Combined Ops is an integrated suite of web-based software for DCS World, designed for virtual squadrons, mission planners, pilots, commanders, and air operations personnel. The ecosystem connects operational planning, mission preparation, multiplayer coordination, and airspace management within a single workflow.
The Combined Ops ecosystem consists of three integrated tools:
- DCS AOC Tools — used by group commanders, AOC personnel, and authorized mission editors to create projects, import DCS World mission files, and prepare operational documentation.
- DCS Mission Planner — used by pilots and operation participants to access mission information, operational documentation, maps, flight plans, and mission-planning utilities.
- DCS Airspace — used by ATC and AWACS/GCI operators to manage airspace information, maintain situational awareness, and support coordinated DCS World operations.
The three tools can be used independently, but they are designed to work together. When the complete Combined Ops workflow is used, operational information can be prepared once and then made available to the appropriate commanders, pilots, mission planners, and airspace controllers.
Combined Ops Operational Workflow
The typical workflow between the Combined Ops website, DCS AOC Tools, DCS Mission Planner, and DCS Airspace is as follows:
- Operational Planning: Group commanders, authorized AOC members, or mission editors create a project in DCS AOC Tools. They upload the DCS World mission file (.miz) and prepare the operational documentation.
- Operation Publication: When the project and documentation are ready, the operation can be published on the Combined Ops website and configured to make the project available through DCS Mission Planner.
- Operation Registration: Depending on the operation's visibility and registration settings, Combined Ops users can request to participate in the operation. Members of the hosting group can automatically access the relevant operation information without registering as participants.
- Mission Preparation: Registered operation participants can access the available operational information and documentation through DCS Mission Planner.
- Airspace Control: The same operational data can support airspace-control activities through DCS Airspace, allowing ATC and AWACS/GCI operators to work with the information required for coordinated mission execution.
In simple terms, DCS AOC Tools is used to create and organize operational documentation, the Combined Ops website manages groups and publishes operations, DCS Mission Planner provides participants with a centralized mission-planning environment, and DCS Airspace provides dedicated airspace-management capabilities for ATC and AWACS/GCI operators.
The following sections provide an overview of each component. Detailed information about individual features, configuration options, and workflows is available in the dedicated documentation sections.
DCS AOC Tools: Mission File Upload and Operational Documentation
DCS AOC Tools is available to group members who have been assigned to their group's Air Operations Center (AOC).
Authorized users can create a project by uploading a DCS World mission file (.miz) and build the operational documentation that can subsequently be made available through DCS Mission Planner.
The documentation created through DCS AOC Tools can include:
- Air Tasking Order (ATO), including unit information, mission data, aircraft data, target information, mission locations, mission control agencies, radio frequencies, unit remarks, and other operational details.
- Airspace Control Order (ACO), including Airspace Control Measures (ACM) and their associated data.
- Communications Plan, including C2, airspace control agency, and ATC radio frequencies, intraflight frequencies, authentication information, and the RAMROD word.
- Special Instructions (SPINS), which can be created and maintained through the dedicated editor.
The operational documentation created in DCS AOC Tools can be shared with the appropriate group members and operation participants through Combined Ops and DCS Mission Planner.
Combined Ops Main Website: Groups and Operations
The Combined Ops main website provides the group and operation-management layer of the ecosystem.
Although many website features can also be used by individual users, Combined Ops is primarily designed to provide its greatest benefits to virtual squadrons and organized DCS World communities.
After registering an account, users can create or join a group. Groups can have an unlimited number of members, who can be assigned to one or more available roles.
Once a group has been created and its members have joined, there are two main ways to use the Combined Ops website.
Using Combined Ops Independently
Groups can publish their operations directly on the website with the required information and documentation, invite users to register for an operation, and manage participation through Combined Ops.
An operation can also link to documentation hosted elsewhere when required.
Connecting Combined Ops with DCS AOC Tools and Mission Planner
Groups can connect an operation published on Combined Ops with a project created in DCS AOC Tools and make that project available through DCS Mission Planner.
In this workflow, the Combined Ops operation is used to manage participation and registration, while DCS Mission Planner provides registered participants with the operational documentation and mission-planning information prepared through DCS AOC Tools.
Group administrators can also use the Combined Ops User Control Panel to manage group membership requests and assign members to the group's AOC and editing roles.
DCS Mission Planner: Mission Preparation and Flight Planning
DCS Mission Planner is the participant-focused component of the Combined Ops suite.
It provides operation participants with access to the operational information and documentation prepared through DCS AOC Tools, together with dedicated tools for preparing a DCS World mission.
Depending on the information included in the project, DCS Mission Planner can provide access to:
- Operational documentation and downloadable PDF documentation.
- Mission maps and Airspace Control Measures (ACO/ACM).
- Units deployed in the theatre of operations.
- Threat circles and other threat-related information.
- Navigation aids (NAVAIDS).
- Airbase information.
- Flight plans and route information.
- Unit and mission remarks.
- Additional mission-planning information.
DCS Mission Planner also provides dedicated planning utilities, including a CMDS editor, Takeoff and Landing Data calculator, and Mission Data Card generation for A4 and A5 formats.
Its purpose is to give pilots and operation participants a centralized environment for reviewing the information required to prepare for and execute a coordinated DCS World multiplayer mission.
DCS Airspace: ATC, AWACS and GCI Airspace Management
DCS Airspace is the airspace-management component of the Combined Ops suite, providing dedicated functionality for ATC, AWACS, and GCI operators during coordinated DCS World missions.
It integrates with operational information produced through the Combined Ops ecosystem, including information from DCS AOC Tools, DCS Mission Planner, and operational documents such as the Air Tasking Order (ATO), Airspace Control Order (ACO), and Special Instructions (SPINS).
DCS Airspace is designed to support tactical coordination and situational awareness by providing operators with the information and controls required to perform airspace-control functions during a multiplayer mission.
By connecting airspace information with the broader Combined Ops operational workflow, DCS Airspace helps bridge the gap between mission planning, operational documentation, and real-time ATC, AWACS, and GCI airspace management.