DCS World Mission Editor Tutorial: How to Build Air Defences – SAM/AAA – For Beginners.
By letsflyvfr.com
What is an IADS and Why your Missions Need One in DCS WORLD!
DCS World mission editor tutorial will save you fast! When the war is raging and while you fly off to destroy the tyranny that is your enemy, you to return to an airbase you cannot use. Yes, the runways are now all cratered, the buildings are destroyed and all your incredibly expensive aircraft are now gone! Yes, bombed by your enemy!
How can we prevent or at least minimalize the damage to our airbase when we are away and unable to do it ourselves by using the DCS World mission editor tutorial to create air defences?
You need an IADS (Integrated Air Defence System) set up around your most important places. These can be the cities and the military airbases around your virtual world.
DCS World mission editor tutorial – IADS System In Depth.
An Integrated Air Defence System (IADS) is a layered web of sensors (EWRs, search/tracking radars), shooters (SAMs, SHORAD, MANPADS, AAA), and C2 nodes (command posts) that share detection and engagement tasks across altitude bands. The idea is simple:
- High altitude / long range: long-range SAMs (Patriot, S-300) deter “high & fast.”
- Medium altitude / medium range: systems like HAWK or Buk backfill gaps and prosecute leakers.
- Low altitude / short range: Tor, Osa, NASAMS, Rapier and mobile SHORAD catch pop-ups.
- Very low / on top of the target: MANPADS & AAA finish what slips through.
When these engagement zones interlock (overlapping rings in plan view and stacked “altitude slices”), attackers are pushed into bad choices (altitude/corridor/time), which is exactly what a good IADS is meant to do.
Part 1 Mission Editor: The Fast, “Vanilla” way (No Scripts)
This builds a smart enough IADS using only stock tools. Great for campaigns and MP servers that avoid scripting.
A. Place sensors first (EWR & lookouts).
- Add an EWR on high ground with clear LOS (e.g., 55G6/P-37).
- Name it clearly:
EWR_North_Ridge. - Skill: High (better detection).
- Alarm State: Auto (lets AI manage radar emissions) or Green if you want it cold until triggered later. (Alarm State options explained in ME docs/Hoggit. )
Tip: One good EWR (Early Warning Radar) in this DCS World mission editor tutorial can “wake up” nearby SAMs faster because they don’t have to find everything themselves. (Overview: SkywardFM ME series. (Hoggit World Wiki, Reddit))
B. Build a complete battery (example: SA-6 Kub / HAWK / Buk)
- Create a single ground group per battery so components auto-link.
- Add the mandatory units for the system (e.g., SA-6 needs 1S91 STR (search/track) + 2P25 launchers).
- Spread units 200–600 m for survivability; keep LOS to the radar.
- Skill: High.
- Alarm State: Green to start silent, Auto for normal ops, Red if you want “emit now.”
- ROE: Return Fire or Open Fire depending on scenario.
- Name:
SA6_Battery_East.
REFERENCE – (System compositions & ranges: Hoggit SA-6; AirGoons SAM pages).
C. Add SHORAD & AAA for point defense
- Tor (SA-15) or Osa (SA-8) near high-value radars/launchers (1–2 km offset).
- AAA (Gepard, Shilka, Vulcan) + MANPADS ring the site (0.5–1 km).
D. Make it behave like an IADS (no script)
Use Advanced Waypoint Actions → Set Option and Triggers:
- Start big radars cold: Set long-range SAMs to Alarm State = Green and ROE = Weapons Hold at mission start.
- Wake them up when needed: Trigger → Part of Coalition in Zone (your EWR coverage ring or a corridor) → AI Task Push: Alarm State Red for selected SAMs.
- Keep SHORAD always on Auto so they cover pop-ups even while long-range sites stay dark.
This simple DCS World mission editor tutorial logic creates emission control and mutual support without any script. (Mission Editor alarm state behaviour & tactics.
Part 2 The smarter way: Skynet IADS Script (optional)
If you want radar silence, cueing, hand-offs, and site survival tactics more like the real thing, add Skynet IADS. It manages when radars radiate, how SAMs share tracks, and when sites go dark under SEAD pressure.
Quick setup (summary):
- Download Skynet IADS (GitHub).
- In your mission, add a DO SCRIPT FILE action to load it.
- Define your EWRs, SAMs, and command centers in the script.
- Tune behavior: radar reaction delays, engagement modes, “go dark” rules, etc.
When to use it: complex theaters, dynamic campaigns, or anytime you want SEAD/DEAD to feel tactical instead of “whack-a-mole.”
Part 3 A Practical Layered Template You Can Reuse.
- Outer ring (detection): 1–2 × EWR on high terrain, ~60–100 km behind FEBA.
- Long-range SAMs: Patriot/S-300 ~30–50 km behind FEBA, Alarm State Green at start.
- Medium ring: Buk/HAWK arrays covering gaps between long-range sites.
- Inner ring: Tor/Osa/NASAMS/Rapier around airbases, bridges, depots.
- Point defense: MANPADS + AAA at each radar, launcher cluster, and target.
- Triggers/Skynet: wake long-range sites when EWR “sees” intruders; keep SHORAD hot.
(Capabilities & typical DCS engagement bands drawn from AirGoons and Hoggit threat/unit pages. (Airgoons, Hoggit World Wiki))
Threat quick-reference (DCS-focused)
Notes on ranges & NEZ: Max range varies strongly with target altitude/aspect/speed. DCS doesn’t publish “official NEZ” for SAMs; designers commonly use ~40–60% of the system’s high-alt max as a rule-of-thumb “no-escape” zone vs. a manoeuvring fighter. Figures below use that rule. Use your own test mission to tune exact numbers for your scenario.
AAA (Popular Picks)
| System | Type | Max engagement (DCS, typical) | Typical NEZ (rule-of-thumb) | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gepard | SPAAG | ~4 km / 2.2 nm | ~2–2.5 km | Radar-aided guns. (Airgoons) |
| M163 Vulcan | SPAAG | ~2 km / 1.1 nm | ~1–1.2 km | Radar-ranging/optical guns. (Airgoons) |
| ZSU-23-4 Shilka | SPAAG | ~2.5–3 km / 1.3–1.6 nm | ~1.3–1.8 km | Radar-aided guns. (DCS World Pro) |
| S-60 57 mm | Towed AAA | ~6 km / 3.2 nm | ~3 km | Radar/optical-directed guns. (DCS World Pro) |
| ZU-23-2 | Towed AAA | ~2–2.5 km / 1.1–1.3 nm | ~1–1.3 km | Optical guns. (DCS World Pro) |
SAMs (Most Encountered)
| System | Class | Max engagement (DCS, typical high-alt) | Typical NEZ (rule-of-thumb) | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA-8 Osa | SHORAD | ~10.3 km / 5.5 nm | ~5–6 km | Radar (command). (Airgoons) |
| SA-15 Tor | SHORAD | ~12 km / 6.5 nm | ~6–8 km | Radar (command). (Airgoons) |
| NASAMS (AMRAAM-B/C) | MR | ~57–61 km / 31–33 nm | ~30–35 km | Active radar (missile). (Airgoons) |
| MIM-23 HAWK | MR | ~45 km / 24 nm | ~20–25 km | SARH. (Airgoons) |
| SA-6 Kub | MR | ~24–25 km / 13 nm | ~12–14 km | SARH/command. (Hoggit World Wiki) |
| SA-11 Buk | MR | ~35 km / 19 nm | ~18–22 km | Semi-active/command. (Airgoons) |
| Rapier FSA | SR | ~6.8 km / 3.7 nm (w/o Blindfire up to 30 km tracking) | ~3–4 km | Command/SACLOS. (Airgoons) |
| Patriot PAC-2 | LR | ~60–80 km / 32–43 nm* | ~30–40 km | Track-via-missile/SARH family. (Airgoons) |
| S-300PS (SA-10) | LR | ~75–90 km / 40–49 nm* | ~30–45 km | Track-via-missile/SARH family. (Hoggit World Wiki) |
*Engagement varies significantly with target altitude/aspect; community testing routinely shows high-alt shots well beyond 40 nm in DCS for S-300/Patriot.
Worked example: Build a Cohesive IADS in 15 minutes
Goal: Defend a city and nearby airbase with this DCS World mission editor tutorial.
- EWR: Place
EWR_Highlands(55G6) 40 km north of the city. Alarm Auto. - Long-range site:
S300_West(or Patriot) 35 km west. Alarm Green, Weapons Hold. - Medium SAM:
Buk_South20 km south to cover long-range blind spots. Auto. - SHORAD:
Tor_Airbase,Osa_Bridge,NASAMS_Daminside 5–10 km of the assets. Auto. - Point defense: Add 2× Shilka (or Gepard) + 2× MANPADS within 1 km of each radar.
- Trigger logic (no scripts):
- Trigger 1 (Early Cue): Once Blue aircraft enters EWR ring → Set S300_West Alarm Red (wake big radar).
- Trigger 2 (Pop-up): If Blue inside 15 km of Airbase → Spawn/Activate Tor_Airbase (late activation).
- Trigger 3 (SEAD pressure): If S-300 radar destroyed → Set Buk_South Alarm Red (backfill).
- Test pass: Fly at three altitudes (sea level, 10k ft, 25k ft) and confirm layered behavior.
(ME alarm/trigger best practices: SkywardFM series; Hoggit ME alarm state. (Hoggit World Wiki, Reddit))
Pro Tips for Mission Designers.
- Disperse components: 200–800 m spacing keeps one JDAM from deleting an entire battery.
- Terrain mask: Put SHORAD in draws/behind berms to force pop-ups.
- Decoys & radars: Use fake emitters (e.g., extra search radars) to bait HARMs.
- Late activation: Spawn SHORAD only when intruders get close—saves CPU and surprises players.
- Performance: Big SAMs + lots of radars can be heavy; use fewer long-range sites and more smart triggers.
Frequently used Systems & Where to Learn More.
- Eastern: SA-6/8/11/15, SA-2/3/10 (S-300PS).
- Western: HAWK, NASAMS, Patriot, Rapier, Gepard/Vulcan. (AirGoons Western.) (Airgoons)
- Scripting: Skynet IADS (GitHub) for realistic EMCON & cueing. (GitHub)
Create Your First SAM/AAA Site.
Creating your first part of your DCS World mission editor tutorial AIDS system is very easy! The DCS WORLD EDITOR creates everything in a few easy clicks.
Please open up your DCS WORLD editor to a mission you would like to add an AIDS system to and kill all those bad guys! Note that its IMPORTANT that you create all your systems under one command Post so they can all work together!
Mission Editor Steps.
Ok, Lets get clicking in our DCS World mission editor tutorial and make the world safer for us!
- Open up your desired mission or create a new one now.
- Click on the TANK Symbol in the left hand menu. This is the GROUND UNIT symbol!
- Next Select the Alliance / Country ie: Russia – China – USA – Australia etc.
- Select AIR DEFENCES from the drop down CATEGORY Menu.
- Select 1 of 1 in the units.
- Select the CP (Command Post) 1-1 as everything is linked to this unit.
- Now place it on some flat ground. Do not place on a steep hill. It does not always work well if you do. Anything over 15 degrees in angle it may not work.
- Select UNIT and ADD another 1 – 2 to the list: SELECT the next item in the list for the SA 10 – LR ie Long Range Launcher. Place on Map near the CP Unit.
- Add Another (Now 3) – UNIT and then Select SR Short Range Launcher and place on the map again.
- Add Another (Now 4) – UNIT and then Select SR Short Range RADAR and place on the map again.
- Add Another (Now 5) – UNIT and then Select LR Short Range RADAR and place on the map again.
- Add Another (Now 6) – UNIT and then Select Track Radar TR and place on the map again.
What’s Next?
Now what we have is ALL the RADAR components of our SA-10 System in Place. Next we can add a number of additional vertical launchers for the SHORT RANGE & LONG RANGE missiles. The more the better.
You would always have a number of each so you don’t run out of missiles too quickly. Add these as you did the other parts of your air defence unit.
- Continue to ADD a UNITs you now should have 6 plus and as you add the next unit then select the LAUNCHER (SR) Short Range or a Long Range Launcher (LR).
- Repeat this so you have say three of each and arrange them on the map.
- IE: Add a New UNIT – Select Its Type ie Launcher or Gun etc until you have all the launchers or guns if its a AAA system you want.
- Note: You can ORIENT the way they point by selecting a unit and rotating the directional wheel so they point in the desired direction. Click on the unit and move the wheel to the desired direction.
Now arrange them in any way you like. It could be all the radars in a triangle with the CP at the centre and the mix of Vertical Launchers around in a circle.
Now you should have a complete SA-10 Missile System ready to annoy the enemy or for you to defend against in your own Red Flag exercise in NEVADA or in a conflict around the world!
Mix & Match – Plan & Win!
If your defending an airbase or other important installation consider the intertwining of ranges and missile/gun types.
Your going to need AAA around the perimeter of the base as well as some MAN PADS for close in defences. You can then check out the tables above and plan an overlapping defence system of missiles so if one it defeated there is always another to take its place.
Attribution & Further Reading
Key data and how-tos used above come from recognized DCS references: AirGoons threat pages (eastern/western systems, with DCS engagement figures), Hoggit/ED unit pages & threat DB, SkywardFM’s Mission Editor series, and the Skynet IADS project docs. (Airgoons, Hoggit World Wiki, Reddit, GitHub)
Author
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.
He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.
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