Jester & Iceman

Jester

Jester

The Jester AI aims to be a functional AI Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) for the Heatblur DCS F-14, enabling a multi-crew experience in a single-player (per aircraft) environment.

He is fully integrated into the rear cockpit, controlling nearly all back seat systems, with a focus on systems not controllable from the pilot seat. He is also modeled to simulate human limitations—his head position, visual spotting range, and hand positions are all accounted for. When controlling systems at the RIO seat, he performs all actions a human RIO would.

To control Jester, a command wheel is used for quick access. This wheel is dynamic based on the selected mode and the current situation. Feedback to the pilot is given via ICS using a library of recorded audio, simulating a RIO actually talking. In addition to acknowledging orders, Jester will provide pertinent information based on the situation.

In multiplayer, if a human RIO disconnects mid-flight, Jester resumes control of the rear cockpit systems in the configuration left by the human player.

Functionality

Menu

The Jester menu is opened by default with the A key. Selection of items (1–8) is done using CTRL + 1 through CTRL + 8. These controls can be remapped under the Jester category in the F-14 Pilot DCS key-binds. The menu system is designed to support 8-way hat switch mapping. Optionally, you can use your viewing angle in the cockpit to select menu petals by holding the Jester menu key for over 0.5 seconds - this can be toggled in the F-14 options.

  • The first press brings up a contextual menu based on current aircraft mode and situation.
  • A second press opens the Main Menu.
  • A third press closes the menu.

Examples:

  • Air-to-Air mode (airborne): opens Beyond Visual Range – Radar menu.
  • Air-to-Ground mode: opens Air-to-Ground – Weapons menu.
  • Take-off/Landing: context-specific menus available.

From these menus, pilots can control RIO systems. Menu contents can change based on prior selections. In some cases, menu petals act as inputs/keypads for entering data like frequencies or waypoints.

You can also:

  • Set a waypoint from an F10 map marker (menu shows time and name).
  • Lock targets on the TID using options like closest target or specific azimuth/range.
  • Run a startup checklist.

Assisted Startup

Startup

For aircraft cold start, Jester can either perform his checklist like a real RIO would, or he can also help the pilot with an assisted startup in which he reads the pilot's checklist to him while starting.

To access the normal, unassisted startup, select startup, Jester will then go through his checklist. He will at times ask the pilot if he has completed certain checks or ask for specific tests, this is answered via the Jester menu using the options appearing there. As an example he will start by asking for a comms check which is answered via the Jester menu. Note that after engine startup and EMERG GEN Master test he will ask for what INS alignment to go for, select this via the Jester menu as well.

To access the assisted startup select assisted start on the Jester menu. Jester will now read out the checklist to the pilot and highlight the relevant indicators and switches during startup. Use the Jester menu to tell Jester when a check/step is complete.

Highlight

Iceman

Pilot

Iceman is a basic autopilot AI and a subset of the Jester system. It is designed for singleplayer scenarios where a player may switch between the front and rear seats.

When the player switches to the RIO seat:

  • Iceman takes control of heading and altitude.
  • The Iceman menu allows setting heading, altitude, and speed—either relative to a target or as absolute values.