[Q]Can a SAM Site Be Created With Individually Group Units?

[Mark352]

There has been some conversation about this recently on Discord and Dimitris suggested a post to the Tech Forum in the event that the devs might want to take a look. So here goes.

I have experimented with trying to create a functioning SAM site that is made up of individual units and grouped together. My end goal was to be to be able to allow the opposing side to have the ability to target the individual components of the SAM site. So far I have been unsuccessful. I’m able to create the site, but cannot figure how to get it to launch missiles.

I started by using SAM Site (Generic) #2988 to create simulated SA-21 TEL’s. I placed six SAM Site units and added an SA-21a Growler [48N6DM] #2103 weapons mount to each one to simulate the SA-21 TEL’s. Then added the SA-21/25 Missile Datalink to each simulated TEL.

Next, I used a Command Post #3730 to represent the Central Guidance Control Area and added a Grave Stone #4155 the (weapons director) and the SA-21/25 Command Datalink (20 Channels). I also added a separate Cheese Board #2735. Unlike a Cheese Board, the Grave Stone cannot be added as a separate unit.

The site units can be individually targeted, but the site will not launch SA-21’s at hostile aircraft. If I try to manually launch a missile at a hostile aircraft the “No weapons director available to illuminate the target” comes up in the Weapons Allocation panel. Both the Cheese Board and the Grave Stone can track aircraft, but the Grave Stone isn’t connecting with the SA-21’s. I gather that the datalink is the issue.

If I add a Grave Stone to the individual simulated SA-21 TEL's the missiles will launch. I think that is similar to how the SAM site facilities are built.

A scenario file with my experimental SA-21 site is attached. Thanks!

[Raptorx7_slith]

Not currently, no

[Mark352]

Thanks for the quick response.

[thewood1]

I have played with this a few times by putting the TELs, FCR, and search radars on separate sides connected through a node on a fourth side. By managing the comms and side postures, you can somewhat mimic an integrated SAM-based defense network. Its been a while since I did it and will try to find one the scenarios.

[Tcao]

At least you can build a functional SA-6a site with ground units only.

SA-6 site.jpg (254.56 KiB) Viewed 134 times

Here is the test file

[blu3s]

Yes, as tcao mentioned, only certain SAM types can be build this way. For example you can build a Patriot Bty with PAC-2 launchers but not with PAC-3 since the missile needs a datalink from the sensor.

TVM and SARH SAMs can be modeled with ground units and you need to group those units to make it work. (Note that not all SAMs have components as individual ground units)

[Nikel]

After another interesting trial and error session with the AI, this code seems to be successful.

May you try it?

-- ============================================================================
-- CMO S-400 NETWORKED BATTERY AUTOMATION SCRIPT
-- ============================================================================
local TARGET_GROUP_GUID = 'H1WPKN-0HNHAV64IT7AK'
local HARDWARE_DIRECTOR = 1857 -- Grave Stone Weapon Director (360-degree illumination)
local HARDWARE_TRACKER = 4155 -- Grave Stone Tracking Sensor (360-degree detection)
local HARDWARE_DATALINK = 267 -- Missile Datalink / Comms Array
local MISSILE_TRACK_ID = 2103 -- SA-21a Growler [48N6DM] Fire Control Channels
local CHANNEL_QUANTITY = 48 -- Number of simultaneous tracking channels to load

-- Fetch the group wrapper object
local groupObj = ScenEdit_GetUnit({guid = TARGET_GROUP_GUID})

if groupObj ~= nil and groupObj.group ~= nil and groupObj.group.unitlist ~= nil then
print("--- Initiating Automated Battery Compilation ---")
local unitList = groupObj.group.unitlist
local commandPostGuid = nil

-- STEP 1: Scan group members to find the optimal heavy command asset (Cheese Board or TEL)
for _, id in pairs(unitList) do
local unit = ScenEdit_GetUnit({guid = tostring(id)})
if unit ~= nil and (unit.name:find("Cheese Board") or unit.name:find("TEL")) then
commandPostGuid = unit.guid
print("[Master Hub Selected]: " .. unit.name)
break
end
end

-- Fallback to the first unit if no specific asset string matches
if not commandPostGuid then
commandPostGuid = tostring(unitList[1])
end

-- STEP 2: Initialize full fire control capability on the designated Command Post
local cpObj = ScenEdit_GetUnit({guid = commandPostGuid})
if cpObj ~= nil then
-- Add 360-degree weapon director mount
ScenEdit_UpdateUnit({guid = commandPostGuid, mode = 'add_mount', dbid = HARDWARE_DIRECTOR, arc_mount = {'360'}})
-- Add 360-degree tracking sensor
ScenEdit_UpdateUnit({guid = commandPostGuid, mode = 'add_sensor', dbid = HARDWARE_TRACKER})
-- Load live tracking reload channels directly into the command post mount
ScenEdit_AddReloadsToUnit({
side = groupObj.side,
guid = commandPostGuid,
wpn_dbid = MISSILE_TRACK_ID,
number = CHANNEL_QUANTITY
})
print(" -> Status: Active 360-degree sensor arrays and guidance channels online.")
end

-- STEP 3: Distribute datalinks to all slave launcher platforms in the group
print("\n--- Synchronizing Network Datalinks Across Slaves ---")
local linkCount = 0
for _, id in pairs(unitList) do
local cleanGuid = tostring(id)
if cleanGuid ~= commandPostGuid then
local launcherObj = ScenEdit_GetUnit({guid = cleanGuid})
if launcherObj ~= nil then
ScenEdit_UpdateUnit({
guid = cleanGuid,
mode = 'add_comms',
dbid = HARDWARE_DATALINK
})
linkCount = linkCount + 1
end
end
end
print(" -> Status: Successfully networked " .. linkCount .. " slave launcher nodes.")
print("\n[SUCCESS] S-400 Integrated Network Complete! Firing loops active.")
else
print("Error: Target group completely missing or GUID is invalid.")
end

[Nikel]

OK, not working.

Just add 2 Grave Stones to one of the TELs, and that one fires, not any of the others

[Mark352]

After another interesting trial and error session with the AI, this code seems to be successful.

May you try it?

As you have seen, the code runs successfully, but attaches a Grave Stone to TEL 6 allowing just TEL 6 to launch. It does not connect the Grave Stone that is attached to the Command Post to all the TEL's making them all launch capable. Bummer. It's a nice try though. Thanks for taking a crack at it.