Scout Helos as FO's

[SGTGunn]

Hi,

I was wondering if there would be any way to give scout helo's the same call-for-fire bonus that the FO & FO Vehicle class recieve? Or perhaps come up with a new unit class? At least in US service, one of the primary missions of the observation helo is to call for and direct indirect fires.

Adrian

[Pepper]

This was mentioned in another thread, I don't recall if it was adddressed by Mobhack or DRG.

But I support it 100%. Or at least let a FO call out as a passenger in a helo. Something ... anything!

[Mobhack]

Problems are thet it is a "light helicopter" class, and not an "FOO helo" class, and so some OOBs may already use the thing as a light helo. (Ther may also be a COIN version as well, and similar problems will exist if the COIN light helo is used as a light gunship?). These OOBs may have problems (we would need to add the FOO cost to light helos in the cost calc, making OOBS which use them as small utility helos (which is what the class was originally designed for) or light gunships, MUCH more expensive.

FOO as passenger cannot be done in the game system (how would you select him to spot the mission?).

Also - in order to be an effective FOO, the helo would need to hover and watch the impact zone through the call and the fire mission, which may not be too healthy if the enemy has a credible AAA threat. (These problems with air OP operations in the game engine also rule out using spotter planes/RPV as FO assets)

There is no available unit class to introduce a "FO Chopper" either.

Making all light helos FOS would then grant the ability to the 3rd world nations to use this technique (e.g. say Uganda) for thier spotter helos.

But I will have a look and see what can be done once WW2 is out.

Andy

[Pepper]

Thanks Andy. Its obviously icing on an already rich cake, but hey, if it can be done!

[Pyros]

Here is what I propose:

1. Buy a scout (light) helicopter.
2. Buy some artillery.
3. From the scenario editor "assign as new leader" the scout helicopter to the artillery units.
4. From the scenario editor adjust the scout helicopter experience & (leader's) artillery command ratings to a value of 100.

You will have achieved:

1. Platoon leader with advanced LOS & mobility (scout helicopter)
2. All artillery units will respond to 1,5 delay with accurate on target bombardment.

see picture:

[Mustang]

After all, all FO's are are units with very high artillery command ratings, right?

[Mobhack]

FOO class has communications speed benefits to the artillery units, that simply ramming the artillery command rating up on a regular leader will not get you. Though it may well help.

Also - in a campaign, as you call in arty, your arty skill will tend to rise, so core force scout helos (or any other 0 unit) if used to call fires a lot, will tend to get better at it as the campaign progresses. Will still have an 0.2 delay though to adjust fire as not a trained FOO.

Cheers
Andy

[Pepper]

Pretty darn good workaround though Pyros, nice suggestion.

[Pyros]

In the past I have used this method in the LZ X-ray campaign with the difference that the Light Helicopter was not part of any customized artillery formation.
It was a solo unit, still it served well to decrease the delay in any arty / air mission.

One interesting point concerning the fact that the Light Helicopter is the platoon leader of the customized arty formation is the special bonus in response time, which is granted to platoon leaders of any arty formation.
They get a minus 0,6 delay in any arty / air mission (a solo Light Helicopter will give you 2,1 delay, while a platoon leader Light Helicopter will give you 1,5 delay in calling artillery missions - attached to him).

Another interesting point is the fact that a 70/70 (experience / leader artillery rating) will give you a 2,5 response time in artillery, a 100/100 will give you a 1,5 response time in artillery, while a 250/250 will STILL give you the same 1,5 response time in artillery.
So, you should not adjust your Light Helicopter to anything more than 100 experience and 100 Leader Artillery Command Rating.

cheers,
Pyros