Mixed type flights

[Lace]

Not sure if this has been mentioned previously but it would be nice if it was possible to fly mixed flights of aircraft.  It is already possible to have different ground vehicle types make up a ground group or convoy, but AFAIK this is not possible with fixed or rotary wing aircraft.

 

With the Hind, Apache and Kiowa inbound it would be nice to have mixed AI/player flights, as IRL the Apache and Kiowa operated as teams, as did the Hind and Hip, and also the Hind P and V models as a pair.

 

Not as common with fixed wing types, but still not unheard of to have different types/versions in the same flight.

[StevanJ]

Set random flag value allows this behaviour..

 

[Lace]

On 4/11/2021 at 1:45 PM, StevanJ said:

Set random flag value allows this behaviour..

 

 

Care to elaborate?

[StevanJ]

8 minutes ago, Lace said:

 

Care to elaborate?

 

Sorry, Sure I can.

Time more than 1, Flag on 99 (example number youll not use again)

If Flag 99 on, set random flag value (flag 99) 1 to 5 (the number of late activations you want- If you want 10 late activations use 1 to 10)

If flag 99 value equal to 1 (activate late activation group 1- activate F15 Set up what you want this to do and copy and past unit as many times as you need other units/groups)

If flag 99 value equal to 2 (activate late activation group 2- activate F16) And so forth.

 

As long as you set up your first unit right (f15 on escort), you can copy past for other aircraft.

You can also clone the trigger to add a second unit join you after the first.

The only thing youll need to do, is create the radio menu yourself if you want them to do something 'ie attack your target/fly in formation' which would mean building a 'flag on' infrastructure..

If youre happy with them using their own initiative, leave them as escort and leave their radio on, so you can hear what theyre doing.

This can be layered as many times as you need it.

You can set up the same generator for enemies for example..

Does this help?

Do you have any questions?

[Lace]

Thanks, I think I follow that.  I'll give it a go this evening and see what happens.

[sirrah]

44 minutes ago, StevanJ said:

 

Sorry, Sure I can.

Time more than 1, Flag on 99 (example number youll not use again)

If Flag 99 on, set random flag value (flag 99) 1 to 5 (the number of late activations you want- If you want 10 late activations use 1 to 10)

If flag 99 value equal to 1 (activate late activation group 1- activate F15 Set up what you want this to do and copy and past unit as many times as you need other units/groups)

If flag 99 value equal to 2 (activate late activation group 2- activate F16) And so forth.

 

As long as you set up your first unit right (f15 on escort), you can copy past for other aircraft.

You can also clone the trigger to add a second unit join you after the first.

The only thing youll need to do, is create the radio menu yourself if you want them to do something 'ie attack your target/fly in formation' which would mean building a 'flag on' infrastructure..

If youre happy with them using their own initiative, leave them as escort and leave their radio on, so you can hear what theyre doing.

This can be layered as many times as you need it.

You can set up the same generator for enemies for example..

Does this help?

Do you have any questions?

 

Maybe I didn't understand the OP correctly, but I was under the impression that @Lace wishes to have an AI wingman that flies in a different aircraft type, who can be ordered tasks just like a regular wingman.

 

This is currently not possible.

 

You can have a different type of aircraft set to follow you via the ME and you could add F10 radio menu triggers to have it perform actions, but you won't be able to give it radio commands like you can with a regular wingman.

 

 

(as the OP says, this option would be more than welcome once we have more helo modules. Although I can imagine it would cause some difficulties to program for ED, as the various aircraft/helo types currently have very different radio command options. Some specific to that aircraft type)

[StevanJ]

14 minutes ago, sirrah said:

 

Maybe I didn't understand the OP correctly, but I was under the impression that @Lace wishes to have an AI wingman that flies in a different aircraft type, who can be ordered tasks just like a regular wingman.

 

This is currently not possible.

 

You can have a different type of aircraft set to follow you via the ME and you could add F10 radio menu triggers to have it perform actions, but you won't be able to give it radio commands like you can with a regular wingman.

 

 

(as the OP says, this option would be more than welcome once we have more helo modules. Although I can imagine it would cause some difficulties to program for ED, as the various aircraft/helo types currently have very different radio command options. Some specific to that aircraft type)

Yeah, Thats what i thought he said.

You can do it, its just takes abit of work to program the radio.
See here where you have to fly with an L39, while in the Yak.

Using a random flag generator just makes the flights mixed.
The flags, will do all the same things for each of the jets if you just clone the first flight.
But youve obviously got to program the first jet.
 

The first time i made that mission, it had radio commands to 'order him to do stuff' just like a wingman, after i gave it to someone to test, he told me 'he never used it'. So i removed the radio, as it just seemed like clutter. In the editor.
Also, if you see the last few seconds of that video youll see blue angels and red arrows (its a squad mission), in that mission there are also a few commands where you do need to use the radio.

The radio works in the same way, as it would be made in the ME.

It takes a bit of effort, but you can 'build your own wingman', using flags in the radio menu.
I just dont think anyone knows.
 

27 minutes ago, Lace said:

Thanks, I think I follow that.  I'll give it a go this evening and see what happens.

If youre struggling, just send me message, and ill help you out.

Edited April 12, 2021 by StevanJ

[Lace]

19 minutes ago, sirrah said:

 

Maybe I didn't understand the OP correctly, but I was under the impression that @Lace wishes to have an AI wingman that flies in a different aircraft type, who can be ordered tasks just like a regular wingman.

 

 

 

This was the intent, but I'll play around with the Escort function and see how much use that is.

[sirrah]

4 minutes ago, StevanJ said:

Yeah, Thats what i thought he said.

You can do it, its just takes abit of work to program the radio.
See here where you have to fly with an L39, while in the Yak.

Using a random flag generator just makes the flights mixed.
The flags, will do all the same things if you just clone the first flight.
 

The first time i made that mission, it had radio commands to 'order him to do stuff' just like a wingman, after i gave it to someone to test, he told me 'he never used it'. So i removed the radio, as it just seemed like clutter. In the editor.
Also, if you see the last few seconds of that video youll see blue angels and red arrows (its a squad mission), in that mission there are also a few commands where you do need to use the radio.

The radio works in the same way, as it would be made in the ME.

It takes a bit of effort, but you can 'build your own wingman', using flags in the radio menu.
I just dont think anyone knows.
 

If youre struggling, just send me message, and ill help you out.

 

 

Well, theoretically you are right yes. You could reproduce all radio commands manually by adding them as radio F10 menu triggers, but, if you want to have the same amount of tasks that you can give a normal AI flight (wingman, #3, #4) that would be an immense job in the mission editor. (we're not just talking about formation flying here, but also about ground/air engagements, AAR, navigation orders, etc.)

 

Also, even if you manage to manually add all these radio F10 commands, you wouldn't get feedback and target reports from your flight, like regular wingman give.

[StevanJ]

15 minutes ago, Lace said:

 

This was the intent, but I'll play around with the Escort function and see how much use that is.

Well, What id do FIRST, is plan the mission as a CAP formation.
Decide which map you want it on.

Have a wingman, then select which other aircraft you want added to the mix.

For example, be an FA18 with 1 FA18 wingman, and have an F16 set him as CAP too first, then in the tasks set him to FOLLOW your group.

 

Set up the formation first. Planning where youd like him to fly in relation to your group.
Test it, making sure youre happy. Boom- Youve a template for formation flying like the blue angel video above..

Then, start building the radio (good luck- it can be done, but as @sirrah has mentioned, its an immense job.)

 

The hard part is knowing, that what youre doing is exactly what ED would be doing if they did it themselves.
Build the radio page by page, having lots of breaks (as it gets a bit boring) doing that stuff.

Have ROE changes for 'Engage' menu.

Go pincer is a formation flag condition.

Go to is a switch waypoint condition.

Cover me is an escort task and so on..

Each time, saving it as it will be a template for each new mission you make.
Once youve built the radio, all you need to do is copy/paste said F-16 unit. And all those flags and commands will transfer to each new unit thats copy pasted.

Then set a late activation, and boom- Mixed flight wingmen.

 

You can get feedback by assigning messages on 'unit killed' tiggers.
An awacs helps too.

Or, if you dont want mixed flight wingman, you can wait until ED gets around to doing the same work for you, but i doubt its something they'd do, as its not realistic.

Edited April 12, 2021 by StevanJ

[Lace]

^^^  That's great info, thanks!

[StevanJ]

17 minutes ago, Lace said:

^^^  That's great info, thanks!

Its no trouble.
If you need any help, just come back and ask.
Ive done it once- it took me a weekend to build a 'part' working radio for the Blue Angels mission, and i even bound the correct sounds from in the game to each action so you couldnt tell it wasnt real, but if im being honest, no one used it. They just read the briefing and did the mission anyway.
I like to think it was because i made the wrong mission. But yours may be the right mission, so if you really want it, you should definitely make it happen.

You can do anything in the editor- but its all a little extra work.
Wether or not you choose to do that little extra work will make your mission good..
Or flippin awesome! When you compare it to other missions on the userfiles page.

Dont be put off.

Instead be the first person to implement something that others said was too difficult..
And make an awesome mission that NO ONE has ever made before because it was 'too difficult'.
You can do it..

[Lace]

It's definitely a powerful editor, and quite a learning process.  I did manage yesterday to write a nice little convoy escort mission which involved disembarking an EOD team from an Mi-8 to disarm a roadside bomb.  Sadly no animations, but the mechanics of it worked.  It seems that what is generally required is a bit of lateral thinking.

[StevanJ]

11 minutes ago, Lace said:

It's definitely a powerful editor, and quite a learning process.  I did manage yesterday to write a nice little convoy escort mission which involved disembarking an EOD team from an Mi-8 to disarm a roadside bomb.  Sadly no animations, but the mechanics of it worked.  It seems that what is generally required is a bit of lateral thinking.

Youre bang on with lateral thinking!
If you ever get a chance to watch campaigns being played on youtube, youll see what is capable.
Even the campaign builders use the same mission editor.

What i wouldnt do for some new assets for the choppers.