Mission Editor: Creating Intelligent AI JTACs (using MIST.lua & JTACAutoLase.lau) | DCS WORLD

[@boggy8557]

Does the autolase script still work with 2.7? I keep getting errors on mission loading.

[@grimreapers]

I just use this now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2LbfJhpYs2ehs0

[@Anaximander29A]

Maybe you have to go in the mission editor and do DO SCRIPT for the file again? I built a small mission a week ago in open beta and even used the deprecated script. Worked without problems.

[@boggy8557]

@@Anaximander29A thanks I'll try that!

[@hook86]

I'm actually having errors trying to use Mist and CTLD too after using them without issue for years. The really annoying thing is if I load a mission using MIST and CTLD built prior to 2.7 in the Black Sea, all works as intended. If I use those exact same scripts in Marianas, even copying the unit names, I get a script error on loading. Where you by chance using Marianas? I hate to lose the utility of CTLD.

[@MagicALCN]

Works in 2.8.1 I just tested it

[@TealJosh]

This game really needs in-mission-editor debugging for syntax checking and ai behaviour.

[@Noppers20]

I have just started my DCS journey. Thank you for these resources - they are outstanding.

[@pandorasboxg]

while some say the script version is better you in fact can do jtac within the ME; for example on the predator you select AFAC not RECON to have a unit perform JTAC . Then under advanced way points/perform command and You have a variety of JTAC modes. They can get kind of tricky because for example the JTAC unit must be within 5 miles of the target and a clear line of sight before it can laze a target. There is a list out there of AFAC capable air/ground units. Side note: For example if an Abrams tank group is set up for AFAC the lead unit #1 will be JTAC until destroyed then Unit #2 and so on will assume the role in as replacement. Tanks will also engage targets under the AFAC setting as well unless rules of engagement are changed. I can send you a working mission as an example if you like.

[@TourGuide223]

I can't figure it out. I did everything properly and the reaper just sends me incorrect coordinates every time, the UTM coordinates are 300+ miles away from where they should be and the lase point he sends to me are always like 500-1000 feet off

[@1over137]

Awesome, worked first time for me. Great fun for doing GBU12 toss bombing from low level.

[@CueDriver]

Thanks Cap, another great feature I can use. UPDATE- Cap you rock for this video. I did just like your video and it worked the first shot. I have been wanting to know how to do this really bad. This just took my mission building to a whole other level.

[@friedrichnix]

Good tutorial - as always! And super useful for mission building. As said in another comment answer, I found this script the only really reliant way of lasing a target.

[@DJLoveNoise]

Thanks for keeping the community update 💯💯💯

[@Ironwulf2000]

Hi Cap, you can actually get units to JTAC 'natively' from the mission editor, without scripts. The process is more involved in actually using it as a pilot as you have to actually radio communicate with the JTAC and do a 9 line brief.

[@grimreapers]

Awesome! I had no idea. Man this DCS thing is complex

[@friedrichnix]

I have tried with both versions of doing JTAC myself in self made missions. I find that the „native mission editor“ way is not trustworthy. I had a couple of times, when I could not activate the lasing with radio commands or JTAC all of a sudden didn‘t continue with readout/readback etc. So if you _really_ need a JTAC that is reliant and working, you need to use the AutoLase Script as described in this tutorial.

[@Ironwulf2000]

Friedrich Nix I am not sure how they do it but the native JTAC cannot see through trees etc (unlike Autolase which acts as if trees are invisible. this will cause a type 3 9 line (where the target location is known but direct line of sight and thus designation is not possible). You must also use a unit that actually has laser capability, like a TOW Hummer or striker, and it must be within range. Technically I believe in DCS the laser max range is up to 8nm but I believe the FAC May be limited to 5nm (I haven’t tested) for target search. IRL laser designators struggle with ranges over 8nm anyway

[@friedrichnix]

Ironwulf2000 Yes. Actually, if you have a stationary unit, the editor even shows if laser/IR designeter etc. works or line of sight is blocked etc. But even if the unit is stationary, sometimes the „script“ hangs and you don‘t get to the actual point when the laser is fired. Mostly it was at my part when I transmitted „contact“ over the radio, that JTAC didn‘t continue with designating the target. I find it more realistic with comms and readback, but as I said, if I want something reliable for a mission, I use the AutoLase script.

[@Ironwulf2000]

Friedrich Nix type 2 doesn’t usually require a contact call. Contact jtac > < 9 line Request more info > < talk on Read back > < ack, call IP inbound IP inbound > < continue Laser on > < laseing SPOT or SHIFT > IN from the (direction) > < cleared hot or abort abort abort < BDA < re-attack instructions or cleared RTB But yes sometimes the script hangs... but usually I just check out and back in and it’s fine. Sadly it’s one of the more immersive parts of DCS -which is why I appreciate it more than an on screen GPS dump and lase - that started well but got forgotten. But it of course helps you to deploy Laser and with some tweaking of the script GPS guided weapons, so the autolase script is definitely not a bad thing. I think Cap showing this method and getting people interested in it, and yes perhaps pointing out some of its bugs, might get ED to look at it more closely and fix it.... as when it works it’s great, and that helps everyone. I guess I was just a bit disappointed to hear him say the autolase script is the only way to get AI to do it, as then it stays on the bottom of the pile of things ED could look at.

[@nonamenowhereski7563]

Super useful! Thanks for the walkthrough!

[@latein1148]

Super useful and yet again another amazing tutorial

[@Elcicikos]

Thank You.

[@louisvrm5557]

I keep getting JTAC KIA (killed in action) message when the script loaded in the mission but the drone is still flying perfectly, any solutions?

[@juliencote78]

You probably have a mismatch unit name in the function call. Make sure you use the same unit name (JTAC1) in the lua function call JTACAutoLase('JTAC1', 1688, true,"all").

[@MrDagobert666]

Questions 1. Can a F14b do Lasing? 2. Need the Unit a Laser in Game? 3. What is the max Range of the JTac?

[@grimreapers]

No, Yes, you can set that, I think default is 8nM

[@MrDagobert666]

@@grimreapers THX

[@MrDagobert666]

F14b is Lasing with the script.... You need extant the Range to "JTAC_maxDistance = 15000" an it Works.... But Unfortunately just Grund Units and not Ships :/

[@pandorasboxg]

1) f18(when targeting pod is available) yes/A10c yes not what you asked for but maybe useful 3) not using script JTAC laser is 5nm instead using ME AFAC(JTAC) task. You can get unit info way further out but the unit wont let you laze until is 5nm away. kinda fun to set that up along a wpt route with a drone creating a more dramatic short window of when you can actually fire/drop your stuff.

[@yogesh234rathod]

Hi, can this also work lasing building structures or just vehicles? Also, it would be really helpful if you make a video on basic scripting of .lua to give orders to AI. Thanks!

[@StevieMoto]

Is there any way to actively get the reaper to select a particular target of interest. Say I didn't want it to laze a particular tank but I wanted it to laze an apc in a different location without destroying the first said target?

[@grimreapers]

Not that I know of.

[@lightAK47]

Hello, I know the video here is a bit older, and maybe I will get an answer, I managed to get it with 1 reaper, but how do I get a second one? every time I get an error that is no longer there

[@DL-bp7jp]

Hi, Thanks for this! Can I cycle through the JTAC targets. I created a mission and it picks up the first target in the area...

[@grimreapers]

Don't thinkso.

[@TRlBUTEK]

How can the MQ-9 designate a specific target (only Scud_B for example) ?

[@grimreapers]

Unsure

[@bean5050]

is it possible to target static objects with the drone

[@grimreapers]

don't think so.

[@Yomahagava]

Probs to the guy who wrote those codes in cpp damn

[@karaskombroturbococo3910]

I have prooved, it semms to work..(more or less) but unafortunatly, it doesn't work against ships units.

[@Mojje42]

i hate .lua..... never gotten any to work or they just show error codes.... i think i now know why..... Question: does the Reaper only work with US planes or can it work with the Russian ones?

[@grimreapers]

both

[@Specter0420]

Any idea how to do this in the dedicated server? Set it all up on the main DCS computer and test, then transfer the scripts to the same "downloads" folder (or whatever) on the server box?

[@grimreapers]

My understand is you make the mission on local PC, test and save. Then all u got to do is ship the .miz to the server, and all the scripting should be saved in the .miz.

[@TVMissiledE]

I'm just gonna ask... what do you even need MIST for?! JTAC Auto Lase is a standalone script afaik.

[@grimreapers]

dunno the boys said u need it for any other script to work?

[@Mojje42]

just to add a thing about this: this only works for Blue coalition not Red coalition

[@wittebolsproductions5868]

Hello, How big is the dcs world community?

[@grimreapers]

50,000 I imagine. Maybe larger.

[@majkmajers2325]

1:29 you can click the "clone or download" button to download a zip imgur.com/a/tvnVYTH

[@grimreapers]

thx

[@akisakis7980]

I don't understand why we don't have this in game as an option so we can click on it and make all the stuffs we want

[@grimreapers]

hmmm not sure?

[@schweizerluchs7146]

MQ-9 Reaper

[@sam0899gamer]

Thanks cap, it works, but it keeps losing its target and smoking up the whole AO

[@peterkelberg6592]

Bit late to the party here, the drone had locked to targets but 5 minutes got message saying lost targets and than requires it and than looses it again

[@UltraTopSecret]

Maybe the drone is too close/too high altitude that it looses pod/laser during the circle orbit..? Try adding distance

[@Bearcat2]

Same for me. The drone designates a first target and than a second only after few seconds after. After few second, the drone losses the target without any possibility to recover any of them

[@MrDagobert666]

It seem Lasing Ships is not Posible

[@XwALasX]

who knows how can i fly a MQ9 REAPPER? I NEED HELP

[@RageBaiter1]

You can’t, its an ai only plane