U.S.A.F WEAPONS SCHOOL

[Avalanche110]

Hello everyone.

 

This is the Discussion thread For the U.S.A.F Weapons School Campaign.

 

The campaign is set on the NTTR Map and features all (Fighter) modules with the exception of WW2 aircraft. War-birds will have their own campaign on "The Channel" map.

The campaign is targeted at players learning a new module or brushing up on an old one.

 

CAMPAIGN FEATURES:

Dynamic airbase:

Airbases are populated with dynamically spawned static aircraft to make the airbase feel alive. Random events will occur at each airbase to make the experience different every time you fly it.

 

Dynamic Adversaries:

The player can select his opponent’s skill level using the f-10 menu. Opponents will be intelligently generated based on your chosen aircraft's capabilities. If you Choose to fly an F-86, you wont be fighting JF-17's.

 

Intelligent coordinate system:

The campaign encourages players to learn the navigation systems of their chosen aircraft.

Co-ordinates will be provided in a format to suit each aircraft. Their is a modified LUA file available for the ARC radio system in the MIG-21

Download the Modified file and install in your DCS install directory.
C:ProgramFiles\EagleDynamics\DCSWorld\Mods\aircraft\MIG-21bis\Cockpit\Systems\
Replace the R_NAV_data_Nevada.lua file with the modified file.
You will now be able to use the ARC navigation system in the Campaign.

 

Follow me vehicle:

Ever gotten lost on a taxi way? A follow me vehicle will escort you to the runway.

 

Intelligent Instructor:

Allied flights will operate independently of the player and execute their mission independently.

 

Intelligent tankers:

A Tanker will always be in a convenient location should you need one.

 

So far the campaign engine has an unimaginable amount of variability, and will provide a Unique experience, regardless of what aircraft you choose to fly. 

 

The campaign will be available in 2 versions. one with MODS and one without.

 

Any Comments, suggestions, feedback and bug reports can be posted bellow 

I would really appreciate any tacview, Track files to see how other Pilots fly the missions.

 

Download the Campaign here.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3313504/

 

 

R_NAV_data_Nevada.lua

Edited January 3, 2021 by Avalanche110

[Qiou87]

Hi @Avalanche110,

 

I saw you did not have any feedback here so far, it is a shame!

 

I only played the first mission yesterday, but all went well and I had fun. If I could suggest a little improvement: it should be detailed, what conditions are set to "succeed". I would like to see in the brief for example a detail of what is graded and how, for example "airmanship": what is the pass/fail criteria? It seems that when I overshot the altitude of 25,000ft on the way to the training area (by 500ft) it decided I had failed. I would have liked to know that it was imperative to stick to 25,000 +/- 500ft also in transit to get a "pass".

 

Similarly, I noticed that injuring the enemy aircraft but not destroying it is graded negatively. I ran out of bullets for the second engagement, the enemy was flying away with burning engines, I believe I should get a partial success for that (if it is possible). In the end he is out of action, regardless if the jet has crashed or not. I could have waited for him to crash after 5-10min, instead I used "knock it off", maybe that's why?

 

No big deal really, just a suggestion. In the end I had fun and I will continue playing this campaign. It seems like the perfect fit for me to practice a bit of A2A in the Hornet.

 

I also look forward to your WW2 campaign, as I completely suck in air combat in the warbirds, I could use the practice.

 

Thank you for your work, really. I can only imagine how long it takes to make something dynamic and engaging like this.

Edited February 2, 2021 by Qiou87

[Avalanche110]

Hello @Qiou87

 

Firstly, Thankyou for the feedback. Its exactly what I need to Make the campaign better, and understand what players need.

To Clarify how the scoring system works. their are 3 elements that are evaluated, Navigation, Airmanship, and tactics.

Navigation - Successfully navigating to the Co-ordinates in a precise manner, The mission will continue if you have not, but you will be scored negatively.

Airmanship - Climbing to an altitude of Angels 25 (or 7600 Meters) and maintaining that within a few hundred feet until reaching your Rendezvous coordinates.

( an easy task in a modern fighter, but actually very challenging in older analogue fighters.)

Tactics - points are awarded for each adversary that is destroyed.

 

The instructors evaluation is independent from the mission scoring system. Largely due to the overwhelming complexity when evaluating a 4v2 engagement.

 

The Scoring for the campaign is different for each mission but generally works as follows.

60 points for mission completion - (landing at your airbase and receiving the  "Mission Complete" message

20 points for each successful engagement - ( 10 points for each kill in a 2v1, 5 points for each kill in a 4v2 )

The Campaign should progress normally provided you complete the engagements and Land back at your airbase.

 

Your observation that points should be awarded for hits on an Adversary, as opposed to a Kill is 100% correct.

Calling "Knock it off" was the correct decision. Had the Adversary crashed prior to your instructor re-joining with you would have been awarded the points.

 

I am Currently working on the next update for the campaign, I will Update the documentation to give players a better understanding of what is required of them. I will attempt to change the scoring against adversary's to hits, as opposed to kills. It may have unintended consequences so could take a bit more time.

 

Again Thank you for your feedback. Please feel free to post any Track or TacView files. I would really love to see how others fly the mission.

Edited February 6, 2021 by Avalanche110

[Qiou87]

Hi @Avalanche110,

 

No need to thank me, I am just happy to help. 

 

I made another note: I believe you write "2v1" in reverse in the descriptions, normally the first number is your side, and the second is the opposite side. So I went in a "2v1" expecting to fight with my wingman against 1 aircraft. It was a surprise to have 2 bogeys and to fight alone. In this case I believe the correct writing would be "1v2". 

 

I passed all cannon stages without problems, now that I know what is expected I can get a pass for all of them. I will try to save a track file next time to share with you.

 

I look forward to your next updates!

Edited February 8, 2021 by Qiou87

[Avalanche110]

@Qiou87

Yes, you are correct.

I recall questioning this when I wrote the dialogue for the missions. I obviously got It wrong. 

I'll update the mission briefings and documentation to be accurate.

 

I will be pursuing professional voice-overs in the future and will Ensure I get the dialogue right.

 

[skunk160]

can someone point me to a tutorial for inputting the nav co-ordinates in a F-14?

 

I only fly the front seat...... 

[Avalanche110]

Hi Skunk160.

Use the Jester command wheel to set a manual frequency.

ARC182 RADIO - TUNE MANUAL RADIO - then enter the frequency given in the mission.

It will take jester a minute to select the frequency during Cold start. Once he has selected the frequency, jump in the back seat and change the Mode switch on the ARC182 radio to DF (1 position to the right). The ADF needle will then direct you to the coordinates.

 

This is the video I used to build the campaign

 

F-14 ARC-182.bmp

[skunk160]

Outstanding Thank you, I use AIRIO so will have to talk Jester into doing it

 

 

[thrston]

Hi Avalanche, do you consider adding also the latest F22 Raptor mod?

[Avalanche110]

12 hours ago, thrston said:

Hi Avalanche, do you consider adding also the latest F22 Raptor mod?

 

Hello Thrston.

There is a Mods version available here. It includes the latest F-22 mod by Grinnelli.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3313200/

Its only the first two missions at this stage, I plan to add more in the future.

You will need FC3 and all of the following Mods for this:

 

A-4E-C ( https://heclak.github.io/community-a4e-c/ )
Grinelli F-22A  ( https://fsoutlet.com/f22/ )
Cubanace SU-57 (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.c...files/2539621/)
Cuesta brothers Dassault Rafale (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3307478/)
MIG -31 *edited by Robert* (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3312137/)
VSN_Eurofighter Typhoon
VSN_F-35
VSN_F/A-18F
VSN mods available here. ( https://filehorst.de/folder.php?key=b6O86Ll4 )

 

I hope you enjoy it. I had an absolute blast flying the F-22.

[thrston]

3 minutes ago, Avalanche110 said:

 

Hello Thrston.

There is a Mods version available here. It includes the latest F-22 mod by Grinnelli.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3313200/

Its only the first two missions at this stage, I plan to add more in the future.

You will need FC3 and all of the following Mods for this:

 

 

 

That's awesome. Thank you! 

[Skyraven]

Hello, 

 

I'm having issues getting this custom file to work in DCS, I've done skins, F22 mod and other user missions installations before but I cannot get this to work. Can someone point me what I'm doing wrong?
I'm trying to get the Weapons School *MODS VERSION* to work with the F-22, but is not showing up in Mission/Modules/My Mission. Other custom missions are showing in game but not this particular one, and the F-22 mod works just fine. The Weapons School Mod Version file is saved in the default location: C:\Users\User Name\Saved Games\DCS\Missions. I got FC3, Persian Gulf Map and the F-22 mod installed.

Edited April 16, 2021 by Skyraven

[Avalanche110]

Hello @Skyraven

You will need The Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) map installed along with all of the mods outlined bellow.

If  its any consolation, Its on sale at the moment for 50% off.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/terrains/nttr_terrain/

 

 

A-4E-C ( https://heclak.github.io/community-a4e-c/ )
Grinelli F-22A  ( https://fsoutlet.com/f22/ )
Cubanace SU-57 (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.c...files/2539621/)
Cuesta brothers Dassault Rafale (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3307478/)
MIG -31 *edited by Robert* (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3312137/)
VSN_Eurofighter Typhoon
VSN_F-35
VSN_F/A-18F
VSN mods available here. ( https://filehorst.de/folder.php?key=b6O86Ll4 )

 

All the Best!

[Skyraven]

On 4/17/2021 at 5:27 AM, Avalanche110 said:

Hello @Skyraven

You will need The Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) map installed along with all of the mods outlined bellow.

If  its any consolation, Its on sale at the moment for 50% off.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/terrains/nttr_terrain/

 

 

Mission is working now, thanks for the reply. BTW, the VSN file for the Eurofighter Typhoon is no longer available in that VSN host link. I found it here: https://filehorst.de/folder.php?key=duuqITUb

[Avalanche110]

Glad you got it working@Skyraven

Thanks for the updated VSN link, I will include it in the mission description.

There is a 16 mission A2A Campaign available as well. The link is in the first post of this thread.

I will eventually update the MODS version so its a full campaign as well.

 

All the best!

[Treker]

@Avalanche110 I'm so glad I found this campaign. I fly mostly Mirage and there are only a few campaigns for this bird.

I'm stuck on first mission  I do full alignment, taxi to runway behind humwee and take of in direction of coordinates given. At engagement area I give "ready for engagement" message and destroy first plane, then return to rally point for second. Won that fight and on my way to Nellis AFB I get message "Stripped" from instructor.

After landing and parking (can't find anywhere what my designated parking place is) I get 40 points and campaign failure.

 

What am I doing wrong?

[Avalanche110]

Hello @Treker

I don't think your doing anything wrong.

Once you have completed both engagements, the instructor "Should" re-join with you and provide feedback on your performance.

Just to clarify a few things,

1). Their is no time limit to the engagements. If you damage an adversary and he fly's away to an airbase, the mission will not proceed.

2). You can call "Knock it off" to end either engagement and the mission will continue as intended.

 

If  the instructor does not re-join with you after the second engagement ends and you hear "knock it off", their may be a bug with the script.

If you have a track replay or tacview file, it would help immensely in debugging.

 

I really hope you enjoy the campaign (when it works properly), I made it Specifically for the "UnderDog" modules like the M2K.

 

 

Edited May 4, 2021 by Avalanche110

[Treker]

Thank you for reply. Will fly again probably tomorrow and upload the track. One more question before I fly... Perhaps I was to casual reading the briefing before, bur I noticed this today Where do I land? Nellis AFB or Tonopah Airfield? Tacan 77x direct me to Tonopah test range airfield.

[Steel Jaw]

Outstanding, thanks for the work.  Will try and advise feedback.  I know it's an air force puke server so hopefully a (v) squid can fly here!

[Avalanche110]

11 hours ago, Treker said:

Where do I land?

 

Land at the same Airbase you took off from. The mission has all the Bluefor aircraft at Nellis ( Tacan 12X), and all of the Redfor at Tonopah (Tacan 77X).

I Tested the first mission last night after reading you were having some trouble with it.

Everything worked as intended in the F/A-18. Sadly I cannot test every aircraft, my brain simply wont fit more than one at a time.

[Treker]

@Avalanche110

Did another run (also to test Warthog my new slew upgrade ) did all as before... on my way back I even returned to engagement coordinates, just to be sure.... result again stripped.

Don't look pass that message... dog came in and ... anyway don't watch :))

 

Here is the link to the track... 

https://we.tl/t-KqNibUbjd8

[Avalanche110]

@Treker

Thanks for the track replay. I actually found it really enjoyable watching someone else flying a mission I had put so much work into.

Unfortunately, the trackfile Desynced after a while and you ended up flying into a wall. I couldnt use it to work out what was going wrong.

Either way, I really want to get this resolved so you can enjoy the rest of the campaign.

I Have a few questions,

1). did the instructor fly in formation with you on the way to the merge co-ordinates?

2). Did both engagements result in the Adversaries crashing?

3). did the instructor re-join and fly in formation with you on the way back to Nellis?

4). did the instructor provide you with his evaluation? (dialogue that gives you a Pass or fail on the assessment)

 

"Stripped" is a brevity code for breaking formation with a flight lead.

When you hear "Pontiac 1-1 Stripped" that's an indication that the instructor has broken formation with you for landing.

 

If you have a Tacview ACMI file, I could use that to debug the problem. If you dont have Tacview, I cant recommend it enough AND its free.

In the mean time, im going over the triggers to see if I can find where its going wrong.

 

All the best!

 

[Treker]

@Avalanche110

That is shame... I didn't check reply afterwards... Will install Tacview and send you acmi file. That will be next week I think.

I use DCS 2.5 latest stable version.

 

Regarding your questions:

1. yes, few moments after I start rolling I hear "Pontiac 1-1 rolling".

2. yes, for both kills I get "Uzi your dead" message... after second kill, instructor reply "Knock it off", 

3. yes, he rejoins and before I bank left/right for landing he gives me "stripped" message. Didn't know that "stripped" means braking formation

4. no, only message I get is "Knock it off"

 

Thank you for your help.

 

[Avalanche110]

@Treker

I managed to find the bug your experiencing. It prevented a lot of the triggers that occur when the instructor gets in formation with you.

You will notice a lot more Dialogue now and the Scoring system should work properly.

I have updated the Campaign and you can download the latest version here.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3313504/

 

Thanks for taking the time to report the Bug. I really hope you enjoy the rest of the campaign.

If you have any trouble at all, please let me know.

[Treker]

All hyped to try again. Got message "Mission newer than editor" . Oh well, will wait for stable 2.7