About DCS AOC Tools for DCS World Virtual Squadrons
DCS AOC Tools is a web-based mission planning and documentation system designed for virtual squadrons and organized flight groups operating in DCS World. It extracts available mission data directly from DCS World .miz mission files and organizes it into a structured operational planning environment.
DCS AOC Tools is designed to reduce the manual work required to transform a DCS World mission into realistic operational documentation while preserving the information provided by the original mission file.
Mission Planning and DCS World .miz Files
DCS AOC Tools can read and extract mission information from DCS World .miz files. The extracted data is used to build the operational information required for mission planning and documentation.
Because DCS World does not provide every element normally required for complete operational documentation, the way a mission is created in the DCS World Mission Editor is important. Correctly configured mission data allows DCS AOC Tools to extract significantly more information from the mission file.
This is why the DCS Mission Editor preparation guides are an important part of the DCS AOC Tools documentation. They explain how to configure mission groups, waypoints, actions, targets, air refueling and other mission elements so that they can be correctly interpreted by DCS AOC Tools.
Air Tasking Order (ATO)
DCS AOC Tools can use information extracted from the DCS World mission file to generate structured Air Tasking Order (ATO) documentation.
The ATO can contain information about missions, task units, aircraft, callsigns, timings, routes, targets, air refueling and other operational elements depending on the information available in the mission.
Mission Editor configuration therefore directly affects the amount and quality of information that can be included in the generated ATO.
Airspace Control Order (ACO)
DCS AOC Tools also provides functionality for preparing Airspace Control Order (ACO) information. Airspace control measures and other mission planning data can be organized into operational documentation for use during the mission.
DCS World drawings and airspace-related information can also be imported and organized for use within the Combined Ops ecosystem.
SPINS and Communications Planning
Operational documentation generated with DCS AOC Tools can include Special Instructions (SPINS) and a Communications Plan, allowing important mission information to be organized in a single planning environment.
Communication information available from the DCS World mission can be extracted and used as part of the operational documentation. Some values can also be configured or completed within DCS AOC Tools when they are not provided directly by the DCS World mission.
Mission Documentation
One of the main purposes of DCS AOC Tools is to transform the information contained in a DCS World mission into structured operational documentation suitable for briefing and mission preparation.
Depending on the mission configuration and available data, the system can be used to prepare documentation including:
- Air Tasking Order (ATO)
- Airspace Control Order (ACO)
- Special Instructions (SPINS)
- Communications Plan
- Local Channelization
- Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List (JIPTL)
- Mission Target information
Designed for Virtual Squadrons
DCS AOC Tools is designed for organized DCS World groups, virtual squadrons and mission planners who want to introduce a more structured operational planning workflow into their missions.
Instead of manually recreating mission information in separate documents, mission planners can use the DCS World .miz file as the primary source of mission data and use DCS AOC Tools to organize that information into operational products.
Part of the Combined Ops Ecosystem
DCS AOC Tools is part of the Combined Ops suite and can work together with DCS Mission Planner and DCS Airspace.
DCS Mission Planner provides pilot and flight preparation features, including interactive route planning, DTC export and Mission Data Card generation, while DCS Airspace provides real-time ATC, AWACS and GCI functionality for DCS World.
This allows a mission to move from operational planning and documentation to individual flight preparation and, when required, real-time airspace control using interconnected Combined Ops applications.
Mission Editor Preparation
To obtain the best results from DCS AOC Tools, mission designers should configure their DCS World missions with the information that the system can extract from the .miz file.
The dedicated DCS Mission Editor guides explain how to configure mission start times, callsigns, takeoff and landing points, mission locations, targets, escort missions, reconnaissance missions, air refueling and other mission elements specifically for import into DCS AOC Tools and the Combined Ops ecosystem.
Correct Mission Editor configuration is therefore an important part of the DCS AOC Tools workflow and allows mission planners to obtain more complete and accurate operational documentation from their DCS World missions.