Ships cannot use "Attack Group" for land targets.

[norman99]

Maybe this should be in the mission editor bugs section?

Ships capable of land attack (such as US ships with tomahawks) cannot use the "Attack Group" option. Currently in the ME, with this option selected, a land group selected as the target, and everything else set to AUTO, ships do not fire. Weapon selection choice only has "Standard ASM"  as an option, so it looks like the tomahawk is unavailable, and hence nothing happens.

When changing to "Fire at Point", Cruise Missile becomes a weapons option, and the ships fire as tasked.

The problem with "Fire at Point" is it is unsuitable for attacking a group of units, such as a large fixed SAM site like an SA-5. Each individual unit (launcher, radars, command vans, etc) needs to be assigned manually, and the missile quantity's closely controlled or the ships proceed to unload their entire battery on the one spot.

"Attack Group" should be available to enable easy targeting of a group with multiple units, again, such as a SAM site. This would alleviate having to target every unit manually, and help control the number of missiles used.

Edited May 10, 2022 by norman99

[Ironhand]

I might be wrong (and often am) but isn’t that how cruise missiles work in RL? They are launched at a fixed set of coordinates (fire at point).

[norman99]

Sort of, yes.

Early model Tomahawks exclusively used terrain contour mapping and imagery comparison systems for their terminal phase. These were extremely accurate, but had many limitations, such as requiring accurate, fixed launch positions. Also, planning for one individual missile would take at least 24 hours, and up to 80 hours if new satellite imagery was needed first. Later model Tomahawks had improved GPS/INS systems, and allowed for re-targeting post launch.

DCS doesn’t simulate any of these details, nor does it need to. Cruise missiles like the Tomahawk are primarily included for mission builders to add verity and create realistic scenarios. Having the ability to use the “Attack Group” function wouldn’t change the final outcome, it would just make mission design 100x easier.

[Ironhand]

Ahhh…now I understand what you’re trying to achieve.

[The Stick]

Tried the "Attack Group" option last evening as my SEAD flight element of 6 Hornets and 4 Vipers was getting decimated by a combination S-200 and 300's   - no joy.

Back to "Fire at Point" though I find it rather quirky that even if you select "Attack Group", it doesn't function .