Attack my Laser for AI Aircraft

[Mordant]

This is a shot in the dark and I'm 50/50 whether this already exists and I just didn't find it or it doesn't exist. 

I have used CA a lot in the past and to put it simply I would love to have the same JTAC/Aircraft relationship in SP that we have when the human is in the pilot's seat, but in reverse. I would love it if I could set up a simple mission with lets say a harrier with 4 GBU-12s and 2 65Es and get him on the target I'm looking at. IIRC I saw an A-10CII thread about getting their wingman to attack the human's SPI, and while it was implemented it wasn't a direct radio command such as Flight->Engage->Datalink(or smth else idk)->My SPI, it was some other non descript radio command. Having this as a command for CA2 in the works will be wonderful for SP unless its already in the game and I just couldn't find it.

Smooth Skies,

Mordant

Edited December 2, 2021 by Mordant

[Callsign112]

If I understand you correctly, I was thinking the exact same thing. Currently, the module is set up to provide JTAC for real pilots. And of course this makes sense, as you can provide the needed logic in the mission editor to have an AI aircraft attack a ground target.

But as important as the JTAC role is, it would be nice if the CA player with fog of war turned on could get into position and call Ai aircraft on station for the attack once he finds the target. Naturally this would include all the routine radio communications between Ai pilot/JTAC for immersion. The SP community is a very important segment to ED I am sure, and this would be seen as a really nice addition.

[DTS_Maton]

i don,t know if this is in the works but having a proper datalink between a combat arms player and planes able to receive datalink info would be great

currently i use the chat function in multiplayer for that, like hey guys there is a THOR at MGRS coordinates !!! watch for orange smoke 

if i could pull up a window in JTAC binoculars and send a nine line message that can be received by planes suchs as the harrier, A10, F16 , F18 capable of receiving datalink messages either players or AI would really build on the interacting between ground forces and airpower

[Callsign112]

+1. Yeah either as part of the binocular view, or as part  of the "/" command menu. It makes sense to me that something along the lines of what you are suggesting would be the intended direction of ED anyway as CA use is probably the one universal military doctrine the world over. Naming a module "Combined Arms" just doesn't cut it without the intention of making it an overarching part of the simulated game play iMO.

[NineLine]

Yes, JTAC for AI Aircraft is something I want and have requested, I dont have a timeline, but I think it could be super fun for CA.

[WarbossPetross]

And not just CA, it doesn't really matter whether the controller is in a ground unit or not. Say, if I'm flying a plane with an A-A load-out and a pod and I find a good ground target that I can't strike myself, then I would like to be able to guide someone onto it right now instead of landing, respawning in another aircraft and returning only to find the target long gone. Why not teach the bots to attack the laser dot if kittens and players in multiplayer have no problem doing it?

[Callsign112]

Well you can control ground units from a plane if you have CA, but I don't know if that also includes other planes. Certainly shouldn't be a problem to add it if it doesn't.

[FlankerKiller]

1qqqWe really need the ability to buddy lase with our wingmen. One in real life targeting pods are expensive. They also eat up a pylon. It would make more sense to have one or two in a flight, and then use those to Target for other aircraft. What are that's attacking a laser spot, or sending GPS coordinates via the data link. Also it would be really great if both players in the AI could call in artillery. Those pods can see a long way, and they might just be able to see into somewhere that you can't go. But if you have artillery units on the ground they can reach that spot they might be able to open the door for you. Also you have limited ordinance. Reconnaissance and artillery spotting are as old as military aviation. This kind of thing is especially important with scout helicopters. Which again if it ever releases is going to give us a reason to want to be able to act as an airborne JTAC. The Apache can, and dose buddy lase. So again having the ability to have a wingman attack a target that you are lasing is going to be a needed capability. Also if the fucking AV8B's AI was worth a <profanity> this would be a big deal. As you can only take off verticaly with so much weight. So again not everyone gets a pod, as that is Ordnance you could be carrying. Just my two cents