Question about enroute task FAC

[TOViper]

Hi folks,

 

What does the enroute task "FAC" really does?

It can be selected via the waypoint actions "Start Enroute Task".

If I let a Humvee do this task, he does exactly nothing, no matter if there are targets within range.

 

I am asking because the task "FAC - Assign Group" works fine, with the big disadvantage that the targets must be pre-selected in the mission editor.

 

Is "FAC" it just a preparation, or is it just a useless placeholder for future developments?

 

Thanks for any answers!

 

Kind regards,

TOViper

[Wizard1393]

I think it "should" do FAC if it sees targets and set via Enroute Task.

I just created a simple test. A blue Hummer is set to Start Enroute Task FAC, a red unarmed utility vehicle is close by.

Player in A-10C, contact axeman and it works as intended. Perhaps something set up incorrectly in your end?

test.miz

Edited October 18, 2019 by chrisofsweden

[TOViper]

Thanks chris for your posting! :thumbup:

 

I think the problem might have been the high distance to targets, and additionally that it is a long time ago I had tested it. I will give it a try using your mission as a starting point.

[TOViper]

Additional question:

 

Is there a way to tell JTAC to use WP & Laser for this ENROUTE TASK?

If I am checking in, type "3" is always in effect, which requires to visually acquire targets, and no laser or WP is used by him, despite I have laser guided bombs with me (F-14).

[Wizard1393]

Additional question:

 

Is there a way to tell JTAC to use WP & Laser for this ENROUTE TASK?

If I am checking in, type "3" is always in effect, which requires to visually acquire targets, and no laser or WP is used by him, despite I have laser guided bombs with me (F-14).

 

This is possible, if you change the task to FAC - Engage Group. This scenario only really works as long as you have the enemy group available in the editor, (as opposed to having it dynamically spawned via scripting)

 

If you have the enemy group spawned via script, you would have to get the target group ID and push the task to the FAC group via Controller.PushTask(), alternatively use the JTAC Auto Lase functionality in the CTLD library that can also put smoke on target.

Edited October 21, 2019 by chrisofsweden

[TOViper]

...., alternatively use the JTAC Auto Lase functionality in the CTLD library that can also put smoke on target.

 

that I use from now on. Core DCS functionality doesn't work properly (for me), thus I decided to switch to CTLD (which I didn't use so far).

 

I implemented CTLD into my mission, and currently I use the ctld.JTACAutoLase()and the ctld.JTACAutoLaseStop() functions.

They do their work, and I made some menu entries in F-10 menu so that pilots can turn them on or off.

 

Thanks for the great tip! CTLD is a fine thing!

Edited October 25, 2019 by TOViper