Shared Laser Code with A-10C

[Smokin Hole]

I'd considered posting this on the Warthog channel. Somehow I didn't think the idea would fly there. Maybe it won't here either. My request is this: dedicate a single A-10C laser code to allow LSS reception of a Ka50 laze. Logic says the mere thought should be DOA because it would destroy the purity of the study sim concept of the DCS series. And yes that's true. But think of what it would do for online co-op missions. It would allow live helo pilots a more active, cooperative role in the battlefield. Anyway, I don't need to explain further. I just wanted to see what others thought.

[robmlufc]

I was just thinking about that this morning!! I don't think an a10 could lase for a BS but in theory you should be able to the other way round using LSS.

[Smokin Hole]

Well it would only be possible if ED assigned a laser code for reception of the Ka50 laser. Maybe the ka50 already transmits a signal readable by the TGP but I highly doubt it. Otherwise we, as Ka50 pilots, are left with smoke rockets and awkward ERBL coordinate handoffs. Not much fun IMO.

[power5]

I think it would be fun. Missions to sneak in and destroy AAA on your way to get to your holding point for lasing of the primary target. Have to get to the holding point in time as the A10s are inbound so no lollygaging about. Would not really need smoke rockets if you were lasing the target. A10 would be able to pick it up and drop a LGB directly on your target. Or, the A10 could pick up the target point and use its own laser to designate and drop.

[xjiks]

If that doesn't exist for real, then ED won't make it. Also, there's no proof that DCSBS and DCSA10 will be compatible some day...

[robmlufc]

Just need a code for the shark!

[GGTharos]

They might not even be using lasers in the same or similar frequency, and there's no telling how the code itself is encoded either.

[Lixma 06]

I realise, and appreciate, that ED are sticklers for accuracy....but seriously, show me the person who would actually complain about such a cool feature being implemented and i'll show you a complete and utter git.

 

And if and when ED release a Western helicopter the A-10/BS inter-lase feature could be quietly put to bed, I suppose.

 

Great idea.

[Smokin Hole]

They might not even be using lasers in the same or similar frequency, and there's no telling how the code itself is encoded either.

 

Well I know how it works (pardon, but I don't know Lua script). In Eric-script it's:

 

A10 "A" lazes with code 1688 / A10 "B" sets code 1688 = "B" sees what "A" designates.

 

Let's not take the simulation thing too seriously. It's not as if a laser is being fired and the TGP (as modeled by DCS) is reading the wavelenth. This is just code and anything is possible. It almost certainly won't be done and I completely sympathize with why. But lots not pretend that the magic is actually taking place.

[robmlufc]

Might be worth having a look through some lua files to see if there is any mention of laser codes or frequency. I've a feeling they will be hidden deep in the BS engine though

[GGTharos]

Let's not take the simulation thing too seriously.

 

Burn, heathen! :D

 

It's not as if a laser is being fired and the TGP (as modeled by DCS) is reading the wavelenth. This is just code and anything is possible. It almost certainly won't be done and I completely sympathize with why. But lots not pretend that the magic is actually taking place.

 

There was nothing in my statement about lasers actually being fired in your PC (that'd be neat, huh?). Since you know the reason for which it likely won't be done, that's pretty much all there is to it.

[Smokin Hole]

Yeah it's a pipe dream, I know.

 

Which begs the greater heathenistic question, where's DCS going? We will soon have two excellent, amazing, and highly sophisticated simulators that share nothing but the Editor and the DCS name? Are these two sims serving two separate online communities by design? I'd love a Kiowa. I'd also love a gold plated toilet seat. Neither will ever happen. So I'm stuck with a Ka50 that's being left behind by the new kid on the block with no functional battlefield connection to it. Was such a thing ever promised? No. But I did the dangerous thing and assumed...

Edited November 4, 2010 by Smokin Hole

[Speed]

I think it would be worth it to put it in the game. Realistic? Not really, but if you don't like it, then don't do it.

[Grimes]

Yeah, its one of those things. It might not be realistic but from a gameplay perspective it gives players a logical reason to use both A-10C and Ka-50 in a given situation to work together. Its not like ED hasn't made concessions to realism in the past.... KA-50 AND A-10C available for ALL countries ring a bell? Besides if you guys implement achievements, yall could make buddy lasing an achievement for all those achievement whores out there.

 

Reminds me of the KH-41 on the Su-33 in FC2. It was uber unrealistic, but it added another feature to distinguish the Su-33 with the Su-27. Besides.... removing the only playable aircraft that could do anti-ship operations pretty much removes that whole mission type from possible scenarios. It existed and was used... although not that much in FC1.12. With the release of FC2 this feature got axed.

[Moa]

Although the Ka-50 cannot share laser codes with NATO laser designators (AFAIK) I believe the Georgian Su-25KM Scorpion may have the capability (since it was modified by Israel's Elbit Systems to be 'NATO' compliant, but maybe that's avionics only). Can anyone confirm this (do we have any Georgian or South Russian/Adygean simmers here?).

Edited November 4, 2010 by Moa

[Dejjvid]

Anyhow, just toss in the ability for mission creators to enable it with a checkbox. If you don't want it, disable it.

 

We have 'GAME' modes in both BS and W, how's that for full realism? So let us, the customers, decide if we want to use buddy lasing. It can't be that hard to implement, but would open up so many opportunitys. And most important of all, it will extend the life of BS alot.

[bogusheadbox]

Besides if you guys implement achievements, yall could make buddy lasing an achievement for all those achievement whores out there.

 

 

If DCS brings in acheivements, it better for for GAME settings only. No need for that crap in a simulation.

[SNAFU]

Yeah it's a pipe dream, I know.

Which begs the greater heathenistic question, where's DCS going? We will soon have two excellent, amazing, and highly sophisticated simulators that share nothing but the Editor and the DCS name?

To stick with the call for realism, I would say yes. I really hope for the update of the Ka-50, for the improved AI, the ME and the new map.

But having the Ka-50 online compatible with the A-10C is as useless as having it online compatible with FC2 planes, if you call for realism. There is no realistic szenario in which A-10C and Ka-50 would meet each other, on which side ever, so what?

But lets be flexible...

Prefering the comfort of a One-G armchair, a drink in reach and the assurance that I can end my war beeing with a click on my mouse, I would love the SiFic-Compromise for a team work option of DCS:BS and DCS:WH, otherwise I don´t see a point in makeing the 2 sims compatible for online playing.

Edited November 5, 2010 by SNAFU

[swift]

What if we could share the coordinates over voice radio? Imagine this: the KA-50 pilot lock a target, and a new radio voice call menu entry is created dynamically so he can radio broadcast the coordinates to the team.

 

Basically create a new voice radio menu where you can share the coordinates where the laser is pointing.

Edited November 5, 2010 by swift

[EtherealN]

So I'm stuck with a Ka50 that's being left behind by the new kid on the block with no functional battlefield connection to it. Was such a thing ever promised? No. But I did the dangerous thing and assumed...

 

Actually, you are still making assumptions. ;)

[Grimes]

If DCS brings in acheivements, it better for for GAME settings only. No need for that crap in a simulation.

 

You would be surprised at how legit and useful achievements can be... even for a flight sim. For starters its implementation would require extra code to parse mission log information, thus paving the way for universal stats. They also hold a high value to developers who can look at the hard statistical data and learn more about their audiences gaming habits. Sales are one thing, but data on how players use the product is quite useful. I'm sure someone at ED has been curious of what percentage of players manually start up the aircraft vs using auto-start. The most powerful use is that they are mission independent goals for players to achieve. ED could use achievements to encourage players to learn new aspects of the sim, or to experience it differently.

 

Wait a minute.

Who put that soap box there? And why was I standing on it?

 

Anyways achievements can be good even for the most hardest core of flight sims.

 

Back on topic.

 

I kinda hope at the very least the KA-50, Human JTAC, and A-10C get built in cross flight context sensitive radio communications via the menues for multiplayer. Specifically for the purpose of sending coordinates and other info to another player without having to use both hands to type a message. If we can't have have laser designation due to realism, then we ought to have common radio communications.

[Tucano_uy]

... lasers actually being fired in your PC (that'd be neat, huh?).

 

There are in mine, I have a DVD-ROM :D

[Tucano_uy]

. There is no realistic szenario in which A-10C and Ka-50 would meet each other, on which side ever, so what?

 

 

I wouldn't just stick to a scenario that might be realistic at a given historical moment, we never know what would happen in a couple of years.

 

That reminds me of the Iranian F-14s or Venezuelan F-16s.

[Mnemonic]

I think shared laser of Ka-50 and A-10C would be very good feature as an option. Some servers can turn it on, some - off.

But this would definitely connect both aircrafts together on one battlefield.

 

C'mon ED already give Ka-50 to USA, and A-10C to Russia, why not to make shared laser as a separate option? :huh:

[Kalrasha Cryton]

Maybe not a A 10 laser, but a Su 27 lazer might fly, seeing as it's a russian bird and all.