Artillery Module

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Artillery Module

The Artillery Module (AM) adds depth to the VBS1 battlespace by introducing artillery units and features. The AM covers land-based indirect fire assets: mortars, towed and self-propelled howitzers, and MLRS. It is capable of simulating most standard types of firing missions, from simple Fire For Effect calls to complex SEAD missions, and recreates a wide range of munitions from white phosphorus to laser-guided and sensor-fused rounds.

Extensive, detailed User and Scenario Designer Manuals provide clear, step-by-step instructions to exploit the AM to the fullest.

The AM provides two interfaces. The primary interface, the FO interface, permits Forward Observers, FISTs, ANGLICOs and similar units to practice calling fire and managing fire missions, whether alone, or in support of human or AI-controlled BLUFOR units. The interface's design allows non-specialists easy access to the most essential elements of a Call For Fire, while not denying the more complex elements to those with more intensive training.

The secondary interface, the Fire Direction Control (FDC) interface, allows the player direct control over the content of fire missions, and is ideal for Fire Support Coordination, Command Exercises and OPFOR artillery.

The module includes a series of missions, which cover the use of the interfaces, the particularities of the weapon systems, and calling offensive and defensive fire in support of both human and AI-controlled BLUFOR units. The mission source material is provided so that the end user may customize these scenarios. The AM works directly with the mission editor, so scenario designers can create exercises with practically no additionally training.

Furthermore, the artillery module is capable of expansion, allowing for custom units and interfaces reflecting the specific practices of a given organization.

The AM exploits the flexibility of the core VBS1 engine and the potency of its scripting system to add a full-featured and sophisticated indirect fire element to VBS1. At the same time, this range of features needs to be accessible and comprehensible to the mission editor. With this aim in mind, the VBS AM was developed to make the most common features usable by a scenario designer with a passing familiarity with the VBS mission editor. Yet the very sophistication of the product allows those with greater interest, or with desire for specific effects, to exert control over specific features and functions in the Artillery Module.

Major Features:

Systems simulated:

*M252 81mm Mortar

*M119 105mm Howitzer

*M109 155mm Howitzer

*M270 MLRS

Firing Units share the simulated battlespace

*Units can be destroyed, disabled or run out of ammunition.

*Units can be re-supplied

*Units can move

Ordnance interacts with the simulated environment

*Shells fly ballistically according to the VBS1 Physics Engine

*Terrain objects block shells

*Impact patterns vary by trajectory

*Appropriate Terminal Effects

*HE, WP, ICM, DPICM, Smoke, Illumination, RAAMS

*Fuzees: QUICK, TIME, VT, DELAY

*Guided, Terminal-Homing and Sensor-Fused munitions supported

FO Interface:

*Assembles voice radio messages based on STANAG 2934

*Depth of interface allows for training at several levels

*Allows forward observers to train in a combined-arms environment

FDC Interface

*Rapidly creates fire missions

*Orders firing units to move

*Prioritizes fire missions

The Forward Observer Interface