Spawnable airstrips

[Pikey]

Moveable and spawnable Landing strips/FARPS for upcoming Viggen, Harrier, Tucano type aircraft and the existing WW2 props.

 

Current problem:

If you stick to current method, geographic maps you only have airports that exist. FARPs on the other hand can be created. However the ME does not allow us to spawn FARPS mid mission so we cannot simulate capture, engineering builds or logistics movement on the battlefield for longer and more interesting campaign session.

 

Things you can do if airstrips can be spawned in:

Dynamic advance of troops and capture mechanics over vast areas

Have generic nameless maps of woodland, desert, jungle that cost nothing to make but allow for us to place strips and farps and bring to life.

WW2 map advances would be managed

Modern COIN ops over jungles with drug runners

Vast deserts come to life with cheap mechanics and could be anywhere.

 

Technology to be solved:

Landable Object Surfaces that can be moved and created dynamically. (we can already land on a road, but we can't move one)

AI interpretation (need to either blanket block AI from using it or have a very simple traffic routine script like the helicopters manage)

 

Many people will not immediately realise the benefit of this as they are used to full scripted missions in one 1-3 hour session and will not appreciate the constraints of the mission creator when we discuss campaigns, persistence of objects through restarts or the effort involved to create content, however if you saw this capability then community events such as Blue Flag or advanced squadrons can move farther on with content that will engage people for less investmewnt of time - which is one of the most offputting issues with DCS in general, that it's not a cheap investment of time for a hobby.

[Aginor]

I wonder: Couldn't someone just copy the code of a carrier, make it placeable on land instead of water, and get rid of everything but the flight deck and make the deck longer and broader.

 

Then give it a "block" of earth underneath it, to make it flat ground (like a FARP).

 

You would spawn it like a normal unit, which would solve some problems I guess.

 

I know I know, it probably isn't that simple but I don't know why.

[Stonehouse]

I could be wrong but I would think that something along these lines would be needed for the WW2 Normandy map as many (most) of the initial Allied airfields during the period after D-Day were temporary landing grounds. I suppose they could just research the locations of the historical temporary LGs and place a "runway" zone but I believe they moved around quite a bit as the front lines moved away from the beaches so an object able to be defined in the mission editor would be much more useful and sensible if the map was to be representative of more than just the first few weeks.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Landing_Ground#Runway_types

 

Absolutely correct though that it would make it easy to have "blank" style maps where the mission creator adds tactical airfields. Although I have seen live real footage of Mig21s operating straight out of farm fields which is really quite amazing. It makes you understand possibly why they made the undercarriage lockable in the down state.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Stonehouse

[Aginor]

I think that's exactly what Pikey had in mind.

Forward air strips (often just a more or less flat field or meadow) where frequently used during WWII.

So if DCSW is to have proper WWII maps we need those.

[gospadin]

I think it'd be awesome.

 

Packed dirt or gravel construction.

Select runway length and orientation in the ME.

Small percent chance of FOD destroying your airplane.

Helos could deliver weapons and fuel to allow rearming/refueling.

[AG-51_Razor]

Awesome idea and would be very much appreciated.

[Northstar98]

Great idea! I'd love to see some more static objects that actually have a use to them. However, I think in order for an idea like this to become reality a lot of engine work with the map is needed, such as deformable terrain - so that for instance you could flatten off the terrain (within constraints of course), as to make a runway level

[shagrat]

Waaay too much effort. It would simply be enough, if we could get a SpawnZone in the ME and may be a dependency to fuel trucks, Ammo Depots and Trucks in reach.

 

No need for "Strips" for WW II era planes or Helicopters. Jets would require roads as runways.

 

Just a Zone that could serve as a spawn point on the ground! :notworthy:

[Apache600]

Just a Zone that could serve as a spawn point on the ground!

 

This!

 

 

Maybe have a clickable option for types of maintenance available, and munitions (which already exists at the airports)

[Backy 51]

How about something real? Like AM-2 aluminum matting...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentynine_Palms_Strategic_Expeditionary_Landing_Field

 

 

Harrier Ops on AM-2: http://www.sldinfo.com/the-harrier-and-expeditionary-basing/

Edited March 23, 2016 by Backy 51
addition

[shagrat]

How about something real? Like AM-2 aluminum matting...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentynine_Palms_Strategic_Expeditionary_Landing_Field

 

 

Harrier Ops on AM-2: http://www.sldinfo.com/the-harrier-and-expeditionary-basing/

We could mod/model/create whatever we want, if we have a way to create a spawn point.

The WW II planes can already land and then start again from normal grass fields etc., but we cannot spawn them there, or refuel or reload... Which would be extremely useful for helicopters!

[Pikey]

Well a simplification like spawning direct to ground would be a start, but Although WW2 is perhaps the most obvious use, I'd like to see this for harrier and viggen and potentially all planes as a method of creating dynamic airfields.

 

As was said, if we can move a carrier... Spawning a factory is a one liner, spawning a strip with less polygons... Don't see that as much effort but the reward to players would be huge.

[Pikey]

Oh and the refuelling thing.,..wasn't the Gazelle getting something along these lines to refuel and rearm in a small landing area but not a farp?

[Stratos]

I hope too for a spawnable strip. Also the idea of generic, jungle and desert maps is great!

[shagrat]

I meant, this needs only a "visual representation" that can easily be modded... The key is a spawn point that a mission designer can place!

If you put mattings, concrete slabs, or wooden planks as a "runway" or leave a grass field/street as an improvised airfield does not really matter.

 

No spawn point, no airfield at mission start. No refuel/reload zone no useful airfield outside FARPS etc.

[Aginor]

Yep, I agree. That's the most important thing.

[SlipBall]

I'm hoping that this is possible and that we will have it one day...keep in mind that many of the fields are quite rough/bouncy in my experiences the further away that you move from our airstrips and roads. So currently landing/taking off, near a existing airfield or road, can be quit successful, but restrictive for a mission designer

Edited March 24, 2016 by GT 5.0

[xaoslaad]

Many people will not immediately realise the benefit of this as they are used to full scripted missions in one 1-3 hour session and will not appreciate the constraints of the mission creator when we discuss campaigns, persistence of objects through restarts or the effort involved to create content, however if you saw this capability then community events such as Blue Flag or advanced squadrons can move farther on with content that will engage people for less investmewnt of time - which is one of the most offputting issues with DCS in general, that it's not a cheap investment of time for a hobby.

 

They need to fix the server code so you can have a long running mission in the first place. Have you seen what happens to a mission that is up for 24 hours even with the mission paused? Hints: Lots of lag and warping.

 

I leave a server up witg a free flight mission that restarts itself every 4 hours. Otherwise it becomes unplayable in under a day.