Helicopter Operations (Logistics)

Rotary Wing Operations

Logistical Support

Air Defence Systems (ADS)

On hoggit servers (in DCS), when placing Air Defence Systems (ADS), try not to bunch the units up this ensures that if any SEAD action occurs, you're only likely to lose a single unit/entity & not 1/2 a dozen units

some units are only single crate & can quickly be replaced, however these single crate unis are usually the less effective (hence 'cheaper') units with shorter ranges or lower hit ratios.

Units that require 2, 3 & 4 crates to assemble provide more optimal cover & nominally more effective use of your time & effort to set up.

Note: Please keep in mind that the techniques outlined below are not real-world methods, but adaptations for DCS world the methods used have been developed or adopted from personal experience or mentoring by others whom have learnt the hard way on what works & what doesn't. Take it with a grain of salt. This is what works for me.

HAWK system placement Don't just dump all the crates on top o each other this will create a volatile target that when impacted will destroy most if not all the components rather than a single entity like a track or search radar system, these are the 'missle magnets'.

playing with DCS-isms.... One mans "strategies" are another mans "cheats" i. some trees are collidable ii. SEAD aims for he radar emitters iii. DSC doesnt obscure radar detection through trees.... which leads us to tactical radar placement strategies in DCS.

Place your hawk site to maximise its footprint to reduce/limit unit damage. orientate the hawk site so that the radar systems are close to/hard up against a tree line/forest PCP & lunchers can be exposed in open ground (launchers will need clearance of obstacles).

Roland

Rolands are effective defence against Kh-58U but not so the kh-25PMU, (Gee a tunguska would be nice to have.....) however they are more effective when placed correctly when placed together & against multiple launchers, they will both fire on the first inbound missile but neither will fire on the second... optimal placement of rolands in combination with an established hawk site should provide 1x roland sllightly to the rear (~1km) with another 1x roland well forward of the hawk site (~4km)

Chaparral

Chaparral is a modified (for ground launch) AIM9 quad launcher mounted on an tracked supply vehicle it is IR based & there-fore produces zero radar emissions and is effective against AI enemy air, especially when the Hawk sites launch multiple missiles & forces the inbound SEAD aircraf defensive, the likelihood being they will dive to evade & thus bring them within the effective range of the Chaparrals max effective ceiling. Otherwise the AI will simply fly too high Placement of the Chaparral should be extended out & away from the HAWK sites in the direction of the most likley (repeated) enemy approaches, to cause the most damage.

AAA

vulcans are cheap & cheerful single crate units, they hav a limited range however, but are fun to watch operating Gepards are a 2 crate unit but far more effective. place these in support of Roland & Chaparrals for close in air defence.

ManPADs & IR missiles

manpads... always - ALWAYS carry anti-air troops with you CAP is rarely on Comms or co-ordinating with GCI (sad reality - despite so much co-op play) lacking human GCI / CAP units on comms & reliable support, helis will often have to fend for themselves pushing out away from airports / FARPs & any established ADS umbrella coverage is prone to draw the AI air threats. as soon as you see a fast mover inbound, get down to tree level, slow down & seek cover behind a building (cities are great for this)& deploy your AA troops & wait them out, several things will happen, the AI will run out of fuel, be tunnel visioned enough to chase you down to altitude & wear a manPAD in the face, or they may get engaged or chased off by CAP if you're lucky enough to have any.

I have managed quite a few surprise kills with manpads, whilst avoiding AI air threats. once eliminated, pickup the ground troops & continue on with your mission.

Supporting Vehicles

Ammo Trucks - these are essential to keeping your ADS up & running, without them the ADS is just a toothless missile magnet. the ammo trucks should be placed optimally to become a force mulitplier to as many units as possible (without crowding units together to become a frag hazard.