7. Types of Units in the Game

This section will cover the basic types of units found in the game and describe what they can do. As we develop more DLCs, there is the potential for new kinds of platforms to be introduced into the game.

7.1 Air Platforms

This covers everything from Aircraft and Helicopters to Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles-UAV).

7.1.1 Aircraft

Fighters are various single and multi-engine aircraft used in CAS and SEAD missions. Those are missions where bombs, guns, rockets, or Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) are fired or dropped on enemy ground targets. They appear on the map when they execute a strike mission. Strikes are ordered very similarly to artillery missions. When the aircraft arrives and executes its strike, they are vulnerable to enemy air superiority fighters and AD systems within range of the strike target.

7.1.2 Drones

Unmanned aerial units operate much like helicopters, but typically fly at higher altitudes and have a smaller detection signature. They may be harder to see, but they don't use as much terrain masking to protect AD systems. Flight paths don't depend on the terrain.

7.1.3 Helicopters

These are low-flying, crewed aircraft. They move much faster than ground units and will plot flight paths that utilize terrain masking to minimize vulnerability to enemy AD fires. Various helicopter types include recon, attack, and utility types.

7.1.3.1 Attack Helicopters (HELO-AT)

They are usually armed with autocannons, rockets, and missiles (both anti-tank and anti-air). Usually unarmored, sometimes lightly armored. These are very lethal to all types of ground targets. They are vulnerable to anti-air (gun and SAM), autocannons (from IFVs <2500m), and machine guns at close range (<1500m). Think "eggshells armed with hammers" when employing them. Their Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) will usually outrange the weapons of their targets (except AD systems).

7.1.3.2 Scout Helicopters (HELO-SC)

Lightly armed or unarmed and unarmored. It has better sensors, and the crew is trained to find targets, so these have a better spotting range.

7.1.3.3 Utility Helicopters (HELO-UT)

Usually armed with at most a door-mounted MG, unarmored, and have basic sensors. Think of a flying jeep or truck.

7.1.4 Surface to Surface Missile (SSM)

These are long-range ballistic missiles with a heavy warhead. Some have chemical or nuclear warheads. Nearly impossible to intercept with 80s technology.

7.2 Ground Troop Platforms

These are units that are not a vehicle nor a static facility (like a FARP). Most are infantry squads and weapon crews (MG, ATGM, RPG, and teams). It also includes towed platforms, like field artillery and air defense weapon guns. Most infantry is transported on the Cold War battlefield in trucks, Armored Personnel Carriers, or Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Some units still move by marching with their legs.

7.2.1 Anti-Tank Weapon Systems (ATWS)

These are towed Anti-Tank guns. Often designed using a tank's main gun and mounted on a two-wheeled carriage. Most often requires a prime mover for mobility.

7.2.2 Engineers (ENGR)

Ground troops with special training to remove mines and obstacles, build defensive structures, blow bridges, and enemy defensive structures, and create minefields and obstacles to hinder and shape the enemy movement in future versions.

7.2.3 Flak Systems (FLAK)

These systems are towed or emplaced Air Defense (AD) platforms that utilize a gun-based AD system. Some platforms with an AD gun and a SAM will be classed here.

7.2.4 Infantry (INF)

Infantry squads have rifles, grenades, short-range grenade launchers, AT rocket launchers, and often light Machine guns. AT rocket launchers are very short-range and will fire in volleys against tanks. It is tough to spot and shoot when stationary in complex terrain. Line squads (as opposed to HQ sections and non-infantry gun crews) are very lethal to soft targets, owing to better fire control and the resulting heavy volume of fire. These troops move primarily by marching.

7.2.5 Infantry – ATGM (INFAT)

These are dismounted infantry teams whose primary weapon is an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). Will reserve ATGM fire for Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).

7.2.6 Command Units (INFHQ)

They give orders and such. Most communications go through them. See them as links in a communications network. Command units can manage communications/orders more efficiently/effectively. Low volume of fire if they get into a fight. Typically, few, if any, AT weapons.

7.2.7 6.2.7 Infantry – Machine Gun (INFMG)

These are dismounted infantry teams whose primary weapon is a Machine Gun. Typically, this is a heavy MG and has more range than an infantry squad with light Machine guns.

7.2.8 Scouts (INFSC)

These infantry units are trained to blend into the terrain, locate enemy units, and pass that information on to superiors, who can use that information to plan troop movements or artillery or air strikes to hit enemy positions.

7.2.9 SAM Infantry (INFSM)

These are dismounted infantry teams whose primary weapon is a Man-portable Air Defense Missile (MANPADs). These troops' primary duty is to scan the skies for enemy aerial units and engage them with their anti-air missiles. They carry a small number of missiles and are armed with various protective small arms weapons.

7.2.10 Towed Artillery

Artillery comes in three types: mortars, howitzers, and rocket launchers (Surface to Surface Missile (SSMs) battery predominantly uses nuclear or chemical warheads). The differences among these are the types of munitions available and their range. These are crew-served weapon systems that are towed to a location for use. Other transports carry the crews and munitions.

7.2.10.1 Mortars (MTRWS)

In most cases, these are man-portable, relatively short-range (out to about 6000m), and limited to HE and Smoke munitions. The caliber range is 60mm-120mm. The Warsaw Pact does have some heavier mortars, 160mm and 240mm, for example.

7.2.10.2 Howitzers (ARTY)

These represent towed field guns. Caliber ranges from 105mm to 203mm. Munitions include HE, HERA, Smoke, ICM, and FASCAM.

7.2.10.3 Rockets (RKTWS)

These are towed multiple launch systems that can lay down an intense barrage in a short time. Munitions may include HE, ICM, and FASCAM. These systems can fire a Saturation Mission with a footprint of 1500m across.

7.3 Land Platforms

The following sections cover several of the ground-based platforms that are found in the game. As we add more features with future DLCs, more types of units may be added to the game.

7.3.1 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Transports infantry. Armed with machine guns. Lightly armored. They are designed for moving infantry around without getting them killed by small arms fire and provide some protection from artillery and mortar fire.

7.3.2 Air Defense (AD)

These can be either guns or missiles. Gun systems designed for AD are labeled as "Flak," and missile systems are marked as "SAM." Such systems are labeled as Air Defense Weapons (ADW). Guns and missiles designed to engage ground targets have a limited effect on air targets. The air targets are limited to helicopters, and the helicopters must be either hovering or engaged through the frontal 60-degree arc if moving. Such weapons are noted as Air Defense Limited (ADL).

7.3.3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

It transports infantry, but is sometimes used without infantry in offensive roles. IFVs are armed with autocannon, lightly armored, and usually have ATGMs for anti-tank killing power. They are designed for transporting infantry and providing additional fire support. If they have long-range ATGMs, they can also be suitable for taking out vehicles from a distance. Autocannons can be effective against helicopters at close range.

7.3.4 Command Vehicles (COMV)

As the name suggests, these are platforms that aid in C2. The majority are in HQ units at Bn and higher echelons. Some specialty platoons that operate at extended ranges will also have them. The same platform is also used for artillery Fire Direction Centers (FDCs).

7.3.5 Reconnaissance (RECCE/RECON)

They usually have better sensors and can see a bit further, classify (tank vs. APC), and identify (T-72 vs. tank) enemies quickly. They usually try to stay hidden. Their weapons can vary, depending on their vehicle, and there's a recon version of many vehicles (ranging from wheeled utility vehicles to tanks to helicopters). They may have AT rocket launchers. Typically, they are small units.

7.3.6 Self-Propelled Artillery (SPARTY)

Howitzer mounted on a vehicle. The bulk of this kind of platform is a howitzer on a lightly armored tracked or wheeled vehicle.

7.3.7 Self-Propelled Anti-Tank (SPAT)

ATGM launcher mounted on a vehicle. SPATs are a purpose-built platform. Some APCs and IFVs have ATGM launchers, but retain troop-carrying capability. SPATs based on IFV or APC chassis will have the passenger space converted to missile racks.

7.3.8 Self-Propelled Flak (SPFLAK)

Air Defense (AD) gun system mounted on a vehicle. Typically, it is lightly armored. Some may also have SAMs in addition to guns. The weapon system(s) may be mounted on a tracked or wheeled chassis.

7.3.9 Self-Propelled Mortar (SPMTR)

Mortar mounted on a vehicle. Most are lightly armored, derived from APC designs. The weapon system(s) may be mounted on a tracked or wheeled chassis.

7.3.10 Self-Propelled Rocket (SPRKT)

This is a Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) mounted on a vehicle. The chassis may be a truck and unarmored or derived from an APC design and be lightly armored or mounted on the hull of a heavily armored tank.

7.3.11 Self-Propelled SAM (SPSAM)

SAM mounted on a vehicle. The chassis may be a truck and unarmored or derived from an APC design and lightly armored. It may be on a tracked or wheeled chassis.

7.3.12 Tank

Generally found as a tracked vehicle, tanks can vary from light to heavy. They are armed with large-diameter cannons and machine guns (Machine guns). Sometimes they can fire ATGMs from the main tank gun. These ATGMs have a higher accuracy at range than the cannon. Tanks are the best ground-based fighting units, and they are at the forefront of any combat on the ground.

7.3.13 Utility Vehicle

Often unarmored. These vehicles are sometimes armed with machine guns but rarely with heavier weapons. Transports infantry and supplies. They are also used to tow weapon systems like anti-tank guns and field guns.

7.3.14 Weapon Locating Radars (WLR)

These are spectrum warfare equipment that is used to locate the shells or missiles fired by artillery systems using radar and computers to compute the launch point of these ballistic weapons. Once located, the information is sent to counter-battery artillery units to engage the enemy systems. These WLRs are both towed and self-propelled setups.

7.3.15 Logistical Locations

These logistic platforms include FARP, ammunition, and fuel transfer points. Currently, we only model on-map FARPs for helicopter reaming and refueling capabilities.