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Preview: Making things go boom in the DCS: F-100D!

Stormbirds6/10/2026

Quick summary· AI-generated

The author tests the newly available DCS: F-100D Super Sabre module through three custom-built scenarios: a Cold War intercept mission against Tu-95 bombers using AIM-9J Sidewinders and 20mm cannons, a jungle ground-attack run against parked vehicles and helicopters using various bomb and rocket loadouts, and additional testing of ordnance options. The piece covers how well the F-100D's weapons systems perform in practice, including missile tracking, cannon accuracy at various distances, and the availability of diverse armament configurations like laser-guided bombs and cluster munitions. It provides early feedback on the module's combat-systems implementation and usability (e.g., gun arming toggles) for sim pilots evaluating the new aircraft.

Excerpt from Stormbirds

For this second preview article, I’m focused on making things go boom with the Grinnelli Design’s DCS: F-100D Super Sabre. I’ve got three scenarios that I setup for myself to test out the various systems and I’m reporting back on how successful I was in these initial efforts.

The Bear hunt

A classic Cold War scenario involving the Tu-95 Bear seemed like a fitting way to get my first air to air action in the F-100 so I setup a little scenario over northern Syria involving two Tu-95s and me in my F-100 on an intercept course.

I’m armed with four AIM-9J Sidewinders, the best that the F-100 can fit, and of course I have four M39A1 20mm cannons with 200 rounds per gun firing at 1,500 rpm.

Closing in at altitude, the F-100D does best with a little afterburner help so I advanced the throttle, clicked the burner button, and now we’re in full burner gaining speed, a little altitude, and gaining on the Tu-95s off to my 2 o’clock.

Now closer and with the pylons with my AIM-9s now energized its time to close in for a shot. The first Tu-95 doesn’t really make any evasive moves so I try for a “long range” shot. Fox-2!

The AIM-9J holds steady, tracks, and successfully hits the Tu-95 sending it spiralling down. That works! Now… let’s get a little closer.

The second bomber is now evasive, dropping flares, and preparing for a missile attack so I uncage the gunsight and close in for the shot with cannons. Cannons in the F-100 need to be armed on a toggle up at the front of the cockpit just under the gunsight (and a little out of the way, you’re going to want to bind those!).

With all guns armed, I pull the trigger and unleash a volley of cannons…. that falls short.

No matter! I close in and get in much tighter holding the Tu-95s angle and getting a better shot. Fire and hit! A bunch of rounds impact the Bear and it once again goes tumbling.

Jungle attack

In this next scenario, I made use of the Marianas Islands map once again to setup a little jungle outpost at an airstrip with a row of targets on either side of the open field. Parked trucks, supplies, and helicopters seemed like a suitable arrangement.

In various runs I tried out a series of different armament options including six M117 750lb bombs, a mix of Mk 82 500lb and FFAR Mark 5 HEAT rockets, Snakeyes high drag loadouts, and the 20mm cannons. The F-100D is armed with even more options than that including laser guided BOLT-117 bombs and CBU-52 cluster warheads.