Hongjian

China very seldom produces mockups or tech-demonstrators and show those publically. If anything is out in the open, they are long past the Black Project stage and are initiating either static RCS tests or taxi-runs. The Sharp-Sword here is actually doing taxi-tests, and no, there are no official specs for it besides some leaks from research papers putting it in the class of the X-47B, nEURON etc. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-new-chinese-advances-in-tailless-uav-designs-revealed-385842/

Something semi-related: China just unveiled their stealthy Flying Wing Attack UCAV, the "Sharp Sword" (Lijian/利剑). Maybe it is too early for that, considering the status of the Alpha, but this is an asset that should not be left out of the mod! http://www.fyjs.cn/bbs/attachments/Mon_1305/27_186906_53f957e96ccb52e.jpg?265 (265 kB)

Yeah, that must be just CCTV being CCTV, ie. retarded and incorrect most of the time. EDIT: Or rather, inaccurate, since they did got right the general idea and just screwed up other things...

the “克†is what made me a bit cautious. It means gram, but it is impossible that the bullet weights just 0.6 gram (except they are shooting BB guns), so I interpreted it being six gram and the “克†here being a unit of 10 grams, with 0.6克 meaning 6 gram/92gr. But you are right, there's something fishy about it, although I'd give them the benefit of a doubt, since they correctly cited the weight of the DBP95 being around 4 gram/"0.4克". This would also correlate with the earlier chinese claim that the new 5.8x42mm heavy round outperforms the previously used 7.62x54R, which is an outrageous claim, if the bullet in question (77gr) weights less than half the bullet it replaces (181gr FMJ), even if it suppossed to have a flatter trajectory and an armor piercing hardened steel-core... The 92gr number as cited in this documentary would make this claim far more believeable. And yes, that is me. I'm very much on the search for more and more information about modern chinese small arms and their ammunitions, which is why this CCTV documentation piqued my interest. But maybe it is all just "LOLCCAV", as the chinese netizen used to say, and the real specs are still unknown...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y44glfLNd1I Interestingly, this report (if correct) unveiled that the DBP-88 Heavy Round (used in the QBB-92 SAW and QJY-88 LMG) actually has a 6g bullet (92.6gr), which is 2g heavier than the standard DBP-95 round (4g, 62gr). Note at 6:50. This new number is higher than the 5g (77gr) which was previously cited in most articles and sources and would put this heavy round firmly within the class of the modern intermediate rounds of the west, like the Grendel 6.5x39mm type Speer TNT, with its 90gr bullet. A very interesting information, as I'd believe that this could make the heavy 5.8x42 round more capable than previously estimated, and could also indicate that the new DPB-10 common round (which is based on this heavy DBP-88 MG round) is a true intermediate round in terms of performance. So, maybe there isnt so much a difference in bullet performance between 6.5 and 5.8 anymore, aside of the softer recoil of latter.

@Chortles Wasnt the Katiba using the caseless version of the 6.5x39mm, and not the NATO rifles (except squad machine-gun)? Well, I'd think that the future/modern PLA DBP10 5.8x42mm would be less powerful than the 6.5x39mm Grendel (1873J with a 77 gr 5.8x42mm bullet vs. 2633J with a 120 gr for the 6.5x39mm), while at the same time possessing marginally more velocity than latter (870m/s vs. 820m/s), and a better armor piercing capability due to its hardened steel-core (vs. lead core/mild steel core). In the end, the 6.5x39mm is actually just a refined version of the venerable Russian 7.62x39mm for the Kalashnikov, so the endless debate M-16 vs. AK-47 should be quite similiar as this one here. The greatest plus of the 5.8x42 vs the 6.5x39 IMHO is that former has a softer recoil. Maybe the VME crew could model this while giving the 5.8x42mm less overall health-damage, while more armor penetration against light skinned vehicles and body-armor.

The VME team is actually working on a 2035 era PLA. And yeah, as for the rails, I do think that everyone, except PLA special forces are using the propetriary optics and rails. The PLA is still not allowing that much customization for their line-troopers, but special forces are often seen with foreign imported Eotech Holosights, ACOGs and other stuff.

Now, this is a project which I am looking forward to the most. Was following the VME forums and wondering how long it would take until the you publish it on the bis forums here. The QBZ95-1 series are a nice touch and definitely I'd expect them to serve the PLA in the 2030 era virtually unchanged, as they did fix quite a lot complains and user-ergonomy problems of the basic QBZ95. On top of that, they also feature an improved 5.8x42mm round (DPB10 standarized, hardened armor piercing steel-core FMJ, 77gr) that would hold its own vs. to the 6.5x39mm intermediate rounds featured in ArmA3. Maybe in the next few years the PLA will switch to the picatinny stlye rail mounting system, but I'm not too sure about that, as self-reliancy and indigenous, proprietary standards still tops the PLA's priority list. And thus, the proprietary rail-mounting system would be, albeit sacrificing tactical flexibility, still used well into the 2030's... Especially if nearly all known optics can also made available for the proprietary rail system. A question/suggestion from my side here; considering we are talking about the future 2035 PLA, maybe this mod could include the new Chinese future infantry weapons? I am thinking about the ZH-05 "Strategy Rifle" (Or "Chinese OICW") for that matter: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/02/23/chinas-oicw-type-05-strategy-rifle-zh-05-5-8mm-20mm/ It is confirmed by the few official sources that this weapon is currently being tested by PLAN Marines deployed in the Anti-Piracy Mission off the coast of Somalia, and would be introduced into the PLA at large scale sometimes after. It is pretty much a Chinese take on the OICW, as it is made of a 5.8x42mm full-lenght rifle section apparently based on the QBZ-03 conventional-layout rifle, and has a 20mm semi-automatic grenade launcher with computerized airburst grenades. All of it is weighting just around 5kg (unloaded), which indicates that China managed to fix one of the major problems the XM29 OICW was suffering under - maybe by sacrificing the bulky but advanced thermal-sight system fixed on the XM29 and replacing it with a lighter, detachable computerized telescopic sight. A few pictures not shown in that link: I think implementing this weapon should be possible, as ArmA2 already had a awesome airburst script, made by Zodd: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=16791 demonstrating its devastating effect against infantry behind cover: Even though the XM25 is experiencing problems at the moment, I do believe that airburst grenade launchers will be among the mainstay weapons of future warfare, and thus deserve a place in the ArmA3 universe.

In the last few weeks I was attempting to learn about modding/config file modification, especially for the weapons of this mod, since there are a range of deficiencies and errors with them. The 23mm gun armed Humvee is just another case that has to be fixed. But maybe first things first, I think Dysta's analysis (which he also posted in the VME forums) is pretty much spot on. The config files are a mess period. Lots of wrongly associated weapon pictures in the inventory (QBZ03 rifle appears as QBZ95 picture, PF98 launcher appears as RPG7 etc), weird and incorrect class-names, no names at all, weird ammo usage (5.8 chambered QSZ92 pistol uses M9 mags etc.), and the lack of some features that should actually be there by design (for example, range setting features on the small arms) etc. A whole range of problems so. I'll try to research and learn further about config modifying, but I sincerely hope that the VME crew may at least fix the more simpler defects by their next release. This bit of quality control should be a basic requirement, I have to say. I, personally, would like to try to change/mod the config on the PF-98 120mm launcher to make it more useable and closer to the real thing. As of now, I cant hit sh*t with it for some reason. Sources describe that the Battalion Version portrayed in the mod features a simple fire-control system that has a laser-rangefinder to calculate the range to the target and gives the operator data to manually set the distance to achieve high first hit accuracy. My imagination would be to have the PF98 possess the OA range-finder feature very similiar to the 84mm RR in the JGSDF-mod, but also to have a range-setting/zeroing feature like most of the precision rifles in OA to make it work like the original weapon in RL. My question now; is it actually theoretically possible to give a launcher-type weapon the latter feature (the zeroing), or is it exclusively only for rifle-type weapons?

Hmm, after a long search from one of my old test missions, I cant find any other class names than those already posted on a VME thread a year ago. The class-name for the new weapon, the CQW05 is VME_PLA_CQW05, but the magazine names are still unknown for me. The list: VME_PLA_30Rnd_58x42_QBZ95 VME_PLA_30Rnd_762x25_QCZ85 VME_PLA_75Rnd_58x42_QBB95 VME_PLA_200Rnd_58x42_QJY88 VME_PLA_10Rnd_58x42_KBU88 VME_PLA_5Rnd_127x90_LR1 VME_PLA_5Rnd_127x90_LR1AT VME_PLA_20Rnd_58x21_Qsz92 ============================================ VME_PLA_FN6_Strela VME_PLA_69III VME_PLA_69HE VME_PLA_69IIIA VME_PLA_69HEA VME_PLA_HandGrenade ============================================ VME_PLA_QBZ95 VME_PLA_QBZ95B VME_PLA_QBZ95CQB VME_PLA_QBZ95SSN VME_PLA_QBW95CQB VME_PLA_QBZ03 VME_PLA_QBZ03SSN VME_PLA_QBZ03CQB VME_PLA_QCZ85 VME_PLA_QCW85 VME_PLA_QBB95 VME_PLA_QJY88 VME_PLA_QJY88SSN VME_PLA_KBU88 VME_PLA_LR1 VME_PLA_js58 VME_PLA_js58W VME_PLA_PF69 VME_PLA_PF69A VME_PLA_Fn6 VME_PLA_QSZ92 VME_PLA_QSW06

Thanks for the great work, VME team. Was a nice release that cleaned up quite a bit and finally added the much required Chinese voices in even the correct PLA combat lingo! What I've wished for though, is that all AFV, from ZTZ99/96 tank to the ZBD04 IFV would have the correct OA fire-control features integrated, like the range-finder feature and thermal sights (available on the ZTZ99/96) and the distance setting feature, which is still unavailable to all vehicles in game. I wished this should have been added for this version. Additionally, I'd like to see the PLZ05 155mm SP Artillery in the mod to be fully compatible with the artillery computer system that is organic to the game. I know, it isnt OA, but still it is dissapointing that the PLZ05 is only behaving like a standard tank and cannot use the artillery feature in the game. I'd wish to have a chinese artillery in the mod, so that I wouldnt be forced to use the Russian artillery for my missions. Adding to that, the mod maybe also needs a smaller mortar-type artillery system like the PP87 82mm or PP89 100mm battalion mortars to complement the heavy 155mm PLZ05 Divisional Artillery system in the PLA. But well, first things first.

After a long hiatus, the next version of the VME mod will be released on August the 15th. According to the chinese forums, it will include more bug fixes, like more OA optimizations (like a backback system), corrected names in the mission editor, disassemble-able HJ-8 ATGM for two persons to carry etc. Also it features new content too: QCW05/Type-05 5.8x21mm silenced SMG J-20 Stealth Fighter Y-9 Tactical Transport Aircraft DF-15 Short Range Ballistic Missile with a massive conventional warhead and more configurations for the J-10B Fighter. Also, the chief modder is also working on the QBZ95-1 assault rifle, which is the newest iteration of the QBZ95 He cant say whether he will add it into the mod in this version, but it is nice to know that new content are made all the time and that the mod isnt dead at all! So, stay tuned.

Thanks, for the information. On the Chinese forums? EDIT: Sorry, cant see anything. Can you explain more?

This shouldnt be normal. Try to reinstall. This is sadly normal and wont affect the gameplay, besides having your troops looking strangely at you with creepy shark eyes. The first page links arent the newest. Better go to Armaholic, where Big was so nice to put the link to the latest version on the frontpage: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=14100 And I support the notion with the Su-33! The J-15 is externally not very different to the Su-33 (albeit the wing-tip pylons are different to the Russian version for compability with Chinese missiles like the PL-8 that has larger control surfaces), but cockpit as well as avionics and engines are Chinese designed and look different. Also, it is multirole, which means it can launch precision guided anti ship and anti surface ordnance due to its multirole pulse doppler radar (or AESA, as some insider leaks are indicating). For more information; refer to this valuable source on Chinese military aviation: http://cnair.top81.cn/J-10_J-11_FC-1.htm Now, combined with the Kutznesov Mod, the Chinese Navy could also be featured in ArmA2!

First; happy new year to everyone! Second; on 26. Dec last year there was a new VME PLA version released on the chinese forums. Taken that perhaps people are still interested, I reuploaded it myself on a western filehoster, since I cant bear think about how much of a pain in the a** that cancerous chinese filehoster can be for people who cant read chinese (when even I had to go through pains to download it after surviving a real torrent of ad- and spyware garbage)... http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KF7O8CU2 This 'commemorative version' released on Chairman Mao's 118th birthday has quite some few improvements in it, mostly fixing some problems and glitches mentioned in the official VME bug tracker on devheaven, as well as some new added content, like the ZTZ-96A main battle tank, Z-9 light attack helo and the J-10B fighter jet. This latest update of the final version is made by some leftovers of the original veteran VME crew, and should be seen as a farewell to the community by them. The mod itself will be updated though, time to time, but slow, unsteady and by an understrenght crew. Hope is that they, or others will assemble again to mod for ArmA3. original thread: http://www.chinavme.com/thread-20281-1-1.html Third; Enjoy.

The point with OHPLA's small arms is, that the reticules of the sniping/marksman weapons arent really calibrated well. It is a real pain in the ass to accurately hit someone at range without trial and error. The VME weapons, on the other hand, were carefully calibrated according to their real-life engagement ranges, and what is "stated" on their individual reticules. Sniping with the VME-mod is really fun, since you actually hit something by the first time with only using the fine-tuned reticules and not just by shooting straight away until one understands the trajectory. But this doesnt mean that the OHPLA-weapons are bad or something, since one could also fine-tune their accuracy - but it is indeed more work than just take the VME ones for this matter... The VME small arms do have the problem, that some of them have animation glitches (especially bad on the QBB-95 LSW and Type 85 SMG) . But the fact that they offer a more diverse range of weapons, under them CQB-versions of the QBZ-95 with red-dot sights/suppressors, the QBZ-95B Carbine, the JS-series of sniper weapons (also with silenced versions) or even a QJY-88 GPMG with marksman scope, would give mission builders more choice to equip their player-characters with. The OHPLA small arms range, on the other hand, is far more limited, except that it has the JS-05 5.8mm SMG, which the VME mod lacks. Another thing better in the OH-PLA over the VME mod, is the ZTZ-99's main-gun accuracy over long distances. With ACE and utilizing the Tank-FCS, the VME-mod's ZTZ-99's 125mm gun is only accurate, or will only correctly lase and estimate the range to a target under 1000 meters. Everything over 1000 meters cant be hit by the automatic range-setting of the FCS and you'll have to do trial and error again. The OHPLA's ZTZ-99 tank, on the other hand, doesnt have this problem and you can accurately hit anything beyond 1000m easily with ACE's automatic range-setting mode. Also, it has a more realistic recoil and muzzle flash when firing the main-gun, while the VME mod's ZTZ-99 is far too weakish in that field and often doesnt feel right. In the VME forum there is a thread including video about that issue, for those who want to see how a member tried to address it: http://www.chinavme.com./thread-19659-1-1.html It would be best to combine the best parts of each mod, but then, there's the question about the ACE compatibility of the ammo.

Great work, Tom1! I like the ZBD-04 IFV. Now it only lacks the thermal imaging channel and automatic range setting for the 100mm gun (for the 30mm chaingun it already works). one suggestion for your plan, stated in the readme: The VME_PLA scopes and weapon ballistics for all the QBZ-95 Marksman version, the QBU-88 DMR, the two JS-5.8 (silenced and vanilla) and the JS-12.7 heavy sniper all already have very good and precise reticules and ballistic properities, that actually work for their intented distances. I would suggest to either leave these weapons in the mod and just try to make the ammo/magazines ACE-compatible like the rest of the rifles, or try to modify Fromz' weapons and add these reticules and ballistic properities from the VME mod. The firearms of the VME mod are pretty much the most finished and fine-tuned elements in the entire mod. It would be a waste not to use them and an unnecessary work to make something entirely new. Perhaps the only things you could add is the ACE range-setting module to the sniper and scoped weapons and, as suggested, standarize the ammo. Also, I like the weapon textures of the VME mod more - less glossy and more "refinined". There are some glitches with the weapons, though, which can be seen from my entries in the issue tracker of devhaven.

Hear, everything is alright. These formalities are the smallest hurdle. What we need are willing and motivated modders. If there's a will, there's always a way, or so they say... So, dont let yourself be scared by these complicated sounding things. :)

As I was chatting with him that other day, he mentioned that he will post everything on devheaven and one needs the GIT/SVN protocols worked out to mod the source files. But I guess this was to be expected anyway.

To be honest; the Chinese voices from OFDR werent even half bad. Sure, they werent perfect and had some problems, but at least they sounded like real mainland/north-eastern chinese mandarin. The voices from RR, on the other hand, sounded all as if the VA's where non-native mainlanders or Taiwanese people... It would be a great feat if the mod could attain DR's level of mandarin at the very least, plus the correct Chinese military jargon (especially in terms of numbers and tactical language).

Good work! Let's hope this mod gains on popularity, so that we can further modify and improve it, based on the community. I hope Alex will upload the source files soon, so the work can begin. Chinese voices and some smaller bug fixes should be the first priority... And maybe the inclusion of the OA:BAF artillery module for the PLZ-05 self-propelled artillery, which now still lacks it due to being made for vanilla ArmA2...

Damn it. Just deleted my part files. I can only upload my whole merged .rar. ETA 2 hours. Hopefully, the filehoster lets one download 473.5MB at once... Any objections? EDIT: http://www.multiupload.com/RE1EDO78V1 Download link works so far. No problem with the size either.

I've tried the latest release a bit. I must say; it feels very polished now. Especially the reticules of the precision rifles and the marksman versions of the QBZ-95/03 are ultra precise now. Also thanks to the informative sniping videos made by 虎å­å“¥, which helped a lot too understanding the reticules. (although the LR1 12.7mm sniper rifle's sight is still kinda hard to use beyond 800m, since the reticule isnt geared for that range and the sight-setting doesnt work or is stuck at 500) Also; yay. Finally a PLA spotter equipped with rangefinders! Thanks for the hard work.

Sad to hear. I hope you can at least fix the bugs regarding the weapon holding positions (especially the Type 85 SMG of the tank-crews) and the feature to calibrate the sniper rifle sights to make long-range sniping possible - same with the ZTZ99 main battle tank's gun-sight. And if you can spare a bit time, you could ask fromz to borrow his Mandarin voices for the mod. Also, it would be nice if you could include a QBZ-95 version with underslug Grenade launcher for the Grenadier, that still only has a AK-74 with GP25 at this time. If you could at least do this, this mod could actually be called a well-playable final version. Thanks for the good work anyway. What I'm talking about:

cloud camo was a pants on head retarded idea by some 8-1 PR team doing cheesy military musicals. Luckily, the PLA 15th Airborne do use either the standard Type 07 universal camo or that new urban airborne camo with a bit of blueish tint in it.