A/C in Naval Formations

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PaulWRoberts
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A/C in Naval Formations

Post by PaulWRoberts »

Here are question about aircraft in a naval formations:

1) Let's say I have CV with three separate groups of 6 F-18 Hornets. Then I give one of those groups an order to fly a two-ship CAP over the CVBG. When the planes land and refuel, will two new ships from the same 6-plane group lift off to fill the CAP?

2) Same as above, but what if I give one group a 6-ship CAP order? When all six land to refuel, will I be without any CAP (until they lift off again), or will planes from one of the other groups of Hornets lift off to fill the CAP?

3) How do I control the sensors for aircraft aloft over a naval formation? Are aircraft sensors governed by the "formation ring" that they are in?

4) If so, what about aircraft with patrol zones covering several rings?

5) If I turn on an individual aircraft's radar in the Unit Window, will it still be on when the aircraft lands and lifts off again to renew the patrol (or when a similar aircraft lifts off to renew the patrol)?

6) How do I control the jammer for an EW aircraft? Under sensors, I only see radar listed. Is the jammer always on (and giving away the plane's location), or is it parallel to radar, or what?

Thanks!
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CV32
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RE: A/C in Naval Formations

Post by CV32 »

ORIGINAL: Paul Roberts
Here are question about aircraft in a naval formations:

1) Let's say I have CV with three separate groups of 6 F-18 Hornets. Then I give one of those groups an order to fly a two-ship CAP over the CVBG. When the planes land and refuel, will two new ships from the same 6-plane group lift off to fill the CAP?

Aircraft of the same loadout (e.g. Intercept) in the formation will automatically rotate into and out of your assigned CAP.
2) Same as above, but what if I give one group a 6-ship CAP order? When all six land to refuel, will I be without any CAP (until they lift off again), or will planes from one of the other groups of Hornets lift off to fill the CAP?

Only if there are more Hornets with the same loadout available within the assets of the formation. They won't change loadouts from, say, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), to try and replenish the CAP.
3) How do I control the sensors for aircraft aloft over a naval formation? Are aircraft sensors governed by the "formation ring" that they are in?

Aircraft orbiting within the formation are controlled by the sensor settings for the formation as a whole, i.e. in the same manner as ships. You can also click on individual aircraft in the Unit Map and adjust their sensors, but this won't carry over when that patrol rotates.
5) If I turn on an individual aircraft's radar in the Unit Window, will it still be on when the aircraft lands and lifts off again to renew the patrol (or when a similar aircraft lifts off to renew the patrol)?

No.
6) How do I control the jammer for an EW aircraft? Under sensors, I only see radar listed. Is the jammer always on (and giving away the plane's location), or is it parallel to radar, or what?

Jammers are energized when the platform's radar is also energized. (If you're jamming, your position is already being advertised).
Brad Leyte
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PaulWRoberts
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RE: A/C in Naval Formations

Post by PaulWRoberts »

Thanks for such clear explanations!
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CV32
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RE: A/C in Naval Formations

Post by CV32 »

ORIGINAL: Paul Roberts
Thanks for such clear explanations!

No problem. More questions, comments, or the like, just holler or post at HarpGamer. Happy hunting! [8D]
Brad Leyte
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Author of HCDB official database for HCE
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VictorInThePacific
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RE: A/C in Naval Formations

Post by VictorInThePacific »

ORIGINAL: CV32
ORIGINAL: Paul Roberts
Here are question about aircraft in a naval formations:

1) Let's say I have CV with three separate groups of 6 F-18 Hornets. Then I give one of those groups an order to fly a two-ship CAP over the CVBG. When the planes land and refuel, will two new ships from the same 6-plane group lift off to fill the CAP?

Aircraft of the same loadout (e.g. Intercept) in the formation will automatically rotate into and out of your assigned CAP.
2) Same as above, but what if I give one group a 6-ship CAP order? When all six land to refuel, will I be without any CAP (until they lift off again), or will planes from one of the other groups of Hornets lift off to fill the CAP?

Brad has already answered this fully, but I have some comments.

Even if you assign the initial patrol from a specific ship, the replacement patrolers often come from a different ship.

A base with many planes often starts a scenario with several groups of aircraft that appear to be identical in all aspects. If you assign missions to these aircraft, the actual aircraft that fly may come from a different group than the one you chose. As these aircraft return to base and re-arm, they get amalgamated into only one group.
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