u/ftvDuke

We would like to share a short development update about one of the new features currently being developed for the DCS MB-339: M.A.R.I.O.

Since the first mentions of M.A.R.I.O., some users thought it was a joke, a meme, or simply a marketing gimmick. We also received several private messages asking whether the feature was actually real and what its purpose was.

For this reason, we would like to clarify that M.A.R.I.O. is real. It is not just a name, and it is now actively under development.

During the past weeks we carried out the first internal experiments, and the results were promising enough to move the feature into active development.

The goal of M.A.R.I.O. is to add an interactive assistant/copilot/instructor layer to the MB-339, improving situational awareness, cockpit workflow and training-oriented operations.

Current implementation status

At the current stage, several core elements have already been implemented:

• Initial radial command menu

• Basic menu navigation logic

• Threat and traffic detection logic

• Basic voice/callout logic

• Basic damage/status reporting logic

• First aircraft handover and control assistance functions

• Initial logic for aircraft stabilization and assisted flight

These features are still being refined and tested, but the foundation is now in place.

Next development steps:

The next development steps will focus on expanding and polishing the system. In particular, we are working on:

• Improving callout logic and reducing unnecessary repetitions

• Expanding the command menu structure

• Implementing scan commands

• Implementing aircraft status checks

• Refining threat, traffic and ground target reports

• Improving damage and system status reporting

• Expanding training-oriented assistance

• Improving handover/control assistance behaviour

• Integrating the system more naturally into normal MB-339 operations

• Testing the feature across different mission scenarios

We are also experimenting with a way to provide basic dynamic training features through M.A.R.I.O., without forcing users to fly only the standard training missions.

The idea is to make some training-oriented assistance available in a more flexible way, during normal missions or free flight scenarios.

Training missions and weapon depression tables:

Regarding the standard training missions, we are aware that some of them currently suffer from annoying bugs that can make them difficult or even impossible to complete properly.

These missions will be updated as soon as the weapon depression tables are finalized.

A first version of the weapon depression tables has already been published, and we have collected feedback from the community.

We are now refining our calculation tool and expect to provide a new version of the depression tables by next week.

Bug fixing and module support:

M.A.R.I.O. is being developed in parallel with bug fixing, bindings improvements and general MB-339 maintenance. It is not intended to replace normal support work on the module.

We know that many users are also waiting for fixes and quality-of-life improvements, and those remain part of the current development effort.

There is still work to do before M.A.R.I.O. is ready for release, but development is active and progressing.

We would like to share a short development update about one of the new features currently being developed for the DCS MB-339: M.A.R.I.O.

Since the first mentions of M.A.R.I.O., some users thought it was a joke, a meme, or simply a marketing gimmick. We also received several private messages asking whether the feature was actually real and what its purpose was.

For this reason, we would like to clarify that M.A.R.I.O. is real. It is not just a name, and it is now actively under development.

During the past weeks we carried out the first internal experiments, and the results were promising enough to move the feature into active development.

The goal of M.A.R.I.O. is to add an interactive assistant/copilot/instructor layer to the MB-339, improving situational awareness, cockpit workflow and training-oriented operations.

Current implementation status

At the current stage, several core elements have already been implemented:

• Initial radial command menu

• Basic menu navigation logic

• Threat and traffic detection logic

• Basic voice/callout logic

• Basic damage/status reporting logic

• First aircraft handover and control assistance functions

• Initial logic for aircraft stabilization and assisted flight

These features are still being refined and tested, but the foundation is now in place.

Next development steps:

The next development steps will focus on expanding and polishing the system. In particular, we are working on:

• Improving callout logic and reducing unnecessary repetitions

• Expanding the command menu structure

• Implementing scan commands

• Implementing aircraft status checks

• Refining threat, traffic and ground target reports

• Improving damage and system status reporting

• Expanding training-oriented assistance

• Improving handover/control assistance behaviour

• Integrating the system more naturally into normal MB-339 operations

• Testing the feature across different mission scenarios

We are also experimenting with a way to provide basic dynamic training features through M.A.R.I.O., without forcing users to fly only the standard training missions.

The idea is to make some training-oriented assistance available in a more flexible way, during normal missions or free flight scenarios.

Training missions and weapon depression tables:

Regarding the standard training missions, we are aware that some of them currently suffer from annoying bugs that can make them difficult or even impossible to complete properly.

These missions will be updated as soon as the weapon depression tables are finalized.

A first version of the weapon depression tables has already been published, and we have collected feedback from the community.

We are now refining our calculation tool and expect to provide a new version of the depression tables by next week.

Bug fixing and module support:

M.A.R.I.O. is being developed in parallel with bug fixing, bindings improvements and general MB-339 maintenance. It is not intended to replace normal support work on the module.

We know that many users are also waiting for fixes and quality-of-life improvements, and those remain part of the current development effort.

There is still work to do before M.A.R.I.O. is ready for release, but development is active and progressing.

We would like to share a short development update about one of the new features currently being developed for the DCS MB-339: M.A.R.I.O.

Since the first mentions of M.A.R.I.O., some users thought it was a joke, a meme, or simply a marketing gimmick. We also received several private messages asking whether the feature was actually real and what its purpose was.

For this reason, we would like to clarify that M.A.R.I.O. is real. It is not just a name, and it is now actively under development.

During the past weeks we carried out the first internal experiments, and the results were promising enough to move the feature into active development.

The goal of M.A.R.I.O. is to add an interactive assistant/copilot/instructor layer to the MB-339, improving situational awareness, cockpit workflow and training-oriented operations.

Current implementation status

At the current stage, several core elements have already been implemented:

• Initial radial command menu

• Basic menu navigation logic

• Threat and traffic detection logic

• Basic voice/callout logic

• Basic damage/status reporting logic

• First aircraft handover and control assistance functions

• Initial logic for aircraft stabilization and assisted flight

These features are still being refined and tested, but the foundation is now in place.

Next development steps:

The next development steps will focus on expanding and polishing the system. In particular, we are working on:

• Improving callout logic and reducing unnecessary repetitions

• Expanding the command menu structure

• Implementing scan commands

• Implementing aircraft status checks

• Refining threat, traffic and ground target reports

• Improving damage and system status reporting

• Expanding training-oriented assistance

• Improving handover/control assistance behaviour

• Integrating the system more naturally into normal MB-339 operations

• Testing the feature across different mission scenarios

We are also experimenting with a way to provide basic dynamic training features through M.A.R.I.O., without forcing users to fly only the standard training missions.

The idea is to make some training-oriented assistance available in a more flexible way, during normal missions or free flight scenarios.

Training missions and weapon depression tables:

Regarding the standard training missions, we are aware that some of them currently suffer from annoying bugs that can make them difficult or even impossible to complete properly.

These missions will be updated as soon as the weapon depression tables are finalized.

A first version of the weapon depression tables has already been published, and we have collected feedback from the community.

We are now refining our calculation tool and expect to provide a new version of the depression tables by next week.

Bug fixing and module support:

M.A.R.I.O. is being developed in parallel with bug fixing, bindings improvements and general MB-339 maintenance. It is not intended to replace normal support work on the module.

We know that many users are also waiting for fixes and quality-of-life improvements, and those remain part of the current development effort.

There is still work to do before M.A.R.I.O. is ready for release, but development is active and progressing.