EA-6B Prowler - WiP by IrishDeviant

[eddyd 0]

Nice models

Well i have work on a f-14 model too.

If you want this mlod .

PM i will send this model do you .

Have no time work on this f-14 :(

cya

eddyd

[IrishDeviant 10]

Looks nice. If you want to send the file to my PM box, that's fine. But, I can't guarantee that I'll find time to work on it. If you do send it to me, be sure to include a text file with your screen name so that I know who sent it to me for credit.

Also, I prefer any of the following formats:

.obj

.3ds

.ma (Maya ASCII)

.mb (Maya Binary)

.max

.3dm

.lxo

Edited October 1, 2010 by IrishDeviant

[Binkowski 26]

i like it.

[jadehorus 10]

Aaaahh...A B2 would be so nice and exotic in Arma2...(daydreaming...)

By the way those finished models look smashing good!

[IrishDeviant 10]

Updating main post with important info. EA-6B has to be delayed for the time being. :butbut:

[TRexian 0]

Hey Irish -

- scripting - hey, have your scripters considered the new mergeConfig command? It may be possible to change the actual config values of radar functioning when the Prowler is around. Of course, the problem will be changing it back if the Prowler is shot down or leaves... :doh: :)

- next project - saw the Jaguar in there! :) One of my faves. I did a skin for it for another game years ago. Nice a/c. Gets my vote, as it is a good strike platform.

[IrishDeviant 10]

Hey Irish -

- scripting - hey, have your scripters considered the new mergeConfig command? It may be possible to change the actual config values of radar functioning when the Prowler is around. Of course, the problem will be changing it back if the Prowler is shot down or leaves... :doh: :)

- next project - saw the Jaguar in there! :) One of my faves. I did a skin for it for another game years ago. Nice a/c. Gets my vote, as it is a good strike platform.

I'll look into it, but the main problem is the fact that the EA-6B's primary role is jamming the radar of AA installations so the 'other' aircraft can come in to destroy them. Getting the Prowler itself to have a semi-realistic jamming system isn't really the problem, it's being able to affect other aircraft in the area. Which means, it can't be an 'aircraft side' script. It will have to be something done to the AA units on the OpFor side.

For example, one suggestion was to have the script, when activated, force all OpFor AA units to go to hold fire. But, the problem with that is if those units have a group leader, which they likely will, the looping created by the jamming script fighting with the group leader code, would cause performance issues. Another theory is to have the Prowler just emit tons of invisible flares, but it's still unclear as to whether or not it's possible to tell other aircraft (BIS and addon) to do the same, if within a give radius of the jammer. Also, another theory is to make the jammer script do a removeWeapon on all AA units until the jammer is turned off. But, that theory doesn't have any testing either.

Simply put, I didn't realize how much new, unexplored coding would have to be done in order to make it work. And, since I don't want to spend a ton of time making it and not have it work like it's supposed to, I've just decided to hold off on it for awhile.

And, your vote for the Jaguar is dually noted. :j:

[TRexian 0]

Perhaps use the disableAI command, both target and autotarget? You could also remove all magazines from the AA when the Prowler is around, then re-stock them when it leaves?

Also, my thinking with the mergeConfigFile, is that you could have a custom config that changes the parameters of the base class for the radars to make them less effective. But, that poses the greater challenge of how to change them back when the Prowler isn't around.

Good luck!

[IrishDeviant 10]

Perhaps use the disableAI command, both target and autotarget? You could also remove all magazines from the AA when the Prowler is around, then re-stock them when it leaves?

Also, my thinking with the mergeConfigFile, is that you could have a custom config that changes the parameters of the base class for the radars to make them less effective. But, that poses the greater challenge of how to change them back when the Prowler isn't around.

Good luck!

Yeah, I'm sure it's possible, but I'm not a scripter... I actually feel like a bit of a free-loader asking scripters to figure out how to make it work. But, modeling is what I do. I dabble in scripting for little stuff, but have no interest in diving into some huge scripting issue. I just figure my time can be best spent working on an aircraft with fewer code related issues. Like a simple fighter or bomber. Or maybe even a reconnaissance plane like the U-2 that feeds a UAV style camera view to UAV trailers and Comms officers.

If scripters want to start a thread for figuring out how to make jamming, signal interference, and various other systems of the Prowler work, then I would happily follow along to see if progress is made. But, I just don't have the time to make it my issue to solve. I love the idea of a Prowler in Arma II, I think it would add a whole new aspect of gameplay and combat strategy. But, I don't love it enough to learn how to do scripting just for this issue.

My apologies to those who were looking forward to the EA-6B, and I hope I'm able to make it in the near future, but unfortunately, not at this time.

I will continue this thread until people have a chance to comment on what aircraft they're interested in, and then I'll start a new WiP thread for that aircraft.

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

I might have a solution for the jamming, expect a pm later tody.

If my solution is crap then I say bring on the Dragon Lady. ;)

[IrishDeviant 10]

I might have a solution for the jamming, expect a pm later tody.

If my solution is crap then I say bring on the Dragon Lady. ;)

Sounds good. I've got to step out for a bit, but I'll be back later. Although I think I'm going to go ahead and start a different aircraft for now. If scripters want to do the code work using a proxy aircraft (the C-130 would probably be a good proxy because it can carry 4+ passengers) and get a working prototype, then I'd be more comfortable getting back to the Prowler.

And, your U2 vote is noted. ;)

[TRexian 0]

Heya Darkhorse -

You want to start a thread about your idea? I'd be interested in help brainstorm, although less likely to work on the proof-of-concept.

(How's that for a cop-out?) :)

[JDog 11]

As much as I'd rather continue to see work on the Prowler, even with limitations of the game we all have to work around, especially since its far from a flight/navy sim, I suppose my vote would go towards the F14 just cuz its my favorite plane, and I tire of the old ported one. However if not that one, then E2/E3/RAH66.

[Jester_Darrak 10]

Well guys, a Jaguar is really outdated, more than the F-14 everyone loves. The U2 (hey Bono :D ) is not really practial for ArmA as it is a very high altitude recon aircraft. And outdated too. What I would prefer is a new C-130 - but with some modifications.

The problem with all the AC-130 Scripts is that they are scripts. There was one real AC-130 model (video to find on youtube) but they got problems with BIS as it seemed they ripped the BIS model to edit into AC-130.

So my vote goes to an AC-130. I hope that your C-130 project folder does not limit to this. I don't think that you would need help with scripting, they are already out. ;)

What do you think, Irish?

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

Well, the jamming idea was used by atleast one aircraft in ArmA, and I was going to see if it could be expanded. The basic idea is this...

When jamming is activated it creates an extremely large number of false radar contacts, and randomly moves them around at a good speed. It makes it where if anybody attempts to target an aircraft (with tab or whatever custom key ya use) you lock on to one of the many ghosts.

Admittedly there might be a ver small chance of the lock aquiring the real target, but with 50+ false radar contacts moving around rapidly the only way to lock would be to get really close and attempt a manual lock (using right click) but if the jamming aircraft had escorts or was at altitude the chances of having someone manual lock on you should fall under acceptable risk.

Its a very... simple workaround, but it worked pretty good in A1, so an experiment with A2, with more radar targets and an expanded range, should be examined.

[Dr. Horrible 10]

AC-130? Meh.

Im still for the F-14 EVERYBODY LOVES. Or at least an update on the F-14 cockpit, thats the part of the existing Tomcat that really shows its age.

[TRexian 0]

Heya Darkhorse -

I kinda like that idea. Particularly if we just need a non-visual lod as the 'decoy'... would be almost nothing to generate them and either delete them, or just move them around.

Do you recall which A1 mod used that implementation? Easier to look at what someone else has done than to try to start from scratch. :D

[Daniel 0]

Didn't the DKM RAH-66 use that method for "stealth mode" back in OFP? Seemed to work well. I guess it's not possible to disable AI radar capabilities within a given radius of the aircraft?

[da12thMonkey 1943]

Jaguar!

Would be a great aircraft for the fictional factions in ArmA given it has real-life operators in Oman, India, Nigeria and places like that.

F/A-18 would be good, particularly if you do a E/F Super Hornet (I know Franze' one is still around): should you ever work out a jamming script you planned for the EA-6B, you could also make an EF-18G Growler using the model.

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

I believe it was one of these two aircraft.

http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=5010

http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8886

[Drew 10]

It was the Airbus.

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

The Airbus has it... but so does one of those 2 links. Possibly even both of those links.

... FPDR

[Drew 10]

the facepalm pic is overused by you. Every other post from you has it attached, it's like an old joke.

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

Twice in a month/month and a half or more. You have an odd definition of "overused".

I'll take a look at the script, i don't understand much scripting wise but i should be able to tweak the values for number of targets/range they are at from the aircraft.

[IrishDeviant 10]

As much as I'd rather continue to see work on the Prowler, even with limitations of the game we all have to work around, especially since its far from a flight/navy sim, I suppose my vote would go towards the F14 just cuz its my favorite plane, and I tire of the old ported one. However if not that one, then E2/E3/RAH66.

JDog, I understand other people who actually know how, and have time to do scripting must finds ways of making their aircraft work. However, I don't have that kind of time. I am already willing to dedicate much of my spare time to make an aircraft for the community, and would think most people would appreciate that... Not complain and ridicule. If you would like to write the code for the Prowler, and can show me a functional prototype, I'll start back on the model. Until then, I'm working on another project.

Well guys, a Jaguar is really outdated, more than the F-14 everyone loves. The U2 (hey Bono :D ) is not really practial for ArmA as it is a very high altitude recon aircraft. And outdated too. What I would prefer is a new C-130 - but with some modifications.

The problem with all the AC-130 Scripts is that they are scripts. There was one real AC-130 model (video to find on youtube) but they got problems with BIS as it seemed they ripped the BIS model to edit into AC-130.

So my vote goes to an AC-130. I hope that your C-130 project folder does not limit to this. I don't think that you would need help with scripting, they are already out. ;)

What do you think, Irish?

The C-130 is a possibility since BIS hasn't released a sample of theirs. I know it could use additional functionality... As for the AC-130, it's just a C-130 with the weapons and a modified interior. There is also the C-130J which is a longer, more modern version of the C-130 that could be used for a larger cargo load. (it just requires a simple stretch of the cabin just in front of the wings, and just before the tail) Although, I think someone was telling me they thought there was some engine limitation keeping the AC-130 model from working. I don't know why they would think that considering the scripting for the regular C-130 seems to work, but it's worth looking into.

Well, the jamming idea was used by atleast one aircraft in ArmA, and I was going to see if it could be expanded. The basic idea is this...

When jamming is activated it creates an extremely large number of false radar contacts, and randomly moves them around at a good speed. It makes it where if anybody attempts to target an aircraft (with tab or whatever custom key ya use) you lock on to one of the many ghosts.

Admittedly there might be a ver small chance of the lock aquiring the real target, but with 50+ false radar contacts moving around rapidly the only way to lock would be to get really close and attempt a manual lock (using right click) but if the jamming aircraft had escorts or was at altitude the chances of having someone manual lock on you should fall under acceptable risk.

Its a very... simple workaround, but it worked pretty good in A1, so an experiment with A2, with more radar targets and an expanded range, should be examined.

This sounds like it might have some promise. I think something similar was already suggested in another forum. The only real restriction is that the other friendly strike aircraft would need to fly relatively close to 'hide' inside the cloud of targets. But, that isn't a big deal.

the facepalm pic is overused by you. Every other post from you has it attached, it's like an old joke.

Who really cares what emotes the guy uses. If you honestly are upset about a little icon in somebody's post, you need to find a hobby. ...or a therapist.

Twice in a month/month and a half or more. You have an odd definition of "overused".

I'll take a look at the script, i don't understand much scripting wise but i should be able to tweak the values for number of targets/range they are at from the aircraft.

Dude, use it in every post. I personally don't get the 'joke', but who cares. Also, appreciate the interest in getting the Prowler working. I am going to continue on with another aircraft, but I will be coming back to the Prowler soon, so the code work is much appreciated. Thanks

Edited October 2, 2010 by IrishDeviant