Suggestions for Enhanced Ground Force Functionality and Realism in DCS

[rgk86cavalry]

Hello DCS Community,

As we strive for greater immersion and realism in DCS World, I wanted to share ideas on how ground forces and asymmetric warfare elements could be improved to enhance tactical complexity and realism in missions, especially in modern, urban, and Middle Eastern settings. Below are some concepts that could bring a new level of depth to combined arms operations.

---

1. Enhanced AI Logic and Tactical Awareness for Ground Units

Ground forces could benefit from AI that assesses surroundings dynamically, making tactical decisions on the fly. Instead of staying static, units would move to cover, set up defensive positions, and prepare for engagement based on the enemy’s location and strength.

2. Intelligence Gathering and Recon Capabilities

Ground forces could take on recon and surveillance roles, actively scanning for threats, reporting enemy movements, and relaying intelligence to command. This would create real-time battlefield awareness and give air assets meaningful coordination objectives.

3. Waypoint and Objective Setting

Players could set specific waypoints and objectives for ground forces, such as clearing buildings, securing areas, or advancing to strategic points. This would allow for more precise ground control and open up combined arms coordination.

4. Dynamic Engagement Tactics

Ground units could use adaptive tactics like flanking, setting ambushes, or falling back when overwhelmed. This would make engagements more fluid and realistic and require air assets to coordinate effectively.

5. Patrol and Security Duties

Ground units could take on autonomous patrols, securing perimeters or acting as sentries, giving them more roles in support and reconnaissance missions and providing more opportunities for players to coordinate with them.

6. Infiltration and Exfiltration Skills

Units could adopt stealth tactics to infiltrate or move tactically through high-threat zones, using cover and concealment to avoid detection until engagement is necessary. This would add a layer of realism to recon and direct-action missions.

7. Improved Pathfinding and Terrain Awareness

Ground forces would navigate urban, rural, and forested areas more intelligently, using terrain for cover instead of taking exposed direct routes. This would enhance their effectiveness in complex terrain.

8. Command and Control Options for Players

Enhanced command options like “hold,” “advance,” “take cover,” or “secure area” would allow players to coordinate with ground forces, creating a more seamless command-and-control experience.

9. Specialized Ground Unit Roles

Introduce units with specific capabilities, such as:

Forward Observers: Relay precise enemy positions for air support.

Combat Engineers: Detect and clear mines or IEDs.

JTAC Units: Designate targets for CAS.

Sniper Teams: Take up concealed positions to eliminate key threats.

10. Asymmetric Warfare: IEDs, Car Bombs, and Insurgent Tactics

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): Include IEDs as hidden hazards in urban and rural settings. These would require recon, route planning, and sometimes even ground dismounts to detect and neutralize.

Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs): Implement car bombs and insurgent vehicles with explosive payloads that could target both air and ground forces, making it necessary to exercise caution in populated areas.

Insurgent Tactics and Ambushes: Enemy forces could use guerrilla tactics, blending with civilians, setting up ambushes, and utilizing hit-and-run methods. They could also react based on player actions, actively setting up new defenses or reinforcements as the battle progresses.

11. Civilian Dynamics and Collateral Consequences

Civilian populations could react to player actions, and collateral damage could impact mission success, reputation, and interactions with locals. Civilians might rally to support insurgents if mistreated, creating complex ROE scenarios.

12. Autonomous Tactical Reactions

Ground forces should automatically react to situations, such as explosions or sudden enemy encounters, by repositioning, calling for air support, or requesting reinforcements if equipped with communications.

13. Optional Ground Missions and Side Objectives

AI-controlled ground units could carry out secondary tasks, like securing supply routes or assisting civilians, adding a sense of a larger, integrated battlefield. Players would feel they’re part of a more complex and multi-layered operation.

14. Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Medical Support

When ground units take casualties, they could call for MEDEVAC support, creating new objectives for players to extract the wounded, adding depth to transport and logistics missions.

15. Expanded Mission Debriefing

A detailed debrief could provide feedback on ground unit actions, intel gathered, collateral impacts, and areas successfully secured. This would help players refine their coordination with ground units and adapt their strategies for future missions.

---

Closing Thoughts

Implementing these features would transform ground forces into essential assets on the battlefield, actively contributing to intelligence gathering, securing objectives, and supporting aerial operations. Adding asymmetrical threats like IEDs, VBIEDs, and insurgent tactics would make modern combat scenarios far more complex and immersive. These changes could bring DCS closer to a fully integrated simulation of modern warfare and enhance the combined arms experience significantly.

Looking forward to your feedback!