Vegas-zzz
commented
8 years ago This would be an outstanding new feature to add! Giving the OPFOR air patrols around airfields, large towns, and military installations would be a complete game-changer! Adding more of an air threat would allow ALiVE to create a whole new battlefield in the air and change the way ground teams would have to approach the objectives!
It honestly wouldn't even have to be as in depth as described above in my opinion. Even spawning these patrols in and giving command to the AI commander would get the job done. The AI commander already does a good job when he has these assets inside FOBs and such.
DavisBrown723
Will-Nichols
tupolov
friznit
apargo
SavageCDN
aitortilla
Air Ops Module
Progress
Full Design Spec on GDocs
In Reality: a Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) may be appointed to command and control the airspace in joint military operations.
In Game: Like a secondary OPCOM that has control of the air space. It controls all attack helis, jets and UAVs, i.e. every combat capable air entity that is not a transport chopper.
Outcome: more use of air assets (by factions that have them) in realistic tactical roles on the battlefield.
Use Case: ALiVE AI Comd of factions configured with air groups uses them to conduct tasks in support of the ground troops. Air units are spawned at objectives by Placement Modules at mission start (existing functionality).
Place Air Ops module and sync to Mil/Civ/Custom Placement modules.
Available Air Tasking Orders (ATO):
For example: IF OPCOM gets in a battle AND IF Air Ops is present AND !(SEAD/DCA/CAP) THEN send nearest CAS unit to join OPCOM Battle
Example taskflows: Recce - OPCOM identifies next objective and requests recce helicopter to observe ahead of ground forces, then loiter until objective captured. If fired upon, withdraws to nearest friendly objective. Strike - OPCOM identifies high priority objective and requests armed helicopter or plane to conduct attack run then RTB to start location or loiter position. Close Air Support - OPCOM detects enemy forces within 1KM of friendly forces and requests armed heli/plane to that location. Search & Destroy for 5 mins then RTB to start location. Combat Air Patrol - ambient air. AirOps orders armed plane to search & destroy in 2km radius of friendly held Mil Placement HQ. Can be retasked CAS/Strike if weapons systems permit.
Actions on: RTB - heli/plane returns to start location, lands and (automatically?) rearm/repair/refuel, wait 15 mins then released for next OPCOM order (planes may need to be respawned due to BIS AI and taxiing) Start location held by OPFOR - return to nearest friendly held objective with HLS or Runway. No base available - loiter until based is available or aircraft crashes/is destroyed. Aircraft destroyed - replaced by LOGCOM (existing functionality). *No suitable weapons for task - task rejected and unit RTB.
Enhancements Potential future enhancements currently out of scope: Virtual/AI Tactical Air Control Party / Foward Air Controller (TACP/FAC) - ground based unit that requests Air Tasking Orders on behalf of OPCOM. Foward Arming & Refuel Point (FARP) - spawn FARP composition close to front line for rotary wing rearm/refuel. Player FAC - player interface to ATO, similar to how Player Combat Logistics is a UI for Combat Logistics simulation. Possibility to replace Combat Support?
ATO Properties
Implementation Init Startup Initial analysis ATO requests [from JFACC] OPCOM Support Requests Airspace management Radar detection Event monitoring Air Mission Framework (crew response, taxi, takeoff, execute, land) Hangar/Helipad management Runway deconfliction