Putting AWACS in missions

[Bahger]

I thought I'd use an AWACS in my next mission, and challenge the player to input AWACS bullseye readouts into the CDU and create offset markpoints.

 

I'm a bit fuzzy on what kind of "service" the AWACS can provide for an A-10 flight. It calls out ground targets as well as air targets, right? If so, what kind? Stationary as well as moving? Obviously you do not give AWACS specific targets in the ME -- or so I assume -- so what are the criteria for its selection of objects to call out?

 

I'd be grateful if someone could clarify, many thanks.

[Frederf]

E-3 or E-2 are huge flying radars and are limited to their detection of airborne targets by altitude and target cross section as you'd expect. It's an entirely automated process of acquiring and reporting targets though. The checklist is short:

 

1. AWACS near the target

2. Task is currently AWACS

3. User is on the specified AM frequency

 

It could probably pick up a bomber at 200nm a fighter at 100nm and a helicopter down low at less. It only reports enemy coalition stuff afaik.

[Bahger]

Funnt, I could have sworn I heard AWACS calling out ground targets but that might have been in YouTube videos of missions made with customised voice triggers.

[Backy 51]

Don't confuse AWACS with JSTARS. AWACS has onboard Air Weapons Controllers that direct fighter aircraft to intercepts as well as provide threat calls on enemy aircraft to any Allied/Coalition aircraft monitoring AWACS freq.

 

JSTARS identifies, tracks and relays ground target info to strike aircraft ... think of JSTARS as "Uber AFAC"

[Bahger]

Huh... Embarrassing to confess but I did not realise that JSTARS was modelled in DCS A-10. Which aircraft can be given a JSTARS role?

[nomdeplume]

JSTARS isn't in the sim. You can assign FAC tasks to aircraft, in which case they essentially act as an 'airborne JTAC', i.e. you check-in with them and receive tasking instructions in the usual fashion.

 

All friendly aircraft will report ground contacts when they're detected. I don't see any reason AWACS aircraft couldn't, although they tend to fly very high and their sensors aren't optimised for detecting ground targets. They also shouldn't be anywhere near the front lines...

 

Possibly what you've seen in videos is friendly flights reporting targets (e.g. armor, sam, etc. and a bullseye reference). Not quite the same as what AWACS provides, as the AI won't re-report already reported contacts.

 

For game purposes, AWACS is only useful if there's enemy aircraft in the mission. They can provide you with their location so you don't get caught by surprise - although I find the AWACS notifications often come too late. The A-10 is pretty slow so you need a good head start if you're to run away.

[sorcer3r]

Huh... Embarrassing to confess but I did not realise that JSTARS was modelled in DCS A-10. Which aircraft can be given a JSTARS role?

 

Yesterdy I have played your mission "The Bear Came Over The Mountain" (nice work btw :thumbup: ).

After destroying the artillery the predator drone is not longer avaiable as AFAC. But the predator transmits the bullseye coordinates of the remaining armor etc. via radio.

 

I guess on this way should a "JSTARS" mission be possible.

[Bahger]

Hey Sorcer3r, your English is good, much better than my German.

 

Yes, AFACs can only be tasked with one JTAC assignment -- theoretically they can do more but I haven't got it to work yet -- so their ability to linger and call out bullseye coordinates on remaining targets is often very useful. This is exactly what I am going to do in my new .miz.