Formation editor question

[Dramlore]

I would like some advice on setting up large fleet formations. My first question involves creating a patrol zone for a helo unit based on an escort FFG that is set up in an area 10-15 miles from the FFG covering from 0-45 degrees relative the FFG with a random search pattern for deployment of dipping sonar. The patrol zone must keep station with the FFG as the FFG keeps station with the fleet leader. This patrol needs to be auto repeatable taking into account bingo fuel, on board refueling, and rearming as necessary. Then I need to be able to do this with multiple escort platforms so as to cover the fleet in layers. Obviously this needs to be accomplished not only for the helos but the actual ships as well need to keep station with the fleet but in their own patrol zones as well. Some fleet platforms will keep station as closely as possible to exactly "X" nm and bearing from group leader but many escorts will need to have movable patrol zones (the same as the helos) for ASW, AAW ASuW coverage. Add a CV with CAP, AEW, ASW, and long range AAW patrols. This MUST be possible but I do not see it in CMO. I must be missing something in the editor? PLEASE ADVISE...

[Parel803]

Good evening,

I think you can make the helo a sector via the mission ASW and keep the RP's rel/fixed to the ZZ.
The fixed B/D is prob in the formation set. The other units maybe in a same manner as the helo.
You could change the unit in the mission when units change there station.
For the CV CAP's etc can be fixed pos for the RP's?

Added: maybe add RP's with Lua in B/D from ZZ and use zones in the manager to name the patrol boxes?

regards GJ

[Dramlore]

Thank you for the advice. I will experiment with your suggestions and post my results. This may take me some time. Can anyone recommend an an existing DLC or scenario where this may already have been implemented?

[Dramlore]

I have actually made this formation work. I have a "proof of concept" formation with most of the bells and whistles that seems to work very well. The platforms are not exactly as would be deployed in the real world as this is just an experiment but it all seems to work. Ships are not banging into one another and aircraft are not falling out of the sky. It is not a complete scenario by far but the CVBG with circular, layered coverage zones occupied by AAW, ASW, CAP, and AEW platforms both surface and air is working better than expected. Was going to attach the file so you could look it over but the SCEN file extension is not supported by this message board. Any suggestions?

[Parel803]

Good to hear.
You can zip the file and retry.
regards GJ

[Dramlore]

OK, lets try this...
Please let me know if this makes sense as a concept. Again just an experiment. Threat axis to the west.

[Parel803]

good evening,

First glimps looks nice.
Nice you can pick an zone (pick area) for the mission, new learning. Do not fully understand the DIFAR's in that list yet.

Received this earlier:

Code: Select all

local unit = ScenEdit_GetUnit({name='CVN 79 John F. Kennedy [Gerald R. Ford Class]', guid='A2LTOG-0HN2CSPPMS61F'});
local circle = World_GetCircleFromPoint({latitude = unit.latitude, longitude = unit.longitude, numpoints = 16, Radius = 10})
for each,point in ipairs(circle) do
local rp = ScenEdit_AddReferencePoint({side='Blue',name='In#'..each, latitude=point.latitude, longitude=point.longitude, color='red', locked=true, RelativeTo='A2LTOG-0HN2CSPPMS61F', bearingtype=0})
end 

FWIW

regards GJ

[Dramlore]

Thank you for your help. Not certain to which list you are referring but a DIFAR is a Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording device; a passive acoustic sonobuoy that were dropped by helos and Ospreys. They stay active for several hours.
Finding this message board has really opened up new areas of instruction to me as well. I am going to study some of these scenarios that are offered and look forward to learning from them.
My next biggest question now is how to make repeatable air patrols that relieve patrol on station instead of waiting for the original patrol to return to base. My AEW aircraft are being left by themselves with no AAW cover while waiting.
You sent me some code that I do not understand. I do not do code I am just winging it as I figure the editor out. Still seems like a huge amount of work to make a scenario in CMO as compared to HARPOON but I am enjoying the challenge.
I am now waiting to see when the sim starts overtaxing my CPU and everything start to slow down I intend on completing all the zonesfor the first three layers. Going to use up a lot of reference points. I wonder if there is a limit to how many can be used?
Can you or anyone else recommend some full blown scenarios with fleet on fleet actions like HARPOON GIUK has? Am very interested in seeing how other people have implemented the options available.
Again, thanks for your assistance. I look forward to more advise and opinions.

[Dramlore]

I had an epiphany last night but not a good one. In my enthusiasm to figure out if large formation editing is possible in the scenario editor I let myself get distracted from my original question. I thought about it a lot and came to the realization that I had actually posed my question incorrectly. My real question is not if a fleet formation can be built in the scenario editor as I have since proved that to myself and have also now seen several examples by other scenario builders. My real concern is whether a formation can be created or adjusted while I am experiencing a scenario built by someone else as a player? Can I as the "Admiral" of the players side group various surface platforms together and make a viable, realistic formation from them or adjust an existing ship formation to cover for losses? The formation editor available to myself in the simulation seems to have been designed with aircraft in mind only. I can not figure out how to make any formation that places the HVT formation leader in the middle of the group without using the scenario editing features. Any thoughts?

[Dramlore]

Newest update... I just found and subscribed to the Community Scenario Pack 48. ALL my current questions on hold. This is more like it! I am going to be busy for a while. WOW!