Target illumination by drones

[CiosInflacji]

Is there a way to make a Predator/Reaper lase a ground unit?
I tried to make my own JTAC mission and only succeedeed (partially) when I assigned a HUMVEE/infantry to illuminate a group of APCs.
I'd be grateful for any advice in this matter.

[Ramsay]

I've used both CTLD and MOOSE Designate scripts in missions to spot and lase targets with MQ-1A Predators.

Both script extensions work in a similar way -

1. Assign a commom pre-fix to groups/units you want to spot/lase for you i.e. FAC="FAC #001", "FAC #002", etc. or Recon="Recon Predator", "Recon APC", etc.

2. Build a mission with an AI Predator orbiting overhead/near the targets you want to mark - 8000 ft is good ?, give it a name that matches your scripts choosen prefix i.e. "FAC Predator #001"

3. In mission :-

* CTLD will detect and lase (and/or smoke) one of the detected targets, while giving range and bearing.

* MOOSE would add a "F10 Other" radio item - that'll let you choose which of the spotted "targets" to mark and how to do it - lase/smoke. Units close together, count as one area. It'll also give range and bearing messages to the assigned target.

I haven't used DCS's default JTAC function in my own missions, so don't know if the predator can be used there, in the same way as ground units.

CTLD is a little easier to use as it'll lase/smoke a target as long as it's in line of sight.

MOOSE laser fires for 2 min and smoke markers burn out after 5 min - so require timing and/or re-application and add an additional chance of a "bad/lost marking", above lost LOS due to terrain, etc.

IIRC the predator lase range is about 8 km but can be adjusted in the scripts.

For detail, you'll want to check CTLD and MOOSE threads in the "Mission Builders' Corner" section of the DCS forums.

Example: Enabling a JTAC Predator using CTLD
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1169397184
Call MiST, call CTLD and then DO SCRIPT ctld.JTACAutoLase('JTAC1', 1688, true,"vehicle")

https://github.com/ciribob/DCS-CTLD

[CiosInflacji]

Thanks Ramsay!