DCS - Modern Air Task Order

[VBF-12 Gosling]

Gents

We are going to try to plan for our Squadnight sorties in DCS. To be able to launch without the delays of getting sorted out and briefing the plans we will try to post an Air Task Order (ATO) that gives the basic information. It’s in a standard format that, once practiced, is very readable. However it uses a lot of abbreviations and acronyms so this thread will be all about the ATO and how to read it...

take an initail look at this:

I cant make image display so type “Air Task Order Format” into google and pic the first Image.

Also, take a look at:

www.vitaf.it/AMVI_Sito/Activity/Campagne/Falcon/CommandoSling2012/AIR-TASKING-ORDER-GUIDE.pdf

I will go on to explain each element in further posts. I will also explain the various options available in each section. We are also going to make ours much more readable with some plain language as we dont have all the correct abbreviations. Once we are in the swing of this we will be able to promulgate plans really easily....

Thanks for looking at this and trying to understand. We appreciate that it is not easy at the start...

[VBF-12 Gosling]

MESSAGES

An Air Task Order comes as a military message. What you might call a Signal format. It is very abbreviated to make it efficient. I will build this up as we go along. I am including spaces around the “/“ for clarity. Italics are comments of understanding. Title case are required information. Each Line ends at the “//“ symbol.

Date Time Groups
There is a standard way to write time groups. They are the Date Time Group (DTG). They follow this format:
YYYY MM DD HHMM Zone // Date Time Group (with zone as Z = UTC and L = local) - However we will use MMM to avoid problems with US understanding of Month Day Year!!!!
They can be shortened to just the Day and Time as:
DDHHMMZone (normally Zulu Time)

Header Format
EXER / exercise name / additional identifier //
or
OPER / operation name / plan originator and number / option name / second option name //
MSGID / ATO classification / originator / message serial number / month / qualifier / qualifier serial number //
REF / serial letter / (usmtf message short title) or (type of reference) / originator / date-time group / (msg ser number) / special notation / (sic) or (filing number) //
AMPN / free text to explain preceding reference set//
NARR / free text to explain preceding reference set//
PERID / FM: time from / TO: time to / ASOF: as of time //
AIRTASK / air tasking / air tasking comments //
TASKUNIT / The tasked unit designator / ICAO location / comments //

Example
OPER / FULL CLEAR / CVW-8 / - / - //
MSGID / ATO VCONF / CVW-8 / ATO1501 / MAR / - / - //
REF / A / F18SEAD SCL Linked / VAQ-131 / - / - / - / - //
NARR / Guide to understanding Message Format and in particular the ATO //
PERID / ASOF: 2019 FEB 16001Z //
AIRTASK / Air Superiority over target area //
TASKUNIT / CVW-8 / BUSH / AT SEA //

The Air Task Order (ATO)
This ATO message includes the effective time period, tasked unit(s), and basic mission information: mission number, request number, priority, mission type, time on and off target, alert status, location, call sign, number and type of aircraft, ordnance type, IFF/SIF mode and code, and time and target location for ALL Air missions taking place within one Exercise or Operation for a one day. So If your mission has a tanker available, that will be a mission too and be listed separately.

An ATO is issued every day early and applies to the next day. This allows the aircrew to prepare for the following days sortie the day before it happens. The ATO number may begin with the date (15) it applies and then a version number (01)

Classification
We can classify ours using normal classifications and adding V for virtual on the front - This may help the CIA realise we are playing and not preparing for war!!!!

VCOSMIC - Virtual Cosmic - Squadron Command Only
VTS - Virtual Top Secret - Squadron Command and Command of Associated Squadrons for that event Only
VSEC - Virtual Secret - Squadron Members Only
VCONF - Virtual Confidential - Squadron Members and Squadrons working together
VREST - Virtual Restricted - Any DCS Players
VUC - Public

[VBF-12 Gosling]

MESSAGE BODY

The body of the message is sepatead into blocks. One for each mission.

Sets
Each Block is split into a number of Sets and these can vary depending upon the mission. Mandatory Header Sets are PERID and AIRTASK within Blocks TASKUNIT and MSNDAT are mandatory. You also must use one (but only one) of sets MSNLOC, TGTLOC, and RECDATA.

Sets
Each Set begins with a fixed heading. The basic Sets are:

• [TASKUNIT - Unit tasked with the following mission
• MSNDAT - Mission Basic Data
• MSNLOC - Mission Location
• TGTLOC - Target Location
• RECDAT - Reconnisance Data

So each mission has one of: MSNLOC, TGTLOC or RECDATA.

Other Sets may include any or all of the following. This is an incomplete list.

• TRCPLOT - Trace Plot information
• CONTROL - Flight Safety and Fighter Controllers - The Air Traffic Controllers normally in the AWACS
• FACINFO - Forward Air Controller information
• ELECMBT - Electronic Combat Support Information
• REFUEL - Details of the Tanker
• AMPN - Amplifying Remarks

Each of these Sets have specific Items separated by a “/“. Some Items are mandatory and some, at the end, are optional. Once all information for that Set is complete the Set is ended with a “//“. The Set can be any length but is usually no longer than two lines on a page. Any Item that is not required is replaced with a “-“ so that the next item falls inline with the correct Item sequence. The Set can be ended without optional Items that are not required. Each of the above Sets will be described in subsequent posts.

MISSION DATA (MSNDAT)

The Mission Data Set is the basic data for aircraft to be allocated to the mission.

Format
MSNDAT / mission number / package identification / aircraft call sign / number and type aircraft / mission type / alert status / primary configuration code / secondary configuration code / iff-sif code and mode //

MSNDAT / MSNNO / PKG / CALLSIGN / n ACFT / MSN / ALRT / SCL1 / SCL2 / SIF1 / SIF2 // - Spaces have been added for clarity

Example
MSNDAT / 1630 / A / SKYBOLT5-1 / 2F18C / SEAD / AL15 / 4A881 / - / 25541 / 43441 //

Abbreviations
ACFT - Aircraft
CALLSIGN - Callsign of leader. The rest of the aircraft follow on. The next package needs to take account of the number of aircraft in the previous package. So our next package is SKYBOLT5-3 or SKYBOLT6-1. It cannot be SKYBOLT5-2 as that has been used.
ALRT - Alert State - Aircraft have defined alert states like; AL0 (Airborne), AL5 (5 mins to launch), AL15 (15 mins to launch) etc
MSN - Mission Type (SEAD - Suppression of Enemy Air Defence)
MSNNO - Mission Number - Starts with the date that the ATO applies to. There is one ATO issued a day for tomorrow.
PKG - Package (Grouping of aircraft prior to conducting specific mission I think - these seem to be just letters “A”
SCL - Standard Combat Load - What the Aircraft will be armed with. These are defined in our Standard Combat Load Thread to be added - 4A881 = 4 x AGM88C + 1 x Centreline Tank
- = Field not used
SIF - Successor Identification Friend or Foe - Modern burst transmission IFF that is much more secure that Civillian IFF. IFF is not functional yet

[VBF-12 Gosling]

MISSION LOCATION (MSNLOC)

The next Set is Mission Location. This would be for a mission like a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) or a Tanker mission where the mission requires the aircraft to be airborne available for a period of time.

Format
MSNLOC / mission start day-time / mission stop day-time / mission location name / (altitude) or (flight level) / air support request number / area coordinates //
MSNLOC / TOS / TFS / MSNLOC / ALT / REQNO / AREA COORD //

Example
MSNLOC / 161500Z / 161900Z / N5434.00E02245.50 / 27000 / 2 / As Directed //

Abbreviations
TOS = Time On Station = Start of period on station - Format: ddhhmmz
TFS = Time Off Station = End of period on Station - Format: ddhhmmz
MSNLOC = Mission Location - Format N/S nnnn.nn E/Wnnnnn.nn (degs, mins, secs for input)
ALT = Altitude of station in feet or Flight Level
REQNO = No. of aircraft request number - This is a reference to the Air support request that caused this mission to be generated
AREA COORD = Area Coordinates or As Directed

[VBF-12 Gosling]

TARGET LOCATION (TGTLOC)

Instead of a Mission Location, there may be just a Target Location. This defines a location for the aircraft to execute their mission. This might be a strike or resupply or evacuation etc. I think the example from the first post might be confusing as it seemed to have errors The format we will use is:

Format
TGTLOC / day-time on target / day-time off target / target identifier / target type / desired mean point of impact / air support request number / target comments //
TGTLOC / TOT / TFT / TGTID / TGT TYPE / DMPI / REQNO / RMKS //

Example
TGTLOC / 161600Z / 161604Z / A004 / SA-10 / N5427.00 E02223.56 / ?-? / - //

Abbreviations
TOT = Time On Target - ddhhmmz
TFT = Time Off Target - ddhhmmz - Four min window for a strike
TGTID = Target Identification from a Target List
TGT TYPE = Description of Target, more in RMKS if reqd
DMPI = Desired Mean Point of Impact - Lat/Lon or grid
REQNO = Request Number - Reference to the Air Supposrt Request that caused this target to get on the Target List and so generate this mission.
RMKS = Amplifying remarks.

[VBF-12 Gosling]

RECONNAISSANCE DATA (RECDAT)

Now for some less used Sets starting with RECDAT. We can see us using this for getting target images etc and having them in as links. In the example at the top the format is:

Format
RECDATA / request number / mission priority / day-time on target / latest time information of value / reconnaissance mission type // additional items as below:
RECDAT / REQNO / PRIORITY / TOT / LTIOV / MSN TYPE / TYPE RECON / IMAG TYPE / IMAG QUAL / COVRG EXT / TGT CODES / SCALE / DELIV TO //

Example
RECDAT / R001 / 4HR / 161600Z / 161500Z / CAS / PHOT / THERM / 8 / R2 / SA-10 / 1:25000 / VAQ-131 //

Abbreviations
REQNO = Request No.
PRIORITY = Priority against other Recon tasks I suspect
TOT = TIme on Target of the Strike I think giving the Recon guys the window to get teh required recon to the Strike package
LTIOV = Latest Time Information Of Value
MSN TYPE = Type of Mission to be executed using the recon
TYPE RECON = The type of information required, Phots, terrain, etc
IMAG TYPE = Not sure of the options. I guess IR, VIS, RDR, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), ISAR (Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar)
IMAG QUAL = Image quality 0 - 9. NIIRS (National Image Interpretability Rating Scales)
COVRG EXT = Coverage Extent as a Radius, Width or Ellipse in nm
TGT CODES = Probably the codes of the mission going to strike it, but we can use this as the target
SCALE = Again there is probably a standard but we can use standard map scales.
DELIV TO = Delivery of the recon to a unit that will be conducting the mission - In our case this will be a link

[VBF-12 Gosling]

TRACE PLOT (TRCPLOT)

TRCPLOT. Trace plot Set seems to be assocaiated with a RECDAT as it appears to describe a start and finish point of a trace. This might be a photex, a SAR or an ISAR scan etc. Not sure what track plot is all about and I am trying to find out, I’ll get back to you on this one.

Format
TRCPLOT / location of initial point / type area / trace point location //
TRCPLOT / TRCID / Radius or Width or Ellipse / Corridor //

Example
TRCPLOT / TR01 / E / 2 /

Abbreviations
TRCPLOT = Trace Plot
TRCID = Trace Identification Number
R or W or E = Radius or Width or Ellipse
Corridor = Width of trace in nautical miles

[VBF-12 Gosling]

CONTROL (CONTROL)

This Set describes the avaialbe Air Traffic Control that will be availkable during the operation. Often this is very standard and would be in a reference. There are two general sets of service. Air Traffic and Operational. The Air traffic Ones are:

• Basic Service - Just an information service
• Traffic Serrvice - Where the controller will warn you of other traffic
• Deconfliction Service - Where the conroller will give you avoiding action if you are not visual with opposing traffic
• Procedural Service - Where you must follow the controllers instructions but he cant see you and thus relies on your reported positions
• Radar Control - The controller can se you on radar and you must follow his instructions

The Operational ones are (If I rememeber correctly):

• Broadcast - Information Service like Air Safety
• Loose Control - Where you have freedom to manoeuvre as required but the controller gives you instructions
• Close Control - Where the controller will give you instructions you should follow

Format:
CONTROL / type of control / callsign / (primary frequency) or (primary frequency designator) / (secondary frequency) or (secondary frequency designator) / report-in point / control comments //

Example
CONTROL / BROADCAST / EAGLE / 125.275 / 135.275 / AIRBORNE / - //

[VBF-12 Gosling]

FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER INFORMATION (FACINFO)

This Set provides information on the Forward Air Controller to contact for detailled target information running in to strike.

Format
FACINFO / call sign / primary (frequency) or (frequency designator) / secondary (frequency) or (frequency designator) / report- in point / support unit identity / control comments //

Example
FACINFO / FINGER22 / 119.255 / 244.125 / 10NM TO IP / HS-4 / - //

[VBF-12 Gosling]

ELECTRONIC COMBAT INFORMATION (ELECMBT)

This is very much a VAQ-131 think once we get jammers etc.... The format below seems a bit limited as it does not describe the types of Electronic Combat... Also, I’m not sure what the priority is for...

Format
ELECMBT / aircraft call sign / priority / mission location / (altitude) or (flight level) / time on station / time off station / primary (frequency) or (frequency designator) / secondary (frequency) or (frequency designator) //

Example
ELECMBT / SKYBOLT5-1 / ?-? / N50240W002269 / FL20 / 161200R / 161500R / 125.275 / 200.225 //

Abbreviations
FL = Flight Level

[VBF-12 Gosling]

REFUEL INFORMATION (REFUEL)

Now here is an important set. Burned up a bit much over the target. The need to take a short stop at the tanker should always be available.

Format
REFUEL / tanker call sign / tanker mission number / air refueling control point / (altitude) or (flight level) / air refueling control time / total off-load of fuel / (primary frequency) or (frequency designator) / secondary (frequency) or (frequency designator) //

Example
REFUEL / TEXACO9-1 / F001 / N443100E0221515 / FL230 / 162300R / 248000G / 124.225 / 134.225 //

Abbreviations
ARCP = Air Refueling Control Point. - The geographic point where the receiver arrives in the precontact position with respect to the tanker
ARCT = Air Refueling Control TIme - The time the receiver and tanker arrive at the air refueling control point.
FL = Flight Level