Merge pull request #2273 from FlightControl-Master/Applevangelist-SpawnStatic-1

Update SpawnStatic.lua

Moose Development/Moose/Core/SpawnStatic.lua

@@ -1,130 +1,599 @@
+--- **Core** - Spawn statics.
+--
+-- ===
+--
+-- ## Features:
+--
+--   * Spawn new statics from a static already defined in the mission editor.
+--   * Spawn new statics from a given template.
+--   * Spawn new statics from a given type.
+--   * Spawn with a custom heading and location.
+--   * Spawn within a zone.
+--   * Spawn statics linked to units, .e.g on aircraft carriers.
+--
+-- ===
+--
+-- # Demo Missions
+--
+-- ## [SPAWNSTATIC Demo Missions](https://github.com/FlightControl-Master/MOOSE_Demos/tree/master/Core/SpawnStatic)
+--
+--
+-- ===
+--
+-- # YouTube Channel
+--
+-- ## No videos yet!
+--
+-- ===
+--
+-- ### Author: **FlightControl**
+-- ### Contributions: **funkyfranky**
+--
+-- ===
+--
+-- @module Core.SpawnStatic
+-- @image Core_Spawnstatic.JPG
 
+--- @type SPAWNSTATIC
+-- @field #string SpawnTemplatePrefix Name of the template group.
+-- @field #number CountryID Country ID.
+-- @field #number CoalitionID Coalition ID.
+-- @field #number CategoryID Category ID.
+-- @field #number SpawnIndex Running number increased with each new Spawn.
+-- @field Wrapper.Unit#UNIT InitLinkUnit The unit the static is linked to.
+-- @field #number InitOffsetX Link offset X coordinate.
+-- @field #number InitOffsetY Link offset Y coordinate.
+-- @field #number InitOffsetAngle Link offset angle in degrees.
+-- @field #number InitStaticHeading Heading of the static.
+-- @field #string InitStaticLivery Livery for aircraft.
+-- @field #string InitStaticShape Shape of the static.
+-- @field #string InitStaticType Type of the static.
+-- @field #string InitStaticCategory Categrory of the static.
+-- @field #string InitStaticName Name of the static.
+-- @field Core.Point#COORDINATE InitStaticCoordinate Coordinate where to spawn the static.
+-- @field #boolean InitStaticDead Set static to be dead if true.
+-- @field #boolean InitStaticCargo If true, static can act as cargo.
+-- @field #number InitStaticCargoMass Mass of cargo in kg.
+-- @extends Core.Base#BASE
+
+
+--- Allows to spawn dynamically new @{Wrapper.Static}s into your mission.
+--
+-- Through creating a copy of an existing static object template as defined in the Mission Editor (ME), SPAWNSTATIC can retireve the properties of the defined static object template (like type, category etc),
+-- and "copy" these properties to create a new static object and place it at the desired coordinate.
+--
+-- New spawned @{Wrapper.Static}s get **the same name** as the name of the template Static, or gets the given name when a new name is provided at the Spawn method.
+-- By default, spawned @{Wrapper.Static}s will follow a naming convention at run-time:
+--
+--   * Spawned @{Wrapper.Static}s will have the name _StaticName_#_nnn_, where _StaticName_ is the name of the **Template Static**, and _nnn_ is a **counter from 0 to 99999**.
+--
+-- # SPAWNSTATIC Constructors
+--
+-- Firstly, we need to create a SPAWNSTATIC object that will be used to spawn new statics into the mission. There are three ways to do this.
+--
+-- ## Use another Static
+--
+-- A new SPAWNSTATIC object can be created using another static by the @{#SPAWNSTATIC.NewFromStatic}() function. All parameters such as position, heading, country will be initialized
+-- from the static.
+--
+-- ## From a Template
+--
+-- A SPAWNSTATIC object can also be created from a template table using the @{#SPAWNSTATIC.NewFromTemplate}(SpawnTemplate, CountryID) function. All parameters are taken from the template.
+--
+-- ## From a Type
+--
+-- A very basic method is to create a SPAWNSTATIC object by just giving the type of the static. All parameters must be initialized from the InitXYZ functions described below. Otherwise default values
+-- are used. For example, if no spawn coordinate is given, the static will be created at the origin of the map.
+--
+-- # Setting Parameters
+--
+-- Parameters such as the spawn position, heading, country etc. can be set via :Init*XYZ* functions. Note that these functions must be given before the actual spawn command!
+--
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitCoordinate}(Coordinate) Sets the coordinate where the static is spawned. Statics are always spawnd on the ground.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitHeading}(Heading) sets the orientation of the static.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitLivery}(LiveryName) sets the livery of the static. Not all statics support this.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitType}(StaticType) sets the type of the static.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitShape}(StaticType) sets the shape of the static. Not all statics have this parameter.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitNamePrefix}(NamePrefix) sets the name prefix of the spawned statics.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitCountry}(CountryID) sets the country and therefore the coalition of the spawned statics.
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.InitLinkToUnit}(Unit, OffsetX, OffsetY, OffsetAngle) links the static to a unit, e.g. to an aircraft carrier.
+--
+-- # Spawning the Statics
+--
+-- Once the SPAWNSTATIC object is created and parameters are initialized, the spawn command can be given. There are different methods where some can be used to directly set parameters
+-- such as position and heading.
+--
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.Spawn}(Heading, NewName) spawns the static with the set parameters. Optionally, heading and name can be given. The name **must be unique**!
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.SpawnFromCoordinate}(Coordinate, Heading, NewName) spawn the static at the given coordinate. Optionally, heading and name can be given. The name **must be unique**!
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.SpawnFromPointVec2}(PointVec2, Heading, NewName) spawns the static at a POINT_VEC2 coordinate. Optionally, heading and name can be given. The name **must be unique**!
+--   * @{#SPAWNSTATIC.SpawnFromZone}(Zone, Heading, NewName) spawns the static at the center of a @{Core.Zone}. Optionally, heading and name can be given. The name **must be unique**!
+--
+-- @field #SPAWNSTATIC SPAWNSTATIC
+--
+SPAWNSTATIC = {
+  ClassName  = "SPAWNSTATIC",
+  SpawnIndex = 0,
+}
+
+--- Static template table data.
+-- @type SPAWNSTATIC.TemplateData
+-- @field #string name Name of the static.
+-- @field #string type Type of the static.
+-- @field #string category Category of the static.
+-- @field #number x X-coordinate of the static.
+-- @field #number y Y-coordinate of teh static.
+-- @field #number heading Heading in rad.
+-- @field #boolean dead Static is dead if true.
+-- @field #string livery_id Livery name.
+-- @field #number unitId Unit ID.
+-- @field #number groupId Group ID.
+-- @field #table offsets Offset parameters when linked to a unit.
+-- @field #number mass Cargo mass in kg.
+-- @field #boolean canCargo Static can be a cargo.
+
+--- Creates the main object to spawn a @{Wrapper.Static} defined in the mission editor (ME).
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string SpawnTemplateName Name of the static object in the ME. Each new static will have the name starting with this prefix.
+-- @param DCS#country.id SpawnCountryID (Optional) The ID of the country.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:NewFromStatic(SpawnTemplateName, SpawnCountryID)
+
+  local self = BASE:Inherit( self, BASE:New() ) -- #SPAWNSTATIC
+
+  local TemplateStatic, CoalitionID, CategoryID, CountryID = _DATABASE:GetStaticGroupTemplate(SpawnTemplateName)
+
+  if TemplateStatic then
+    self.SpawnTemplatePrefix = SpawnTemplateName
+    self.TemplateStaticUnit  = UTILS.DeepCopy(TemplateStatic.units[1])
+    self.CountryID           = SpawnCountryID or CountryID
+    self.CategoryID          = CategoryID
+    self.CoalitionID         = CoalitionID
+    self.SpawnIndex          = 0
+  else
+    error( "SPAWNSTATIC:New: There is no static declared in the mission editor with SpawnTemplatePrefix = '" .. tostring(SpawnTemplateName) .. "'" )
+  end
+
+  self:SetEventPriority( 5 )
+
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Creates the main object to spawn a @{Wrapper.Static} given a template table.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #table SpawnTemplate Template used for spawning.
+-- @param DCS#country.id CountryID The ID of the country. Default `country.id.USA`.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:NewFromTemplate(SpawnTemplate, CountryID)
+
+  local self = BASE:Inherit( self, BASE:New() ) -- #SPAWNSTATIC
+
+  self.TemplateStaticUnit  = UTILS.DeepCopy(SpawnTemplate)
+  self.SpawnTemplatePrefix = SpawnTemplate.name
+  self.CountryID           = CountryID or country.id.USA
+
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Creates the main object to spawn a @{Wrapper.Static} from a given type.
+-- NOTE that you have to init many other parameters as spawn coordinate etc.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string StaticType Type of the static.
+-- @param #string StaticCategory Category of the static, e.g. "Planes".
+-- @param DCS#country.id CountryID The ID of the country. Default `country.id.USA`.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:NewFromType(StaticType, StaticCategory, CountryID)
+
+  local self = BASE:Inherit( self, BASE:New() ) -- #SPAWNSTATIC
+
+  self.InitStaticType=StaticType
+  self.InitStaticCategory=StaticCategory
+  self.CountryID=CountryID or country.id.USA
+  self.SpawnTemplatePrefix=self.InitStaticType
+  self.TemplateStaticUnit = {}
+
+  self.InitStaticCoordinate=COORDINATE:New(0, 0, 0)
+  self.InitStaticHeading=0
+
+  return self
+end
+
+--- (Internal/Cargo) Init the resource table for STATIC object that should be spawned containing storage objects.
+-- NOTE that you have to init many other parameters as the resources.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #number CombinedWeight The weight this cargo object should have (some have fixed weights!), defaults to 1kg.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:_InitResourceTable(CombinedWeight)
+  if not self.TemplateStaticUnit.resourcePayload then
+    self.TemplateStaticUnit.resourcePayload = {
+      ["weapons"] = {},
+      ["aircrafts"] = {},
+      ["gasoline"] = 0,
+      ["diesel"] = 0,
+      ["methanol_mixture"] = 0,
+      ["jet_fuel"] = 0,   
+    }
+  end
+  self:InitCargo(true)
+  self:InitCargoMass(CombinedWeight or 1)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- (User/Cargo) Add to resource table for STATIC object that should be spawned containing storage objects. Inits the object table if necessary and sets it to be cargo for helicopters.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string Type Type of cargo. Known types are: STORAGE.Type.WEAPONS, STORAGE.Type.LIQUIDS, STORAGE.Type.AIRCRAFT. Liquids are fuel.
+-- @param #string Name Name of the cargo type. Liquids can be STORAGE.LiquidName.JETFUEL, STORAGE.LiquidName.GASOLINE, STORAGE.LiquidName.MW50 and STORAGE.LiquidName.DIESEL. The currently available weapon items are available in the `ENUMS.Storage.weapons`, e.g. `ENUMS.Storage.weapons.bombs.Mk_82Y`. Aircraft go by their typename.
+-- @param #number Amount of tons (liquids) or number (everything else) to add.
+-- @param #number CombinedWeight Combined weight to be set to this static cargo object. NOTE - some static cargo objects have fixed weights!
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:AddCargoResource(Type,Name,Amount,CombinedWeight)
+  if not self.TemplateStaticUnit.resourcePayload then
+    self:_InitResourceTable(CombinedWeight)
+  end
+  if Type == STORAGE.Type.LIQUIDS and type(Name) == "string" then
+    self.TemplateStaticUnit.resourcePayload[Name] = Amount
+  else
+  self.TemplateStaticUnit.resourcePayload[Type] = {
+    [Name] = {
+      ["amount"] = Amount,
+      }
+  }
+  end
+  UTILS.PrintTableToLog(self.TemplateStaticUnit)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- (User/Cargo) Resets resource table to zero for STATIC object that should be spawned containing storage objects. Inits the object table if necessary and sets it to be cargo for helicopters.
+-- Handy if you spawn from cargo statics which have resources already set.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self 
+function SPAWNSTATIC:ResetCargoResources()
+  self.TemplateStaticUnit.resourcePayload = nil
+  self:_InitResourceTable()
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize heading of the spawned static.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param Core.Point#COORDINATE Coordinate Position where the static is spawned.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitCoordinate(Coordinate)
+  self.InitStaticCoordinate=Coordinate
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize heading of the spawned static.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #number Heading The heading in degrees.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitHeading(Heading)
+  self.InitStaticHeading=Heading
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize livery of the spawned static.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string LiveryName Name of the livery to use.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitLivery(LiveryName)
+  self.InitStaticLivery=LiveryName
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize type of the spawned static.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string StaticType Type of the static, e.g. "FA-18C_hornet".
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitType(StaticType)
+  self.InitStaticType=StaticType
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize shape of the spawned static. Required by some but not all statics.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string StaticShape Shape of the static, e.g. "carrier_tech_USA".
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitShape(StaticShape)
+  self.InitStaticShape=StaticShape
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize parameters for spawning FARPs.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #number CallsignID Callsign ID. Default 1 (="London").
+-- @param #number Frequency Frequency in MHz. Default 127.5 MHz.
+-- @param #number Modulation Modulation 0=AM, 1=FM.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitFARP(CallsignID, Frequency, Modulation)
+  self.InitFarp=true
+  self.InitFarpCallsignID=CallsignID or 1
+  self.InitFarpFreq=Frequency or 127.5
+  self.InitFarpModu=Modulation or 0
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize cargo mass.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #number Mass Mass of the cargo in kg.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitCargoMass(Mass)
+  self.InitStaticCargoMass=Mass
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize as cargo.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #boolean IsCargo If true, this static can act as cargo.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitCargo(IsCargo)
+  self.InitStaticCargo=IsCargo
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize as dead.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #boolean IsDead If true, this static is dead.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitDead(IsDead)
+  self.InitStaticDead=IsDead
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize country of the spawned static. This determines the category.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string CountryID The country ID, e.g. country.id.USA.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitCountry(CountryID)
+  self.CountryID=CountryID
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Initialize name prefix statics get. This will be appended by "#0001", "#0002" etc.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #string NamePrefix Name prefix of statics spawned. Will append #0001, etc to the name.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitNamePrefix(NamePrefix)
+  self.SpawnTemplatePrefix=NamePrefix
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Init link to a unit.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param Wrapper.Unit#UNIT Unit The unit to which the static is linked.
+-- @param #number OffsetX Offset in X.
+-- @param #number OffsetY Offset in Y.
+-- @param #number OffsetAngle Offset angle in degrees.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:InitLinkToUnit(Unit, OffsetX, OffsetY, OffsetAngle)
+
+  self.InitLinkUnit=Unit
+  self.InitOffsetX=OffsetX or 0
+  self.InitOffsetY=OffsetY or 0
+  self.InitOffsetAngle=OffsetAngle or 0
+
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Allows to place a CallFunction hook when a new static spawns.
+-- The provided method will be called when a new group is spawned, including its given parameters.
+-- The first parameter of the SpawnFunction is the @{Wrapper.Static#STATIC} that was spawned.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #function SpawnCallBackFunction The function to be called when a group spawns.
+-- @param SpawnFunctionArguments A random amount of arguments to be provided to the function when the group spawns.
+-- @return #SPAWNSTATIC self
+function SPAWNSTATIC:OnSpawnStatic( SpawnCallBackFunction, ... )
+  self:F( "OnSpawnStatic" )
+
+  self.SpawnFunctionHook = SpawnCallBackFunction
+  self.SpawnFunctionArguments = {}
+  if arg then
+    self.SpawnFunctionArguments = arg
+  end
+
+  return self
+end
+
+--- Spawn a new STATIC object.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #number Heading (Optional) The heading of the static, which is a number in degrees from 0 to 360. Default is the heading of the template.
+-- @param #string NewName (Optional) The name of the new static.
+-- @return Wrapper.Static#STATIC The static spawned.
+function SPAWNSTATIC:Spawn(Heading, NewName)
+
+  if Heading then
+    self.InitStaticHeading=Heading
+  end
+
+  if NewName then
+    self.InitStaticName=NewName
+  end
+
+  return self:_SpawnStatic(self.TemplateStaticUnit, self.CountryID)
+
+end
+
+--- Creates a new @{Wrapper.Static} from a POINT_VEC2.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param Core.Point#POINT_VEC2 PointVec2 The 2D coordinate where to spawn the static.
+-- @param #number Heading The heading of the static, which is a number in degrees from 0 to 360.
+-- @param #string NewName (Optional) The name of the new static.
+-- @return Wrapper.Static#STATIC The static spawned.
+function SPAWNSTATIC:SpawnFromPointVec2(PointVec2, Heading, NewName)
+
+  local vec2={x=PointVec2:GetX(), y=PointVec2:GetY()}
+
+  local Coordinate=COORDINATE:NewFromVec2(vec2)
+
+  return self:SpawnFromCoordinate(Coordinate, Heading, NewName)
+end
+
+
+--- Creates a new @{Wrapper.Static} from a COORDINATE.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param Core.Point#COORDINATE Coordinate The 3D coordinate where to spawn the static.
+-- @param #number Heading (Optional) Heading The heading of the static in degrees. Default is 0 degrees.
+-- @param #string NewName (Optional) The name of the new static.
+-- @return Wrapper.Static#STATIC The spawned STATIC object.
+function SPAWNSTATIC:SpawnFromCoordinate(Coordinate, Heading, NewName)
+
+  -- Set up coordinate.
+  self.InitStaticCoordinate=Coordinate
+
+  if Heading then
+    self.InitStaticHeading=Heading
+  end
+
+  if NewName then
+    self.InitStaticName=NewName
+  end
+
+  return self:_SpawnStatic(self.TemplateStaticUnit, self.CountryID)
+end
+
+
+--- Creates a new @{Wrapper.Static} from a @{Core.Zone}.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param Core.Zone#ZONE_BASE Zone The Zone where to spawn the static.
+-- @param #number Heading (Optional)The heading of the static in degrees. Default is the heading of the template.
+-- @param #string NewName (Optional) The name of the new static.
+-- @return Wrapper.Static#STATIC The static spawned.
+function SPAWNSTATIC:SpawnFromZone(Zone, Heading, NewName)
+
+  -- Spawn the new static at the center of the zone.
+  local Static = self:SpawnFromPointVec2( Zone:GetPointVec2(), Heading, NewName )
+
+  return Static
+end
+
+--- Spawns a new static using a given template. Additionally, the country ID needs to be specified, which also determines the coalition of the spawned static.
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC self
+-- @param #SPAWNSTATIC.TemplateData Template Spawn unit template.
+-- @param #number CountryID The country ID.
+-- @return Wrapper.Static#STATIC The static spawned.
+function SPAWNSTATIC:_SpawnStatic(Template, CountryID)
+
+  Template=Template or {}
+
+  local CountryID=CountryID or self.CountryID
+
+  if self.InitStaticType then
+    Template.type=self.InitStaticType
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticCategory then
+    Template.category=self.InitStaticCategory
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticCoordinate then
+    Template.x   = self.InitStaticCoordinate.x
+    Template.y   = self.InitStaticCoordinate.z
+    Template.alt = self.InitStaticCoordinate.y
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticHeading then
+    Template.heading = math.rad(self.InitStaticHeading)
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticShape then
+    Template.shape_name=self.InitStaticShape
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticLivery then
+    Template.livery_id=self.InitStaticLivery
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticDead~=nil then
+    Template.dead=self.InitStaticDead
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticCargo~=nil then
+    Template.canCargo=self.InitStaticCargo
+  end
+
+  if self.InitStaticCargoMass~=nil then
+    Template.mass=self.InitStaticCargoMass
+  end
+
+  if self.InitLinkUnit then
+    Template.linkUnit=self.InitLinkUnit:GetID()
+    Template.linkOffset=true
+    Template.offsets={}
+    Template.offsets.y=self.InitOffsetY
+    Template.offsets.x=self.InitOffsetX
+    Template.offsets.angle=self.InitOffsetAngle and math.rad(self.InitOffsetAngle) or 0
+  end
+
+  if self.InitFarp then
+    Template.heliport_callsign_id = self.InitFarpCallsignID
+    Template.heliport_frequency   = self.InitFarpFreq
+    Template.heliport_modulation  = self.InitFarpModu
+    Template.unitId=nil
+  end
+
+  -- Increase spawn index counter.
+  self.SpawnIndex = self.SpawnIndex + 1
+
+  -- Name of the spawned static.
+  Template.name = self.InitStaticName or string.format("%s#%05d", self.SpawnTemplatePrefix, self.SpawnIndex)
+
+  -- Add static to the game.
+  local Static=nil  --DCS#StaticObject
+
+  if self.InitFarp then
+
+    local TemplateGroup={}
+    TemplateGroup.units={}
+    TemplateGroup.units[1]=Template
+
+    TemplateGroup.visible=true
+    TemplateGroup.hidden=false
+    TemplateGroup.x=Template.x
+    TemplateGroup.y=Template.y
+    TemplateGroup.name=Template.name
+
+    self:T("Spawning FARP")
+    self:T({Template=Template})
+    self:T({TemplateGroup=TemplateGroup})
+
+    -- ED's dirty way to spawn FARPS.
+    Static=coalition.addGroup(CountryID, -1, TemplateGroup)
+
+    -- Currently DCS 2.8 does not trigger birth events if FARPS are spawned!
+    -- We create such an event. The airbase is registered in Core.Event
+    local Event = {
+      id = EVENTS.Birth,
+      time = timer.getTime(),
+      initiator = Static
+      }
+    -- Create BIRTH event.
+    world.onEvent(Event)
+
+  else
+    self:T("Spawning Static")
+    self:T2({Template=Template})
+    Static=coalition.addStaticObject(CountryID, Template)
+    
+    if Static then
+      self:T(string.format("Succesfully spawned static object \"%s\" ID=%d", Static:getName(), Static:getID()))
       --[[
-local CA_SET=SET_CLIENT:New():HandleCASlots():FilterCoalitions("blue"):FilterStart()
-
-function CA_SET:OnAfterAdded(From,Event,To,ObjectName,Object)
-  MESSAGE:New("Player joined CA Slot: "..ObjectName,10,"CA"):ToAll()
-  local client = Object -- Wrapper.Client#CLIENT
-  local group = client:GetGroup()
-  if group then
-    MENU_GROUP:New(group,"Test CA")
+      local static=StaticObject.getByName(Static:getName())
+      if static then
+        env.info(string.format("FF got static from StaticObject.getByName"))
+      else
+        env.error(string.format("FF error did NOT get static from StaticObject.getByName"))
+      end ]]      
+    else
+      self:E(string.format("ERROR: DCS static object \"%s\" is nil!", tostring(Template.name)))
     end
   end
   
-  local e = {}
-  function e:onEvent(event)
-      local m = {}
-      m[#m+1] = "Event ID: "
-      m[#m+1] = event.id
-      if event.initiator then 
-         m[#m+1] = "\nInitiator : "
-         m[#m+1] = event.initiator:getName()
-      end
-      if event.weapon then 
-         m[#m+1] = "\nWeapon : "
-         m[#m+1] = event.weapon :getTypeName()
-      end 
-      if event.target then 
-         m[#m+1] = "\nTarget : "
-         m[#m+1] = event.target :getName()
-      end 
-      env.info(table.concat(m))
-  end
-  world.addEventHandler(e)
+  -- Add and register the new static.
+  local mystatic=_DATABASE:AddStatic(Template.name)
   
-  local recce = PLAYERRECCE:New(Name,Coalition,PlayerSet)
-  
-  
-  US_Patrol_Plane = SPAWN
-                      :New("Bird Dog")
-                      :InitLimit(1,4)
-                      :OnSpawnGroup(function ( SpawnedGroup )
-                        -- Setup AI Patrol
-                        PatrolZone = ZONE:New("Conflict Zone Alpha")
-                        EngageZone = ZONE:New("Conflict Zone Alpha")
-                        EngageZone:Draw()
-                        AICaszone = AI_CAS_ZONE:New(PatrolZone, 100, 1000, 100, 100, EngageZone, "RADIO")
-                        AICaszone:SetControllable(SpawnedGroup)
-                        --AICaszone:SetEngageRange(2000)
-                        AICaszone:__Start(1)
-                      end
-                      )
-                      :SpawnScheduled(30, 0)
-  
---]]
-
-local grp = GROUP:FindByName("IR Blinker")
-grp:NewIRMarker(true,90)
-
-function DestGroup()
-  if grp and grp:IsAlive() then 
-    grp:Destroy()
-  end
+  -- If there is a SpawnFunction hook defined, call it.
+  if self.SpawnFunctionHook then
+    -- delay calling this for .3 seconds so that it hopefully comes after the BIRTH event of the group.
+    self:ScheduleOnce(0.3, self.SpawnFunctionHook, mystatic, unpack(self.SpawnFunctionArguments))
   end
 
-function DisableMarker()
-  if grp and grp:IsAlive() then 
-    grp:DisableIRMarker()
-  end
-end
-
-function EnableMarker()
-  if grp and grp:IsAlive() then 
-    grp:EnableIRMarker()
-  end
-end
-
-function RespGroup()
-  if grp and not grp:IsAlive() then 
-    grp:Respawn()
-  end
-end
-
-local mymsrs = MSRS:New(nil,243,0)
-local jammersound=SOUNDFILE:New("beacon.ogg", "C:\\Users\\post\\Saved Games\\DCS\\Missions\\", 2, true)
-function Play()  
-  mymsrs:PlaySoundFile(jammersound)
-end
-
-local topmenu = MENU_COALITION:New(coalition.side.BLUE,"IR Marker Test")
-local startmenu = MENU_COALITION_COMMAND:New(coalition.side.BLUE,"Enable IR",topmenu,EnableMarker)
-local stopmenu = MENU_COALITION_COMMAND:New(coalition.side.BLUE,"Disable IR",topmenu,DisableMarker)
-local destmenu = MENU_COALITION_COMMAND:New(coalition.side.BLUE,"Destroy Group",topmenu,DestGroup)
-local respmenu = MENU_COALITION_COMMAND:New(coalition.side.BLUE,"Respawn Group",topmenu,RespGroup)
-local respmenu = MENU_COALITION_COMMAND:New(coalition.side.BLUE,"Play Sound",topmenu,Play)
-
-local testzone = ZONE:New("Testzone")
-testzone:Trigger(grp)
-
-function testzone:OnAfterObjectDead(From,Event,To,Controllable)
-  MESSAGE:New("Object Dead",15,"Test"):ToAll():ToLog()
-end
-
-function testzone:OnAfterZoneEmpty(From,Event,To)
-  MESSAGE:New("Zone Empty",15,"Test"):ToAll():ToLog()
-end
-
-local BlueBorder = ZONE:New("Blue Border")
-local RedBorder = ZONE:New("Red Border")
-local Conflict = ZONE:New("Conflict")
-
-BlueBorder:DrawZone(-1,{0,0,1},1,{0,0,1},.2,1,true)
-RedBorder:DrawZone(-1,{1,0,0},1,{1,0,0},.2,1,true)
-Conflict:DrawZone(-1,{1,254/255,1/33},1,{1,254/255,1/33},.2,1,true)
-
-BASE:TraceOn()
-BASE:TraceClass("SHORAD")
-
-local mymantis = MANTIS:New("Red Defense","Red SAM","Red EWR",hq,"red",true,awacs,true)
-mymantis:AddZones({RedBorder},{BlueBorder},{Conflict})
-mymantis.verbose = true
-mymantis.debug = true
-mymantis:Start()
-
-local myctld = CTLD:New()
-
-function myctld:OnAfterCratesDropped(From,Event,To,Group,Unit,Cargotable)
-  if Unit and string.find(Unit:GetTypeName(),"Mosquito",1,true) then
-    myctld:_BuildCrates(Group,Unit,true)
-  end
+  return mystatic
 end