-number parsing, clearer pass/fail logging, explicit sequence dispatch, and queued feedback cues.
- Improved OpenKneeboard AI CREW rendering/grouping and tightened AI CREW vs GND CREW separation behavior.
- Improved profile deployment/update flow, including auto keyword finish and stronger embedded resource handling integrity.
- Improved F-14 wheel chocks/miniwheel runtime handling to reduce desync and visibility issues.
- Added caching in update/data paths to reduce runtime overhead.
- Removed redundant opposition aircraft/helicopter build pass to reduce duplicate update work.
- Simplified F-14 Jester integration by removing obsolete JesterInit patch resources and handling legacy miniwheel suppression directly in appended JesterAI page.
Fixed
- Fixed a null-pointer issue that could prevent some units from being collected for kneeboard output.
Known Issues
- C-130J Select Tunes radio command will tune radio but not change AMU or CNI-MU display.
- George AI the AH-64D M299_EMPTY racks if loaded with other missiles break direct weapon selection (still working a fix for this).