My Wingman problem!

[Latitude]

I am working my way through the campaigns and learning more about this great game as I go. One perplexing problem, which has stalled me, is how to get my wingman to follow orders.

 

For example, whilst trying to complete the 'Dusk' mission I really do need to get this guy to take out some parked armour. Getting him to attack the required targets is proving very problematic. I have flown this mission a couple of dozen times now (always on full realism) and never quite managed to take out all the armour (I run out of ammo). He does not seem to respond at all to datalink commands and most of the time will simply reply with either 'negative' or 'unable'. I have had some success by asking him to 'attack my target' or 'attack ground targets' and even 'attack my enemy' but only occasionally. What I need him to do is attack the parked tanks and help me out a bit. I assumed that if I locked onto a tank and datalinked to him that he has to attack the same target 'type' in the 'target area' he would do so - but no chance, his response is either 'negative' or 'unable'. Am I missing something?

Thanks, any advice appreciated.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Latitude

[bill]

i have found that when that happens, the targets may be in range but behind either a mountain or you cant get a clear view to the target. if you can see the image of the target in your left screen and can get a shoot cue, then have your wingman attack and he should..also before your flight, check load outs on your aircraft and his..he may have expended his ordinance

bill

[Panzertard]

I'm almost successful at ordering the AI wingmen to attack "armor" or "AA" - just using radio - and always without sending them any coordinates via Datalink.

But - you must always ensure that they have spotted the targets. Most of the time's I've alloved the Wingman just to follow me in - close enough so they can spot the targets.

 

In th Dusk mission it might be a bit hard for them to see the targets - just bring them along with you. Try send them scouting ahead of you, if they report anything (targets) this means they spotted some targets and they should be smart enough to find the rest over there too.

[sweinhart3]

I had a lot of problems with that mission but mostly cause wingman or myself always got shot down. After getting a little hint I got it after one try and it seemed so easy. I always ran out of ammo long before the mission completed so you definitely need wingman help. I decided not to bother with anything other than just the target area. Just not enough ammo to go around. I forget what direction your facing on ingress but I stayed well on the left side of the target where the road turns inland over the town. I shot the 3 AA units on that part of the road and 1 nearest the target. Used the rest of my ammo on target and made sure wingman stayed in formation and didnt engage anything. Once my ammo was expended there was less than half of the main target units left. I then data linked the targets and had wingman attack by target group. I also found out that even tho the targets are tanks of some type they die easy even with gunfire. Stay just outside of missle range and you should be all good. Dont wander off to the southern part of town if you know whats good for you lol.

Edited September 13, 2009 by sweinhart3

[Latitude]

Thanks to: bill, Panzertard & sweinhart3, you have given me a few ideas. I will post again when I have had the chance to put them into practice.

[Latitude]

'Dusk' campaign mission - success at last!

 

Thanks again for all comments and in particular sweinhart3 (solved it immediately after reading your post).

 

OK, I finally cracked this one as follows:

 

Approached the enemy supply base from the opposite side of the river using the hill for cover.

Used one of my guided missiles to take out the SAM launcher between me and the target (initially tried with cannon but to not much effect).

Did not attempt to use my wingman at all, yet, just kept him with me.

As soon as I was near enough to lock onto the tanks in the target area I started taking out the row of heavy armour using missiles.

As posted earlier, when I tried to get my wingman to accept datalink target requests I had no success at all - I tried several times, only to get the reply, 'negative' or 'unable' (I'm still puzzled by this???)

When I had finished off the heavy armour I moved on to the light tanks and BMPs. By now I was almost out of missiles and I really needed help from my wingman. In desperation I tried 'locking onto targets, individually (in the target area) and asking him by radio to 'attack my target'

This did the trick. Although he would not accept requests to attack target groups in the target area he did seem OK with individual requests? So, each time he actioned my individual requests until he ran out of missiles (I guess). Then he did what he has done before and left me to it and flew away. Using my remaining guided missiles (and the unguided ones) plus cannon I managed to finish off the rest of the targets - Only a few cannon rounds left at the end.

 

Couple of final points: It is very easy to get shot down in this mission, so I had to stay low and keep my distance. Also it is necessary to employ counter measures quickly (launch flares) when SAMs are fired.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Edit: Just some clarification on my comments concerning my inability to get my wingman to attack Data-linked targets. I have since found that this was due to my inexperience with the ABRIS. I was not entering the data into memory correctly. All is well now. Thanks again.

Edited September 20, 2009 by Latitude
My data link error!