"Fake" AWACS in Campaigns - Tutorial

[+JonathanRL]

We all know SF2: NA implemented AWACS, but until they work properly for people without, I came up with a little interesting solution, especially if you want people to be able to see and / or intercept the Aircraft.

 

Maybe somebody else figured this out before I did; but I am posting anyhow; since its way more fun then just having it as a transport.

 

First, extract the NATIONS.INI and FORMATION.INI

 

These are pretty much all you will need aside from the Aircraft you want to use as an AWACS.

 

Add this (change as you feel necessary) into your Nations.ini

You can find my CALLSIGNSAWACS attached below.

 

[Nation216] - [b]Note this number and make sure its next in line.[/b]
Name=AWACS
DisplayName=AWACS
Alignment=FRIENDLY 
PilotNameList=NamesSwedish.lst
RankList=RanksUSAF.lst
CallsignList=CALLSIGNSAWACS.LST
Formation.Fighter=AWACS
Formation.Attack=AWACS  
Formation.Bomber=AWACS
Formation.Transport=AWACS
Formation.Tank=USTank
Formation.MobileAD=USAD
PilotTrainingStandard=EXCELLENT
GenderRatio=1
DebriefSuccessMusic=DebriefSuccess.wav
DebriefFailMusic=DebriefFail.wav
DebriefKilledMusic=DebriefKilled.wav
SpeechFile=USAFSpeech.cat
SpeechTextFile=USAFSpeechText.str

 

 

Into Formation.ini; add

 

[FormationType005]
Name=AWACS
FormationType=AIR
BaseLevel=2
Level[01].Name=Squadron
Level[01].Size=6
Level[01].Formation[01]=AWACS
Level[02].Name=Flight
Level[02].Size=4
Level[02].Formation[01]=AWACS
Level[03].Name=Element
Level[03].Size=2
Level[03].Formation[01]=AWACS

 

And a little futher down; amongst the other formations:

[AWACS]
Position[01].Offset=    0,    0,    0
Position[02].Offset= -100000,  -50000,   -5
Position[03].Offset=  100000,   50000,    5

 

Now you only need to have your AWACs Sqadron belong to nation AWACS. This works for both sides as it is the force they belong to that is the important part

Also, Make sure the flight itself does not have more then six aircraft. Strike & Combat Air Patrol are the best roles for the "Fake" AWACS.

 

So what have we accomplished, really? The formation sets the aircraft very much apart. It will look as if they are patrolling on their own, but in reality, they are just in a very, very wide formation. This may at times make one of the aircraft hit the invisible wall; adjust the distance as necessary.

 

Oh, and the "Fake Awacs" part?

 

Replace everything under [DETECTSYSTEM] with this and they will scout the skies for you (Requires latest patch). Enjoy!

RadarType=AEW_SEARCH
RadarFamilyName=AEW
RangeUnit=NM
RadarAzimuthLimit=180
RadarElevationLimit=30
RadarSearchTime=1.0
RadarSearchRange=250
RadarSearchStrength=100
RadarSearchFreq=9.8
RadarSearchCW=FALSE
VisualBlindArc=
VisualRestrictedArc=
MaxVisibleDistance=8500.0
HasRWR=TRUE
RWRMinFreq=2.0
RWRMaxFreq=10.9
RWRCanDetectCW=FALSE

 

 

CALLSIGNSAWACS.rar

Edited March 29, 2012 by JonathanRL

[KiwiBiggles]

This looks pretty cool Jonathan!

 

I'm not familiar with all the concepts you describe, so I may need to get back to you with dumb questions. Aside from that I'm sure I'll be able to follow your instructions ok.

 

First dumb questions: will this work in the TW mission builder too, or only campaigns? Will I be able to specify an element of one plane only? Whats the invisible wall (I'm guessing the edge of the map or is there a '3D bubble' like in Falcon4.0?) and what happens when you hit it?

 

 

Cheers

Kiwi

Edited March 29, 2012 by KiwiBiggles

[+JonathanRL]

In TW Mission builder, you can simply specify one aircraft; so all this is not necessary. This is for Campaigns only.

When trying to create one-aircraft formations; my game simply crashes. I have yet to discovery why. This is a work-around for that.

 

The Invisible Wall is along the edges of the map (but not at the absolute Edge, it pretty much is placed so you cannot reach the real edge). When reaching it, Aircraft will be pushed alongside it; and thus move in strange direction. This will look wierd, but if you just F6 amongst the flight groups, chances are people wont notice.

[+Stary]

pass it to Dave