Two Mission Planners?

[thndregg]

We used to have a more complex mission planner long ago. Would it be at all possible to have that (or something similar) again along with the basic mission planner we already have available? That way there would be a choice of which one to use depending on how complex one would like to design the mission.

Just a thought. Fire at will.

<S>

[phatzo]

what would you like to be more elaborate?

[The Fugitive]

I think a planner with way points that could be broken up by wings with mission objectives for each wing would be cool.

On top of that I think that you shouldn't be able to capture a base without being in the mission. They could also set it up so 50 percent of the wing must hit the way points or the troops fail.

I love to see the mission planner used more even if they have to force players to use it.

[thndregg]

I think a planner with way points that could be broken up by wings with mission objectives for each wing would be cool.

This was the direction I was headed.

[MK-84]

I think a planner with way points that could be broken up by wings with mission objectives for each wing would be cool.

On top of that I think that you shouldn't be able to capture a base without being in the mission. They could also set it up so 50 percent of the wing must hit the way points or the troops fail.

I love to see the mission planner used more even if they have to force players to use it.

I think AW had that didnt it?  I know it had waypoints

[MAINER]

+1

[Volron]

That would be awesome.   +1

But how about putting a little check box in the mission planner that says something like, "Advanced Mission Parameters"?  This way, if someone just wants to slap a mission together using the currently planner, they can.  But if they wish to make it detailed, including take off times, target objectives and way-points, then that option is but a check box away.

[RTHolmes]

the facility is already there. if you need multiple wings, set up multiple missions

[BrockS]

What if it were a "frag order" or mission brief with a list that could be filled out by the mission planner and appear on the clipboards of those in the mission when spawned on the runway.

As an Aeroscout in the U.S. Army flying both border patrol on the former East German/West German border and in Desert Storm, such briefings were important for communicating information uniformly and eliminating a lot of unneeded radio chatter leaving the vox free for more important things like people shooting at you.

Just off the top of my head some things that may be included:

1)Mission Vox freq if any
2)Mission leader
3)Flight leaders
4)Flight assignments (who is in each flight or portion of the mission)
6)Primary Targets
6)Secondary Targets
7)Mission altitudes-for entire mission or for each flight in the mission if they are dfferent such as top cover, escorts and bombers.
8)Hard deck for combat (it helps to assign a portion of a fighter sweep to stay high and cover squadies chasing cons downhill)
8)Special instructions ie. hold on runway, flights depart 2 minutes apart, Screaming Eagles will dpart A45 and meet at keypad 13,4,3 for escort..etc.

[EagleDNY]

Yeah, I'm +1 on this. 

Allowing multiple wings with multiple objectives in the mission. 
Example:
Wing 1: escorts - climb out ahead and escort bombers to target
Wing 2: buffs - climb to 20K proceed to A54
Wing 3: attack - go NOE to A54, A55, A56 and destroy radars

Waypoints and routes for each wing, perhaps with a different color so that they are easily separated on a nice big map that everyone in the mission can read.
I also like the idea of being able to specify vox and mission channels, etc. 

[RTHolmes]

all the functionality you need for that is already there - just set up 3 separate missions

[Paladin3]

50% hit waypoints, better scrub avoiding the enemy, changing the target package, or just screwing up and misjudging the mountains then... I like the idea of having the ability to plan a little more, dislike having to be in the mission to capture.

[thndregg]

all the functionality you need for that is already there - just set up 3 separate missions

Well aware of and have done this. I guess I'm one to have it consolidated all in one place.

[DaCoon]

Hey thndregg, how about something like a comments/ special instructions box where those details could be re-read thru your whole mission.  Maybe an option to update once inflight for specific target assignments.   just my $.02 musings here.   

[Volron]

all the functionality you need for that is already there - just set up 3 separate missions

Well aware of and have done this. I guess I'm one to have it consolidated all in one place.

Not to mention there would only be the one mission up, vs the 2 - 6 that might end up on the mission planner.  There have been rare times that I've see the mission planner packed with various missions, usually when the Devil Dogs and LCA run missions at the same time.  DD's would have 2-4 of their own, with LCA running 1-3.  Both are just sections to the whole of their missions.  The system mentioned here could help eliminate that clutter when it happens (albeit rarely) AND provide the planner the detail he wishes to add.

So instead of:

DD Escort 1
DD Escort 2
DD Jabo 1
DD Jabo 2
DD Bomber 1
LCA Sweep 1
LCA Jabo 1
LCA Bomber 1

You would get:

DD Mission
LCA Mission

When you select one of the missions, you would see each plane typed used but each would have their individual wp's and mission parameters.

IE:
(TO: = Take Off)

DD Mission
P-51D X/X: Escort/Cap AXX  TO: 12:50
P-51D X/X: Escort/Support VXX  TO: 12:40
P-47N X/X: VH/Support VXX  TO: 12:40
P-47N X/X: VH/Support AXX  TO: 12:50
B-17G X/X: FH/Town AXX  TO: 12:40

LCA Mission
P-51D X/X: Sweep/Cap AXXX TO: 12:40
P-47N X/X: VH/BH AXXX  TO: 12:40
B-17G X/X: FH/Town AXXX  TO: 12:35

When you select a plane group, you will see the Ords, fuel and ammo loads.  This is when you would see any wp's set by the planner for the group.

With the Advanced Mission Parameter check box off, you could just put together a mission using the current planner setup.  But if you check it, you can go into detail of Primary/Secondary <Target>, set way-points for each group and even take off times.  All in one mission to boot.