LotATC DCS: the first impression

Our group purchased “an ATC/AWACS/Radar tool for DCS” and we decided to test it immediately! Here a report about that flight day, where I will share my first impression about LotATC DCS…

Content:
First flight
Second flight
Third flight
Fourth Flight
Fifth flight
Conclusion

First flight

An unrecognized mark on the radar was detected nearby the coast. Two fighters Mig-21 was sent to intercept the unknown aircraft. Pilot Andy controlled second Mig-21. The illegal infiltrator was shot down by first Mig-21*. Both Mig21 returned to the base.

Andy and I tested an approaching control system. In the picture below it is represented how an approach looks like. LotATC DCS can be used as an advanced tool for a controller in DCS. A controller can help to land in limited visibility (night, weather etc). As well as a controller can monitoring flights in to special areas as polygons, pilotage areas etc (a zone can be added on the controller map).

Second flight

A frontier intruder was detected on the radar. We tried to contact the intruder by the radio but without any success.

• Mig-21 was scrambled for the interception.
• Our Mig-21 passed closely the intruder. Andy (pilot of Mig-21) recognized the intruder as C-130 Aircraft.
• C-130 didn’t react to the presence of Mig-21.
• It was an attempt to show that the C-130 must follow Mig-21 – no success.
• Mig-21 demonstrated its weapons – no success.
• The target was shot down by pilot Andy by the order.
• The target crashed into the Black Sea.

Third flight

A low-speed and maneuverable target was detected on the radar. The target was on low altitude. A Mig-21scrambled to intercept the target.

Later the goal was identified as a helicopter. The intruder used terrain to hide from radar. Target’s mark appeared and disappeared on the radar*** That made the interception very complicate.

The intercept wasт’t successful. Mig-21 had to return the base due to lack of fuel.

Fourth flight

Another low-speed and maneuvrable target was detected which crossed the border. To intercept target, two Ka-50 were scrambled (pilots: Fox and Andy).

Ka-50s were vectored by a GCI operator Alex. In the mountains the target constantly appeared/disappeared from the radar. After while the target didn’t appear on the radar. Both Ka-50s returned to the base.

Later, after flights, it was found out that enemy helicopter crashed into the mountain during escaping from our Ka-50 ****

Fifth flight

In short: a mark was found on the radar. Later it was recognized as two helicopters type “Gazelle”. The first enemy helicopter was hit by and ditched. Both Gazelle pilots were captured by ground forces. The second enemy helicopter followed its heading and was shot down by pilot Fox. The crash site was investigated by a special group which was delivered by Mi-8 (pilot Andy).
The investigation group found the wreckage of the enemy Gazelle and two bodies of its crew.

The fifth flight was very interesting – the video is HERE!

* – Actually, I forgot to remove Mig-21 bot. It took itself, bots radars said it where the target is… 😉

** Server LotATC DCS has a lot of settings. But even in the base level you cannot see a type of enemy aircraft (like in reality).

*** LotATC respects the physic of radiowaves, i.e. it simulates normal radar work. In reality a radar cannot detect a target behind huge obstacles as mountains.

**** In LotATC an operator doesn’t know does a target alive or not. He just can see a target if it will appear on radar.

I intentionally didn’t describe how LotATC works in details. It is a big topic. This article shows how we can make a serious event from a simple mission.

Conclusion

The flight day was really nice! Despite missions were super simple, the atmosphere was very exciting. Missions were really simple – it was made during ~10 min (just several pairs of Mig-21, Ka-50, Mi-8 were added on the map and two groups of enemies).

If players want to fly helicopters we can send them to intercept a low-speed target on low altitude. But if someone wants to fly Mig-21, we can send him to intercept an enemy plane. In mission we can also add an evacuation place, ground enemies, terrorists etc…

IT WILL BE ENOUGH WORK FOR EVERYONE!

The secret is that when we hide all objects on the map (F10 view) + AWACS doesn’t non-stop chatting… In such environment for a player exist only that target that he was informed by an operator or by other players.

Consequently, LotAtc DCS creates beautiful environment which forces players to communicate with each other!