Did anyone else see the VKB Throttle announcement? ED Forum post: here and the VKB Forum post: here. Also quoted below:
We VKB team take our pride in creating a fully dimensional world of modern virtual combat aviation control devices rather than a common “model range”.
TECS (Twin Engine Control System) is a completely new throttle control device made for today’s and future jet warbirds.
This unique state of art device is already out of “development” phase, and is currently entering “preparation for serial production”.
It would be wrong to say that TECS “worthily follows the line of VKB engineering tradition” that we have carefully maintained for 14 years. No, it takes this tradition farther and further.
The design as usually is based on modular principle with data streaming between the blocks via VKB proprietary digital interface.
Structurally, the system is built around the basic throttle control unit (the base). It can be expanded by additional panels connected to its front (with special braces) and to its rear (directly). These panels are also modular and allow users to configure the entire system according to their personal preferences.
Inside the slider grips, the base, and the panels we put bus controllers that collect the data from control elements and pass it to the main processing unit that is hidden in the throttle control base.
There are two ways the TECS can be connected to the computer: directly via USB, and via bus – by passing the data through the BlackBox. This way, it becomes possible to combine all control systems (the control grip + throttle control + pedals + extension panels) in one uncompromisingly rigid and integral piloting complex.
The TECS’s main control sliders’ movement is physically made linear that surely adds to the realistic feeling and allows for the user’s greater immersion. Frictions that load this movement can be adjusted individually.
VKB engineers managed to design a unique stop mechanism that never before had been implemented in the gaming world. Now, like on a real plane, there are stops that demand additional effort on passing certain points of the movement range at Idle, Afterburner, and Afterburner max.
Same as on a real plane, both slider grips are equipped with individual stops. If desired, these stops can be deactivated, and the sliders will travel without additional effort along its entire range.
The grips’ shape, similar to MCG, is as close as possible to the real fighters’ controls. We only very slightly altered it to optimize its use in simulated environment.
Structural parts of the TECS’s mechanism are all metal. Full slider travel – 110 mm.
Our own contactless magnetic sensors are used for extra precision.
We see no point in overloading the surface with as many control knobs and switches as possible – it would likely make flying less handy and controlling the plane would become trickier.
Instead, we focused on making the design and ergonomics of the TECS “VR ready”. Every element can be easily found and identified by grope.
A complete complex made of Gunfighter base, MCG grip, TECS, T-Rudder Pedals (or Twist), and Extension Panels is the best possible cockpit set that offers the user exceptional control over the plane, unparalleled immersion, and allows to take pilotage to a much higher level.
The rendered image shows the pre-production version of the TECS. We will work together with the DCS experts to finalize the panels’ layout, and confirm the text of the prints. If you read Russian, you might like studying these prints now: there might be something you wouldn’t expect to see.
Desktop version will be the first to see the world, and cockpit version will follow. Stay tuned for announcements.
We estimate the price range for the main TECS base somewhere about US$ 200, and the extension panels – about 40 galactic credits.
Now, the question is WHEN?! – stay tuned!
Yours as always,
Global VKB Team
