1.0 WELCOME TO THE INDIAFOXTECHO COMPANION PACKAGE! 
This is meant to be a collection of experiments, tests and “fun” things that we have developed for different reasons over time, but have no commercial value or do not meet our current quality requirement for a commercial release, but may still be interesting for some users...and maybe the community will improve them.
These files are provided for free and “as is” - no warranty whatsoever – if you think they have any significant value for you, we encourage to give me money to charity. 

1.1 PACKAGE CONTENT

The initial release of the INDIAFOXTECHO COMPANION PACKAGE includes:

- Driveable Deck Tractor (both with and without air power module)

- MQ-8B Fire Scout 

- RQ-9 Reaper (with multiple liveries and weapons)

- Generic Military HUD

- Code to enable weapons on IFE Marketplace Products (F-35 and F-14)

1.2 COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

This SOFTWARE PRODUCT is copyrighted by INDIAFOXTECHO VISUAL SIMULATIONS and HEATBLUR and is provided "as is" and "with all faults." 

INDIAFOXTECHO VISUAL SIMULATIONS makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the safety, suitability, lack of viruses, inaccuracies, typographical errors, or other harmful components of this SOFTWARE PRODUCT. 

There are inherent dangers in the use of any software, and you are solely responsible for determining whether this SOFTWARE PRODUCT is compatible with your equipment and other software installed on your equipment. You are also solely responsible for the protection of your equipment and backup of your data, and INDIAFOXTECHO VISUAL SIMULATIONS will not be liable for any damages you may suffer in connection with using, modifying, or distributing this SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
REVERSE ENGINEERING OF ANY PART OF THIS PACKAGE, INCLUDING THE EXTRACTION OF 3D AND 2D ASSETS WITH ANY MEANS, IS PROHIBITED.

1.3. INSTALLATION

IMPORTANT – IF YOU ARE MANUALLY UPGRADING YOUR PACKAGE FROM A PREVIOUS VERSION, PLEASE DELETE THE PREVIOUS VERSION FIRST!

This package is distributed as a regular Community mod, in a .zip file format.
To install the package, just unzip the content of the file into your COMMUNITY folder. The exact location of the folder will depend on your selection when you have installed Microsoft Flight Simulator. Once you have indicated where your COMMUNITY folder is, just drag and drop the package folder into it.

1.4 MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Due to the high-detail model and textures, we suggest to use the files in this package with a system that meets or exceeds the following specifications:

CPU: 2.8 GHz quad core processor or better

GPU: at least 6Gb dedicated memory, Nvidia 1050 or better recommended

RAM: 8.0Gb minimum

Hard Disk: 1.1Gb required for installation

1.5 HOW TO LOCATE THE COMMUNITY FOLDER (MANUAL INSTALLATION)

If you need to perform a manual installation, and you do not know where the community folder is located, you can follow this procedure:

Go to Options / General.

Click on "Developers" which you will find at the bottom of the list on the left.
Switch Developers Mode on.
On the Dev Menu select Tools / Virtual File System.
The community folder location can be found under "Folders > Community folders"

NOTE: If copying the folder in the Community folder fails because of the fact that files names are too long you can proceed as follows:

1. Extract the package folder on your desktop or in any known and easily accessible location.

2. Rename the package folder from “indiafoxtecho-f14” to anything short and recognizable such as “f14” or just “14”

3. Place the renamed package folder in the Community folder 

Alternatively for EXPERT WINDOWS USERS ONLY, it is possible to edit the "LongPathsEnabled” entry in the Windows registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem 

Once the aircraft is installed in the Community folder, it will be available in the aircraft selection menu next time you start Flight Simulator. If Flight Simulator was running during the install process, you need to close it and restart it for the aircraft to appear.

1.6 FREEWARE LICENSE 

This package is FREEWARE, but it is still copyrighted.
Selling this package, or even distributing it in ways that require the user to pay money (such as pay-to-enter site), is PROHIBITED.

If you like this package, we highly encourage you to give money to charity – there are many organizations and a lot of people out there that need your help.

If you are a modder, and you would like to submit improvents or fixes to this package, please contact us by email at indiafoxtecho at gmail dot com.

2. MD-3 Carrier Deck Tractor

2.1 INTRODUCTION

This is a simple, driveable model of the MD-3 Carrier Deck Tractor vehicle.

2.2 PROJECT SCOPE

Well...we had this high-detail model of the tractor we used on our carriers and we though it would have been cool if it was driveable.
Two models are available: with and without air-start module.

2.3 OPERATION

Vehicle can be started with the auto-start command (control+E). Throttle is the gas pedal, toe brakes operate the brake pedal, while the steering wheel is operated by the rudder controls.
Gear shift is operational (1-2-R), but steering in reverse gear is bugged.
Parking brake is also operational, and so are headlights and stop lights (which can be switched between normal and blackout mode).

2.4 TO-DO LIST

- Driver seat should be cleaned up and redesigned, as it is currenly a mix of different variants of the MD-3 (it was very difficult to find decent photos)

- It would be cool to add the air starter controls (on the right side of the driver, where the blank panel is)

- It would be SUPER cool to have this vehicle to actually move other players' aircraft... but it is way too complex to do for the scope of this project.

- add visual variants with tow bars, wheelchocks etc.

3. MQ-8B FIRE SCOUT

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces.[3] The Fire Scout is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The initial RQ-8A version was based on the Schweizer 330, while the enhanced MQ-8B was derived from the Schweizer 333. The larger MQ-8C Fire Scout variant is based on the Bell 407.

As of February 2018, 23 aircraft of the MQ-8B variant were in service with the U.S. Navy.The MQ-8B was retired from service in October 2022.

3.2 PROJECT SCOPE

When Microsoft introduced helicopters in MSFS, we started making some experiments to understand how Asobo implemented them, and if it was a viable and interesting field for us. Moreover, we wanted to have an “US Navy” rotorcraft to take some cool pictures of our high-detail vessels. 

3.3 OPERATION

This Fire-Scout model is basically just a graphical model on top of the default Cabri, and it is quite difficult to use.
The helicopter must be started with the auto-start control (control+E) and must be operated manually – no provisions for automatic operation is included. 

3.4 TO-DO LIST

- UAV/hovering flight model: the plan was to write a bespoke, fully automated flight model...but we never had the time to do it.

4. RQ-9B REAPER

4.1 INTRODUCTION

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (sometimes called Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, one component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF to indicate ground control by humans.

The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier, more capable aircraft than the earlier General Atomics MQ-1 Predator and can be controlled by the same ground systems. The Reaper has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine (compared to the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine). The greater power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance payload and cruise at about three times the speed of the MQ-1.

4.2 PROJECT SCOPE

This is a toy project, which was initially developed to explore MSFS autopilot possibilities and see if UAVs and RPVs were a possibility in this platform, and has also been used for experiments on texturing and coversion techniques.

4.3 OPERATION

This Reaper model can be operated manually, like any other aircraft, and will react to basic autopilot commands.
Aircraft can be started with autostart command (control+E).
The following weapon models are included , and will appear if their weight is correctly applied to the pylons in the Weight and Balance Menu:
- AGM-114 Hellfire missiles (2X) – 250 lbs
- GBU-12 Laser-guided bomb – 550 lbs

NOTE: The AI pilot might have difficulties in controlling the plane if weapons are loaded

4.4 TO-DO LIST

- design a proper ground station with appropriate autopilot controls

- improve AI pilot and autopilot logic

- improve flight model

- add more liveries

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IndiaFoxtEcho Companion Package

A collection of experimental and free add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the IndiaFoxtEcho Companion Package features various unique aircraft and enhancements. Included are a Driveable Deck Tractor, MQ-8B Fire Scout, RQ-9 Reaper, Generic Military HUD, and more. These add-ons are provided as-is, with no warranty, and are meant for entertainment purposes. Ensure your system meets the minimum hardware requirements before installation.

Version History