Default korean 64 segment map

Desert Storm 128 segment map

Now that still does not give you much idea whats going on, let me show you practical example of the size differences of these two theaters in reality. In this next image you'll see the default sized korean terrain imported into the ODS 128 terrain (yes we terrain geeks can do that!).

As you can see we can fix four korean maps into one 128 theater.

Default Falcon 4 korean terrain files (located in falcondir\terrdata\korea\terrain) comes to total size of 73mb, where the current compilation of ODS 128 is 649mb, Vietnam 128 is 431mb and for example Afghanistan 128 is 740mb. The 128 theater will come with moderately larger files indeed, also the Tactical Engagement/Instant Action/Campaign map files are larger, original resolution is 2048x2048 where 128 maps need to be 4096x4096. The ODS camp map image file size is 16mb. Here comes the limit for 256 segment theaters, I once tested the 256 te/camp map making for 8196x8196 resolution TGA image, the size was 65mb which is... umm lets say, rather largish :)

Also the TE/Campaign files are larger in amount of objectives listed. Default korean campaign as 2659 objectives listed, where ODS 128 has currently (not even completed yet) 5511 objectives. Afghanistan has 7791, Vietnam has 3771 and Europe has massive 16500+ objectives! So all these large theaters have alot of objectives even on the early stages of development. We can only guess how many more we get until all targets and important locations/troop placements are added.

fact sheets for theater sizes
  64 map:    64x64 segments == total of   4096 segments, 1,048,576 textures.
128 map: 128x128 segments == total of 16,384 segments, 4,194,304 textures.

Thats lot of segments for 128'er, at least in tilers perspective ;)

Operation Desert Storm 128 Tactical Engagement Story

Location: RABIGH Airbase in southern Saudi Arabia.
Mission: Strike Baghdad Muthenna Airbase in Baghdad, Iraq.

F-16C loaded with two MK-84 bombs, two AIM-120B's, two AIM-9M's and full tanks of fuel, which comes to 13600lbs. The flight plan is set up that second waypoint is near the Iraqi border in distance of about 550miles, there are KC-135 tanker waiting for us to feed us some fuel. From the tanker we fly directly to Baghdad and bomb the Baghdad Muthenna airbase.

Loadout, 2 MK-64's + A2A

Flightplan for our mission

Takeoff was 0910hrs. Nothing special here, standard takeoff routines in the sandy airbase.

Taxiing to the runway at 0908hrs

Takeoff at 0910hrs

0916hrs cruising at 20,000ft. The first waypoint is near the Iraqi border at the KC-135 tanker. the distance? nicely some 526miles :)

1016hrs, excatly one hour later we have first sight of the KC-135 tanker, right now we are flying at 9400lbs of fuel onboard. Opening the comms channel and calling out to the tanker crew.

Tanker on sight

Preparing to take fuel

1026hrs Thanks for the fuel, wish me luck. Now its the last leg for our target, Baghdad Muthenna. Excitement is starting to build as we fly in the Iraqi airspace...

Tanks are full

Next waypoint, Baghdad

1051hrs baghdad ahead, fuel status 5300lbs. Time to get busy.

Baghdad in sight

This is it, rolling!

1054hrs, Diving for attack, releasing bombs, say hello to Saddam for me!

Diving for attack

Bombs gone, say hello to Saddam!

Direct hit, oh yeah! burn baby BURN!

Direct hit!

Yeah! burn baby burn!

Time to drop thanks and boogie my way the hell out of dodge... heading back to the tanker, fuel status 5000lbs. When I arrived to the KC-135 time was 1116hrs and we had 3800lbs fuel left onboard.

Dropping tanks

Approaching KC-135 tanker

Thanks for the fuel and support guys, its our time to go home. See you later.

Preparing to refuel, second time

Thanks for the fuel

1120hrs back to level flight in 20,000ft above Saudi Arabia. Our distance to home plate is now 550miles... still along way to go before this mission is over.

Back to home base

Final Approach

Touchdown!
1219hrs we are taxiing to the parking lot, then we just pop the canopy open.
1221hrs parked this bird. this mission is now officially over. fuel status is 2500lbs left.
Mission Accomblished!

Touchdown

Parked the viper

Hooayh! that was some loong mission I tell you!

Summary of that flight. The takeoff was 0910hrs, air refuel one hour later at 1026hrs. Bombed the target at 1054hrs getting a direct hit if I might add (heh). Returned to the tanker 1116hrs and refuelled full 6800lbs load. then boring flight to home plate where we arrived at about 1215hrs. Touchdown at 1219hrs, excatly three hours and nine minutes later (3h, 9mins)... now that is what I call a flight :)