tacpack background layer

COMBAT SYSTEM

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Available for FSX:SE or Lockheed Prepar3D®

  Lethal combat systems including weapons, radar and IFF (requires TacPack-Powered aircraft)

  Deploy AI refuelers, drones, SAMs and aircraft carriers directly into the sim

  Royalty-free SDK for third-party combat aircraft systems development

  Versions available for FSX:Steam Edition through v10.0.62615.0 and P3D v4.1.7.22841 through v5.4.9.28482

Image: India Foxt Echo TacPack-Powered F-35 Lightning II for P3D

Buy Now!

TacPack® is a true single and multi-player tactical combat engine for FSX or P3D (requires separate license for each platform). In a nutshell, TacPack enables true combat systems such as lethal weapons, radar, and radar warning receivers to be used in FSX/P3D against single or multi-player adversaries (or yes, even against lowly Cessnas!). TacPack will change everything you thought you knew about what was possible in FSX/P3D. TacPack also features the ability to spawn AI ships (e.g. aircraft carriers with pitching, rolling decks), refueling tankers, drones, and lethal SAM sites directly into the simulation via a handy in-game menu. TacPack is not a system that can be used to instantly attach weapons to aircraft like wheels on cars; TacPack-Powered aircraft utilize realistic, deeply integrated systems, and must be built from the ground-up using the TacPack SDK. It is therefore recommended (but not required), to acquire one or more TacPack-Powered aircraft in order to take full advantage of what the TacPack has to offer. Fortunately, there are many TacPack-Powered aircraft choices, and the list is growing daily.

Lethal Tactical Systems

Lethal weaponsWith TacPack, great FSX/P3D military aircraft no longer need to fly half-baked. The full potential of the aircraft's capabilities can finally be realized with the addition of true tactical systems. The normally benign landscape is transformed into a live battle space with realistically modeled weapons, countermeasures, team-based IFF and early warning systems. Weapons will appear on the various aircraft stations just as they have with previously static models, but instead of a "sigh" when trigger is pulled, TacPack magic takes over, seamlessly unleashing a deadly accurate weapon simulation. Your aircraft can destroy (or cripple) your adversaries, and you yourself can become the prey, taking partial or critical damage. All systems work in both single and multi-player. Weapons ranging from Air-to-Air missiles to Zuni rockets are all modeled with realistic weights, physics, performance, effects, and lethality envelopes rivaling stand-alone simulators. Take out aircraft and ground targets, evade air defenses like SAM and AAA, or try to penetrate carrier point defenses with sea-skimming missiles - all in single or multi-player.

Team-Based AI Spawning

AI spawningTacPack comes with an ever-improving AI system which includes the ability to spawn assets into the sim directly from within FSX/P3D. These include vessels such aircraft carriers (carrier models not included, but works with any payware or freeware ships) which can be armed with point defense systems and navigation aids, SAM sites, refueling tankers, and drones. An in-game menu system lets you spawn the AI at relative positions from ownship and optionally assign teams to them. Setting up a scenario can be as simple as plopping them down in front of the aircraft, or as complex as writing a TacPack scenario file to deploy them automatically with each flight.

The TacPack also includes an external management application called the TacPack Manager (TPM), which allows customization options ranging from carrier navigational frequencies and refueling drogue parameters, to multi-player host options.

Royalty-Free SDK

SDKSeamless developer integration is provided via the freely licensed TacPack SDK. The TacPack's infrastructure is comprised of a dynamic weapon simulation, multi-mode radar, ECM/ECCM, IFF, and radar warning receiver backend functions. All the avionics variables including stores management are tailored to the specific weapon being used. It's as if the TacPack was there all along waiting to be unleashed. Any aircraft can be integrated by developers at a low level via the TacPack SDK. Again, there are no royalties associated with use of the SDK (commercial or otherwise), but the end-user must have the TacPack installed in order to leverage the TacPack-Powered aircraft features.

The TacPack SDK is available to owners and developers alike, and facilitates royalty and license-free third-party integration into aircraft or other SimObjects such as ships and vehicles. Third party support for the SDK includes developers such as Aerosoft, India Foxt Echo, Metal2Mesh, Milviz, and more! With other TacPack-Powered aircraft becoming available frequently, it's finally possible to obtain diverse, cheat-free, air-to-air combat with aircraft other than (or including) the Superbug.

TacView ACMI Support

SDKWhen the dust settles you'll be able to call for a tanker, fuel up behind an intelligent AI refueler flying dynamic racetrack patterns, then return to base to review the action (and lick your wounds) via TacView - an amazing ACMI playback system previously reserved for stand-alone simulations. The TacPack can export the entire flight with dozens of parameters including missile launches and bombing runs. Visualize radar locks and missile behavior to efficiently analyze both BVR flights and dogfights. From aspect angle, to G forces, display and compare any telemetry parameter in tables, on aircraft, and labels in the 3D view. Analyze the flight envelope and performances like corner speed by drawing detailed charts in just one click! You can even export telemetry data for deeper analysis in your favorite spreadsheet.


The TacPack is used by many third-party developers in their aircraft creations. Here are just a few shots of some fantastic third-party TacPack-Powered aircraft (payware and freeware), as well as a demo video for your enjoyment.

Note: Screenshots/videos may represent various versions of the TacPack and/or various platforms.


The TacPack is changing constantly with new features being added with almost every build. Because of this, we chose to document the TacPack with a wiki, because the product is far too dynamic to benefit from a conventional static source such as .PDF. The wiki can be monitored for changes and provides a much more suitable medium for an evolving product. Please fee free to read it prior to purchase!


Lethal Weapon Systems:

The TacPack features many tactical enhancements, but of course the most dramatic ability of the system is the addition of accurately modeled and 100% lethal weapon systems for any aircraft which utilizes the system at the developer level.

  • Lethal to all Simobjects:
    • AI aircraft
    • Multiplayer aircraft
    • Ships (including carriers)
    • FS recorder entities (as of 1.4.1.0)
    • Ground vehicles
    • Simobject-based structures
  • Weapon systems include:
    • Various cannons and guns
    • AIM-9X Sidewinder
    • AIM-9M Sidewinder
    • AIM-7M Sparrow
    • AIM-120C AMRAAM
    • AGM-65E Laser Maverick
    • AGM-84D Harpoon
    • AGM-84H SLAM-ER
    • AGM-154A JSOW
    • AGM-88C HARM
    • GBU-10 Paveway II
    • GBU-12 LGB
    • GBU-31 JDAM
    • MK-82LD
    • MK-82SE (snakeye)
    • MK-83
    • MK-84
    • Various A/G rockets
  • Realistic ranges and maneuvering kinematics
  • Thousands of combinations of ordinance can be loaded
  • Individual weight and drag indices
  • All systems work in free flight and multi-player

Hardcore Avionics:

  • Fullscreen night vision (experimental)
  • Padlock view
  • FLIR (ATFLIR) simulation (experimental)
    • FLIR video with white-hot and black-hot modes
    • MP compatible Laser target designation (LTD)
    • MP compatible Laser spot tracking (LST)
  • AN/APG-73 Air-To-Ground radar simulation
  • Full terrain masking/occlusion
  • Multiple, highly realistic modes:
    • Real Beam Ground Map (MAP)
    • Synthetic Aperture (SAR)
    • Ground Moving Target Indication (GMT)
    • Sea Surface Search (SEA)
    • Fixed Target Track (FTT)
    • Ground Moving Target Track (GMTT)
    • Air-To-Ground Ranging (AGR)

ACMI Playback:

Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) recording provides a highly detailed log of everything that happens during a TacPack flight in any aircraft. Logs can be loaded into Vyrtuoz's TacView for full 3D playback and analysis.

  • Record and playback flights in any aircraft
  • Records all aircraft (AI and MP), vehicles, weapons, and even target designations and CCIP predictions
  • Minimal FPS impact
  • Facilitates after-action debriefing/training

Multiplayer Capabilities:

  • Full multi-player functionality
  • Drop AI directly into sessions
  • Assets such as SAMs, working carriers, tankers and more may be dropped by team members into the battlefield
  • Partial and critical damage modeling
  • IFF system for all AI and human players to facilitate division into teams
  • Multi-player host options including anti-cheating which verifies the integrity of aircraft joining the session
  • Proprietary TacPack server publishing. See and join hosted TacPack servers

In-Game Deployable AI:

Deploy AI directly into the sim via a quick, easy-to-use menu system, or create TacPack Scenario Files for automatically loading assets with the flight. Note: The VRS menu system uses standard sim assets. VRS does not supply AI objects except for SAM, tanker, and drone components.

  • Deploy aerial refueling tankers through an intuitive in-flight menu system
    • Any aircraft can act as a tanker
    • Multiple commanded orbit types
    • Dynamically adjustable altitude and speed
    • A/A TACAN capabilities
  • SAM installations can be placed, given a team, and become active threats visible on RWR and destructible
  • Target drones can be placed and commanded into various patterns
  • Deploy aircraft carriers (or any vessel in your sim inventory)
    • Any vessel can be selected and placed at user-defined distances and speeds
    • All vessels both moving and static can contain TACAN and ILS which are instantly available to all single and multi-player participants
    • Fully synchronized movement in MP sessions
    • Vessels can be armed with Sea Sparrow and CIWS point defenses
    • Vessels can be assigned teams

TacPack SDK:

  • TacPack SDK allows advanced integration with third-party aircraft
  • Available royalty free to all developers and end-users
  • All functions available through XML scripting or C++
  • Fully multiplayer compatible

The following list of TacPack-Powered and/or TacPack enhancing software was compiled by Bovsam (thank you!) in the VRS support forums. For a more up-to-date list, please see the original topic.


TacPack-Powered Aircraft
Released payware and freeware aircraft

IndiaFoxtEcho - TA-4 Skyhawk - IndiaFoxtEcho
Payware for FSX and P3D

Aerosoft English Electric Lightning T5 - Aerosoft
Payware for FSX and P3D

De Havilland Vampire DH-100 MK6 - Swiss Military Pilot
Payware for FSX and P3D

Justflight Hawk T1A Advanced Trainer - Justflight
Payware for FSX and P3D

SIAI-Marchetti S-211 - IndiaFoxtEcho
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-35A B C - IndiaFoxtEcho
Freeware for FSX and P3D

EF Typhoon - IndiaFoxtEcho
Payware for FSX/P3D

F-35 Lighting II V3 - IndiaFoxtEcho
Payware for P3D

T-45C - IndiaFoxtEcho
Freeware for FSX and P3D

F-14D - IndiaFoxtEcho
Freeware for FSX and P3D

MB-326 - IndiaFoxtEcho
Freeware for FSX and P3D

S-3B - IndiaFoxtEcho
Freeware for FSX and P3D

F/A-18E - VR Simulations
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-14A - Aerosoft
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-6 Lightning - Aerosoft
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-3 Lightning - Aerosoft
Payware for FSX and P3D

Mirage 2000C - Metal2Mesh
Payware for FSX and P3D

A-10A - Iris Simulations
Payware for FSX and P3D

P-38L - Milviz
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-86F - Milviz
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-100D - Milviz
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-4E Phantom II - Milviz
Payware for FSX and P3D

UH-1 Huey redux - Milviz
Payware for FSX and P3D

A-7E - Razbam
Payware for FSX and P3D

A7D/E - Razbam
Payware for FSX and P3D

F-4B Phatom II - SimWorks Studios
Payware for FSX and P3D

Missions and Scenarios
For TacPack-Powered aircraft (exhaustive)

Syrtis Maior Campaign - FSX@War
Freeware for FSX and P3D

Ft Irwin Training Center (Kea) - FSX@War Forums
Freeware for FSX and P3D

FSX Airpower Missions - Chris Pel
Freeware for FSX and P3D

Damascus Bombing (Carlos Lerma) - VRS Forums
Freeware for FSX and P3D

Taiwan Campaign (Bovsam) - FSX@War Forums
Freeware for FSX and P3D

Snake River Dambuster (Wiltzu) - VRS Forums
Freeware for FSX and P3D

Carriers
Released-ony (non-exhaustive)

USS Nimitz & Eisenhower - Javier Fernandez & Sylvain Parouty
Freeware for FSX and P3D

USS Enterprise - FS Pilot Shop
Payware for FSX and P3D

PAN Charles de Gaulle - RFN Team
Freeware for FSX and P3D

PAN Foch & Clemanceau - RFN Team
Freeware for FSX and P3D

HMS Illustrious (Gary Payne) - Sim Outhouse
Freeware for FSX and P3D

Other Programs/Utilities
Useful Programs (non-exhaustive)

Tacview (Vyrtuoz) - Stra Software
Freeware for FSX and P3D

VSLO (FsxNavyPilot) - VLSO
Freeware for FSX and P3D

FS Recorder (Matthias Neusinger) - FS Recorder
Freeware for FSX

CCP - FSX@War
Freeware for FSX and P3D

F18MovingTargets (Timers15) - VRS Forums
Freeware for FSX and P3D

FSUIPC - Peter Dowson
Freeware/Payware for FSX and P3D

SuperScript (Glenn Weston) - Hornetpits.org
Freeware for FSX and P3D

| System Requirements
Component Requirement Notes
O/S See FSX or Prepar3D requirements Windows 10+ 64-bit recommended
RAM See FSX or Prepar3D requirements 4GB VAS recommended
CPU See FSX or Prepar3D requirements
GPU See FSX or Prepar3D requirements
FSX FSX: Steam Edition through: v10.0.62615.0

Versions outside supported ranges will break compatibility

Legacy FSX:Acceleration NOT supported on Windows 10+

P3D v4 P3D v4.1 to v4.5.14.34698
Versions outside supported ranges will break compatibility
P3D v5 P3D v5.0 to v5.4.9.28482
Versions outside supported ranges will break compatibility
P3D v6 P3D v6.0 to v6.0.34.31011 (HF4)
Versions outside supported ranges will break compatibility
D/L 430MB (FSX:SE) | 191MB (P3D) size varies based on partitioning
HDD 539MB (v1.4) size varies based on partitioning
Prerequisites FSX or Prepar3D
Microsoft .NET 4.8
Please see supported versions, above

Terms & Conditions

Please read before purchase!

TacPackFSX

TacPack | FSX:Steam Edition

Non-commercial use for FSX:Steam Edition through v10.0.62615.0*

Please see system requirements prior to purchase

$19.95 $29.95 USD

TacPackP3D Academic V4

TacPack | P3D v4 Academic

Non-commercial use for P3D Academic v4.1.7.22841 through v4.5.14.34698*

Please see system requirements prior to purchase

$39.95 $49.95 USD

TacPackP3D Academic V5

TacPack | P3D v5 Academic

Non-commercial use for P3D Academic v5.0.31.35253 through v5.4.9.28482*

Please see system requirements prior to purchase

$49.95 $59.95 USD

TacPackP3D Academic V6

TacPack | P3D v6 Personal

Non-commercial use for P3D Academic v6.0.26.30799 through v6.0.34.31011 (HF4)*

Please see system requirements prior to purchase

$59.95 USD

TacPackP3D Pro

TacPack | P3D Professional

Commercial use for P3D Pro v4.1.7.22841 through v6.0.34.31011 (HF4)*

Commercial rates apply regardless of stated end-use

Contact Sales

TacPack® is a registered (87805925) trademark of Vertical Reality Simulations, LLC.
*TacPack is ONLY comatible with the EXACT version numbers of FSX/P3D specified above. Updating FSX/P3D beyond the supported ranges WILL break compatibility.