What is the best way to learn JTAC/datalink?

[Bahger]

Is there a ready-made mission devoted to this -- I haven't noticed one amongst the training missions -- or a standard mission that serves as a good platform for learning JTAC/datalink? If not, what might be the best way to set up a user-made mission devoted to this, in other words, what elements would I need to incorporate in the Editor (apart from player/wingman and target)?

 

As always, many thanks for the assist.

[skouras]

ANYONE

Edited November 9, 2010 by skouras

[Revelation]

Bahger, I have quite a bit of experience with setting up a JTAC in the ME. If no one responds with a clear explanation before I get home from work, I will give you a detailed run down.

 

I just want to reference the correct menu options to post a detailed explanation.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Relax dude ;) Don't expect a reaction in 10 minutes, work, school etc: real life factors in :)

 

I would like to know this as well.

[Bahger]

Hey Revelation, that is very kind of you. I have limited time for experimentation (wife, kids, all the usual reasons) so some kind of organised approach really works for me. And let me know if I can reciprocate; so far I have mastered the basics of the ME and have made (but not yet published) a mission that is useful for practicing with Mavericks against moving convoys, wingman commands and randomised threat evasion (with some help from SEAD).

 

Thanks for the useful vids, Skouras. ExcessiveHeadspace's video tutorials are superb.

[MemphisBelle]

I would like to know this as well.

 

yup, me too...

[Revelation]

Ok, first off I'm working on video tutorials, so bare with me on a text/image tutorial.

 

Here's the "big picture" for now:

 

 

 

To get a JFAC/JTAC working during a mission you have to look at a few important things. Ultimately decide how the player learns of the JFAC and target locations.

 

In the examples below, the players receives a message that informs him/her that enemy armor is approaching and that they are to proceed to UTM coordinates. In the below picture the message is triggered by a "trigger" at the pilots waypoint 2 - not visible.

 

 

The message in the screen shot is in the message box on the right side of the SS. It gives the player UTM coordinates; you have to manually input coordinates in this manner.

 

In my mission I have the JFAC "enabled" after the player reaches the the "trigger" labeled Activate Firefly. I don't want the player doing anything until directed to do so. In fact everything you see, is actually hidden from the player - initially.

 

 

The trigger at Steerpoint 2(not visible) will also activate the attacking force.

 

 

You can see by this trigger that I don't want ANYTHING in this area to operate before the right time.

 

 

To get to the details about the JFAC:

 

There are a couple of values that HAVE to be enabled for the JFAC to work, and they have to be done in the right order.

 

First off, you need to assign it a "callsign" and a "frequency." If you click on the unit, in this case a Armored HMMVV, you will see an Advanced button on the bottom right of the page. Click ADD to get your options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above images go over a couple of the options. You do not have to set your JFAC to immortal or invisible. I did in this mission because I want the JFAC to NOT be engaged/killed by the enemy and give directions to the player.

 

Your frequency you can be set to any number, at least that I've found. It does have to be an FM frequency if you select FM or an AM frequency if you set it to AM. The callsign will be selected from a drop down menu; pick any one of the options.

 

After you have setup the JFAC, it's time to tell it what target you want it to have the palyer engage. When you click "Perform Task"

then select "JFAC - ATTACK GROUP." Upon doing so, you can click on the unit/group you want to tell the player to attack.

 

At this time if you assign more than one target, which you can, for the JFAC to instruct the player to attack your game will crash. If you need to have more than one group attacked, then you set the first JFAC to deactivate once it's targets are destroyed by the player. You then have a new JFAC Activate once the group is dead and it can be assigned to direct the player to another set of targets.

 

This is a small work around for the time being, I'm sure it will be fixed in the future. In the weapons drop down list, you can specify the type of weapon. You can specify simply guided or unguided. You can select GBU's Mavericks, etc...

 

I leave it on auto so it's simply done and I don't have to worry about it, unless the mission calls for it. If the mission is at night, the JFAC will automatically activate it's laser designator.

 

With triggers, you can have smoke appear at or near your target, to simulate the JFAC marking it. You can have this as a Radio Menu option - I'm still learning those. You can also have flares, explosions, etc... appear anywhere for your mission based on triggers/flags.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Revelation

[Bahger]

This is GREAT. Thanks!

 

Quick question before I get into this in earnest: Does JTAC (with the 9-line command structure) require the placement of certain objects in the ME to get it working in a training/test mission?

Edited November 9, 2010 by Bahger

[Revelation]

This is GREAT. Thanks!

 

Quick question before I get into this in earnest: Does JTAC (with the 9-line command structure) require the placement of certain objects in the ME to get it working in a training/test mission?

 

 

The 9-Line is automatic. It is based off of a script that runs "behind" the sim. You can't alter it, at least to my knowledge of the ME so far. The 9-Line will represent whatever targets your JFAC is "assigned" in the ME to tell the player to attack.

[JHepburn]

:clap_2:

 

Well done!

[Revelation]

Video Tutorial:

 

https://files.me.com/jrainier/45o2ja

[kylania]

Thanks for video, made it real clear and looks like a fun mission!

 

Also thanks for the 'how to pick a weapon' and 'only one target per JTAC' hints, I was wondering about those.

[Revelation]

Anytime, and like I said in the video, if there's anything else you want to see let me know. My next mission is more complex and it has a few more features in the ME implemented.

[spn]

The 9-Line is automatic. It is based off of a script that runs "behind" the sim. You can't alter it, at least to my knowledge of the ME so far. The 9-Line will represent whatever targets your JFAC is "assigned" in the ME to tell the player to attack.

 

 

I just created a JTAC and set up a light mission with the targets I assigned to the JTAC. It worked very well. Look up the following post."Creating JTAC Units (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=60681.

 

This helped me out a lot.

 

spn

[kylania]

I just created a JTAC and set up a light mission with the targets I assigned to the JTAC. It worked very well. Look up the following post."Creating JTAC Units (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=60681.

 

This helped me out a lot.

 

spn

 

Share your mission please? :)

[vincentb]

Anytime, and like I said in the video, if there's anything else you want to see let me know. My next mission is more complex and it has a few more features in the ME implemented.

 

thank you for taking the time!

[Bulletstop]

Awesome Job Rev, rep inb.

 

 

Bullet

[Nightmare]

THx!

But......You can not upload the video on Youtube?

[26-J39]

I started to fiddle with this recently and made a training scenario, nothing special ... One problem i find is the FAC will only assign u 1 target.. no response on the radio after u destroy the assigned target. (been posted before, can't remember where) In my miz I have AFAC helo's guiding u to targets, to get around the "1 tgt prob" I put 3 x OH-58D's as AFAC.. This was so you can contact a different FAC for different tgt's.. Not ideal but a work around atm. Just thought i'd share if it helps any1.

 

Freq:FM 105,135,155

 

Btw: Not sure why people are using JTAC and AFAC in the same mission/scenario ? I ask cauz my knowledge is limited here

FAC test.miz

Edited November 10, 2010 by 26-J39

[andysim]

yea Jtac goes silent for me too Im pretty sure its a know issue and ive posted before on this in Beta forums

[Revelation]

When I get home, long day today, I will upload the video to Youtube as requested. I will also create another video detailing a work-around for the JFAC issue; one where the player has no idea multiple JFACs are involved.

 

I'm also going to create a video showing how to use Radio Messages that the player has to select to progress further or branch the mission in a different direction. That one should be ready late Friday, and yes I'll post to YouTube for that one as well.

 

Stay tuned.

 

 

Again, if you have requests, feel free to ask away.

[Mule]

look forward to it cheers!

[Revelation]

OK..

 

So here's the first video uploaded to Youtube. The second video is getting converted now and will be uploaded shortly.

 

[Revelation]

Thanks for your patience all...

 

Here's the video showing you how you can have multiple JFACs in a mission and have it appear as one to the player.

 

[skouras]

excellent work Revelation...