BCT: Close Air Support

BCT
BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

Close Air Support

There are three basic types of aircraft in BCT: Brigade Combat Team. The following list describes them. The only exception to this list is a VTOL aircraft, such as the AV-8B Harrier, which can either hover or operate as a normal, fixed-wing aircraft.

Carry Helicopter

A unit on which you can either mount or dismount personnel. It operates just like any personnel carrier, except that it travels through the air. The aircraft automatically lands when stopped.

Attack Helicopter

A rotary-wing aircraft. These aircraft can not usually shoot while moving. They automatically hover when stopped. They are best used in "pop-up" attacks (see below).

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

A relatively fast aircraft like a fighter or bomber. The aircraft normally attacks targets while flying around them. When these aircraft stop, they are assumed to "return to base". It may take a very long time for them to begin moving again.

"Pop-up" attacks with attack helicopters.

1. Plan a path to place the aircraft just behind a small hill. Select "Defilade" from the "Orders" menu, and place the helicopter in defilade.

2. When you check the unit's info window. You will see that it is hovering only a few meters above the ground elevation.

3. Now, when you want to attack, take the unit out of defilade. It will "pop-up" from behind the cover of the hill and attack the targets it can see.

Attack with fixed-wing aircraft. "Fast-movers" can be the most lethal weapon systems on the battlefield, if they are used correctly. Anticipate when you will need them and start their movement well before they are needed. Don't fly them directly over targets, or they will be easily shot down. Follow those principles and they will kill more than any of your other weapon systems.

1. Plan a path and begin movement for the aircraft. The aircraft will not begin moving immediately. It may take as much as 15 minutes for the aircraft to begin moving. This replicates the time it would take for you to call the aircraft and for it to travel to the map from an airfield or intermediate point (IP).

2. Continue the path down to the area where you want the aircraft to attack. Create several legs in the area, so that the aircraft will loiter over the target area.

3. Make sure you plan the path so that it leaves the target area. If you don't, the aircraft will "stop" in the target area and be destroyed. If the aircraft stops in the target area, it will take another 15 minutes (or however long) for the aircraft to begin moving again. This replicates the fact that, without directions, the pilots will return to base.

4. Now you just wait, when enough time has elapsed, the aircraft icon on the map will begin moving.

5. If you don't want to sit and watch the icon, waiting for it to move, you can open its info window. When the unit begins moving, its speed will change from 0 (speed is in meters per second).

6. When the aircraft has entered the target area, you will need to alter its course. You do not want the aircraft to fly too close to ground targets. It will be vulnerable to small arms fire. Maximize the capabilities of the aircraft by attacking targets from a "stand-off" distance of a few kilometers.

7. The aircraft will automatically begin attacking targets in range. If the aircraft is not attacking, make sure it is close enough, still has ammo, and is not in hold fire.

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Carry Helicopter	A unit on which you can either mount or dismount personnel. It operates just like any personnel carrier, except that it travels through the air. The aircraft automatically lands when stopped.
Attack Helicopter	A rotary-wing aircraft. These aircraft can not usually shoot while moving. They automatically hover when stopped. They are best used in "pop-up" attacks (see below).
Fixed-Wing Aircraft	A relatively fast aircraft like a fighter or bomber. The aircraft normally attacks targets while flying around them. When these aircraft stop, they are assumed to "return to base". It may take a very long time for them to begin moving again.

1. Plan a path to place the aircraft just behind a small hill. Select "Defilade" from the "Orders" menu, and place the helicopter in defilade.
2. When you check the unit's info window. You will see that it is hovering only a few meters above the ground elevation.
3. Now, when you want to attack, take the unit out of defilade. It will "pop-up" from behind the cover of the hill and attack the targets it can see.

1. Plan a path and begin movement for the aircraft. The aircraft will not begin moving immediately. It may take as much as 15 minutes for the aircraft to begin moving. This replicates the time it would take for you to call the aircraft and for it to travel to the map from an airfield or intermediate point (IP).
2. Continue the path down to the area where you want the aircraft to attack. Create several legs in the area, so that the aircraft will loiter over the target area.
3. Make sure you plan the path so that it leaves the target area. If you don't, the aircraft will "stop" in the target area and be destroyed. If the aircraft stops in the target area, it will take another 15 minutes (or however long) for the aircraft to begin moving again. This replicates the fact that, without directions, the pilots will return to base.
4. Now you just wait, when enough time has elapsed, the aircraft icon on the map will begin moving.
5. If you don't want to sit and watch the icon, waiting for it to move, you can open its info window. When the unit begins moving, its speed will change from 0 (speed is in meters per second).
6. When the aircraft has entered the target area, you will need to alter its course. You do not want the aircraft to fly too close to ground targets. It will be vulnerable to small arms fire. Maximize the capabilities of the aircraft by attacking targets from a "stand-off" distance of a few kilometers.
7. The aircraft will automatically begin attacking targets in range. If the aircraft is not attacking, make sure it is close enough, still has ammo, and is not in hold fire.