Apache Radar Dome

[Cascyth]

(IF we ever get a steady gunner view and precise laser targeting system)

We all know how awesome Apache Longbow is... In real life Apaches have a huge advantage over other attack helicopters.
However, we cannot use the full potential of Apache's sensor system in-game (ID, tracking, sending data to other rotorcrafts etc.), but hey - since we already have that cool radar dome on top of the model, why shouldn't we be able to use it?

My idea is to place a fourth gunner view right in the radar dome (360 FOV) for both recon and laser targeting purposes. Imagine Kashan Desert, an Apache flying low hiding behind the hills just popping out its radar dome to scan for targets.
/Target, T-90, 243deg/
Then the gunner tags the target with a laser, switches seats, pilot ascends and the hellfire is fired immediately.
/Target down/

What do you think?

[Viper5]

I'm almost certain the dome has no camera.

[arjan]

but it would function like some sort of radar.
so yeah, i like the idea

[Cascyth]

I'm almost certain the dome has no camera.

It doesn't.
My point is that the radar system cannot be that powerful as it is IRL.
By placing a gunner view on it, we could achieve a totally manual control over it, therefore 'weakening' the original system but giving the players even more pleasure and tactical possibilities.

[Masaq]

That's not a bad idea at all. Gamey, but not a bad way of doing it.

[$kelet0r]

This and the relatively tiny maps/viewdistances is the reason that advanced combat platforms from IFVs up should not be ingame/player controlled at all imo
Regardless of how 'cool' they are
But that's just my 2 cents

[Mongolian_dude]

That's not a bad idea at all. Gamey, but not a bad way of doing it.

I concur!
Thats actually some good thinking there.
I dig it.


...mongol...

[Viper5]

TBH, just sounds like a great way to make Atk Helos unbalanced towards the GB/USArmy/USMC Factions. I'd prefer to keep things even steven personally.

[Masaq]

Tell you what'd be a really good way to balance it:

Keep the angle that the "longbow" camera can look downwards limited; making it ineffective at high altitude.


To gain the advantage of being able to laze its own targets, the Apache would have to stay low, making it an easier target for MEC/PLA SAM and AAA systems. It'd be a good way to make choppers fly a little more realistically.

[Viper5]

Interesting idea, although on symmetrical maps I still could see it being a slight problem as the AH64/AH1 would be much superior to the Havok/Z10. Although I guess you could argue the balance is made up in the superiority of the PLA/MEC AA Vehicles.

[Masaq]

And the PLA/MEC chopper's ability then to kill from up high if the GB/US chopper is being used low to take advantage of the self-laze longbow.

[Masaq]

Actually, that'd be a pretty good representation of radar; jets too. Could that be set independently for each map, and could it spark a warning in the vehicle like a Radar Warning Receiver to say "get lower, you're being locked up"?

[markonymous]

The radar dome idea is AWESOME very good thinking. The representation of radar, not so good. Making the jets have to fly low is like removing jets altogether there will be no use for them. To make one turn takes half the map now and if they have to stay low they're gonna have to avoid atleast 2 AAs and would most likely be shot down after a maximum of like 10 turns so what would be the point of having them?

as for lazing the targets would this be possible with the dome and if so would it be actually working instead of the one we have right now that is utterly useless if you dont want to die hanging in the air for 10 minutes while trying to make the square place itself on the target.

[Mora]

Sorry to say but this ain't going to work at all.

First of all when low you die! Very simple.
Second whats the point, you can already lase the targets.
Third lasing targets doesn't work very well while mobile..
And its also unrealistic to have a camera in the radar dome.

To get the radar work like real you have to see the enemy's on your minimap & your 3d map.

Isn't to commander able to sort out what shows on the map? Maybe that code can be used to simulate this.

And a radar to force us to die instant no thanks..

[Alex6714]

Nice idea and all, but for me completely useless... I will not be low enough to use it, ever, until PR makes things a little more realistic in the Heli tactics department.