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Air Wing Configuration

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rabauke80 edited this page Nov 15, 2021 · 7 revisions

Now that we have a good basic understanding of what DCS Liberation is, thanks to the Getting started guide and we covered the basic UI elements, let's start a campaign.

An important, if not the most important aspect of a campaign, is the air wing configuration

For the example of this tutorial, a custom campaign has been picked by the author to illustrate the different building blocks and how they depend on each other.

Select a campaign / theater

image

As shown on the screenshot, the campaign author set a few defaults:

  • default factions
  • recommended start date - in this case it's May 12th 1986

For better illustration, the corresponding files will be shown as well

As shown in the campaign example below, the author designed it around a specific map/region/timeline and factions, to create the desired scenario.

Players have full freedom, changing those, but will have to handle the consequences of their choices.

Default factions define the general availability of aircraft for a campaign. However, the final list of aircraft shown in the Air Wing Configuration dialogue depends on a few things.

  1. Is the aircraft part of the faction?
  2. Is the aircraft capable of doing the required tasks/mission types?
  3. Does a preset squadron exist? if not, one will be auto-generated
  4. How does the campaign setup look like, in terms of starting squadron slots and their defined tasks/mission types?

Air Wing Configuration

As you will see on the screenshot above, the faction "US Navy 1985" has more aircraft available in the faction, than shown in the Air Wing Configuration dialogue.

Why is that so???

Well - let's look at it step by step:

First of all, let's look at the campaign configuration

image

The players owned control points, at the start of the campaign are:

  • the carrier group defined as Naval-1
  • the airfield Gazipasa
  • the FOB Bozdogan
  • the FOB Latchi

Every of those control points consists of mission profiles aka squadron slots that need to be filled by the best suited air frame for that task.

So at Naval-1 we would like to cover the following mission types:

  • 2x BARCAP
  • 1x SEAD
  • 1x Strike
  • 1x AEW&C
  • 1x Refueling
  • 1x Anti-ship

As you can see below, the campaign author, had a very specific set of aircraft & squadrons in mind.

If you look closely at the Air Wing Configuration screenshot above, you will notice that two aircraft that are technically available to the chosen player faction, are missing:

  • F-14A Tomcat (Block 135-GR Late)
  • F-4E Phantom II

Why, you keep asking?

Well for Naval-1 ...

the BARCAP slots already have preferred aircraft defined, either via:

  • the aircraft name itself, or
  • the squadron name, implicitly matching the aircraft

VF-101 and VF-102 are both F-14B squadron, so the planer already got enough input to make a choice -> F-14B

See squadron example for more details.

That rules out the F14-A and since the F-4E Phantom II is not CVN compatible, it's out as well.

All other mission types have specific aircraft or squadrons defined, like

  • SEAD -> A-4E Skyhawk
  • STRIKE -> A-4E Skyhawk

As you can see below, if an aircraft, but no squadron is defined, the planer will look for a suitable preset squadron and use that. If none can be found, it will create a generic one.

Example for a generic squadron can be seen later in the article, for the E-2D doing AEW&C. The naming will look something like this Squadron 001 and a random nickname.

image

Naval-1

Naval-1:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - VF-101
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - VF-102
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - A-4E Skyhawk
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - A-4E Skyhawk
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - VAW-125
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - VS-35 (Tanker)
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - VS-35

image

Let's have a look now on an airfield like Gazipasa, which is also part of the players starting control points.

Same pattern as above with the carrier group.

At Gazipasa we would like to cover the following mission types:

  • 1x AEW&C
  • 1x Refueling
  • 1x Transport

That automatically rules out the placement of any combat focused aircraft/squadron.

The example below also shows, that even if an aircraft is defined, that is not available to the chosen faction, the planer will look for the best suiting air frame and place it.

Gazipasa

# Gazipasa
  41:
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - E-3A
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - KC-135 Stratotanker
    - primary: Transport
      aircraft:
        - C-130

US Navy 1985 does not have an E-3A available, but it got another aircraft that can do AEW&C - so that's why the E-2D will be picked.

image

Same for Refueling - KC-135 is not available, but the S-3B Viking (Tanker) can fill that role.

image

And for the transport task, no C-130 is available, but the HSM-40

image

The same patterns apply to the last two player owned control points, FOB Bozdogan & FOB Latchi

FOB Bozdogan

  # FOB Bozdogan
  FOB Bozdogan:
    - primary: Transport
      aircraft:
        - HSM-40
        - UH-1H Iroquois

FOB Latchi

  # FOB Latchi
  FOB Latchi:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - AH-1W SuperCobra
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - UH-1H Iroquois

Since both FOBs have Heliports, even w/o the definition of a specific aircraft, the planer would only have rotor-wing aircraft available to fill the set mission types.

UH-1H Iroquois image

AH-1W SuperCobra image

Faction configuration

US Navy 1985

{
  "country": "USA",
  "name": "US Navy 1985",
  "authors": "HerrTom",
  "description": "<p>Highway to the Danger Zone! For Tomcat lovers.</p>",
  "locales": [
    "en_US"
  ],
  "aircrafts": [
    "AH-1W SuperCobra",
    "A-4E Skyhawk",
    "F-14A Tomcat (Block 135-GR Late)",
    "F-14B Tomcat",
    "F-4E Phantom II",
    "S-3B Viking",
    "SH-60B Seahawk",
    "UH-1H Iroquois"
  ],
  "awacs": [
    "E-2C Hawkeye"
  ],
  "tankers": [
    "S-3B Tanker"
  ],
  "frontline_units": [
    "M1043 HMMWV (M2 HMG)",
    "M113",
    "M163 Vulcan Air Defense System",
    "M60A3 \"Patton\""
  ],
  "artillery_units": [
    "M109A6 Paladin",
    "M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System"
  ],
  "logistics_units": [
    "Truck M818 6x6"
  ],
  "infantry_units": [
    "Infantry M249",
    "Infantry M4",
    "MANPADS Stinger",
    "Mortar 2B11 120mm"
  ],
  "air_defenses": [
    "ChaparralGenerator",
    "HawkGenerator",
    "VulcanGenerator"
  ],
  "aircraft_carrier": [
    "Stennis"
  ],
  "helicopter_carrier": [
    "LHA_Tarawa"
  ],
  "destroyers": [
    "PERRY"
  ],
  "cruisers": [
    "TICONDEROG"
  ],
  "carrier_names": [
    "CVN-71 Theodore Roosevelt",
    "CVN-72 Abraham Lincoln",
    "CVN-73 George Washington",
    "CVN-74 John C. Stennis",
    "CVN-75 Harry S. Truman"
  ],
  "helicopter_carrier_names": [
    "LHA-1 Tarawa",
    "LHA-2 Saipan",
    "LHA-3 Belleau Wood",
    "LHA-4 Nassau",
    "LHA-5 Peleliu"
  ],
  "navy_generators": [
    "OliverHazardPerryGroupGenerator"
  ],
  "requirements": {},
  "doctrine": "coldwar",
  "liveries_overrides": {
    "F/A-18C Hornet (Lot 20)": [
      "VFA-106",
      "VFA-113",
      "VFA-122",
      "VFA-131",
      "VFA-192",
      "VFA-34",
      "VFA-37",
      "VFA-83",
      "VFA-87",
      "VFA-97"
    ]
  }
}

Syria 1982

{
  "country": "Syria",
  "name": "Syria 1982",
  "authors": "Khopa",
  "description": "<p>Syria and Arab armies in the 1982 invasion of Lebanon</p>",
  "aircrafts": [
    "Mi-8MTV2 Hip",
    "MiG-19P Farmer-B",
    "MiG-21bis Fishbed-N",
    "MiG-23MLD Flogger-K",
    "MiG-25PD Foxbat-E",
    "Su-17M4 Fitter-K"
  ],
  "awacs": [
    "A-50"
  ],
  "tankers": [
    "IL-78M"
  ],
  "frontline_units": [
    "BMP-1",
    "MT-LB",
    "PT-76",
    "S-60 57mm",
    "T-55A",
    "T-72B with Kontakt-1 ERA",
    "ZSU-57-2 'Sparka'",
    "ZU-23 on Ural-375"
  ],
  "artillery_units": [
    "BM-21 Grad"
  ],
  "logistics_units": [
    "LUV UAZ-469 Jeep",
    "Truck Ural-375"
  ],
  "infantry_units": [
    "Infantry AK-74 Rus",
    "Paratrooper AKS",
    "Paratrooper RPG-16"
  ],
  "air_defenses": [
    "ColdWarFlakGenerator",
    "EarlyColdWarFlakGenerator",
    "SA2Generator",
    "SA3Generator",
    "SA6Generator",
    "SA8Generator",
    "SA9Generator",
    "SA13Generator",
    "ZSU23Generator",
    "ZU23Generator",
    "ZU23UralGenerator",
    "ZSU57Generator"
  ],
  "ewrs": [
    "BoxSpringGenerator",
    "TinShieldGenerator"
  ],
  "missiles": [
    "ScudGenerator"
  ],
  "missiles_group_count": 1,
  "aircraft_carrier": [],
  "helicopter_carrier": [],
  "helicopter_carrier_names": [],
  "destroyers": [],
  "cruisers": [],
  "requirements": {},
  "carrier_names": [],
  "navy_generators": [
    "GrishaGroupGenerator"
  ]
}

Squadron example

VF-101

---
name: VF-101
nickname: Grim Reapers
country: USA
role: Strike Fighter
aircraft: F-14B Tomcat
livery: VF-101 Dark
mission_types:
  - BAI
  - BARCAP
  - CAS
  - DEAD
  - Escort
  - Intercept
  - OCA/Aircraft
  - OCA/Runway
  - SEAD
  - Strike
  - Fighter sweep
  - TARCAP

VF-102

---
name: VF-102
nickname: Diamond Backs
country: USA
role: Strike Fighter
aircraft: F-14B Tomcat
livery: VF-102 Diamondbacks 102 (2000)
mission_types:
  - BAI
  - BARCAP
  - CAS
  - DEAD
  - Escort
  - Intercept
  - OCA/Aircraft
  - OCA/Runway
  - SEAD
  - Strike
  - Fighter sweep
  - TARCAP

Campaign configuration

Clash_over_Cyprus.yaml:

---
name: Syria - Clash over Cyprus
theater: Syria
authors: Maxl
description: <p>Syria invades Cyprus, forcing NATO to act. The United States 6th fleet is the first to respond in the Mediterranean sea.</p>
version: "9.1"
recommended_player_faction: US Navy 1985
recommended_enemy_faction: Syria 1982
miz: Clash_over_Cyprus.miz
performance: 1
recommended_start_date: 1986-05-12
squadrons:
  #BLUFOR CVN
  Naval-1:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - VF-101
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - VF-102
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - A-4E Skyhawk
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - A-4E Skyhawk
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - VAW-125
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - VS-35 (Tanker)
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - VS-35
  # Gazipasa
  41:
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - E-3A
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - KC-135 Stratotanker
    - primary: Transport
      aircraft:
        - C-130
  # FOB Bozdogan
  FOB Bozdogan:
    - primary: Transport
      aircraft:
        - HSM-40
        - UH-1H Iroquois
  # FOB Latchi
  FOB Latchi:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - AH-1W SuperCobra
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - UH-1H Iroquois
  # Paphos
  46:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-21bis Fishbed-N
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-23MLD Flogger-K
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K        
  # Akrotiri
  44:
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - A-50
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - IL-78M
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-21bis Fishbed-N
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-23MLD Flogger-K
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K  
  # FOB Morphou
  FOB Morphou:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: CAS
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
  # FOB Mari
  FOB Mari:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: CAS
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
  # Pinarbashi
  51:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip        
  # Ercan
  49:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-29S Fulcrum-C
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-21bis Fishbed-N
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-24M Fencer-D
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
  # Larnaca
  47:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-21bis Fishbed-N
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-23MLD Flogger-K
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
  # Bassel Al-Assad
  21:
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - A-50
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - IL-78M
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-21bis Fishbed-N
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-23MLD Flogger-K
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-17M4 Fitter-K
    - primary: Transport
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip      
  # FOB Latakia
  FOB Latakia:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: CAS
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Mi-8MTV2 Hip

Pro tip: for more information on the structure and format of the shown examples, go to:

Add a custom footer

Tutorials

Getting Started

  1. DCS Liberation UI
  2. Air Wing Configuration
  3. Turn Zero
  4. First operation
  5. Setting up a custom Strike mission
  6. Campaign "Battle of Abu Dhabi" Play Through Tutorial

Manual

Mission Planning

Frontline Stances

Frontline Movement

Base Capture

Performance Options

Auto purchase options

Fast forward

Unit Transfers

Squadrons and pilots

Additional content

Community campaigns

Preview Builds

Dedicated Servers

Dedicated server guide

WebUI for Dedicated Servers

Modding Liberation

Custom campaigns

Custom factions

Layouts (WIP)

Lua Plugins

Custom Loadouts

Modded aircraft support

Contributing

Contributing to DCS Liberation

Campaign maintenance

Core development guides

Developer's Guide

Adding a new aircraft module

Release process

Misc

Code of Conduct

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