how to add blue SAM site to a default Campaign mission

[Zenga]

Hi all,

 

I'm starting to play around with the Mission Editor now. I've made my way through the Mission Editor manual (downloaded from the "user files" section on the DCS page), but I still have some difficulties to get the desired result.

 

What I actually want to do is simply add a Patriot site at my own airfield. I managed to place the required vehicles there, although I'm not completely sure which units are essential and which are not (there are so many different units with "Patriot" in its unit name).

 

My biggest issue is that the units doesn't fire when there are enemy planes within the Patriots effective range. They appear to be inactive in a way. Even worse, the enemy AI (a Su-25 in this case) immediatly commenced a successfull attack on my newly created SAM site. The Patriots were so close to my own airfield, that the Su-25s also detected me an my wingman still on the apron starting up our aircrafts from "cold-and-dark" state. We both were destroyed by the Su-25 before my INS was fully aligned...

 

Can someone assist how to deploy and activate a friendly Patriot unit? I don't want too complicated triggers, it should just be active from Mission start on and ROE should be "weapons free" so it engages each enemy plane within the Patriots range.

 

In case deployment of a rather complex weapons systems such as the Patriot might be too complicated, I can also live with any other SAM site that has a range of up to 30NM and can engage enemy planes in low-to-medium altitude.

 

Thx in advance!

Zenga

Edited December 27, 2011 by Zenga

[Zenga]

update:

 

I managed to deploy active Chapparal and Linebacker SAM Units in the field and they actively engage enemy planes/helicopters in range. Great!

 

However, I still did not manage to deploy more sophisticated radar-guided SAM sites such as the Hawk or Patriot. I deploy them correctly as one unit group, consisting of all required units (in case of the Hawk: 1xSR, 1xTR and 3x Launcher). There definitely have been enemy planes within their effective range and there has been a direct, unmasked line-of-sight between the SAM site and the enemy, yet it does not fire any single missile. Instead, the enemy planes detect the potential threat (which in fact is none :huh:) and hence engages it right away successfully.

 

Is there any major difference in deploying radar-guided SAMs in contrast to IR guided ones? When I don't create any triggers or advanced waypoint settings, are they supossed to be active from mission start on and autonomously engage any enemy plane within range?

 

I'm sorry for all these questions, but the mission editor manual is not very specific when it comes to SAM deployment, it just speaks generally about ground units.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Zenga

[Jona33]

What you are doing sounds right to be honest. If you post a mission where you see this happening can you post it here. (Click Go advanced and then the paperclip icon just in case you didn't know).

 

As to differences between IR and radar SAM's IR sams have a shorter range and are generally placed further forward as they'll be smaller and more mobile. Stuff like the patriot is heavy and will be deployed to cover airbases at long range. They are also easier to find since they are generally static or not moving much and they'll show up on RWR.

 

EDIT: The patriot can only track 55 degrees to each side of it's heading (the STR this is). I'm using Danny V's template and they engage fine when I changed the unit's heading. The Georgian BUK radars have a 360 degree since the radar rotates which means you only need one. Put one of everything with patriot down, check the radars are pointing towards where the enemy are coming from (you can use more than one) and add more launchers. Should work.

Edited December 28, 2011 by Jona33

[Megagoth1702]

Attach a mission of yours...

 

You seem to make everything right - all needed units in one group...

 

Check the SKILL setting!

 

In a test flight of mine following happened:

SA-10 (monster RU SAM :D) vs. F18 SEAD.

 

SA-10 skill average + f18 skill exellent -> F18 fires agm 88c even before sam site launches.

 

SA skill exellent + f18 skill exellent -> sam site fires first, F18 evades fire, launches upon sam site. in the end both die.

 

But well - yeah, skill setting is very important.

 

I have seen a SA-6 site throw all their rockets into the ground on "average" and kill every single target on "exellent".

 

Experiment. :)

[Zenga]

Jona33 and Megagoth1702,

 

thank you two for your replies. I got the Patriot now working fine, just as desired!

 

Turned out I had the radar unit placed in the opposite direction (the front of the trailer was looking towards the target area, but not the radar antenna itself which is mounted in the opposite direction on the back). I'm sure I saw the radar unit placed correctly in an earlier try, but perhaps I made something else wrong that time.

 

At least I got them now...great to relief the fighter pilots a bit (and have them clearing the airspace for us mud-movers :smilewink: )

 

Thanks again for your help. Once again I have to say I really appreciate the friendly, speedy and most important helpful replies of this community! Thank you guys.

 

Cheers, Zenga

Edited December 29, 2011 by Zenga

[Megagoth1702]

Very cool thing: the PATRIOT SAM site shoots down russian SEAD missiles, hehehehe. :) Just put the skill on EXPERT, so awesome man!