Flying Formations in DCS: Are We (Also) Doing It Wrong?

[graveyard4DCS]

After a previous post on runway attacks — “Is (Almost) Everyone Doing It Wrong???” — I thought it was time to look at another area where fundamentals are often misunderstood: formation flying.

Yes, it’s fun to fly tight and get the perfect screenshot, but tactical formations aren’t about looking good — they’re about mutual support, survivability, and combat performance. And just like with runway strikes, a lot of DCS players are unintentionally flying in ways that greatly reduce their effectiveness.

This post intends to highlight two of the most common mistakes that show up again and again in MP flights and training servers.

Tactical 2-Ship Formations: Quick Overview

• Line Abreast: the default combat geometry. Both aircraft fly side by side, offering full radar separation, 360° visual coverage, and flexibility for offensive or defensive turns.

• Wedge: wingman is 30–45° back and offset. More maneuverable, better for terrain or fluid situations, but reduces rearward lookout — especially for the wingman.

• Fighting Wing: tight and offset behind the lead. Works for training, weather, or short strike runs, but has nearly no place in contested airspace. Limits visibility, and reaction time.

Common Mistake 1: Flying Too Close

Flying tight may look sharp, but in combat it kills effectiveness. The wingman becomes fixated on avoiding the lead, leaving little mental bandwidth for scanning threats or managing weapons. Visual scan collapses. Radar coverage overlaps. Mutual support disappears.

Tactical spacing should allow:

• A break turn toward your six without risk of collision.
• Enough distance to remain outside minimum range for your own weapons.

As a rule: the faster and higher you go, the more spacing you need. 1.5 –2.5 Nm at low level is normal. At altitude or during supersonic cruise, 4–5 Nm may be required.

If you're flying that close in combat, you're too close...

Common Mistake 2: Flying on the Wrong Side

Wingman position is tactical, not cosmetic. You're not just mirroring your lead — you’re scanning a specific part of the sky. The wingman is responsible for a visual and radar sector. Flying on the wrong side creates blind zones and ruins mutual support.

Here’s how to choose the correct side:

•     If there's a known threat — fly opposite.
•     If not — position opposite the most significant air traffic.
•     Still nothing? — avoid terrain hazards like antennas or cities.
•     Clean airspace? — fly opposite the sun. That old trick of diving out of the sun still works, especially when nobody’s watching.

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Edited 7 hours ago by graveyard4DCS

[Mr_sukebe]

Great post, thanks.