Initial commit

.gitattributes

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+# Auto detect text files and perform LF normalization
+* text=auto

modules/FARPZones.lua

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+FARPZones = {}
+FARPZones.version = "1.0.2"
+--[[--
+  Version History
+  1.0.0 - Initial Version
+  1.0.1 - support "none" as defender types
+        - default types for defenders to none
+  1.0.2 - hiddenRed, hiddenBlue, hiddenGrey
+  
+--]]--
+FARPZones.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+--	"cfxCommander", -- to make troops do stuff
+--	"cfxGroundTroops", -- generic when dropping troops
+}
+
+-- *** DOES NOT EXTEND ZONES, USES OWN STRUCT ***
+-- *** SETS ZONE.OWNER IF PRESENT, POSSIBLE CONFLICT 
+-- *** WITH OWNED ZONES 
+-- *** DOES NOT WORK WITH AIRFIELDS! 
+-- *** USE OWNED ZONES AND SPAWNZONES FOR AIRFIELDS 
+
+--[[--
+    Functioning, capturable FARPS with all services. To use, 
+	place a FARP on a map, an a Zone that contains the FARP,
+	then add the following attributes 
+	
+	Z O N E   A T T R I B U T E S 
+	
+	- FARP <anything>: indicate that this is a FARP ZONE. Must
+	  contain at least one FARP inside the zone. The first FARP 
+	  found will become main FARP to determine ownership
+	- rPhiHDef - r, phi, heading separated by coma, eg 
+	  <120, 245, 0> that defines radius and Phi (in degrees) for
+	  the center position, and heading for the group of defenders
+	  for this FARP. r, phi relative to ZONE center, not FARP
+	- redDefenders - Type Strings for defender vehicles, coma
+	  separated. e.g. "BTR-80,BTR-80" will create two BTR-80
+	  vehicles when owned by RED
+	- blueDefenders - Type Strings for defender vehicles, coma 
+	  separated when owned by blue 
+	- formation - formation for defenders, e.g. "grid".
+	  optional, defaults to "circle-out". Span raidus is 100m
+	- rPhiHRes - r, phi and H separated by coma to determine
+      the location and heading of FARP Resopurces (services). 
+	  They always auto-gen all vehicles for all services. They 
+	  always spawn as "line_V" through center with radius 50 meters
+	  Optional. Will spawn around zone center else. Remember that
+	  all these vehicles MUST be within 150m of FARP Center
+	- hidden - if true, no circle on map, else (default) visible
+	  to all with owner color 
+	  
+--]]--
+
+FARPZones.resourceTypes = {
+	"M978 HEMTT Tanker", -- BLUE fuel 
+	"M 818", -- BLUE ammo
+	"M 818", -- Blue Power (repair???)
+	"Hummer", -- BLUE ATC
+	
+	"ATMZ-5", -- RED refuel
+	"KAMAZ Truck", -- rearming 
+	"SKP-11", -- communication
+	"ZiL-131 APA-80", -- Power
+}
+
+FARPZones.spinUpDelay = 30 -- seconds until FARP becomes operational after capture
+
+
+FARPZones.allFARPZones = {}
+FARPZones.startingUp = false 
+
+-- FARP ZONE ACCESS
+function FARPZones.addFARPZone(aFARP)
+	FARPZones.allFARPZones[aFARP.zone] = aFARP
+end
+
+function FARPZones.removeFARPZone(aFARP)
+	FARPZones.allFARPZones[aFARP.zone] = nil
+end
+
+function FARPZones.getFARPForZone(aZone)
+	return FARPZones.allFARPZones[aZone]
+end
+
+function FARPZones.getFARPZoneForFARP(aFarp) 
+	-- find the first FARP zone that associates with 
+	-- aFARP (an airField)
+	for idx, aFarpZone in pairs(FARPZones.allFARPZones) do 
+		local associatedFarps = aFarpZone.myFarps 
+		for itoo, assocF in pairs(associatedFarps) do
+			if assocF == aFarp then return aFarpZone end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return nil 
+end
+
+function FARPZones.createFARPFromZone(aZone)
+	-- WARNING: WILL SET ZONE.OWNER 
+	local theFarp = {}
+	theFarp.zone = aZone 
+	theFarp.name = aZone.name 
+	
+	-- find the FARPS that belong to this zone
+	local thePoint = aZone.point
+	local mapFarps = dcsCommon.getAirbasesInRangeOfPoint(
+		thePoint, 
+		aZone.radius, 
+		1 -- FARPS = Helipads
+		)
+	-- only #1 is significant for owner
+	theFarp.myFarps = mapFarps 
+	theFarp.owner = 0 -- start with neutral
+	aZone.owner = 0 
+	if #mapFarps == 0 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***Farp Zones: no FARP found for zone " .. aZone.name, 30)
+	else 
+		for idx, aFarp in pairs(mapFarps) do 
+--			trigger.action.outText("Associated FARP " .. aFarp:getName() .. " with FARP Zone " .. aZone.name, 30)
+		end
+		
+		theFarp.mainFarp = theFarp.myFarps[1]
+		theFarp.point = theFarp.mainFarp:getPoint() -- this is FARP, not zone!!!
+		theFarp.owner = theFarp.mainFarp:getCoalition()
+		aZone.owner = theFarp.owner
+	end
+	
+	-- get r and phi for defenders 
+	local rPhi = cfxZones.getVectorFromZoneProperty(
+			aZone, 
+			"rPhiHDef", 
+			3)
+--	trigger.action.outText("*** DEF rPhi are " .. rPhi[1] .. " and " .. rPhi[2], 30)
+	-- get r and phi for facilities
+	-- create a new defenderzone for this 
+	local r = rPhi[1]
+	local phi = rPhi[2] * 0.0174533 -- 1 degree = 0.0174533 rad
+	local dx = aZone.point.x + r * math.cos(phi)
+	local dz = aZone.point.z + r * math.sin(phi)
+	theFarp.defZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone(aZone.name .. "-Def", {x=dx, y = 0, z=dz}, 100)
+	theFarp.defHeading = rPhi[3]
+	
+	rPhi = cfxZones.getVectorFromZoneProperty(
+			aZone, 
+			"rPhiHRes", 
+			3) -- optional, will reterurn {0,0} else 
+--	trigger.action.outText("*** RES rPhi are " .. rPhi[1] .. " and " .. rPhi[2] .. " heading " .. rPhi[3], 30)
+	r = rPhi[1]
+	phi = rPhi[2] * 0.0174533 -- 1 degree = 0.0174533 rad
+	dx = aZone.point.x + r * math.cos(phi)
+	dz = aZone.point.z + r * math.sin(phi)
+	theFarp.resZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone(aZone.name .. "-Res", {x=dx, y = 0, z=dz}, 50)
+	theFarp.resHeading = rPhi[3]
+	
+	-- get redDefenders - defenders produced when red owned 
+	theFarp.redDefenders = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "redDefenders", "none")
+	-- get blueDefenders - defenders produced when blue owned
+	theFarp.blueDefenders = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "blueDefenders", "none")	
+	-- get formation for defenders 
+	theFarp.formation = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "formation", "circle_out")
+	theFarp.count = 0 -- for uniqueness 
+	theFarp.hideRed = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "hideRed")
+	theFarp.hideBlue = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "hideBlue")
+	theFarp.hideGrey = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "hideGrey")
+	theFarp.hidden = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "hidden")
+	
+	return theFarp 
+end
+--[[--
+function FARPZones.drawFarp(theFarp)
+	local theZone = theFarp.zone
+	local theOwner = theFarp.owner 
+	FARPZones.drawZoneInMap(theZone, theOwner) 
+end
+--]]--
+function FARPZones.drawFARPCircleInMap(theFarp)
+	if not theFarp then return end 
+	
+	if theFarp.zone and theFarp.zone.markID then 
+		-- remove previous mark
+		trigger.action.removeMark(theFarp.zone.markID)
+		theFarp.zone.markID = nil 
+	end 
+	
+	if theFarp.hideRed and 
+  	   theFarp.owner == 1 then 
+		-- hide only when red 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	if theFarp.hideBlue and 
+  	   theFarp.owner == 2 then 
+		-- hide only when blue 
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if theFarp.hideGrey and 
+  	   theFarp.owner == 0 then 
+		-- hide only when blue 
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if theFarp.hidden then  
+		return 
+	end
+	-- owner is 0 = neutral, 1 = red, 2 = blue 
+	-- will save markID in zone's markID
+	-- should be able to only show owned 
+	-- draws 2km radius circle around main (first) FARP
+	local aZone = theFarp.zone
+	local thePoint = theFarp.point 
+	local owner = theFarp.owner 
+	
+	local lineColor = {1.0, 0, 0, 1.0} -- red 
+	local fillColor = {1.0, 0, 0, 0.2} -- red 
+	
+	if owner == 2 then 
+		lineColor = {0.0, 0, 1.0, 1.0}
+		fillColor = {0.0, 0, 1.0, 0.2}
+	elseif owner == 0 then 
+		lineColor = {0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 1.0}
+		fillColor = {0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 0.2}
+	end
+	
+	local theShape = 2 -- circle
+	local markID = dcsCommon.numberUUID()
+
+	trigger.action.circleToAll(-1, markID, thePoint, 2000, lineColor, fillColor, 1, true, "")
+	aZone.markID = markID 
+	
+end
+
+function FARPZones.drawZoneInMap(aZone, owner)
+	-- owner is 0 = neutral, 1 = red, 2 = blue 
+	-- will save markID in zone's markID
+	-- should be moved to cfxZones 
+	-- should be able to only show owned 
+	
+	if aZone.markID then 
+		trigger.action.removeMark(aZone.markID)
+	end 
+	
+	
+	local lineColor = {1.0, 0, 0, 1.0} -- red 
+	local fillColor = {1.0, 0, 0, 0.2} -- red 
+	
+	if owner == 2 then 
+		lineColor = {0.0, 0, 1.0, 1.0}
+		fillColor = {0.0, 0, 1.0, 0.2}
+	elseif owner == 0 then 
+		lineColor = {0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 1.0}
+		fillColor = {0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 0.2}
+	end
+	
+	local theShape = 2 -- circle
+	local markID = dcsCommon.numberUUID()
+
+	trigger.action.circleToAll(-1, markID, aZone.point, aZone.radius, lineColor, fillColor, 1, true, "")
+	aZone.markID = markID 
+	
+end
+
+function FARPZones.scheduedProduction(args)
+	-- args contain [aFarp, owner]
+	-- make sure that owner is still the same 
+	-- and if so, branch to produce vehicles 
+	-- ***write-though to zone.owner 
+	
+	local theFarp = args[1]
+	local owner = args[2]
+	
+	-- make sure the farp wasn't conquered in the meantime
+	if owner == theFarp.mainFarp:getCoalition() then 
+		-- ok, still same owner , go ahead and spawn
+		theFarp.owner = owner
+		theFarp.zone.owner = owner 
+		FARPZones.produceVehicles(theFarp)
+		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theFarp.owner, "FARP " .. theFarp.name .. " has become operational!", 30)
+		trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theFarp.owner, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+		
+	end
+end
+
+function FARPZones.produceVehicles(theFarp)
+	-- first, remove anything that may still be there 
+	if theFarp.defenders and theFarp.defenders:isExist() then 
+		theFarp.defenders:destroy()
+	end
+	
+	if theFarp.resources and theFarp.resources:isExist() then 
+		theFarp.resources:destroy()
+	end
+	
+	theFarp.defenders = nil
+	theFarp.resources = nil 
+
+	-- spawn defenders 
+	local owner = theFarp.owner -- coalition 
+	local theTypes = theFarp.redDefenders
+	if owner == 2 then theTypes = theFarp.blueDefenders end 
+	local unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(theTypes, ",")
+	if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+		table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
+	end
+	
+	-- trigger.action.outText("*** ENTER produce vehicles, will produce " .. theTypes , 30)
+	local theCoalition = theFarp.owner 
+	
+	if theTypes ~= "none" then 
+		local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+			theCoalition, 
+			theFarp.name .. "-D" .. theFarp.count, -- must be unique 
+			theFarp.defZone,
+			unitTypes,
+			theFarp.formation,
+			theFarp.defHeading)
+		-- we do not add these troops to ground troop management 
+		theFarp.defenders = theGroup -- but we retain a handle just in case
+	end 
+	
+	unitTypes = FARPZones.resourceTypes
+	local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+			theCoalition, 
+			theFarp.name .. "-R" .. theFarp.count, -- must be unique 
+			theFarp.resZone,
+			unitTypes,
+			"line_v",
+			theFarp.resHeading)
+	theFarp.resources = theGroup 
+			
+	-- update unique counter
+	theFarp.count = theFarp.count + 1
+end
+
+--
+-- EVENT PROCESSING
+--
+FARPZones.myEvents = {10, } --  10: S_EVENT_BASE_CAPTURED 
+function FARPZones.isInteresting(eventID) 
+	-- return true if we are interested in this event, false else 
+	for key, evType in pairs(FARPZones.myEvents) do 
+		if evType == eventID then return true end
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function FARPZones.preProcessor(event)
+	if not event then return false end 
+	if not event.place then return false end 
+
+	return FARPZones.isInteresting(event.id) 
+end
+
+function FARPZones.postProcessor(event)
+	-- don't do anything
+end
+
+function FARPZones.somethingHappened(event)	
+	-- *** writes to zone.owner
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local ID = event.id
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("FZ: something happened", 30) 
+	local aFarp = event.place
+	local zonedFarp = FARPZones.getFARPZoneForFARP(aFarp) 
+
+	if not zonedFarp then 
+		trigger.action.outText("Hand change, NOT INTERESTING", 30)
+		return 
+	end 
+
+	local newOwner = aFarp:getCoalition()	
+	local blueRed = "Red" 
+	if newOwner == 2 then blueRed = "Blue" end 
+	trigger.action.outText("FARP " .. zonedFarp.zone.name .. " captured by " .. blueRed .."!", 30)
+	trigger.action.outSound("Quest Snare 3.wav")
+	zonedFarp.owner = newOwner
+	zonedFarp.zone.owner = newOwner 
+	-- better: sound winm and lose to different sides 
+	-- update color in map 
+--	FARPZones.drawFarp(zonedFarp)
+	FARPZones.drawFARPCircleInMap(zonedFarp)
+	
+	-- remove all existing resources immediately, 
+	-- no more service available 
+	if zonedFarp.resources and zonedFarp.resources:isExist() then 
+		zonedFarp.resources:destroy()
+		zonedFarp.resources = nil 
+	end
+	
+	-- now schedule operational after spin-up delay 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(
+		FARPZones.scheduedProduction,
+		{zonedFarp, newOwner}, -- pass farp struct and current owner
+		timer.getTime() + FARPZones.spinUpDelay
+		)
+	
+end
+
+
+
+--
+-- Start 
+--
+
+
+function FARPZones.start()
+	-- check libs
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx FARP Zones", 
+		FARPZones.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	FARPZones.startingUp = true 
+	 
+	-- install callbacks for FARP-relevant events
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(FARPZones.somethingHappened,
+							  FARPZones.preProcessor,
+							  FARPZones.postProcessor)
+
+	-- collect all FARP Zones
+	local theZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("FARP")
+	for k, aZone in pairs(theZones) do 
+		local aFARP = FARPZones.createFARPFromZone(aZone) -- read attributes from DCS
+		FARPZones.addFARPZone(aFARP) -- add to managed zones 
+--		FARPZones.drawFarp(aFARP)
+		FARPZones.drawFARPCircleInMap(aFARP) -- mark in map 
+		FARPZones.produceVehicles(aFARP) -- allocate initial vehicles 
+		--trigger.action.outText("processed FARP " .. aZone.name .. " now owned by " .. aZone.owner, 30)
+	end
+
+	FARPZones.startingUp = false 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x FARP Zones v" .. FARPZones.version .. " started", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+
+-- let's get rolling
+if not FARPZones.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x FARP Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	FARPZones = nil 
+end
+
+--[[--
+Improvements:
+  per FARP/Helipad in zone: create resources (i.e. support multi 4-Pad FARPS out of the box
+  
+  make hidden farps only appear for owning side 
+ 
+--]]--

modules/cargoSuper.lua

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+cargoSuper = {}
+cargoSuper.version = "1.1.0"
+--[[--
+version history
+	1.0.0 - initial version
+	1.1.0 - removeMassObjectFrom supports name directly for mass object 
+		  - cargoSuper tracks all mass objects 
+		  - deleteMassObject() 
+		  - removeMassObjectFrom supports forget option
+		  - createMassObject supports auto-gen UUID name 
+		  - removeAllMassForCargo renamed to removeAllMassForCategory
+		  - category default "cSup!DefCat"
+		  - getAllCategoriesFor alias for getAllCargos 
+		  - getManifestForCategory alias for getManifestFor
+		  - removeAllMassFor()
+	
+CargoSuper manages weigth for a logical named unit. Weight can be added 
+to arbitrary categories like 'passengers', 'cargo' or "whatever". In order 
+to add weight to a unit, first create a massObject through createMassObject
+and then add that mass object to the unit via addMassTo, with a category name
+you can get access to massobjects via getMassObjects  
+When done, you can remove the mass object via removeMassObject or 
+removeAll
+
+To get a unit's total weight, use getTotalMass() 
+
+IMPORTANT:
+This module does ***N*O*T*** call  trigger.action.setUnitInternalCargo
+you must do that yourself
+
+--]]--
+cargoSuper.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"nameStats", -- generic data module for weight 
+}
+
+cargoSuper.cargos = {}
+cargoSuper.massObjects = {}
+
+-- create a massObject. reference object can be used to store 
+-- anything that links an associated object:getSampleRate()
+-- massName can be anything but must be unique as it is used to store. pass nil for UUID-created name 
+function cargoSuper.createMassObject(massInKg, massName, referenceObject)
+	local theObject = {}
+	theObject.mass = massInKg
+	theObject.name = massName 
+	theObject.ref = referenceObject
+	
+	if not massName then 
+		massName = dcsCommon.uuid("cSup!N")
+	end
+	
+	local existingMO = cargoSuper.massObjects[massName]
+	if existingMO then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++cSuper: WARNING - " .. massName .. " exists already, overwritten!", 30)
+	end
+	cargoSuper.massObjects[massName] = theObject
+	return theObject
+end 
+
+function cargoSuper.deleteMassObject(massObject) 
+	if not massObject then return end 
+	local theName = "" 
+	if type(massObject) == "string" then 
+		theName = massObject 
+	else 
+		theName = massObject.name 
+	end 
+	cargoSuper.massObjects[massName] = nil
+end
+
+function cargoSuper.addMassObjectTo(name, category, theMassObject)
+	if not theMassObject then return end
+	if not category then category = "cSup!DefCat" end 
+	-- use nameStats to access private data table
+	local theMassTable = nameStats.getTable(name, category, cargoSuper.cargos)
+	theMassTable[theMassObject.name] = theMassObject
+end
+
+function cargoSuper.removeMassObjectFrom(name, category, theMassObject, forget)
+	if not theMassObject then return end
+	if not category then category = "cSup!DefCat" end 
+	if not forget then forget = true end 
+	-- use nameStats to access private data table
+	-- return the data table stored under category. category *can* be nil 
+	-- v1.0.1 can also provide mass object name 
+	-- instead of mass object itself. no check!!
+	local moName = ""
+	if type(theMassObject) == "string" then
+		moName = theMassObject
+	else 
+		moName = theMassObject.name 
+	end
+	local theMassTable = nameStats.getTable(name, category, cargoSuper.cargos)
+	theMassTable[moName] = nil
+	if forget then 
+		cargoSuper.deleteMassObject(theMassObject)
+	end
+end
+
+-- DO NOT PUBLISH. Provided only for backwards compatibility
+function cargoSuper.removeAllMassForCargo(name, catergory)
+	if not category then category = "cSup!DefCat" end 
+	nameStats.reset(name, category, cargoSuper.cargos)
+end
+
+-- alias for removeAllMassForCargo
+function cargoSuper.removeAllMassForCategory(name, catergory)
+	cargoSuper.removeAllMassForCargo(name, catergory)
+end
+
+function cargoSuper.removeAllMassFor(name)
+	if not name then return end 
+	local categories = nameStats.getAllPathes(name, cargoSuper.cargos)
+	for idx, cat in pairs(categories) do
+		cargoSuper.removeAllMassForCategory(name, cat)
+	end
+end
+
+-- returns all cargo categories for name 
+-- DO NOT PUBLISH. BAD NAMING
+function cargoSuper.getAllCargosFor(name)
+	local categories = nameStats.getAllPathes(name, cargoSuper.cargos)
+	return categories
+end
+
+-- alias for badly named method above
+function cargoSuper.getAllCategoriesFor(name)
+	cargoSuper.getAllCargosFor(name)
+end
+
+-- return all mass objects that are in name, category as table
+-- that can be accessed as *array*
+-- DO NOT PUBLISH. NAMING IS BAD
+function cargoSuper.getManifestFor(name, category)
+	if not category then category = "cSup!DefCat" end 
+	local theMassTable = nameStats.getTable(name, category, cargoSuper.cargos)
+	return dcsCommon.enumerateTable(theMassTable)
+end
+
+-- alias for badly named method above
+function cargoSuper.getManifestForCategory(name, category)
+	cargoSuper.getManifestFor(name, category)
+end
+
+function getManifestTextFor(name, category, includeTotal)
+	if not category then category = "cSup!DefCat" end 
+	local theMassTable = cargoSuper.getManifestFor(name, category)
+	local desc = ""
+	local totalMass = 0
+	local isFirst = true
+	for idx, massObject in pairs(theMassTable) do 
+		if not isFirst then 
+			desc = desc .. "\n"
+		end
+		totalMass = totalMass + massObject.mass
+		desc = desc .. massObject.name .. " (" .. massObject.mass .. "kg)"
+		isFirst = false
+	end	
+	if includeTotal and (isFirst == false) then 
+		-- we only do this if we have at least one (isFirst is false)
+		desc = desc .. "\nTotal Weight: " .. totalMass .. "kg"
+	end
+	return desc
+end
+
+function cargoSuper.calculateTotalMassForCategory(name, category)
+	if not category then category = "cSup!DefCat" end 
+	theMasses = cargoSuper.getManifestFor(name, category)
+	local totalMass = 0
+	for massName, massObject in pairs(theMasses) do
+		totalMass = totalMass + massObject.mass
+	end
+	return totalMass
+end
+
+function cargoSuper.calculateTotalMassFor(name)
+	local allCategories = cargoSuper.getAllCargosFor(name)
+	local totalMass = 0
+	for idx, category in pairs(allCategories) do 
+		totalMass = totalMass + cargoSuper.calculateTotalMassForCategory(name, category)
+	end	
+	return totalMass
+end
+
+function cargoSuper.start()
+	-- make sure we have loaded all relevant libraries 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx CargoSuper", cargoSuper.requiredLibs) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("cf/x CargoSuper aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x CargoSuper v" .. cargoSuper.version .. " loaded", 30)
+	return true 
+	
+end
+
+-- go go go 
+if not cargoSuper.start() then 
+	cargoSuper = nil
+end

modules/cfxArtillery.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,406 @@
+cfxArtilleryDemon = {}
+cfxArtilleryDemon.version = "1.0.2"
+-- based on cfx stage demon v 1.0.2
+
+cfxArtilleryDemon.messageToAll = true -- set to false if messages should be sent only to the group that set the mark
+cfxArtilleryDemon.messageTime = 30 -- how long a message stays on the sceeen
+
+-- cfxArtillery hooks into DCS's mark system to intercept user 
+-- transactions with the mark system and uses that for arty targeting
+-- used to interactively add ArtilleryZones during gameplay 
+
+-- Copyright (c) 2021 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
+
+cfxArtilleryDemon.autostart = true -- start automatically
+
+-- whenever you begin a Mark with the string below, it will be taken as a command
+-- and run through the command parser, stripping the mark, and then splitting
+-- by blanks
+cfxArtilleryDemon.markOfDemon = "-" -- all commands must start with this sequence
+cfxArtilleryDemon.splitDelimiter = " " 
+
+cfxArtilleryDemon.unitFilterMethod = nil -- optional user filtering redirection. currently
+								  -- set to allow all users use cfxArtillery
+cfxArtilleryDemon.processCommandMethod = nil -- optional initial command processing redirection
+								      -- currently set to cfxArtillery's own processor
+cfxArtilleryDemon.commandTable = {} -- key, value pair for command processing per keyword
+							 -- all commands cfxArtillery understands are used as keys and
+							 -- the functions that process them are used as values
+							 -- making the parser a trivial table :)
+
+cfxArtilleryDemon.demonID = nil -- used only for suspending the event callback
+						   
+-- unit authorization. You return false to disallow this unit access
+-- to commands
+-- simple authorization checks would be to allow only players
+-- on neutral side, or players in range of location with Lino of sight 
+-- to that point 
+--
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.authorizeAllUnits(event) 
+	-- units/groups that are allowed to give a command can be filtered.
+	-- return true if the unit/group may give commands
+	-- cfxArtillery allows anyone to give it commands
+	return true
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.hasMark(theString) 
+	-- check if the string begins with the sequece to identify commands 
+	if not theString then return false end
+	return theString:find(cfxArtilleryDemon.markOfDemon) == 1
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.splitString(inputstr, sep) 
+    if sep == nil then
+        sep = "%s"
+    end
+	if inputstr == nil then 
+		inputstr = ""
+	end
+	
+    local t={}
+    for str in string.gmatch(inputstr, "([^"..sep.."]+)") do
+		table.insert(t, str)
+    end
+	return t
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.str2num(inVal, default) 
+	if not default then default = 0 end
+	if not inVal then return default end
+	if type(inVal) == "number" then return inVal end 				
+	local num = nil
+	if type(inVal) == "string" then num = tonumber(inVal) end
+	if not num then return default end
+	return num
+end
+
+-- 
+-- output method. can be customized, so we have a central place where we
+-- can control how output is handled. Is currently outText and outTextToGroup
+-- 
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.outMessage(theMessage, args)
+	if not args then 
+		args = {}
+	end
+	local toAll = args.toAll -- will only be true if defined and set to true
+		
+	if not args.group then 
+		toAll = true
+	else 
+		if not args.group:isExist() then 
+			toAll = true
+		end
+	end
+	toAll = toAll or cfxArtilleryDemon.messageToAll
+	if not toAll then 
+		trigger.action.outTextToGroup(args.group, theMessage, cfxArtilleryDemon.messageTime)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText(theMessage, cfxArtilleryDemon.messageTime)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- get all player groups - since there is no getGroupByIndex in DCS (yet)
+-- we simply collect all player groups (since only palyers can place marks)
+-- and try to match their group ID to the one given by mark
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.getAllPayerGroups()
+	local coalitionSides = {0, 1, 2} -- we currently have neutral, red, blue
+	local playerGroups = {}
+	for i=1, #coalitionSides do 
+		local theSide = coalitionSides[i] 
+		-- get all players for this side
+		local thePlayers = coalition.getPlayers(theSide) 
+		for p=1, #thePlayers do 
+			aPlayerUnit = thePlayers[p] -- docs say this is a unit table, not a person!
+			if aPlayerUnit:isExist() then 
+				local theGroup = aPlayerUnit:getGroup()
+				if theGroup:isExist() then
+					local gID = theGroup:getID()
+					playerGroups[gID] = theGroup -- multiple players per group results in one group
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return playerGroups
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.retrieveGroupFromEvent(theEvent)
+-- DEBUG CODE
+	if theEvent.initiator then 
+		trigger.action.outText("EVENT: initiator set to " .. theEvent.initiator:getName(), 30)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("EVENT: NO INITIATOR", 30)
+	end
+
+	trigger.action.outText("EVENT: groupID = " .. theEvent.groupID, 30)
+
+	-- trivial case: initiator is set, and we can access the group
+	if theEvent.initiator then 
+		if theEvent.initiator:isExist() then 
+			return theEvent.initiator:getGroup()
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- ok, bad news: initiator wasn't filled. let's try the fallback: event.groupID
+	if theEvent.groupID  and theEvent.groupID > 0 then 
+		local playerGroups = cfxArtilleryDemon.getAllPayerGroups()
+		if playerGroups[theEvent.groupID] then 
+			return palyerGroups[theEvent.groupID] 
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- nope, return nil
+	return nil
+end
+
+-- main hook into DCS. Called whenever a Mark-related event happens
+-- very simple: look if text begins with special sequence, and if so, 
+-- call the command processor. Note that you can hook your own command
+-- processor in by changing the value of processCommandMethod
+function cfxArtilleryDemon:onEvent(theEvent)
+	-- while we can hook into any of the three events, 
+	-- we curently only utilize CHANGE Mark
+	if not (theEvent.id == world.event.S_EVENT_MARK_ADDED) and
+	   not (theEvent.id == world.event.S_EVENT_MARK_CHANGE) and 
+	   not (theEvent.id == world.event.S_EVENT_MARK_REMOVED) then 
+		-- not of interest for us, bye bye
+		return 
+	end
+
+	-- build the messageOut() arg table
+	local args = {}
+	args.toAll = cfxArtilleryDemon.toAll
+--
+--	
+	args.toAll = false -- FORCE GROUPS FOR DEBUGGING OF NEW CODE
+--
+--	
+	if not args.toAll then 
+		-- we want group-targeted messaging 
+		-- so we need to retrieve the group 
+		local theGroup = cfxArtilleryDemon.retrieveGroupFromEvent(theEvent)
+		if not theGroup then 
+			args.toAll = true
+			trigger.action.messageOut("*** WARNING: cfxArtilleryDemon can't find group for command", 30)
+		else 
+			args.group = theGroup
+		end
+	end
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.args = args -- copy reference so we can easily use it in messageOut
+						   
+	-- when we get here, we have a mark event
+	-- see if the unit filter lets it pass
+	if not cfxArtilleryDemon.unitFilterMethod(theEvent) then 
+		return -- unit is not allowed to give demon orders. bye bye
+	end
+	
+    if theEvent.id == world.event.S_EVENT_MARK_ADDED then
+		-- add mark is quite useless for us as we are called when the user clicks, with no 
+		-- text in the description yet. Later abilities may want to use it though		
+	end
+    
+    if theEvent.id == world.event.S_EVENT_MARK_CHANGE then
+		-- when changed, the mark's text is examined for a command
+		-- if it starts with the 'mark' string ("*" by  default) it is processed
+		-- by the command processor
+		-- if it is processed succesfully, the mark is immediately removed
+		-- else an error is displayed and the mark remains.
+		if cfxArtilleryDemon.hasMark(theEvent.text) then 
+			-- strip the mark 
+			local commandString = theEvent.text:sub(1+cfxArtilleryDemon.markOfDemon:len())
+			-- break remainder apart into <command> <arg1> ... <argn>
+			local commands = cfxArtilleryDemon.splitString(commandString, cfxArtilleryDemon.splitDelimiter)
+
+			-- this is a command. process it and then remove it if it was executed successfully
+			local success = cfxArtilleryDemon.processCommandMethod(commands, theEvent)
+						
+			-- remove this mark after successful execution
+			if success then 
+				trigger.action.removeMark(theEvent.idx) 
+				cfxArtilleryDemon.outMessage("executed command <" .. commandString .. "> from unit" .. theEvent.initiator:getName(), args)
+			else 
+				-- we could play some error sound
+			end
+		end 
+    end 
+	
+	if theEvent.id == world.event.S_EVENT_MARK_REMOVED then
+    end
+end
+
+--
+-- add / remove commands to/from cfxArtillerys vocabulary
+-- 
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.addCommndProcessor(command, processor)
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.commandTable[command:upper()] = processor 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.removeCommandProcessor(command)
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.commandTable[command:upper()] = nil 
+end
+
+--
+-- process input arguments. Here we simply move them 
+-- up by one.
+--
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.getArgs(theCommands) 
+	local args = {}
+	for i=2, #theCommands do 
+		table.insert(args, theCommands[i])
+	end
+	return args
+end
+
+--
+-- stage demon's main command interpreter. 
+-- magic lies in using the keywords as keys into a 
+-- function table that holds all processing functions
+-- I wish we had that back in the Oberon days. 
+--
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.executeCommand(theCommands, event)
+--	trigger.action.outText("executor: *" .. theCommands[1] .. "*", 30)
+	-- see if theCommands[1] exists in the command table
+	local cmd = theCommands[1]
+	local arguments = cfxArtilleryDemon.getArgs(theCommands)
+	if not cmd then return false end
+	
+	-- use the command as index into the table of functions
+	-- that handle them.
+	if cfxArtilleryDemon.commandTable[cmd:upper()] then 
+		local theInvoker = cfxArtilleryDemon.commandTable[cmd:upper()]
+		local success = theInvoker(arguments, event)
+		return success
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("***error: unknown command <".. cmd .. ">", 30)
+		return false
+	end
+	
+	return true
+end
+
+--
+-- SMOKE COMMAND
+--
+
+-- known commands and their processors
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.smokeColor2Index (theColor)
+	local color = theColor:lower()
+	if color == "red" then return 1 end
+	if color == "white" then return 2 end 
+	if color == "orange" then return 3 end 
+	if color == "blue" then return 4 end
+	return 0
+end
+
+-- this is the command processing template for your own commands 
+-- when you add a command processor via addCommndProcessor()
+-- smoke command syntax: '-smoke <color>' with optional color, color being red, green, blue, white or orange
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.processSmokeCommand(args, event)
+	if not args[1] then args[1] = "red" end -- default to red color
+	local thePoint = event.pos
+	thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x = thePoint.x, y = thePoint.z}) +3  -- elevate to ground height
+	trigger.action.smoke(thePoint, cfxArtilleryDemon.smokeColor2Index(args[1])) 
+	return true
+end
+
+--
+-- BOOM command
+--
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.doBoom(args)
+	--trigger.action.outText("sim shell str=" .. args.strength .. " x=" .. args.point.x .. " z = " .. args.point.z .. " Tdelta = " .. args.tDelta, 30)
+--	trigger.action.smoke(args.point, 2) 
+	trigger.action.explosion(args.point, args.strength)
+
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.processBoomCommand(args, event)
+	if not args[1] then args[1] = "750" end -- default to 750 strength
+	local transitionTime = 20 -- seconds until shells hit
+	local shellNum = 17 
+	local shellBaseStrength = 500
+	local shellvariance = 0.2 -- 10% 
+	local center = event.pos -- center of where shells hit 
+	center.y = land.getHeight({x = center.x, y = center.z}) + 3
+	-- we now can 'dirty' the position by something. not yet
+	for i=1, shellNum do
+		local thePoint = dcsCommon.randomPointInCircle(100, 0, center.x, center.z)
+		local boomArgs = {}
+		local strVar = shellBaseStrength * shellvariance
+		strVar = strVar * (2 * dcsCommon.randomPercent() - 1.0) -- go from -1 to 1
+		
+		boomArgs.strength = shellBaseStrength + strVar
+		thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x = thePoint.x, y = thePoint.z}) + 1  -- elevate to ground height + 1
+		boomArgs.point = thePoint
+		local timeVar = 5 * (2 * dcsCommon.randomPercent() - 1.0) -- +/- 1.5 seconds
+		boomArgs.tDelta = timeVar 
+		timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryDemon.doBoom, boomArgs, timer.getTime() + transitionTime + timeVar)
+	end
+	trigger.action.outText("Fire command confirmed. Artillery is firing at your designated co-ordinates.", 30)
+	trigger.action.smoke(center, 2) -- mark location visually
+	return true
+end
+
+--
+-- cfxArtilleryZones interface
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.processTargetCommand(args, event)
+	-- get position 
+	local center = event.pos -- center of where shells hit 
+	center.y = land.getHeight({x = center.x, y = center.z})
+	
+	if not event.initiator then 
+		trigger.action.outText("Target entry aborted: no initiator.", 30)
+		return true 
+	end
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	local coalition = theGroup:getCoalition()
+	local spotRange = 3000
+	local autoAdd = true 
+	local params = ""
+	
+	for idx, param in pairs(args) do 
+		if params == "" then params = ": " 
+		else params = params .. " " 
+		end 
+		params = params .. param
+	end
+		
+	local name = "TgtData".. params .. " (" .. theUnit:getName() .. ")@T+" .. math.floor(timer.getTime())
+	-- feed into arty zones
+	cfxArtilleryZones.createArtilleryZone(name, center, coalition, spotRange, 500, autoAdd) -- 500 is base strength 
+	
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(coalition, "New ARTY coordinates received from " .. theUnit:getName() .. ", standing by", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+--
+-- cfxArtillery init and start
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.init()
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.unitFilterMethod = cfxArtilleryDemon.authorizeAllUnits
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.processCommandMethod = cfxArtilleryDemon.executeCommand
+	
+	-- now add known commands to interpreter. Add your own commands the same way
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.addCommndProcessor("smoke", cfxArtilleryDemon.processSmokeCommand)
+	
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.addCommndProcessor("bumm", cfxArtilleryDemon.processBoomCommand)
+	
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.addCommndProcessor("tgt",
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.processTargetCommand)
+	
+	-- you can add and remove command the same way
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x cfx Artillery Demon v" .. cfxArtilleryDemon.version .. " loaded", 30)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryDemon.start()
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.demonID = world.addEventHandler(cfxArtilleryDemon)
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x cfxArtilleryDemon v" .. cfxArtilleryDemon.version .. " started", 30)
+end
+
+cfxArtilleryDemon.init()
+if cfxArtilleryDemon.autostart then 
+	cfxArtilleryDemon.start()
+end

modules/cfxArtilleryUI.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,714 @@
+cfxArtilleryUI = {}
+cfxArtilleryUI.version = "1.1.0"
+cfxArtilleryUI.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxPlayer", -- get all players
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxArtilleryZones", -- this is where we get zones from 	
+}
+--
+-- UI for ArtilleryZones module, implements LOS, Observer, SMOKE
+-- Copyright (c) 2021, 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
+
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+ - 1.0.0 - based on jtacGrpUI
+ - 1.0.1 - tgtCheckSum 
+         - smokeCheckSum
+         - ability to smoke target zone in range
+ - 1.1.0 - config zone
+         - allowPlanes flag  
+		 - config smoke color 
+		 - collect zones recognizes moving zones, updates landHeight
+		 - allSeeing god mode attribute: always observing.
+		 - allRanging god mode attribute: always in range.
+		 
+ 
+--]]--
+cfxArtilleryUI.allowPlanes = false -- if false, heli only  
+cfxArtilleryUI.smokeColor = "red" -- for smoking target zone 
+
+-- find artiller zones, command fire
+cfxArtilleryUI.updateDelay = 1 -- seconds until we update target list  
+cfxArtilleryUI.groupConfig = {} -- all inited group private config data 
+cfxArtilleryUI.updateSound = "UI_SCI-FI_Tone_Bright_Dry_20_stereo.wav"
+cfxArtilleryUI.maxSmokeDist = 30000 -- in meters. Distance to target to populate smoke menu 
+--
+-- C O N F I G   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =============================
+--
+-- Each group has their own config block that can be used to 
+-- store group-private data and configuration items.
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.resetConfig(conf)
+	conf.tgtCheckSum = nil -- used to determine if we need to update target menu
+	conf.smokeCheckSum = nil -- used to determine if we need to update smoke menu 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+	local conf = {}
+	conf.theGroup = theGroup
+	conf.name = theGroup:getName()
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID()
+	conf.coalition = theGroup:getCoalition() 
+	
+	cfxArtilleryUI.resetConfig(conf)
+
+	conf.mainMenu = nil; -- this is where we store the main menu if we branch
+	conf.myCommands = nil; -- this is where we store the commands if we branch 
+	
+	return conf
+end
+
+-- getConfigFor group will allocate if doesn't exist in DB
+-- and add to it
+function cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxArtilleryUI nil group in getConfigForGroup!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	local theName = theGroup:getName()
+	local c = cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- we use central accessor
+	if not c then 
+		c = cfxArtilleryUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+		cfxArtilleryUI.groupConfig[theName] = c -- should use central accessor...
+	end
+	return c 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- DOES NOT allocate when not exist
+	if not theName then return nil end 
+	return cfxArtilleryUI.groupConfig[theName]
+end
+
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	-- simple one-off step by accessing the group 
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxArtilleryUI nil unit in getConfigForUnit!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	return getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- M E N U   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =========================
+--
+--
+function cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsTargets(conf)
+	if conf.myTargets then 
+		for i=1, #conf.myTargets do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myTargets[i])
+		end	
+	end
+	conf.myTargets={}
+	conf.tgtCheckSum = nil 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsSmokes(conf)
+	if conf.mySmokes then 
+		for i=1, #conf.mySmokes do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.mySmokes[i])
+		end	
+	end
+	conf.mySmokes={}
+	conf.smokeCheckSum = nil 
+end
+
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	if conf.myCommands then 
+		for i=1, #conf.myCommands do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myCommands[i])
+		end
+	end
+	conf.myCommands = {}
+	
+	-- now clear target menu 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsTargets(conf)
+	if conf.myTargetMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myTargetMenu) 
+		conf.myTargetMenu = nil
+	end
+	
+	-- now clear smoke menu
+	cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsSmokes(conf)
+	if conf.mySmokeMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.mySmokeMenu) 
+		conf.mySmokeMenu = nil
+	end
+	
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	if conf.myMainMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myMainMenu) 
+		conf.myMainMenu = nil
+	end
+end
+
+-- this only works in single-unit groups. may want to check if group 
+-- has disappeared
+function cfxArtilleryUI.removeCommsForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 	
+	-- perhaps add code: check if group is empty
+	local conf = cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.removeCommsForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 	
+	local conf = cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+--
+-- set main root in F10 Other. All sub menus click into this 
+--
+function cfxArtilleryUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup)
+	if cfxArtilleryUI.allowPlanes then return true end 
+	
+	-- only allow helicopters for Forward Observervation
+	local cat = theGroup:getCategory()
+	if cat ~= Group.Category.HELICOPTER then return false end
+	return true
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxArtilleryUI nil UNIT in setCommsMenuForUnit!", 30)
+		return
+	end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	cfxArtilleryUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+	-- depending on own load state, we set the command structure
+	-- it begins at 10-other, and has 'jtac' as main menu with submenus
+	-- as required 
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	-- we test here if this group qualifies for 
+	-- the menu. if not, exit 
+	if not cfxArtilleryUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup) then return end
+	
+	local conf = cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup) 
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID(); -- we do this ALWAYS so it is current even after a crash 
+	
+	-- ok, first, if we don't have an F-10 menu, create one 
+	if not (conf.myMainMenu) then 
+		conf.myMainMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(conf.id, 'Forward Observer') 
+		
+	end
+	
+	-- clear out existing commands
+	cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	-- now we have a menu without submenus. 
+	-- add our own submenus
+	cfxArtilleryUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	
+end
+
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	-- add menu items to choose from after 
+	-- user clickedf on MAIN MENU. In this implementation
+	-- they all result invoked methods
+	
+	local commandTxt = "List Artillery Targets"
+	local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxArtilleryUI.redirectCommandListTargets, 
+				{conf, "arty list"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+
+	-- add a targets menu. this will be regularly set (every x seconds) 
+	conf.myTargetMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(conf.id, 'Artillery Fire Control', conf.myMainMenu) 
+		
+	-- populate this target menu with commands 
+	-- creates a tgtCheckSum to very each time 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.populateTargetMenu(conf)
+	
+	conf.mySmokeMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(conf.id, 'Mark Artillery Target', conf.myMainMenu)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.populateSmokeMenu(conf)
+
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.populateTargetMenu(conf)
+	local targetList = cfxArtilleryUI.collectArtyTargets(conf)
+	-- iterate the list
+	
+	-- we use a control string to know if we have to change 
+	local tgtCheckSum = ""
+	-- now filter target list 
+	local filteredTargets = {}
+	for idx, aTarget in pairs(targetList) do 
+		local inRange = cfxArtilleryUI.allRanging or aTarget.range * 1000 < aTarget.spotRange 
+		if inRange then 
+			isVisible = cfxArtilleryUI.allSeeing or land.isVisible(aTarget.here, aTarget.there)
+			if isVisible then 
+				table.insert(filteredTargets, aTarget)
+				tgtCheckSum = tgtCheckSum .. aTarget.name
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- now compare old control string with new, and only 
+	-- re-populate if the old is different 
+	if tgtCheckSum == conf.tgtCheckSum then 
+--		trigger.action.outText("*** yeah old targets", 30)
+		return 
+	elseif not conf.tgtCheckSum then 
+--		trigger.action.outText("+++ new target menu", 30)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Artillery target updates", 30)
+		trigger.action.outSoundForGroup(conf.id, cfxArtilleryUI.updateSound)
+--		trigger.action.outText("!!! target update ", 30)	
+	end
+	
+	-- we need to re-populate. erase old values 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsTargets(conf)
+	conf.tgtCheckSum = tgtCheckSum -- remember for last time 
+	--trigger.action.outText("new targets", 30)
+	
+	if #filteredTargets < 1 then 
+		-- simply put one-line dummy in there 
+		local commandTxt = "(No unobscured target areas)"
+		local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myTargetMenu,
+				cfxArtilleryUI.dummyCommand, 
+				{conf, "nix is"}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.myTargets, theCommand)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- now populate target menu, max 8 items
+	local numTargets = #filteredTargets
+	if numTargets > 8 then numTargets = 8 end 
+	for i=1, numTargets do 
+		-- make a target command for each 
+		local aTarget = filteredTargets[i]
+	
+		commandTxt = "Fire at: <" .. aTarget.name .. ">"
+		theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myTargetMenu,
+				cfxArtilleryUI.redirectFireCommand, 
+				{conf, aTarget}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.myTargets, theCommand)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.populateSmokeMenu(conf)
+	local targetList = cfxArtilleryUI.collectArtyTargets(conf) -- we can use target gathering 
+	
+	-- now iterate the reulting list
+	-- we use a control string to know if we have to change 
+	local smokeCheckSum = ""
+	-- now filter target list 
+	local filteredTargets = {}
+	for idx, aTarget in pairs(targetList) do 
+		local inRange = cfxArtilleryUI.allRanging or aTarget.range * 1000 < cfxArtilleryUI.maxSmokeDist
+		if inRange then 
+			table.insert(filteredTargets, aTarget)
+			smokeCheckSum = smokeCheckSum .. aTarget.name
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- now compare old control string with new, and only 
+	-- re-populate if the old is different 
+	if smokeCheckSum == conf.smokeCheckSum then 
+		-- nothing changed since last time, do nothing and return immediately
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- we need to re-populate. erase old values 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.clearCommsSmokes(conf)
+	conf.smokeCheckSum = smokeCheckSum -- remember for last time 
+	
+	if #filteredTargets < 1 then 
+		-- simply put one-line dummy in there 
+		local commandTxt = "(No targets in range)"
+		local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.mySmokeMenu,
+				cfxArtilleryUI.dummyCommand, -- the "nix is" command
+				{conf, "nix is"}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.mySmokes, theCommand)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- now populate target menu, max 8 items
+	local numTargets = #filteredTargets
+	if numTargets > 10 then numTargets = 10 end 
+	for i=1, numTargets do 
+		-- make a target command for each 
+		local aTarget = filteredTargets[i]
+	
+		commandTxt = "Smoke <" .. aTarget.name .. ">"
+		theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.mySmokeMenu,
+				cfxArtilleryUI.redirectSmokeCommand, 
+				{conf, aTarget}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.mySmokes, theCommand)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- each menu item has a redirect and timed invoke to divorce from the
+-- no-debug zone in the menu invocation. Delay is .1 seconds
+--
+function cfxArtilleryUI.dummyCommand(args)
+	-- do nothing, dummy!
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.redirectFireCommand(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryUI.doFireCommand, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.doFireCommand(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local aTarget = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	-- recalc range since it may be 10 seconds old
+	local here = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(theGroup)
+	local there = aTarget.there 
+	local lRange = dcsCommon.dist(here, there)
+	aTarget.range = lRange/1000
+	aTarget.range = math.floor(aTarget.range * 10) / 10
+	local inTime = cfxArtilleryUI.allTiming or now > aTarget.zone.artyCooldownTimer	
+	if inTime then 
+		-- invoke fire command for artyZone 
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Roger, " .. theGroup:getName() .. ", firing at " .. aTarget.name, 30)
+		if cfxArtilleryUI.allRanging then lRange = 1 end -- max accuracy
+		cfxArtilleryZones.simFireAtZone(aTarget.zone, theGroup, lRange)
+	else
+		-- way want to stay silent and simply iterate?
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Artillery is reloading", 30)
+	end		
+end
+
+--
+-- SMOKE EM
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.redirectSmokeCommand(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryUI.doSmokeCommand, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.doSmokeCommand(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local aTarget = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+	-- invoke smoke command for artyZone 
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Roger, " .. theGroup:getName() .. ", marking " .. aTarget.name, 30)
+	cfxArtilleryZones.simSmokeZone(aTarget.zone, theGroup, cfxArtilleryUI.smokeColor)
+end
+
+--
+--
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.redirectCommandListTargets(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryUI.doCommandListTargets, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.doCommandListTargets(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local what = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+--	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "+++ groupUI: processing comms menu for <" .. what .. ">", 30)
+	local targetList = cfxArtilleryUI.collectArtyTargets(conf)
+	-- iterate the list
+	if #targetList < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "\nArtillery Targets:\nNo active artillery targets\n", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	local desc = "Artillery Targets:\n"
+--	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Target Report:", 30)
+	for i=1, #targetList do 
+		local aTarget = targetList[i]
+		local inRange = cfxArtilleryUI.allRanging or aTarget.range * 1000 < aTarget.spotRange 
+		if inRange then 
+			isVisible = cfxArtilleryUI.allSeeing or land.isVisible(aTarget.here, aTarget.there)
+			if isVisible then 
+				desc = desc .. "\n" .. aTarget.name .. " - OBSERVING"
+			else 
+				desc = desc .. "\n" .. aTarget.name .. " - TARGET OBSCURED"
+			end
+		else 
+			desc = desc .. "\n" .. aTarget.name .. " [" .. aTarget.range .. "km at " .. aTarget.bearing .. "°]"
+		end
+		
+	end
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, desc .. "\n", 30, true)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.collectArtyTargets(conf)
+	-- iterate all target zones, for those that are on my side
+	-- calculate range, bearing, and then order by distance 
+	
+	local theTargets = {}
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones) do 
+		if aZone.coalition == conf.coalition then 
+			table.insert(theTargets, aZone)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- we now have a list of all Arty target Zones
+	-- get bearing and range to targets, and sort them accordingly
+	-- WARNING: aTarget.range is in KILOmeters!
+	local targetList = {}
+	local here = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(conf.theGroup) -- this is me
+	
+	for idx, aZone in pairs (theTargets) do
+		local aTarget = {}
+		-- establish our location 
+		aTarget.zone = aZone 
+		aTarget.name = aZone.name 
+		aTarget.here = here 
+		--aTarget.targetName = aZone.name 
+		aTarget.spotRange = aZone.spotRange
+		-- get the target we are lazing 
+		local zP = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) -- zone can move!
+		aZone.landHeight = land.getHeight({x = zP.x, y= zP.z})
+		local there = {x = zP.x, y = aZone.landHeight + 1, z=zP.z}
+		aTarget.there = there 
+		aTarget.range = dcsCommon.dist(here, there) / 1000 -- (in km)
+		
+		aTarget.range = math.floor(aTarget.range * 10) / 10
+		aTarget.bearing = dcsCommon.bearingInDegreesFromAtoB(here, there)
+		--aTarget.jtacName = troop.name 
+		table.insert(targetList, aTarget)
+	end
+	
+	-- now sort by range 
+	table.sort(targetList, function (left, right) return left.range < right.range end )
+	
+	-- return list sorted by distance
+	return targetList
+end
+
+
+
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.redirectCommandFire(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryUI.doCommandFire, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.doCommandFire(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local what = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+	
+	-- sort all arty groups by distance 
+	local targetList = cfxArtilleryUI.collectArtyTargets(conf, true)
+	
+	if #targetList < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "You are currently not observing a target zone. Move closer.", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	-- for all that we are in range, that are visible and that can fire
+	for idx, aTarget in pairs(targetList) do 
+		local inRange = (aTarget.range * 1000 < aTarget.spotRange) or cfxArtilleryUI.allRanging
+		local inTime = cfxArtilleryUI.allTiming or now > aTarget.zone.artyCooldownTimer
+		if inRange then 
+			isVisible = cfxArtilleryUI.allSeeing or land.isVisible(aTarget.here, aTarget.there)
+			if isVisible then 
+				if inTime then 
+					-- invoke fire command for artyZone 
+					cfxArtilleryZones.simFireAtZone(aTarget.zone, theGroup, aTarget.range)
+					-- return -- we only fire one zone
+				else
+					-- way want to stay silent and simply iterate?
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Artillery reloading", 30)
+				end
+			end
+			return -- after the first in range we stop, no matter what
+		else 
+			-- not interesting
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- issue a fire command 
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- G R O U P   M A N A G E M E N T 
+--
+-- Group Management is required to make sure all groups
+-- receive a comms menu and that they receive a clean-up 
+-- when required 
+--
+-- Callbacks are provided by cfxPlayer module to which we
+-- subscribe during init 
+--
+function cfxArtilleryUI.playerChangeEvent(evType, description, player, data)
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++ groupUI: received <".. evType .. "> Event", 30)
+	if evType == "newGroup" then 
+		-- initialized attributes are in data as follows
+		--   .group - new group 
+		--   .name - new group's name 
+		--   .primeUnit - the unit that trigggered new group appearing 
+		--   .primeUnitName - name of prime unit 
+		--   .id group ID 
+		--theUnit = data.primeUnit
+		cfxArtilleryUI.setCommsMenu(data.group)
+
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "removeGroup" then 
+		-- data is the player record that no longer exists. it consists of
+		--  .name 
+		-- we must remove the comms menu for this group else we try to add another one to this group later
+		local conf = cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigByGroupName(data.name)
+		
+		if conf then 
+			cfxArtilleryUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf) -- remove menus 
+			cfxArtilleryUI.resetConfig(conf) -- re-init this group for when it re-appears
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ jtacUI: can't retrieve group <" .. data.name .. "> config: not found!", 30)
+		end
+		
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "leave" then
+		-- player unit left.  
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "unit" then 
+		-- player changed units.
+	end
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- update 
+-- 
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.updateGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 	
+	-- we test here if this group qualifies for 
+	-- the menu. if not, exit 
+	if not cfxArtilleryUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup) then return end
+	local conf = cfxArtilleryUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup) 
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID(); -- we do this ALWAYS
+	-- populateTargetMenu erases old settings by itself 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.populateTargetMenu(conf) -- update targets 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.populateSmokeMenu(conf) -- update targets 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.update()
+	-- reschedule myself in x seconds 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryUI.update, {}, timer.getTime() + cfxArtilleryUI.updateDelay)
+	
+	-- iterate all groups, and rebuild their target menus 
+	local allPlayerGroups = cfxPlayerGroups -- cfxPlayerGroups is a global, don't fuck with it! 
+	-- contains per group player record. Does not resolve on unit level!
+	for gname, pgroup in pairs(allPlayerGroups) do 
+		local theUnit = pgroup.primeUnit -- single unit groups!
+		local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+		cfxArtilleryUI.updateGroup(theGroup)
+	end
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- Config Zone
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryUI.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("ArtilleryUIConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++A-UI: no config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("+++A-UI: found config zone!", 30) 
+	
+	cfxArtilleryUI.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.allowPlanes = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "allowPlanes", false)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.smokeColor = cfxZones.getSmokeColorStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "smokeColor", "red")
+	cfxArtilleryUI.allSeeing = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "allSeeing", false)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.allRanging = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "allRanging", false)
+	cfxArtilleryUI.allTiming = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "allTiming", false)
+end
+
+--
+-- Start 
+--
+function cfxArtilleryUI.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Artillery UI", 
+		cfxArtilleryUI.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+
+	-- read config 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.readConfigZone()
+
+	-- iterate existing groups so we have a start situation
+	-- now iterate through all player groups and install the Assault Troop Menu
+	local allPlayerGroups = cfxPlayerGroups -- cfxPlayerGroups is a global, don't fuck with it! 
+	-- contains per group player record. Does not resolve on unit level!
+	for gname, pgroup in pairs(allPlayerGroups) do 
+		local theUnit = pgroup.primeUnit -- get any unit of that group
+		cfxArtilleryUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit) -- set up
+	end
+	
+	-- now install the new group notifier to install Assault Troops menu
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(cfxArtilleryUI.playerChangeEvent)
+	
+	-- run an update loop for the target menu 
+	cfxArtilleryUI.update()
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x cfxArtilleryUI v" .. cfxArtilleryUI.version .. " started", 30)
+	return true
+end
+
+--
+-- GO GO GO 
+--
+
+if not cfxArtilleryUI.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("Loading cf/x Artillery UI aborted.", 30)
+	cfxArtilleryUI = nil 
+end
+
+--[[--
+TODO: transition times based on distance - requires real bound arty first
+DONE: ui for smoking target zone: list ten closest zones, and provide menu to smoke zone 
+--]]--

modules/cfxArtilleryZones.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,448 @@
+cfxArtilleryZones = {}
+cfxArtilleryZones.version = "2.0.1" 
+cfxArtilleryZones.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+cfxArtilleryZones.verbose = false 
+--[[--
+	Version History
+ 1.0.0 - initial version
+ 1.0.1 - simSmokeZone
+ 2.0.0 - zone attributes for shellNum, shellVariance,
+         cooldown, addMark, transitionTime
+	   - doFireAt method
+	   - simFireAt now calls doFireAt 
+	   - added all params to crteateArtilleryTarget
+	   - createArtillerTarget replaced createArtilleryZone 
+	   - addMark now used so arty zones can be hidden on map
+	   - added triggerFlag attribute 
+	   - update now fires every time when flag changes 
+ 2.0.1 - added verbose setting 
+	   - base accuracy now derived from radius 
+	   - added coalition check for ZonesInRange
+	   - att transition time to zone info mark
+	   - made compatible with linked zones 
+	   - added silent attribute 
+	   - added transition time to arty command chatter
+ 
+	Artillery Target Zones *** EXTENDS ZONES ***
+	Target Zones for artillery. Can determine which zones are in range and visible and then handle artillery barrage to this zone 
+	Copyright (c) 2021, 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
+
+	USAGE
+	Via ME: Add the relevant attributes to the zone 
+	Via Script: Use createArtilleryTarget() 
+
+
+    Callbacks
+	when fire at target is invoked, a callback can be 
+	invoked so your code knows that fire control has been 
+	given a command or that projectiles are impacting.
+	Signature
+	callback(rason, zone, data), with 
+	reason: 'firing' - fire command given for zone 
+	        'impact' a projectile has hit
+	zone:   artilleryZone
+	data:   empty on 'fire' 
+			.point where impact point
+			.strength power of explosion 
+	
+--]]--
+cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones = {}
+cfxArtilleryZones.updateDelay = 1 -- every second 
+
+
+--
+-- C A L L B A C K S 
+-- 
+cfxArtilleryZones.callbacks = {}
+function cfxArtilleryZones.addCallback(theCallback)
+	table.insert(cfxArtilleryZones.callbacks, theCallback)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.invokeCallbacksFor(reason, zone, data)
+	for idx, theCB in pairs (cfxArtilleryZones.callbacks) do 
+		theCB(reason, zone, data)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.demoCallback(reason, zone, data)
+	-- reason: 'fire' or 'impact'
+	-- fire has no data, impact has data.point and data.strength 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.createArtilleryTarget(name, point, coalition, spotRange, transitionTime, baseAccuracy, shellNum, shellStrength, shellVariance, triggerFlag, addMark, cooldown, silent, autoAdd) -- was: createArtilleryZone, changed params list 
+	if not point then return end 
+	if not autoAdd then autoAdd = false end 
+	if not coalition then coalition = 0 end 
+	if not spotRange then spotRange = 3000 end 
+	if not shellStrength then shellStrength = 500 end 
+	if not transitionTime then transitionTime = 20 end 
+	if not shellNum then shellNum = 17 end 
+	if not addMark then addMark = false end 
+	if not name then name = "dftZName" end 
+	if not shellVariance then shellVariance = 0.2 end 
+	if not cooldown then cooldown = 120 end 
+	if not baseAccuracy then baseAccuracy = 100 end 
+	if not silent then silent = false end 
+	
+	name = cfxZones.createUniqueZoneName(name)
+	
+	local newZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone(name,
+		point, 
+		100, 
+		autoAdd)
+	newZone.spotRange = spotRange
+	newZone.coalition = coalition
+	newZone.landHeight = land.getHeight({x = newZone.point.x, y= newZone.point.z})
+	newZone.transitionTime = transitionTime
+	newZone.shellNum = shellNum 
+	newZone.shellStrength = shellStrength
+	newZone.triggerFlag = triggerFlag -- can be nil 
+	if triggerFlag then 
+		newZone.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(triggerFlag) -- save last value
+	end 
+	newZone.addMark = addMark
+	if autoAdd then cfxArtilleryZones.addArtilleryZone(newZone) end 
+	newZone.shellVariance = shellVariance
+	newZone.cooldown = cooldown
+	newZone.silent = silent 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.processArtilleryZone(aZone)
+	aZone.artilleryTarget = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "artilleryTarget", aZone.name)
+	aZone.coalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(aZone, "coalition", 0) -- side that marks it on map, and who fires arty
+	aZone.spotRange = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "spotRange", 3000) -- FO max range to direct fire
+	aZone.shellStrength = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "shellStrength", 500) -- power of shells (strength)
+
+	aZone.shellNum = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "shellNum", 17) -- number of shells in bombardment
+	aZone.transitionTime = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "transitionTime", 20) -- average time of travel for projectiles 
+	aZone.addMark = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "addMark", true) -- note: defaults to true 
+	aZone.shellVariance = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "shellVariance", 0.2) -- strength of explosion can vary by +/- this amount
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f?") then 
+		aZone.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f?", "none")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "triggerFlag") then 
+		aZone.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "triggerFlag", "none")
+	end
+	if aZone.triggerFlag then 
+		aZone.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.triggerFlag) -- save last value
+	end
+	aZone.cooldown =cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "cooldown", 120) -- seconds 
+	aZone.baseAccuracy = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "baseAccuracy", aZone.radius) -- meters from center radius shell impact
+	-- use zone radius as mase accuracy for simple placement
+	aZone.silent = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "silent", false)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.addArtilleryZone(aZone)
+	-- add landHeight to this zone 
+	aZone.landHeight = land.getHeight({x = aZone.point.x, y= aZone.point.z})
+	-- mark it on the map 
+	aZone.artyCooldownTimer = -1000 
+	cfxArtilleryZones.placeMarkForSide(aZone.point, aZone.coalition, aZone.name .. ", FO=" .. aZone.spotRange .. "m" .. ", tt=" .. aZone.transitionTime)
+	table.insert(cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones, aZone)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.findArtilleryZoneNamed(aName)
+	aZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aName) 
+	if not aZone then return nil end 
+	-- check if it is an arty zone 
+	if not aZone.artilleryTarget then return nil end 
+	-- all is well
+	return aZone 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.removeArtilleryZone(aZone)
+	if type(aZone) == "string" then 
+		aZone = cfxArtilleryZones.findArtilleryZoneNamed(aZone) 
+	end
+	if not aZone then return end 
+	
+	-- now create new table 
+	local filtered = {}
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones) do 
+		if theZone ~= aZone then 
+			table.insert(filtered, theZone)
+		end 
+	end
+	cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones = filtered 
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZonesInRangeOfUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return {} end 
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return {} end
+	local myCoalition = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	local zonesInRange = {}
+	local p = theUnit:getPoint()
+	
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones) do 
+		-- is it one of mine?
+		if aZone.coalition == myCoalition then
+			-- is it close enough?
+			local zP = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+			aZone.landHeight = land.getHeight({x = zP.x, y= zP.z})
+			local zonePoint = {x = zP.x, y = aZone.landHeight, z = zP.z}
+			local d = dcsCommon.dist(p,zonePoint)
+			if d < aZone.spotRange then 
+				-- LOS check 
+				if land.isVisible(p, zonePoint) then 
+					-- yeah, add to list 
+					table.insert(zonesInRange, aZone)
+				end
+			end
+		end 
+	end
+	return zonesInRange
+end
+
+
+--
+-- MARK ON MAP
+--
+cfxArtilleryZones.uuidCount = 0
+function cfxArtilleryZones.uuid()
+	cfxArtilleryZones.uuidCount = cfxArtilleryZones.uuidCount + 1
+	return cfxArtilleryZones.uuidCount
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.placeMarkForSide(location, theSide, theDesc) 
+	local theID = cfxArtilleryZones.uuid()
+	local theDesc = "ARTY: ".. theDesc
+	trigger.action.markToCoalition(
+					theID, 
+					theDesc, 
+					location, 
+					theSide, 
+					false, 
+					nil)
+	return theID
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.removeMarkForArgs(args)
+	local theID = args[1]	
+	trigger.action.removeMark(theID)
+end 
+
+--
+-- FIRE AT A ZONE
+-- 
+
+--
+-- BOOM command
+--
+function cfxArtilleryZones.doBoom(args)
+	trigger.action.explosion(args.point, args.strength)
+	data = {}
+	data.point = args.point 
+	data.strength = args.strength 
+	cfxArtilleryZones.invokeCallbacksFor('impact', args.zone, data)
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.doFireAt(aZone, maxDistFromCenter)
+	if type(aZone) == "string" then 
+		local mZone = cfxArtilleryZones.findArtilleryZoneNamed(aZone)
+		aZone = mZone
+	end
+	if not aZone then return end 
+
+	if not maxDistFromCenter then maxDistFromCenter = aZone.baseAccuracy end 
+	
+	local accuracy = maxDistFromCenter 
+	local zP = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+	aZone.landHeight = land.getHeight({x = zP.x, y= zP.z}) 
+	local center = {x=zP.x, y=aZone.landHeight, z=zP.z} -- center of where shells hit 
+	local shellNum = aZone.shellNum
+	local shellBaseStrength = aZone.shellStrength
+	local shellVariance = aZone.shellVariance  
+	local transitionTime = aZone.transitionTime
+	
+	for i=1, shellNum do
+		local thePoint = dcsCommon.randomPointInCircle(accuracy, 0, center.x, center.z)
+		thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x=thePoint.x, y=thePoint.z})
+		local boomArgs = {}
+		local strVar = shellBaseStrength * shellVariance
+		strVar = strVar * (2 * dcsCommon.randomPercent() - 1.0) -- go from -1 to 1
+		
+		boomArgs.strength = shellBaseStrength + strVar
+		thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x = thePoint.x, y = thePoint.z}) + 1  -- elevate to ground height + 1
+		boomArgs.point = thePoint
+		boomArgs.zone = aZone
+		local timeVar = 5 * (2 * dcsCommon.randomPercent() - 1.0) -- +/- 1.5 seconds
+		if timeVar < 0 then timeVar = -timeVar end 
+--		if transitionTime + timeVar < 0 then timeVar = -timeVar end
+		--boomArgs.tDelta = timeVar 
+		timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryZones.doBoom, boomArgs, timer.getTime() + transitionTime + timeVar)
+	end
+	
+	-- invoke callbacks 
+	cfxArtilleryZones.invokeCallbacksFor('fire', aZone, {})
+end
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.simFireAtZone(aZone, aGroup, dist)
+	-- all very simple. We simulate shellNum 
+	-- projectiles impacting in aZone 
+	-- before calling doFire, we calculate accuracy 
+	-- for given dist 
+	
+	if not dist then dist = aZone.spotRange end 
+	--local transitionTime = 20 -- seconds until shells hit
+	--transitionTime = aZone.transitionTime
+	--local shellNum = 17
+	--if aZone.shellNum then shellNum = aZone.shellNum end 
+	--local shellBaseStrength = 500
+	--if aZone.shellStrength  then 
+	local shellBaseStrength = aZone.shellStrength 
+	--local shellVariance = 0.2 -- +/-10% 
+	--shellVariance = aZone.shellVariance 
+	--local center = {x=aZone.point.x, y=aZone.landHeight, z=aZone.point.z} -- center of where shells hit 
+
+	local maxAccuracy = 100 -- m radius when close
+	local minAccuracy = 500 -- m radius whan at max sport dist 
+	local currAccuracy = minAccuracy 
+	if dist <= 1000 then 
+		currAccuracy = maxAccuracy 
+	else 
+		local percent = (dist-1000) / (aZone.spotRange-1000)
+		currAccuracy = dcsCommon.lerp(maxAccuracy, minAccuracy, percent)
+	end
+	currAccuracy = math.floor(currAccuracy)
+	cfxArtilleryZones.doFireAt(aZone, currAccuracy) 
+	--[[-- Old code follows
+	for i=1, shellNum do
+		
+		local thePoint = dcsCommon.randomPointInCircle(currAccuracy, 0, center.x, center.z)
+		thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x=thePoint.x, y=thePoint.z})
+		local boomArgs = {}
+		local strVar = shellBaseStrength * shellVariance
+		strVar = strVar * (2 * dcsCommon.randomPercent() - 1.0) -- go from -1 to 1
+		
+		boomArgs.strength = shellBaseStrength + strVar
+		thePoint.y = land.getHeight({x = thePoint.x, y = thePoint.z}) + 1  -- elevate to ground height + 1
+		boomArgs.point = thePoint
+		local timeVar = 5 * (2 * dcsCommon.randomPercent() - 1.0) -- +/- 1.5 seconds
+		boomArgs.tDelta = timeVar 
+		timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryZones.doBoom, boomArgs, timer.getTime() + transitionTime + timeVar)
+	end
+	--]]--
+	aZone.artyCooldownTimer = timer.getTime() + aZone.cooldown -- 120 -- 2 minutes reload
+	if not aZone.silent then 
+		local addInfo = " with d=" .. dist .. ", var = " .. currAccuracy .. " pB=" .. shellBaseStrength .. " tt=" .. aZone.transitionTime
+	
+		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(aGroup:getCoalition(), "Artillery firing on ".. aZone.name .. addInfo, 30)
+	end 
+	--trigger.action.smoke(center, 2) -- mark location visually
+end 
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.simSmokeZone(aZone, aGroup, aColor)
+	-- this is simsmoke: transition time is fixed, and we do not
+	-- use arty units. all very simple. we merely place smoke on
+	-- ground 
+	if not aColor then aColor = "red" end 
+	if type(aColor) == "string" then 
+		aColor = dcsCommon.smokeColor2Num(aColor)
+	end
+	local zP = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+	aZone.landHeight = land.getHeight({x = zP.x, y= zP.z})
+	
+	local transitionTime = aZone.transitionTime --17 -- seconds until phosphor lands
+	local center = {x = zP.x, 
+					y =aZone.landHeight + 3, 
+					z = zP.z
+				   } -- center of where shells hit 
+	-- we now can 'dirty' the position by something. not yet
+	local currAccuracy = 200
+
+	local thePoint = dcsCommon.randomPointInCircle(currAccuracy, 50, center.x, center.z)
+--	thePoint.y = land.getHeight({ x = thePoint.x, y = thePoint.z})
+	
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryZones.doSmoke, {thePoint, aColor}, timer.getTime() + transitionTime)
+	
+	if not aGroup then return end 
+	if aZone.silent then return end 
+	
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(aGroup:getCoalition(), "Artillery firing single phosphor round at ".. aZone.name, 30)
+end 
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.doSmoke(args) 
+	local thePoint = args[1]
+	local aColor = args[2]
+	dcsCommon.markPointWithSmoke(thePoint, aColor)
+end
+
+--
+-- UPDATE
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.update()
+	-- call me in a couple of minutes to 'rekindle'
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxArtilleryZones.update, {}, timer.getTime() + cfxArtilleryZones.updateDelay)
+	
+	-- iterate all zones to see if a trigger has changed 
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxArtilleryZones.artilleryZones) do 
+		if aZone.triggerFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.triggerFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= aZone.lastTriggerValue
+			then 
+				-- a triggered release!
+				cfxArtilleryZones.doFireAt(aZone) -- all from zone vars!
+				
+				if cfxArtilleryZones.verbose then 
+					local addInfo = " with var = " .. aZone.baseAccuracy .. " pB=" .. aZone.shellStrength
+					trigger.action.outText("Artillery T-Firing on ".. aZone.name .. addInfo, 30)
+				end 
+				aZone.lastTriggerValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- START 
+--
+
+function cfxArtilleryZones.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Artillery Zones", 
+		cfxArtilleryZones.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- collect all spawn zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("artilleryTarget")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		cfxArtilleryZones.processArtilleryZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		cfxArtilleryZones.addArtilleryZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+
+	-- start update loop
+	cfxArtilleryZones.update()
+	
+	-- say hi
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Artillery Zones v" .. cfxArtilleryZones.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go 
+if not cfxArtilleryZones.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Artillery Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxArtilleryZones = nil 
+end
+
+
+--[[--
+
+TODO: link artillery units that are starting fire, stop when all inside is destroyed
+TODO: "Free" link: look for closest artillery zone that is not cooling down or engaged with diofferent targets and is in range 
+DONE: smoke target zon
+DONE: add smoke to UI menu 
+DONE: move doBoom from demon to this module 
+DONE: trigger on flag 
+DONE: inflight time for arty projectiles
+DONE: invoke callback for firing
+TODO: duration param for bombardment  
+TODO: silent attribute 
+--]]--

modules/cfxCargoManager.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+cfxCargoManager = {}
+cfxCargoManager.version = "1.0.2"
+cfxCargoManager.ups = 1 -- updates per second
+--[[--
+	Version History
+  - 1.0.0 - initial version
+  - 1.0.1 - isexist check on remove cargo 
+  - 1.0.2 - ability to access a cargo status 
+  
+  Cargo Manager is a module that watches cargo that is handed for 
+  management, and initiates callbacks when a cargo event happens
+  Cargo events are (string)
+  - lifted (cargo is lifted from ground: ground-->air transition)
+  - grounded (cargo was put on the ground: air-->ground transition)
+  - disappeared (cargo was deleted): isExits() failed
+  - dead (cargo was destroyed) life < 1
+  - new (cargo was added to manager) 
+  - remove (cargo was removed from manager)
+
+  callback signature
+  theCB(event, theCargoObject, cargoName)
+--]]--
+cfxCargoManager.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+
+cfxCargoManager.callbacks = {}
+cfxCargoManager.allCargo = {}
+cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus = {}
+cfxCargoManager.cargoPosition = {}
+-- callback management 
+
+cfxCargoManager.monitor = false  
+
+function cfxCargoManager.addCallback(cb)
+	table.insert(cfxCargoManager.callbacks, cb)
+end
+
+function cfxCargoManager.invokeCallback(event, obj, name)
+	for idx, cb in pairs(cfxCargoManager.callbacks) do
+		cb(event, obj, name)
+	end	
+end
+
+function cfxCargoManager.standardCallback(event, object, name) 
+	trigger.action.outText("Cargo event <" .. event .. "> for " .. name, 30)
+end
+
+-- get cargo status
+function cfxCargoManager.getCargoStatusFor(theCargoObject)
+	if not theCargoObject then return nil end 
+	local cargoName = ""
+	if type(theCargoObject) == "string" then 
+		cargoName = theCargoObject
+	else 
+		cargoName = theCargoObject:getName()
+	end
+	
+	if not cargoName then return nil end 
+	
+	return cargoStatus[cargoName]
+	
+end
+-- add / remove cargo 
+function cfxCargoManager.addCargo(theCargoObject) 
+	if not theCargoObject then return end 
+	if not theCargoObject:isExist() then return end 
+	local cargoName = theCargoObject:getName()
+	cfxCargoManager.allCargo[cargoName] = theCargoObject
+	cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus[cargoName] = "new"
+--	cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus[cargoName] = nil
+	cfxCargoManager.cargoPosition[cargoName] = theCargoObject:getPoint()
+	cfxCargoManager.invokeCallback("new", theCargoObject, cargoName)
+end
+
+function cfxCargoManager.removeCargoByName(cargoName)
+	if not cargoName then return end 
+	local theCargoObject = cfxCargoManager.allCargo[cargoName]
+	cfxCargoManager.invokeCallback("remove", theCargoObject, cargoName)
+	cfxCargoManager.allCargo[cargoName] = nil
+	cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus[cargoName] = nil
+	cfxCargoManager.cargoPosition[cargoName] = nil
+end
+
+function cfxCargoManager.removeCargo(theCargoObject)
+	if not theCargoObject then return end 
+	if not theCargoObject:isExist() then return end 
+	local cargoName = theCargoObject:getName()
+	cfxCargoManager.removeCargoByName(cargoName)
+end
+
+-- get all cargo gets all cargos (default) or all cargos 
+-- that have a certain state, e.g. lifted
+function cfxCargoManager.getAllCargo(filterForState) 
+	local theCargo = {}
+	for name, cargo in pairs(cfxCargoManager.allCargo) do 
+		if (filterForState == nil) or 
+		   (filterForState == cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus[name]) 
+		then 
+			table.insert(theCargo, cargo)
+		end
+	end
+	return theCargo
+end
+
+-- update loop 
+function cfxCargoManager.determineCargoStatus(cargo)
+	if not cargo then return "disappeared" end 
+	if not cargo:isExist() then return "disappeared" end 
+	-- note that inAir() currently always returns false
+	local name = cargo:getName()
+	local oldPos = cfxCargoManager.cargoPosition[name]
+	local newPos = cargo:getPoint()
+	cfxCargoManager.cargoPosition[name] = newPos -- update 
+	local delta = dcsCommon.dist(oldPos, newPos)
+--	if cargo:inAir() then return "lifted" end -- currentl doesn't work
+	if delta > 1 then return "lifted" end -- moving 
+	if cargo:getLife() < 1 then return "dead" end 
+	local agl = dcsCommon.getUnitAGL(cargo)
+	if agl > 5 then return "lifted" end -- not moving but still above ground. good hover!
+	
+	-- if velocity > 1 m/s this thing is moving 
+--	if dcsCommon.vMag(cargo:getVelocity()) > 1 then return "lifted" end -- currently doesn't work
+	
+	-- this thing simply sits on the ground 
+	return "grounded"
+end
+
+function cfxCargoManager.update() 
+	-- re-schedule in ups 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxCargoManager.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxCargoManager.ups)
+	
+	-- iterate all cargos 
+	local newCargoManifest = {}
+	for name, cargo in pairs(cfxCargoManager.allCargo) do 
+		local newStatus = cfxCargoManager.determineCargoStatus(cargo)
+		local oldStatus = cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus[name]
+		if newStatus ~= oldStatus then
+			cfxCargoManager.invokeCallback(newStatus, cargo, name)			
+			cfxCargoManager.cargoStatus[name] = newStatus
+		end
+		if newStatus == "dead" or newStatus == "disappeared" then 
+			cfxCargoManager.removeCargoByName(name) -- we are changing what we iterate?
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+-- start up
+
+function cfxCargoManager.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Cargo Manager", 
+		cfxCargoManager.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+
+	-- start update loop
+	cfxCargoManager.update()
+	
+	-- say hi
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Cargo Manager v" .. cfxCargoManager.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go 
+if not cfxCargoManager.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Cargo Manager aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxCargoManager = nil 
+elseif cfxCargoManager.monitor then 
+	cfxCargoManager.addCallback(cfxCargoManager.standardCallback)
+end

modules/cfxCargoReceiver.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,256 @@
+cfxCargoReceiver = {}
+cfxCargoReceiver.version = "1.1.0" 
+cfxCargoReceiver.ups = 1 -- once a second 
+cfxCargoReceiver.maxDirectionRange = 500 -- in m. distance when cargo manager starts talking to pilots who are carrying that cargo
+cfxCargoReceiver.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxPlayer", -- for directions 
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxCargoManager", -- will notify me on a cargo event
+}
+--[[--
+  Version history 
+  - 1.0.0 initial vbersion
+  - 1.1.0 added flag manipulation options
+          no negative agl on announcement 
+          silent attribute		  
+  
+  
+  CargoReceiver is a zone enhancement you use to be automatically 
+  notified if a cargo was delivered inside the zone. 
+  It also provides BRA when in range to a cargo receiver 
+  
+  *** EXTENDS ZONES 
+  
+  Callback signature: 
+  cb(event, obj, name, zone) with 
+    - event being string, currently defined: 'deliver'
+	- obj being the cargo object 
+	- name being cargo object name 
+	- zone in which cargo was dropped (if dropped)
+	
+--]]--
+cfxCargoReceiver.receiverZones = {}
+function cfxCargoReceiver.processReceiverZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+	-- since the attribute is there, simply set the zones
+	-- isCargoReceiver flag and we are good
+	aZone.isCargoReceiver = true 
+	-- we can add additional processing here 
+	aZone.autoRemove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "autoRemove", false) -- maybe add a removedelay
+	
+	aZone.silent = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "silent", false)
+	
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: recognized receiver zone: " .. aZone.name , 30)
+	
+	-- same integration as object destruct detector for flags
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "setFlag") then 
+		aZone.setFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "setFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f=1") then 
+		aZone.setFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f=1", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "clearFlag") then 
+		aZone.clearFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "clearFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f=0") then 
+		aZone.clearFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f=0", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "increaseFlag") then 
+		aZone.increaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "increaseFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f+1") then 
+		aZone.increaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f+1", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "decreaseFlag") then 
+		aZone.decreaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "decreaseFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f-1") then 
+		aZone.decreaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f-1", "999")
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxCargoReceiver.addReceiverZone(aZone)
+	if not aZone then return end 
+	cfxCargoReceiver.receiverZones[aZone.name] = aZone 
+end
+
+
+-- callback handling
+cfxCargoReceiver.callbacks = {}
+function cfxCargoReceiver.addCallback(cb)
+	table.insert(cfxCargoReceiver.callbacks, cb)
+end
+
+function cfxCargoReceiver.invokeCallback(event, obj, name, zone)
+	for idx, cb in pairs(cfxCargoReceiver.callbacks) do
+		cb(event, obj, name, zone)
+	end	
+end
+
+function cfxCargoReceiver.standardCallback(event, object, name, zone) 
+	trigger.action.outText("Cargo received event <" .. event .. "> for " .. name .. " in " .. zone.name , 30)
+end
+
+--
+-- cargo event happened. Called by Cargo Manager
+--
+function cfxCargoReceiver.cargoEvent(event, object, name) 
+	--trigger.action.outText("Cargo Receiver: event <" .. event .. "> for " .. name, 30)
+	if not event then return end 
+	if event == "grounded" then 
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: grounded for " .. name, 30)
+		-- this is actually the only one that interests us 
+		if not object then 
+			--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: " .. name .. " has null object", 30)
+			return 
+		end 
+		if not object:isExist() then 
+			--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: " .. name .. " no longer exists", 30)
+			return 
+		end 
+		loc = object:getPoint()
+		
+		-- now invoke callbacks for all zones 
+		-- this is in 
+		for name, aZone in pairs(cfxCargoReceiver.receiverZones) do
+			if cfxZones.pointInZone(loc, aZone) then 
+				cfxCargoReceiver.invokeCallback("deliver", object, name, aZone)
+				
+				-- set flags as indicated
+				if aZone.setFlag then 
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.setFlag, 1)
+				end
+				if aZone.clearFlag then 
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.clearFlag, 0)
+				end
+				if aZone.increaseFlag then 
+					local val = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.increaseFlag) + 1
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.increaseFlag, val)
+				end
+				if aZone.decreaseFlag then 
+					local val = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag) - 1
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag, val)
+				end
+				
+				
+				--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: " .. name .. " delivered in zone " .. aZone.name, 30)
+				--trigger.action.outSound("Quest Snare 3.wav")
+				if aZone.autoRemove then 
+					-- maybe schedule this in a few seconds?
+					object:destroy()
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+-- update loop
+function cfxCargoReceiver.update()
+	-- schedule me in 1/ups 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxCargoReceiver.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxCargoReceiver.ups)
+
+	-- we now get all cargos that are in the air 
+	local liftedCargos = cfxCargoManager.getAllCargo("lifted")
+	
+	
+	-- new we see if any of these are close to a delivery zone 
+	for idx, aCargo in pairs(liftedCargos) do 
+		local thePoint = aCargo:getPoint()
+		local receiver, delta = cfxZones.getClosestZone(
+			thePoint,
+			cfxCargoReceiver.receiverZones -- must be indexed by name
+			)
+		-- we now check if we are in 'speaking range' and receiver can talk 
+		if (receiver.silent == false) and 
+		   (delta < cfxCargoReceiver.maxDirectionRange) then 
+			-- this cargo can be talked down. 
+			-- find the player unit that is closest to in in hopes 
+			-- that that is the one carrying it
+			local allPlayers = cfxPlayer.getAllPlayers() -- idx by name
+			for pname, info in pairs(allPlayers) do 
+				-- iterate all player units
+				local closestUnit = nil
+				local minDelta = math.huge 
+				local theUnit = info.unit
+				if theUnit:isExist() then 
+					local uPoint = theUnit:getPoint()
+					local currDelta = dcsCommon.dist(thePoint, uPoint)
+					if currDelta < minDelta then 
+						minDelta = currDelta
+						closestUnit = theUnit
+					end
+				end
+				
+				-- see if we got a player unit close enough
+				if closestUnit ~= nil and minDelta < 100 then 
+					-- get group and communicate the relevant info 
+					local theGroup = closestUnit:getGroup()
+					local insideZone = cfxZones.pointInZone(thePoint, receiver)
+					local message = aCargo:getName()
+					if insideZone then 
+						message = message .. " is inside delivery zone " .. receiver.name
+					else 
+						-- get bra to center 
+						local ownHeading = dcsCommon.getUnitHeadingDegrees(closestUnit)
+						local oclock = dcsCommon.clockPositionOfARelativeToB(
+							receiver.point, 
+							thePoint, 
+							ownHeading) .. " o'clock"
+						message = receiver.name .. " is " .. math.floor(delta) .. "m at your " .. oclock
+					end
+					-- add agl
+					local agl = dcsCommon.getUnitAGL(aCargo)
+					if agl < 0 then agl = 0 end 
+					message = message .. ". Cargo is " .. math.floor(agl) .. "m AGL."
+					-- now say so. 5 second staying power, one second override 
+					-- full erase screen
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(theGroup:getID(),
+						message, 5, true)
+				else 
+					-- cargo in range, no player 
+					
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- GO!
+--
+
+function cfxCargoReceiver.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Cargo Receiver", 
+		cfxCargoReceiver.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+
+	-- scan all zones for cargoReceiver flag 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("cargoReceiver")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		cfxCargoReceiver.processReceiverZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		cfxCargoReceiver.addReceiverZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+
+	-- tell cargoManager that I want to be involved
+	cfxCargoManager.addCallback(cfxCargoReceiver.cargoEvent)
+
+	-- start update loop
+	cfxCargoReceiver.update()
+	
+	-- say hi
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Cargo Receiver v" .. cfxCargoReceiver.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go 
+if not cfxCargoReceiver.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Cargo Receiver aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxCargoReceiver = nil 
+end
+
+-- TODO: config zone for talking down pilots
+-- TODO: f+/f-/f=1/f=0  

modules/cfxCommander.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,515 @@
+-- cfxCommander - issue dcs commands to groups etc
+--
+-- supports scheduling
+-- *** EXTENDS ZONES: 'pathing' attribute 
+--
+cfxCommander = {}
+cfxCommander.version = "1.1.2"
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+ - 1.0.5 - createWPListForGroupToPointViaRoads: detect no road found 
+ - 1.0.6 - build in more group checks in assign wp list 
+         - added sanity checks for doScheduledTask
+		 - assignWPListToGroup now can schedule tasks 
+		 - makeGroupGoThere supports scheduling
+		 - makeGroupGoTherePreferringRoads supports scheduling 
+		 - scheduleTaskForGroup supports immediate execution
+		 - makeGroupHalt
+ - 1.0.7 - warning if road shorter than direct
+         - forceOffRoad option
+		 - noRoadsAtAll option 
+ - 1.1.0 - load libs 
+		 - pathing zones. Currently only supports 
+		 - offroad to override road-usage
+		 - pathing zones are overridden by noRoadsAtAll
+		 - CommanderConfig zones 
+ - 1.1.1 - default pathing for pathing zone is normal, not offroad 
+ - 1.1.2 - makeGroupTransmit 
+         - makeGroupStopTransmitting
+		 - verbose check before path warning
+		 - added delay defaulting for most scheduling functions 
+--]]--
+
+cfxCommander.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	"cfxZones", -- zones management for pathing zones 
+}
+
+cfxCommander.verbose = false 
+cfxCommander.forceOffRoad = true -- if true, vehicles path follow roads, but may drive offroad (they follow vertex points from path but not the road as they are still commanded 'offroad')
+cfxCommander.noRoadsAtAll = true  -- if true, always go direct, overrides forceOffRoad when true. Always a two-point path. Here, there, bang! 
+cfxCommander.pathZones = {} -- zones that can override road settings
+
+--
+-- path zone
+--
+function cfxCommander.processPathingZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+	local pathing = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "pathing", "normal") -- must be "offroad" to force offroad
+	pathing = pathing:lower()
+	-- currently no validation of attribute 
+	aZone.pathing = pathing
+end 
+
+function cfxCommander.addPathingZone(aZone)
+	table.insert(cfxCommander.pathZones, aZone)
+end 
+
+function cfxCommander.hasPathZoneFor(here, there)
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxCommander.pathZones) do 
+		if cfxZones.pointInZone(here, aZone) then return aZone end 
+		if cfxZones.pointInZone(there, aZone) then return aZone end
+	end
+	return nil
+end
+
+--
+-- Config Zone Reading if present 
+--
+function cfxCommander.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("CommanderConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++cmdr: no config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("+++cmdr: found config zone!", 30) 
+	
+	cfxCommander.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	cfxCommander.forceOffRoad = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "forceOffRoad", false) -- if true, vehicles path follow roads, but may drive offroad
+	cfxCommander.noRoadsAtAll = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "noRoadsAtAll", false)
+
+end
+
+--
+-- Options are key, value pairs. Scheduler when you are creating groups
+-- 
+
+function cfxCommander.doOption(data) 
+	if cfxCommander.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("Commander: setting option " .. data.key .. " --> " .. data.value, 30)
+	end
+
+	local theController = data.group:getController()
+	theController:setOption(data.key, data.value)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.scheduleOptionForGroup(group, key, value, delay) 
+	local data = {}
+	if not delay then delay = 0.1 end 
+	data.group = group
+	data.key = key
+	data.value = value 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxCommander.doOption, data, timer.getTime() + delay)
+end
+
+--
+-- performCommand is a special version of issuing a command
+-- that can be easily schduled by pushing the commandData on 
+-- the stack with scheduling it 
+-- group or name must be filled to get the group,
+-- and the command table is what is going to be passed to the setCommand
+-- commands are given in an array, so you can stack commands 
+function cfxCommander.performCommands(commandData)
+	-- see if we have a group
+	if not commandData.group then 
+		commandData.group = Group.getByName(commandData.name) -- better be inited!
+	end
+	-- get the AI
+	local theController = commandData.group:getController()
+	for i=1, #commandData.commands do
+		if cfxCommander.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("Commander: performing " .. commandData.commands[i].id, 30)
+		end
+		theController:setCommand(commandData.commands[i])
+	end
+	
+	return nil -- a timer called us, so we return no desire to be rescheduled
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.scheduleCommands(data, delay)
+	if not delay then delay = 1 end 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxCommander.performCommands, data, timer.getTime() + delay)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.scheduleSingleCommand(group, command, delay) 
+	if not delay then delay = 1 end 
+	local data = createCommandDataTableFor(group)
+	cfxCommander.addCommand(data, command)
+	cfxCommander.scheduleCommands(data, delay)
+end
+
+
+function cfxCommander.createCommandDataTableFor(group, name)
+	local cD = {}
+	if not group then 
+		cD.name = name
+	else
+		cD.group = group
+	end
+	cD.commands={}
+	return cD
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.addCommand(theCD, theCommand)
+	if not theCD then return end 
+	if not theCommand then return end 
+	
+	table.insert(theCD.commands, theCommand)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.createSetFrequencyCommand(freq, modulator)
+	local theCmd = {}
+	if not freq then freq = 100 end 
+	if not modulator then modulator = 0 end -- AM = 0, default
+	theCmd.id = 'SetFrequency'
+	theCmd.params = {}
+	theCmd.params.frequency = freq * 10000 -- 88 --> 880000. 124 --> 1.24 MHz
+	theCmd.params.modulation = modulator
+	return theCmd
+end
+
+-- oneShot is optional. if present and anything but false, will cause message to 
+-- me sent only once, no loops
+function cfxCommander.createTransmissionCommand(filename, oneShot)
+	local looping = true
+	if not filename then filename = "dummy" end 
+	if oneShot then looping = false end
+	local theCmd = {}
+	theCmd.id = 'TransmitMessage'
+	theCmd.params = {}
+	theCmd.params.loop = looping
+	theCmd.params.file = "l10n/DEFAULT/" .. filename -- need to prepend the resource string
+	return theCmd
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.createStopTransmissionCommand()
+	local theCmd = {}
+	theCmd.id = 'stopTransmission'
+	theCmd.params = {}
+	return theCmd
+end
+
+--
+-- tasks
+-- 
+
+function cfxCommander.doScheduledTask(data) 
+	if cfxCommander.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("Commander: setting task " .. data.task.id .. " for group " .. data.group:getName(), 30)
+	end
+	local theGroup = data.group 
+	if not theGroup then return end 
+	if not theGroup.isExist then return end
+	
+	local theController = theGroup:getController()
+	theController:pushTask(data.task)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.scheduleTaskForGroup(group, task, delay)
+	if not delay then delay = 0 end 
+	local data = {}
+	data.group = group
+	data.task = task
+	if delay < 0.001 then 
+		cfxCommander.doScheduledTask(data) -- immediate execution
+		return 
+	end
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxCommander.doScheduledTask, data, timer.getTime() + delay)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.createAttackGroupCommand(theGroupToAttack)
+	local task = {}
+	task.id = 'AttackGroup'
+	task.params = {}
+	task.params.groupID = theGroupToAttack:getID()
+	return task
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.createEngageGroupCommand(theGroupToAttack)
+	local task = {}
+	task.id = 'EngageGroup'
+	task.params = {}
+	task.params.groupID = theGroupToAttack:getID()
+	return task
+end
+
+--
+-- waypoints, routes etc 
+--
+
+-- basic waypoint is for ground units. point can be xyz or xy 
+function cfxCommander.createBasicWaypoint(point, speed, formation)
+	local wp = {}
+	wp.x = point.x
+	-- support xyz and xy format
+	if point.z then 
+		wp.y = point.z
+	else
+		wp.y = point.y
+	end
+	
+	if not speed then speed = 6 end -- 6 m/s = 20 kph
+	wp.speed = speed 
+	
+	if cfxCommander.forceOffRoad then 
+		formation = "Off Road"
+	end
+	
+	if not formation then formation = "Off Road" end
+	-- legal formations:
+	-- Off road
+	-- On Road -- second letter upper case?
+	-- Cone 
+	-- Rank
+	-- Diamond
+	-- Vee
+	-- EchelonR
+	-- EchelonL
+	wp.action = formation -- silly name, but that's how ME does it
+	wp.type = 'Turning Point'
+	return wp
+
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.buildTaskFromWPList(wpList)
+	-- build the task that will make a group follow the WP list
+	-- we do this by creating a "Mission" task around the WP List
+	-- WP list is consumed by this action
+	local missionTask = {}
+	missionTask.id = "Mission"
+	missionTask.params = {}
+	missionTask.params.route = {}
+	missionTask.params.route.points=wpList
+	return missionTask
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.assignWPListToGroup(group, wpList, delay)
+	if not delay then delay = 0 end 
+	if not group then return end 
+	if type(group) == 'string' then -- group name, nice mist trick 
+		group = Group.getByName(group)
+	end
+	if not group then return end 
+	if not group:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	local theTask = cfxCommander.buildTaskFromWPList(wpList)
+	local ctrl = group:getController()
+
+--[[--
+	if delay < 0.001 then -- immediate action
+		if ctrl then
+			ctrl:setTask(theTask)
+		end
+	else 
+		-- delay execution of this command by the specified amount 
+		-- of seconds 
+		cfxCommander.scheduleTaskForGroup(group, theTask, delay)
+	end
+--]]--
+	cfxCommander.scheduleTaskForGroup(group, theTask, delay)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.createWPListForGroupToPoint(group, point, speed, formation)
+	if type(group) == 'string' then -- group name
+		group = Group.getByName(group)
+	end
+
+	local wpList = {}
+	-- here we are, and we want to go there. In DCS, this means that
+	-- we need to create a wp list consisting of here and there
+	local here = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(group)
+	local wpHere = cfxCommander.createBasicWaypoint(here, speed, formation)
+	local wpThere = cfxCommander.createBasicWaypoint(point, speed, formation)
+	wpList[1] = wpHere
+	wpList[2] = wpThere
+	return wpList
+end
+
+-- make a ground units group head to a waypoint by replacing the entire mission
+-- with a two-waypoint lsit from (here) to there at speed and formation. formation
+-- default is 'off road'
+function cfxCommander.makeGroupGoThere(group, there, speed, formation, delay)
+	if not delay then delay = 0 end 
+	if type(group) == 'string' then -- group name
+		group = Group.getByName(group)
+	end
+	local wp = cfxCommander.createWPListForGroupToPoint(group, there, speed, formation)
+	
+	cfxCommander.assignWPListToGroup(group, wp, delay)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.calculatePathLength(roadPoints)
+	local totalLen = 0
+	if #roadPoints < 2 then return 0 end
+	for i=1, #roadPoints-1 do
+		totalLen = totalLen + dcsCommon.dist(roadPoints[i], roadPoints[i+1])
+	end
+	return totalLen
+end
+
+-- make ground units go from here (group location) to there, using roads if possible
+function cfxCommander.createWPListForGroupToPointViaRoads(group, point, speed)
+	if type(group) == 'string' then -- group name
+		group = Group.getByName(group)
+	end
+
+	local wpList = {}
+	-- here we are, and we want to go there. In DCS, this means that
+	-- we need to create a wp list consisting of here and there
+	-- when going via roads, we add to more wayoints:
+	-- go on-roads and leaveRoads. 
+	-- only if we can get these two additional points, we do that, else we 
+	-- fall back to direct route 
+	
+	local here = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(group)
+
+	-- now generate a list of all points from here to there that uses roads
+	local rawRoadPoints = land.findPathOnRoads('roads', here.x, here.z, point.x, point.z)
+	-- this is the entire path. calculate the length and make 
+	-- sure that path on-road isn't more than twice as long 
+	-- that can happen if a bridge is out or we need to go around a hill
+	if not rawRoadPoints or #rawRoadPoints<3 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ no roads leading there. Taking direct approach", 30)
+		return cfxCommander.createWPListForGroupToPoint(group, point, speed)
+	end
+	
+	local pathLength = cfxCommander.calculatePathLength(rawRoadPoints)
+	local direct = dcsCommon.dist(here, point)
+	if pathLength < direct and cfxCommander.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++dcsC: WARNING road path (" .. pathLength .. ") shorter than direct route(" .. direct .. "), will not path correctly", 30)
+	end
+	
+	if pathLength > (2 * direct) then 
+		-- road takes too long, take direct approach
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++ road path (" .. pathLength .. ") > twice direct route(" .. direct .. "), commencing direct off-road", 30)
+		return cfxCommander.createWPListForGroupToPoint(group, point, speed)
+	end
+	
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++ ".. group:getName() .. ": choosing road path l=" .. pathLength .. " over direct route d=" .. direct, 30)
+	
+	-- if we are here, the road trip is valid 
+	for idx, wp in pairs(rawRoadPoints) do 
+		-- createBasic... supports w.xy format
+		local theNewWP = cfxCommander.createBasicWaypoint(wp, speed, "On Road") -- force off road for better compatibility?
+		table.insert(wpList, theNewWP)
+	end
+	
+	
+	
+	-- now make first and last entry OFF Road
+	local wpc = wpList[1]
+	wpc.action = "Off Road"
+	wpc = wpList[#wpList]
+	wpc.action = "Off Road"
+
+	return wpList
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.makeGroupGoTherePreferringRoads(group, there, speed, delay)
+	if type(group) == 'string' then -- group name
+		group = Group.getByName(group)
+	end
+	if not delay then delay = 0 end 
+
+
+	if cfxCommander.noRoadsAtAll then 
+		-- we don't even follow roads, completely forced off
+		cfxCommander.makeGroupGoThere(group, there, speed, "Off Road", delay)
+		return 
+	end
+
+	-- see if we have an override situation 
+	-- for one of the two points where a pathing Zone 
+	-- overrides the roads setting 
+	if #cfxCommander.pathZones > 0 then  
+		local here = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(group)
+		local oRide = cfxCommander.hasPathZoneFor(here, there)
+		if oRide and oRide.pathing == "offroad" then 
+			-- yup, override road preference
+			cfxCommander.makeGroupGoThere(group, there, speed, "Off Road", delay)
+			--trigger.action.outText("pathing: override offroad")
+			return 
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- viaRoads will only use roads if the road trip isn't more than twice 
+	-- as long as the direct route 
+	local wp = cfxCommander.createWPListForGroupToPointViaRoads(group, there, speed)
+	cfxCommander.assignWPListToGroup(group, wp, delay)
+end
+
+
+function cfxCommander.makeGroupHalt(group, delay)
+	if not group then return end 
+	if not group:isExist() then return end 
+	if not delay then delay = 0 end 
+	local theTask = {id = 'Hold', params = {}}
+	cfxCommander.scheduleTaskForGroup(group, theTask, delay)
+end
+
+function cfxCommander.makeGroupTransmit(group, tenKHz, filename, oneShot, delay)
+	if not group then return end 
+	if not tenKHz then tenKHz = 20 end -- default to 200KHz
+	if not delay then delay = 1.0 end 
+	if not filename then return end 
+	if not oneShot then oneShot = false end 
+	
+	-- now build the transmission command
+	local theCommands = cfxCommander.createCommandDataTableFor(group)
+	local cmd = cfxCommander.createSetFrequencyCommand(tenKHz) -- freq in 10000 Hz
+	cfxCommander.addCommand(theCommands, cmd)
+	cmd = cfxCommander.createTransmissionCommand(filename, oneShot)
+	cfxCommander.addCommand(theCommands, cmd)
+	cfxCommander.scheduleCommands(theCommands, delay)
+end 
+
+function cfxCommander.makeGroupStopTransmitting(group, delay)
+	if not delay then delay = 1 end 
+	if not group then return end 
+	local theCommands = cfxCommander.createCommandDataTableFor(group)
+	local cmd = cfxCommander.createStopTransmissionCommand()
+	cfxCommander.addCommand(theCommands, cmd)
+	cfxCommander.scheduleCommands(theCommands, delay)
+end
+
+
+function cfxCommander.start()
+	-- make sure we have loaded all relevant libraries 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Commander", cfxCommander.requiredLibs) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("cf/x Commander aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- identify and process all 'pathing' zones
+	local pathZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("pathing")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(pathZones) do 
+		cfxCommander.processPathingZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		cfxCommander.addPathingZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+	
+	-- read config overides 
+	cfxCommander.readConfigZone()
+	
+	return true
+end
+
+if cfxCommander.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cfxCommander v" .. cfxCommander.version .. " loaded", 30)
+else 
+	trigger.action.outText("+++cfxCommander load FAILED", 30)
+	cfxCommander = nil
+end
+
+--[[-- known issues
+
+- troops remain motionless until all are repaired or produced after cature
+- long roads / roads not taken in persia 
+- all troops red and blue become motionless when one zone is occupied
+- after capture, the troop capturing remains, all others can go on. one will always remain there 
+- rethink the factor to add to road, and simply add 100m 
+
+ TODO: break long distances into smaller paths, and gravitate towards pathing zones if they have a 'gravitate' or similar attribute 
+--]]--

modules/cfxGroups.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+cfxGroups = {}
+cfxGroups.version = "1.1.0"
+--[[--
+
+Module to read Unit data from DCS and make it available to scripts
+DOES NOT KEEP TRACK OF MISSION-CREATED GROUPS!!!!
+Main use is to access player groups for slot blocking etc since these 
+groups can't be allocated dynamically
+
+Version history
+
+ 1.0.0 - initial version
+ 1.1.0 - for each player unit, store point(x, 0, y), and action for first WP, as well as name 
+ 
+--]]--
+
+cfxGroups.groups = {} -- all groups, indexed by name 
+
+--[[-- group objects are 
+	{
+		name= "", 
+		coalition = "" (red, blue, neutral), 
+		coanum = # (0, 1, 2 for neutral, red, blue)
+		category = "" (helicopter, ship, plane, vehicle, static),
+		hasPlayer = true/false,
+		playerUnits = {} (for each player unit in group: name, point, action)
+		
+	}
+	
+--]]--
+
+function cfxGroups.fetchAllGroupsFromDCS()
+	-- a mission is a lua table that is loaded by executing the miz. it builds
+	-- the environment mission table, accessible as env.mission 
+	-- iterate the "coalition" table of the mission (note: NOT coalitionS)
+    -- inspired by mist, GIANT tip o'the hat to Grimes!	
+	
+	for coa_name_miz, coa_data in pairs(env.mission.coalition) do -- iterate all coalitions
+		local coa_name = coa_name_miz
+		if string.lower(coa_name_miz) == 'neutrals' then -- convert "neutrals" to "neutral", singular
+			coa_name = 'neutral'
+		end
+		-- directly convert coalition into number for easier access later
+		local coaNum = 0
+		if coa_name == "red" then coaNum = 1 end 
+		if coa_name == "blue" then coaNum = 2 end 
+		
+		if type(coa_data) == 'table' then
+			if coa_data.country then -- make sure there a country table for this coalition
+				for cntry_id, cntry_data in pairs(coa_data.country) do -- iterate all countries for this 
+					local countryName = string.lower(cntry_data.name)
+					if type(cntry_data) == 'table' then	--just making sure
+						for obj_type_name, obj_type_data in pairs(cntry_data) do
+							if obj_type_name == "helicopter" or obj_type_name == "ship" or obj_type_name == "plane" or obj_type_name == "vehicle" or obj_type_name == "static" then --should be an unncessary check
+								local category = obj_type_name
+								if ((type(obj_type_data) == 'table') and obj_type_data.group and (type(obj_type_data.group) == 'table') and (#obj_type_data.group > 0)) then	--there's a group!
+
+									for group_num, group_data in pairs(obj_type_data.group) do
+										if group_data and group_data.units and type(group_data.units) == 'table' then	--making sure again- this is a valid group
+											local groupName = group_data.name
+											if env.mission.version > 7 then -- translate raw to actual 
+												groupName = env.getValueDictByKey(groupName)
+											end
+											local hasPlayer = false 
+											local playerUnits = {}
+											for unit_num, unit_data in pairs(group_data.units) do -- iterate units
+												-- see if there is at least one player in group 
+												if unit_data.skill then 
+													if unit_data.skill == "Client" or  unit_data.skill == "Player" then
+														-- this is player unit. save it, remember
+														hasPlayer = true 
+														local playerData = {}
+														playerData.name = unit_data.name
+														playerData.point = {}
+														playerData.point.x = unit_data.x
+														playerData.point.y = 0
+														playerData.point.z = unit_data.y
+														playerData.action = "none" -- default 
+														
+														-- access initial waypoint data by 'reaching up'
+														-- into group data and extract route.points[1]
+														if group_data.route and group_data.route.points and (#group_data.route.points > 0) then 
+															playerData.action = group_data.route.points[1].action
+														end
+														table.insert(playerUnits, playerData)
+													end														
+												end
+											end --for all units in group
+						
+											local entry = {}
+											entry.name = groupName
+											entry.coalition = coa_name
+											entry.coaNum = coaNum 
+											entry.category  = category
+											entry.hasPlayer = hasPlayer 
+											entry.playerUnits = playerUnits
+											-- add to db
+											cfxGroups.groups[groupName] = entry
+											
+										end --if has group_data and group_data.units then
+									end --for all groups in category 
+								end --if has category data 
+							end --if plane, helo etc... category
+						end --for all objects in country 
+					end --if has country data 
+				end --for all countries in coalition
+			end --if coalition has country table 
+		end -- if there is coalition data  
+	end --for all coalitions in mission 
+end
+
+-- simply dump all groups to the screen
+function cfxGroups.showAllGroups()
+	for gName, gData in pairs (cfxGroups.groups) do 
+		local isP = "(NPC)"
+		if gData.hasPlayer then isP = "*PLAYER GROUP (".. #gData.playerUnits ..")*" end
+		trigger.action.outText(gData.name.. ": " .. isP .. " - " .. gData.category .. ", F:" .. gData.coalition
+		.. " (" .. gData.coaNum .. ")", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+-- return all cfxGroups that can have players in them
+-- includes groups that currently are not or not anymore alive
+function cfxGroups.getPlayerGroup()
+	local playerGroups = {}
+	for gName, gData in pairs (cfxGroups.groups) do 
+		if gData.hasPlayer then
+			table.insert(playerGroups, gData)
+		end
+	end
+	return playerGroups 
+end
+
+-- return all group names that can have players in them
+-- includes groups that currently are not or not anymore alive
+function cfxGroups.getPlayerGroupNames()
+	local playerGroups = {}
+	for gName, gData in pairs (cfxGroups.groups) do 
+		if gData.hasPlayer then
+			table.insert(playerGroups, gName)
+		end
+	end
+	return playerGroups 
+end
+
+
+function cfxGroups.start()
+	cfxGroups.fetchAllGroupsFromDCS() -- read all groups from mission. 
+--	cfxGroups.showAllGroups()
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfxGroups version " .. cfxGroups.version .. " started", 30)
+	return true 
+	
+end
+
+cfxGroups.start() 
+
+ 

modules/cfxHeloTroops.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,826 @@
+cfxHeloTroops = {}
+cfxHeloTroops.version = "2.1.0"
+cfxHeloTroops.verbose = false 
+cfxHeloTroops.autoDrop = true 
+cfxHeloTroops.autoPickup = false 
+cfxHeloTroops.pickupRange = 100 -- meters 
+--
+--
+-- VERSION HISTORY
+-- 1.1.3 -- repaired forgetting 'wait-' when loading/disembarking
+-- 1.1.4 -- corrected coalition bug in deployTroopsFromHelicopter 
+-- 2.0.0 -- added weight change when troops enter and leave the helicopter 
+		 -- idividual troop capa max per helicopter 
+-- 2.0.1 -- lib loader verification
+--       -- uses dcsCommon.isTroopCarrier(theUnit)
+-- 2.0.2 -- can now deploy from spawners with "requestable" attribute
+-- 2.1.0 -- supports config zones
+--       -- check spawner legality by types  
+--       -- updated types to include 2.7.6 additions to infantry
+--       -- updated types to include stinger/manpads 
+
+--
+-- cfxHeloTroops -- a module to pick up and drop infantry. Can be used with any helo,
+-- might be used to configure to only certain
+-- currently only supports a single helicopter per group 
+-- only helicopters that can transport troops will have this feature
+-- Copyright (c) 2021, 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
+--
+
+
+cfxHeloTroops.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxPlayer", -- player events
+	"cfxCommander", -- to make troops do stuff
+	"cfxGroundTroops", -- generic when dropping troops
+}
+
+cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs = {} -- all configs are stored by unit's name 
+cfxHeloTroops.myEvents = {3, 4, 5} --  3- takeoff, 4 - land, 5 - crash 
+cfxHeloTroops.legalTroops = {"Soldier AK", "Infantry AK", "Infantry AK ver2", "Infantry AK ver3", "Infantry AK Ins", "Soldier M249", "Soldier M4 GRG", "Soldier M4", "Soldier RPG", "Paratrooper AKS-74", "Paratrooper RPG-16", "Stinger comm dsr", "Stinger comm", "Soldier stinger", "SA-18 Igla-S comm", "SA-18 Igla-S manpad", "Igla manpad INS", "SA-18 Igla comm", "SA-18 Igla manpad",}
+
+cfxHeloTroops.troopWeight = 100 -- kg average weight per trooper 
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.resetConfig(conf)
+	conf.autoDrop = cfxHeloTroops.autoDrop --if true, will drop troops on-board upon touchdown
+	conf.autoPickup = cfxHeloTroops.autoPickup -- if true will load nearest troops upon touchdown
+	conf.pickupRange = cfxHeloTroops.pickupRange --meters, maybe make per helo?
+	-- maybe set up max seats by type
+	conf.currentState = -1 -- 0 = landed, 1 = airborne, -1 undetermined
+	conf.troopsOnBoardNum = 0 -- if not 0, we have troops and can spawnm/drop
+	conf.troopCapacity = 8 -- should be depending on airframe 
+	conf.troopsOnBoard = {} -- table with the following
+	
+
+	conf.troopsOnBoard.name = "***reset***"
+	conf.dropFormation = "circle_out" -- may be chosen later?
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.createDefaultConfig(theUnit)
+	local conf = {}
+	cfxHeloTroops.resetConfig(conf)
+
+	conf.myMainMenu = nil -- this is where the main menu for group will be stored
+	conf.myCommands = nil -- this is where we put all teh commands in 
+	return conf 
+end
+
+
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit) -- will create new config if not existing
+	if not theUnit then
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: nil unit in get config!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	local c = cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs[theUnit:getName()]
+	if not c then 
+		c = cfxHeloTroops.createDefaultConfig(theUnit)
+		cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs[theUnit:getName()] = c 
+	end
+	return c 
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.getConfigForUnitNamed(aName)
+	return cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs[aName]
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.removeConfigForUnitNamed(aName) 
+	if cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs[aName] then cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs[aName] = nil end
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.setState(theUnit, isLanded)
+	-- called to set the current state of the helicopter (group)
+	-- currently one helicopter per group max
+end
+
+
+
+--
+-- E V E N T   H A N D L I N G 
+-- 
+function cfxHeloTroops.isInteresting(eventID) 
+	-- return true if we are interested in this event, false else 
+	for key, evType in pairs(cfxHeloTroops.myEvents) do 
+		if evType == eventID then return true end
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.preProcessor(event)
+	-- make sure it has an initiator
+	if not event.initiator then return false end -- no initiator 
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	if not cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(theUnit) then return false end -- not a player unit 
+	local cat = theUnit:getCategory()
+	if cat ~= Group.Category.HELICOPTER then return false end
+
+	return cfxHeloTroops.isInteresting(event.id) 
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.postProcessor(event)
+	-- don't do anything
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.somethingHappened(event)
+	-- when this is invoked, the preprocessor guarantees that
+	-- it's an interesting event
+	-- unit is valid and player 
+	-- airframe category is helicopter 
+	
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local ID = event.id
+	
+	
+	local myType = theUnit:getTypeName()
+	
+	if ID == 4 then 
+		cfxHeloTroops.heloLanded(theUnit)
+	end
+	
+	if ID == 3 then 
+		cfxHeloTroops.heloDeparted(theUnit)
+	end
+	
+	if ID == 5 then 
+		cfxHeloTroops.heloCrashed(theUnit)
+	end
+	
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(theUnit)
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- LANDED
+--
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.loadClosestGroup(conf)
+	local p = conf.unit:getPosition().p
+	local cat = Group.Category.GROUND
+	local unitsToLoad = dcsCommon.getLivingGroupsAndDistInRangeToPoint(p, conf.pickupRange, conf.unit:getCoalition(), cat) 
+	
+	-- now, the groups may contain units that are not for transport.
+	-- later we can filter this by weight, or other cool stuff
+	-- for now we simply only troopy with legal type strings 
+	unitsToLoad = cfxHeloTroops.filterTroopsByType(unitsToLoad)
+
+	-- now limit the options to the five closest legal groups
+	local numUnits = #unitsToLoad
+	if numUnits < 1 then return false end -- on false will drop through 
+	
+	local aTeam = unitsToLoad[1] -- get first (closest) entry
+	local dist = aTeam.dist 
+	local group = aTeam.group 
+	cfxHeloTroops.doLoadGroup({conf, group})
+	return true -- will have loaded and reset menu
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.heloLanded(theUnit)
+	-- when we have landed, 
+	if not dcsCommon.isTroopCarrier(theUnit) then return end
+	
+	local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit)
+	conf.unit = theUnit
+	conf.currentState = 0
+	
+	-- we look if we auto-unload
+	if conf.autoDrop then 
+		if conf.troopsOnBoardNum > 0 then 
+			cfxHeloTroops.doDeployTroops({conf, "autodrop"})
+			-- already called set menu, can exit directly
+			return
+		end
+		-- when we get here, we have no troops to drop on board 
+		-- so nothing to do really except look if we can pick up troops
+		-- set menu will do that for us	
+	end
+	
+	if conf.autoPickup then 
+		if conf.troopsOnBoardNum < 1 then
+			-- load the closest group
+			if cfxHeloTroops.loadClosestGroup(conf) then 
+				return
+			end
+		end		
+	end
+	
+	-- when we get here, we simply set the newest menus and are done 
+	-- reset menu 
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(conf.unit)
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(conf.unit)
+end
+
+
+--
+--
+-- Helo took off
+--
+--
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.heloDeparted(theUnit)
+	if not dcsCommon.isTroopCarrier(theUnit) then return end
+	
+	-- when we take off, all that needs to be done is to change the state 
+	-- to airborne, and then set the status flag 
+	local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit)
+	conf.currentState = 1 -- in the air 
+	
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(conf.unit)
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(conf.unit)
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- 
+-- Helo Crashed 
+--
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.heloCrashed(theUnit)
+	if not dcsCommon.isTroopCarrier(theUnit) then return end
+	
+	-- clean up 
+	local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit)
+	conf.unit = theUnit 
+	conf.troopsOnBoardNum = 0 -- all dead 
+	conf.currentState = -1 -- (we don't know)
+	-- conf.troopsOnBoardTypes = "" -- no troops, remember?
+	conf.troopsOnBoard = {}
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(conf.unit)
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- M E N U   H A N D L I N G   &   R E S P O N S E 
+-- 
+-- 
+function cfxHeloTroops.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	if conf.myCommands then 
+		for i=1, #conf.myCommands do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myCommands[i])
+		end
+	end
+	conf.myCommands = {}
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+	cfxHeloTroops.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	if conf.myMainMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myMainMenu) 
+		conf.myMainMenu = nil
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	local group = theUnit:getGroup() 
+	local id = group:getID()
+	local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit)
+	conf.id = id
+	conf.unit = theUnit 
+	
+
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.addConfigMenu(conf)
+	-- we add the a menu showing current state 
+	-- and the option to change fro auto drop 
+	-- and auto pickup 
+	local onOff = "OFF"
+	if conf.autoDrop then onOff = "ON" end 
+	local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				'Auto-Drop: ' .. onOff .. ' - Select to change',
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectToggleConfig, 
+				{conf, "drop"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+	onOff = "OFF"
+	if conf.autoPickup then onOff = "ON" end 
+	theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				'Auto-Pickup: ' .. onOff .. ' - Select to change',
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectToggleConfig, 
+				{conf, "pickup"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(theUnit)
+	-- depending on own load state, we set the command structure
+	-- it begins at 10-other, and has 'Assault Troops' as main menu with submenus
+	-- as required 
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	-- we only add this menu to troop carriers 
+	if not dcsCommon.isTroopCarrier(theUnit) then return end
+	
+	local group = theUnit:getGroup() 
+	local id = group:getID()
+	local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit) --cfxHeloTroops.unitConfigs[theUnit:getName()]
+	conf.id = id; -- we do this ALWAYS to it is current even after a crash 
+	conf.unit = theUnit -- link back
+	
+	--local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getUnitConfig(theUnit)
+	-- ok, first, if we don't have an F-10 menu, create one 
+	if not (conf.myMainMenu) then 
+		conf.myMainMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(id, 'Airlift Troops') 
+	end
+	
+	-- clear out existing commands
+	cfxHeloTroops.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	-- now we have a menu without submenus. 
+	-- add our own submenus
+	cfxHeloTroops.addConfigMenu(conf)
+	
+	-- now see if we are on the ground or in the air
+	-- or unknown
+	if conf.currentState < 0 then 
+		conf.currentState = 0 -- landed
+		if theUnit:inAir() then 
+			conf.currentState = 1
+		end
+	end
+	
+	if conf.currentState == 0 then 
+		cfxHeloTroops.addGroundMenu(conf)
+	else 
+		cfxHeloTroops.addAirborneMenu(conf)
+	end
+	
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.addAirborneMenu(conf)
+	-- while we are airborne, there isn't much to do except add a status menu that does nothing
+	-- but we can add some instructions
+	-- let's begin by assuming no troops aboard
+	local commandTxt = "(To load troops, land in proximity to them)"
+	if conf.troopsOnBoardNum > 0 then 
+		commandTxt = "(You are carrying " .. conf.troopsOnBoardNum .. " Assault Troops. Land to deploy them"
+	end
+	local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectNoAction, 
+				{conf, "none"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.redirectNoAction(args)
+	-- actually, we do not redirect since there is nothing to do
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.addGroundMenu(conf)
+	-- this is the most complex menu. Player can deploy troops when loaded
+	-- and load troops when they are in proximity
+	
+	-- case 1: troops aboard 
+	if conf.troopsOnBoardNum > 0 then 
+		local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				"Deploy Team <" .. conf.troopsOnBoard.name .. ">",
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectDeployTroops, 
+				{conf, "deploy"}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+		return
+	end
+	
+	-- case 2A: no troops aboard, and spawners in range 
+	--          that are requestable 
+	local p = conf.unit:getPosition().p
+	local mySide = conf.unit:getCoalition() 
+	
+	if cfxSpawnZones then 
+		-- only if SpawnZones is implemented 
+		local availableSpawnersRaw = cfxSpawnZones.getRequestableSpawnersInRange(p, 500, mySide)
+		-- DONE: requestable spawners must check for troop compatibility 
+		local availableSpawners = {}
+		for idx, aSpawner in pairs(availableSpawnersRaw) do 
+			-- filter all spawners that spawn "illegal" troops
+			local theTypes = aSpawner.types
+			local typeArray = dcsCommon.splitString(theTypes, ',')
+			typeArray = dcsCommon.trimArray(typeArray)
+			local allLegal = true 
+			for idy, aType in pairs(typeArray) do 
+				if not dcsCommon.arrayContainsString(cfxHeloTroops.legalTroops, aType) then 
+					allLegal = false 
+				end
+			end
+			if allLegal then 
+				table.insert(availableSpawners, aSpawner)
+			end
+		end
+		
+		local numSpawners = #availableSpawners
+		if numSpawners > 5 then numSpawners = 5 end 
+		while numSpawners > 0 do
+			-- for each spawner in range, create a 
+			-- spawn menu item
+			local spawner = availableSpawners[numSpawners]
+			local theName = spawner.baseName 
+			local comm = "Request <" .. theName .. "> troops for transport" -- .. math.floor(aTeam.dist) .. "m away"
+			local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				comm,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectSpawnGroup, 
+				{conf, spawner}
+				)
+			table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+			numSpawners = numSpawners - 1
+		end
+	
+	end
+	
+	-- case 2B: no troops aboard. see if there are troops around 
+	-- that we can load up 
+	
+	local cat = Group.Category.GROUND
+	local unitsToLoad = dcsCommon.getLivingGroupsAndDistInRangeToPoint(p, conf.pickupRange, conf.unit:getCoalition(), cat) 
+	
+	-- now, the groups may contain units that are not for transport.
+	-- later we can filter this by weight, or other cool stuff
+	-- for now we simply only troopy with legal type strings 
+	-- TODO: add weight filtering 
+	unitsToLoad = cfxHeloTroops.filterTroopsByType(unitsToLoad)
+
+	-- now limit the options to the five closest legal groups
+	local numUnits = #unitsToLoad
+	if numUnits > 5 then numUnits = 5 end
+	
+	if numUnits < 1 then 
+		local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				"(No units in range)",
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectNoAction, 
+				{conf, "none"}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+		return
+	end
+	
+	-- add an entry for each group in units to load 
+	for i=1, numUnits do 
+		local aTeam = unitsToLoad[i]
+		local dist = aTeam.dist 
+		local group = aTeam.group 
+		local tNum = group:getSize()
+		local comm = "Load <" .. group:getName() .. "> " .. tNum .. " Members" -- .. math.floor(aTeam.dist) .. "m away"
+		local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				comm,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxHeloTroops.redirectLoadGroup, 
+				{conf, group}
+				)
+		table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+	end
+	
+	
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.filterTroopsByType(unitsToLoad)
+	local filteredGroups = {}
+		for idx, aTeam in pairs(unitsToLoad) do 
+			local group = aTeam.group
+			local theTypes = dcsCommon.getGroupTypeString(group)
+
+			local aT = dcsCommon.splitString(theTypes, ",")
+			local pass = true 
+			for iT, sT in pairs(aT) do 
+				-- check if this is a valid type 
+				if not dcsCommon.arrayContainsString(cfxHeloTroops.legalTroops, sT) then 
+					pass = false
+					break 
+				end
+			end 
+			if pass then 
+				table.insert(filteredGroups, aTeam)
+			end
+		end
+	return filteredGroups
+end
+--
+-- T O G G L E S 
+--
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.redirectToggleConfig(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxHeloTroops.doToggleConfig, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.doToggleConfig(args)
+	local conf = args[1]
+	local what = args[2]
+	if what == "drop" then 
+		conf.autoDrop = not conf.autoDrop
+		if conf.autoDrop then 
+			trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Now deploying troops immediately after landing", 30)
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Troops will now only deploy when told to", 30)		
+		end
+	else 
+		conf.autoPickup = not conf.autoPickup
+		if conf.autoPickup then 
+			trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Nearest troops will now automatically board after landing", 30)
+		else
+			trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Troops will now board only after being ordered to do so", 30)
+		end
+		
+	end
+	
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(conf.unit)
+end
+
+
+
+--
+-- Deploying Troops
+--
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.redirectDeployTroops(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxHeloTroops.doDeployTroops, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.doDeployTroops(args)
+	local conf = args[1]
+	local what = args[2]
+	-- deploy the troops I have on board in formation
+	cfxHeloTroops.deployTroopsFromHelicopter(conf)
+	
+	-- set own troops to 0 and erase type string 
+	conf.troopsOnBoardNum = 0
+	conf.troopsOnBoard = {}
+--	conf.troopsOnBoardTypes = ""
+	conf.troopsOnBoard.name = "***wasdeployed***"
+	
+	-- reset menu 
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(conf.unit)
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(conf.unit)
+end
+
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.deployTroopsFromHelicopter(conf)
+-- we have troops, drop them now
+	local unitTypes = {} -- build type names
+	local theUnit = conf.unit 
+	local p = theUnit:getPoint() 
+	
+	--for i=1, scenario.troopSize[theUnit:getName()] do 
+	--	table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4")
+	--end
+	
+	-- split the conf.troopsOnBoardTypes into an array of types
+	unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(conf.troopsOnBoard.types, ",")
+	if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+		table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
+	end
+	
+	local range = conf.troopsOnBoard.range
+	local orders = conf.troopsOnBoard.orders 
+	if not orders then orders = "guard" end
+	
+	-- order processing: if the orders were pre-pended with "wait-"
+	-- we now remove that, so after dropping they do what their 
+	-- orders where AFTER being picked up
+	if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(orders, "wait-") then 
+		orders = dcsCommon.removePrefix(orders, "wait-")
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "+++ <" .. conf.troopsOnBoard.name .. "> revoke 'wait' orders, proceed with <".. orders .. ">", 30)
+	end
+	
+	local chopperZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("choppa", p, 12) -- 12 m ratius around choppa
+	--local theCoalition = theUnit:getCountry() -- make it choppers country
+	local theCoalition = theUnit:getGroup():getCoalition() -- make it choppers COALITION
+	local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+				theCoalition, 												
+				conf.troopsOnBoard.name, -- dcsCommon.uuid("Assault"), -- maybe use config name as loaded from the group 
+				chopperZone, 											
+				unitTypes, 													
+				conf.dropFormation,
+				90)
+	local troop = cfxGroundTroops.createGroundTroops(theGroup, range, orders) -- use default range and orders
+	-- instead of scheduling tasking in one second, we add to 
+	-- ground troops pool, and the troop pool manager will assign some enemies
+	cfxGroundTroops.addGroundTroopsToPool(troop)
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "<" .. theGroup:getName() .. "> have deployed to the ground with orders " .. orders .. "!", 30)
+	
+end
+
+
+--
+-- Loading Troops
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.redirectLoadGroup(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxHeloTroops.doLoadGroup, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.doLoadGroup(args) 
+	local conf = args[1]
+	local group = args[2]
+	conf.troopsOnBoard = {}
+	-- all we need to do is disassemble the group into type 
+	conf.troopsOnBoard.types = dcsCommon.getGroupTypeString(group)
+	-- get the size 
+	conf.troopsOnBoardNum = group:getSize()
+	-- and name 
+	conf.troopsOnBoard.name = group:getName()
+	-- and put it all into the helicopter config 
+	
+	-- now we need to destroy the group. First, remove it from the pool
+	local pooledGroup = cfxGroundTroops.getGroundTroopsForGroup(group)
+	if pooledGroup then 
+		-- copy some important info from the troops 
+		-- if they are set 
+		conf.troopsOnBoard.orders = pooledGroup.orders
+		conf.troopsOnBoard.range = pooledGroup.range
+		
+		cfxGroundTroops.removeTroopsFromPool(pooledGroup)
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Team '".. conf.troopsOnBoard.name .."' loaded and has orders <" .. conf.troopsOnBoard.orders .. ">", 30)
+	else 
+		--trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Team '".. conf.troopsOnBoard.name .."' loaded!", 30)
+		if cfxHeloTroops.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++heloT: ".. conf.troopsOnBoard.name .." was not committed to ground troops", 30)
+		end
+	end
+		
+	-- now simply destroy the group
+	-- we'll re-assemble it when we deploy it 
+	-- we currently can't change the weight of the helicopter
+	-- TODO: add weight changing code 
+	-- TODO: ensure compatibility with CSAR module 
+	group:destroy()
+	
+	-- say so 
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Team '".. conf.troopsOnBoard.name .."' aboard, ready to go!", 30)
+	-- reset menu 
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(conf.unit)
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(conf.unit)
+end
+
+--
+-- spawning troops 
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.redirectSpawnGroup(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxHeloTroops.doSpawnGroup, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.delayedCommsResetForUnit(args)
+	local theUnit = args[1]
+	cfxHeloTroops.removeComms(theUnit)
+	cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(theUnit)
+end
+
+function cfxHeloTroops.doSpawnGroup(args)
+	local conf = args[1]
+	local theSpawner = args[2]
+	
+	-- make sure cooldown on spawner has timed out, else 
+	-- notify that you have to wait 
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	if now < (theSpawner.lastSpawnTimeStamp + theSpawner.cooldown) then 
+		local delta = math.floor(theSpawner.lastSpawnTimeStamp + theSpawner.cooldown - now)
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Still redeploying (" .. delta .. " seconds left)", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	cfxSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(theSpawner)
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Deploying <" .. theSpawner.baseName .. "> now...", 30)
+	
+	-- reset all comms so we can include new troops 
+	-- into load menu 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxHeloTroops.delayedCommsResetForUnit, {conf.unit, "ignore"}, now + 1.0)
+	
+end
+
+
+--
+-- Player event callbacks
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.playerChangeEvent(evType, description, player, data)
+	if evType == "newGroup" then 
+		theUnit = data.primeUnit
+		cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(theUnit)
+
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "removeGroup" then 
+--		trigger.action.outText("+++Helo Troops: a group disappeared", 30)
+		-- data.name contains the name of the group. nil the entry in config list, so all
+		-- troops that group was carrying are gone 
+		-- we must remove the comms menu for this group else we try to add another one to this group later
+		-- we assume a one-unit group structure, else the following may fail
+		local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getConfigForUnitNamed(data.primeUnitName)
+		if conf then 
+			cfxHeloTroops.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+		end
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "leave" then 
+		local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getConfigForUnitNamed(player.unitName)
+		if conf then 
+			cfxHeloTroops.resetConfig(conf)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "unit" then 
+		-- player changed units. almost never in MP, but possible in solo
+		-- we need to reset the conf so no troops are carried any longer
+		local conf = cfxHeloTroops.getConfigForUnitNamed(data.oldUnitName) 
+		if conf then 
+			cfxHeloTroops.resetConfig(conf)
+		end
+	end
+	
+end
+
+
+--
+-- read config zone
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("heloTroopsConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++heloT: no config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+
+	cfxHeloTroops.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "legalTroops") then 
+		local theTypesString = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "legalTroops", "")
+		local unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(aSpawner.types, ",")
+		if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+			unitTypes = {"Soldier AK", "Infantry AK", "Infantry AK ver2", "Infantry AK ver3", "Infantry AK Ins", "Soldier M249", "Soldier M4 GRG", "Soldier M4", "Soldier RPG", "Paratrooper AKS-74", "Paratrooper RPG-16", "Stinger comm dsr", "Stinger comm", "Soldier stinger", "SA-18 Igla-S comm", "SA-18 Igla-S manpad", "Igla manpad INS", "SA-18 Igla comm", "SA-18 Igla manpad",} -- default 
+		else
+			unitTypes = dcsCommon.trimArray(unitTypes)
+		end
+		cfxHeloTroops.legalTroops = unitTypes
+	end	
+	
+	cfxHeloTroops.troopWeight = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "troopWeight", 100) -- kg average weight per trooper 
+	
+	cfxHeloTroops.autoDrop = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "autoDrop", false)	
+	cfxHeloTroops.autoPickup = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "autoPickup", false)
+	cfxHeloTroops.pickupRange = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "pickupRange", 100)
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- Start 
+--
+function cfxHeloTroops.start()
+	-- check libs
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Helo Troops", 
+		cfxHeloTroops.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config zone 
+	
+	-- install callbacks for helo-relevant events
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(cfxHeloTroops.somethingHappened, cfxHeloTroops.preProcessor, cfxHeloTroops.postProcessor)
+
+	-- now iterate through all player groups and install the Assault Troop Menu
+	allPlayerGroups = cfxPlayerGroups -- cfxPlayerGroups is a global, don't fuck with it! 
+			-- contains per group a player record, use prime unit to access player's unit 
+	for gname, pgroup in pairs(allPlayerGroups) do 
+		local aUnit = pgroup.primeUnit -- get any unit of that group
+		cfxHeloTroops.setCommsMenu(aUnit)
+	end
+	-- now install the new group notifier to install Assault Troops menu
+	
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(cfxHeloTroops.playerChangeEvent)
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Helo Troops v" .. cfxHeloTroops.version .. " started", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's get rolling
+if not cfxHeloTroops.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Helo Troops aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxHeloTroops = nil 
+end
+
+--[[--
+	- interface with spawnable: request troops via comms menu if 
+		- spawnZones defined 
+		- spawners in range and 
+	    - spawner auf 'paused' und 'requestable'
+	  
+--]]--
+-- TODO: weight when loading troops 

modules/cfxMapMarkers.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+cfxMapMarkers = {}
+cfxMapMarkers.version = "1.0.2"
+cfxMapMarkers.autostart = true 
+--[[--
+Version History
+ - 1.0.1 - initial version
+ - 1.0.2 - coalition property processing cleanup 
+ 
+--]]--
+-- cfxMapMarkers places Annotations for players on the F10 map
+-- Annotations are derived from Zones, and their properties control who can see them
+-- Any Zone with the Property "mapMarker" will put the property's content on the Map
+-- Markers are shown to everyone, except when
+--  - an additional Property 'coalition' is present, the Map Marker is only shown to that coalition. Possible coalition values are "ALL" (default), "RED", "BLUE", "NEUTRAL"
+--  - an additional Property 'group' is present, the Map Marker is shown to the group with that name. Note that  
+-- 'coalition' and 'group' are mutually exclusive. Group overrides Coalition
+-- you can access map markers by their zones, turn them on and off individually 
+-- if autostart is on, all zones are scanned for map markers and displayed according to their properties
+
+-- NOTE: when placing a mark, this will add the 'markID' attribute to the zone table to identify the mark
+
+--cfxMapMarkers.simpleUUID = 76543 -- a number to start. as good as any
+--function cfxMapMarkers.uuid()
+--	cfxMapMarkers.simpleUUID = cfxMapMarkers.simpleUUID + 1
+--	return cfxMapMarkers.simpleUUID
+--end
+
+function cfxMapMarkers.addMapMarkerForZone(theZone) 
+	local markText = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(theZone, "mapMarker")
+	if not markText then return end
+	if markText == "" then markText = "I am empty of content, devoid of meaning" end
+	
+	-- if there is a map marker already, remove it 
+	cfxMapMarkers.removeMapMarkerForZone(theZone)
+	
+	-- get a new map marker ID
+	local markID = dcsCommon.numberUUID()
+	
+	-- see if there is a group or coalition target
+	local coal = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "coalition", "ALL")
+	if coal == "1" then coal = "RED" end
+	if coal == "2" then coal = "BLUE" end 
+	
+	coal = coal:upper()
+	--coal = string.upper(coal)
+	
+	local toGroup = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(theZone, "group")
+	if toGroup then toGroup = Group.getByName(toGroup) end 
+	if toGroup then 
+		-- mark to group
+		local groupID = toGroup:getID()
+		trigger.action.markToGroup(markID, markText, theZone.point, groupID, true, "")
+		theZone.markID = markID
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- make sure we have a legal coalition
+	if coal ~= "BLUE" and coal ~= "RED" and coal ~= "NEUTRAL" then 
+		coal = "ALL"
+	end
+	
+	if coal == "ALL" then 
+		-- place the map marker to ALL coalitions		
+		trigger.action.markToAll(markID, markText, theZone.point, true, "")
+		theZone.markID = markID
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- if we get here. we should mark by coalition
+	local theSide = 0 -- neutral (default)
+	if coal == "RED" then
+		theSide = 1
+	end
+	if coal == "BLUE" then 
+		theSide = 2
+	end
+	trigger.action.markToCoalition(markID, markText, theZone.point, theSide, true, "")
+	theZone.markID = markID
+end
+
+function cfxMapMarkers.removeMapMarkerForZone(theZone)
+	if theZone.markID then 
+		trigger.action.removeMark(theZone.markID)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxMapMarkers.start()
+	-- collect all zones that have the 'MapMarker" Attribute 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("mapMarker")
+	
+	-- process every zone  
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		cfxMapMarkers.addMapMarkerForZone(aZone)
+	end
+end
+
+if cfxMapMarkers.autostart then cfxMapMarkers.start() end
+
+trigger.action.outText("cfx Map Markers v" .. cfxMapMarkers.version .. " started.", 30)

modules/cfxNDB.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+cfxNDB = {}
+cfxNDB.version = "1.0.0"
+cfxNDB.verbose = false 
+cfxNDB.ups = 10 -- every 10 seconds 
+cfxNDB.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", 
+	"cfxZones",  
+}
+cfxNDB.refresh = 10 -- for moving ndb: interval in secs between refresh  
+cfxNDB.power = 100 
+
+cfxNDB.ndbs = {} -- all ndbs 
+
+--
+-- NDB zone - *** EXTENDS ZONES ***
+--
+
+function cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
+	theNDB.ndbRefreshTime = timer.getTime() + theNDB.ndbRefresh -- only used in linkedUnit, but set up anyway
+	-- generate new ID 
+	theNDB.ndbID = dcsCommon.uuid("ndb")
+	local fileName = "l10n/DEFAULT/" .. theNDB.ndbSound -- need to prepend the resource string
+	local modulation = 0
+	if theNDB.fm then modulation = 1 end 
+	
+	local loc = cfxZones.getPoint(theNDB)
+	trigger.action.radioTransmission(fileName, loc, modulation, true, theNDB.freq, theNDB.power, theNDB.ndbID)
+	
+	if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+		local dsc = ""
+		if theNDB.linkedUnit then 
+			dsc = " (linked to ".. theNDB.linkedUnit:getName() .. "!, r=" .. theNDB.ndbRefresh .. ") "
+		end 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ndb: started " .. theNDB.name .. dsc .. " at " .. theNDB.freq/1000000 .. "mod " .. modulation .. " with w=" .. theNDB.power .. " s=<" .. fileName .. ">", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
+	trigger.action.stopRadioTransmission(theNDB.ndbID)
+end
+
+function cfxNDB.createNDBWithZone(theZone)
+	theZone.freq = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "NDB", 124) -- in MHz
+	-- convert MHz to Hz
+	theZone.freq = theZone.freq * 1000000 -- Hz
+	theZone.fm = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "fm", false) 
+	theZone.ndbSound = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "soundFile", "<none>")
+	theZone.power = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "watts", cfxNDB.power)
+	theZone.loop = true -- always. NDB always loops
+	-- UNSUPPORTED refresh. Although read individually, it only works 
+	-- when LARGER than module's refresh.
+	theZone.ndbRefresh = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ndbRefresh", cfxNDB.refresh) -- only used if linked
+	theZone.ndbRefreshTime = timer.getTime() + theZone.ndbRefresh -- only used with linkedUnit, but set up nonetheless
+	-- start it 
+	cfxNDB.startNDB(theZone)
+	
+	-- add it to my watchlist 
+	table.insert(cfxNDB.ndbs, theZone)
+end
+
+--
+-- update 
+--
+function cfxNDB.update()
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxNDB.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxNDB.ups)
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	-- walk through all NDB and see if they need a refresh
+	for idx, theNDB in pairs (cfxNDB.ndbs) do 
+		-- see if this ndb is linked, meaning it's potentially 
+		-- moving with the linked unit 
+		if theNDB.linkedUnit then 
+			-- yupp, need to update
+			if now > theNDB.ndbRefreshTime then 
+				cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
+				cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- start up
+--
+function cfxNDB.readConfig()
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("ndbConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("***ndb: NO config zone!", 30) 
+		end
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	cfxNDB.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false) 	
+	cfxNDB.ndbRefresh = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ndbRefresh", 10)
+	
+	if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***ndb: read config", 30) 
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxNDB.start()
+	-- lib check 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx NDB", 
+		cfxNDB.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- config 
+	cfxNDB.readConfig()
+	
+	-- read zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("NDB")
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		cfxNDB.createNDBWithZone(aZone)
+	end
+	
+	-- start update 
+	cfxNDB.update()
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+if not cfxNDB.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x NDB aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxNDB = nil 
+end

modules/cfxObjectDestructDetector.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+cfxObjectDestructDetector = {}
+cfxObjectDestructDetector.version = "1.0.1" 
+cfxObjectDestructDetector.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+cfxObjectDestructDetector.verbose = false 
+--[[--
+   VERSION HISTORY 
+   1.0.0 initial version, based on parashoo, arty zones  
+   1.0.1 fixed bug: trigger.MISC.getUserFlag()
+   
+   Detect when an object with OBJECT ID as assigned in ME dies 
+   *** EXTENDS ZONES 
+   
+--]]--
+cfxObjectDestructDetector.objectZones = {}
+
+--
+-- C A L L B A C K S 
+-- 
+cfxObjectDestructDetector.callbacks = {}
+function cfxObjectDestructDetector.addCallback(theCallback)
+	table.insert(cfxObjectDestructDetector.callbacks, theCallback)
+end
+
+function cfxObjectDestructDetector.invokeCallbacksFor(zone)
+	for idx, theCB in pairs (cfxObjectDestructDetector.callbacks) do 
+		theCB(zone, zone.ID, zone.name)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- zone handling
+--
+function cfxObjectDestructDetector.addObjectDetectZone(aZone)
+	-- add landHeight to this zone 
+	table.insert(cfxObjectDestructDetector.objectZones, aZone)
+end
+
+--
+-- processing of zones 
+--
+function cfxObjectDestructDetector.processObjectDestructZone(aZone)
+	aZone.name = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "NAME", aZone.name)
+--	aZone.coalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(aZone, "coalition", 0)
+	aZone.ID = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "OBJECT ID", 1)  -- THIS!
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "setFlag") then 
+		aZone.setFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "setFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f=1") then 
+		aZone.setFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f=1", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "clearFlag") then 
+		aZone.clearFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "clearFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f=0") then 
+		aZone.clearFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f=0", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "increaseFlag") then 
+		aZone.increaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "increaseFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f+1") then 
+		aZone.increaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f+1", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "decreaseFlag") then 
+		aZone.decreaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "decreaseFlag", "999")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f-1") then 
+		aZone.decreaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f-1", "999")
+	end
+end
+--
+-- MAIN DETECTOR
+--
+-- invoke callbacks when an object was destroyed
+function cfxObjectDestructDetector:onEvent(event)
+	if event.id == world.event.S_EVENT_DEAD then
+		if not event.initiator then return end 
+		local id = event.initiator:getName()
+		if not id then return end 
+		
+		for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxObjectDestructDetector.objectZones) do 
+			if aZone.ID == id then 
+				-- flag manipulation 
+				if aZone.setFlag then 
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.setFlag, 1)
+				end
+				if aZone.clearFlag then 
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.clearFlag, 0)
+				end
+				if aZone.increaseFlag then 
+					local val = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.increaseFlag) + 1
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.increaseFlag, val)
+				end
+				if aZone.decreaseFlag then 
+					local val = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag) - 1
+					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag, val)
+				end
+				
+				-- invoke callbacks 
+				cfxObjectDestructDetector.invokeCallbacksFor(aZone)
+				if cfxObjectDestructDetector.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("OBJECT KILL: " .. id, 30)
+				end
+
+				-- we could now remove the object from the list 
+				-- for better performance since it cant
+				-- die twice 
+				
+				return 
+			end
+		end
+		
+    end
+	
+end
+-- add event handler
+
+
+function cfxObjectDestructDetector.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Object Destruct Detector", 
+		cfxObjectDestructDetector.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- collect all zones with 'smoke' attribute 
+	-- collect all spawn zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("OBJECT ID")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		cfxObjectDestructDetector.processObjectDestructZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone properties (extend zone)
+		cfxObjectDestructDetector.addObjectDetectZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+
+	-- add myself as event handler
+	world.addEventHandler(cfxObjectDestructDetector)
+	
+	-- say hi
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Object Destruct Zones v" .. cfxObjectDestructDetector.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go 
+if not cfxObjectDestructDetector.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Object Destruct Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxObjectDestructDetector = nil 
+end

modules/cfxObjectSpawnZones.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,481 @@
+cfxObjectSpawnZones = {}
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.version = "1.1.3"
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course. MUST HAVE RUN
+}
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.ups = 1
+
+--
+-- Zones that conform with this requirements spawn toops automatically
+--   *** DOES NOT EXTEND ZONES *** 
+-- 
+-- version history
+--   1.0.0 - based on 1.4.6 version from cfxSpawnZones
+--   1.1.0 - uses linkedUnit, so spawnming can occur on ships 
+--           make sure you also enable useOffset to place the 
+--           statics away from the center of the ship 
+--   1.1.1 - also processes paused flag 
+--         - despawnRemaining(spawner) 
+--   1.1.2 - autoRemove option re-installed 
+--         - added possibility to autoUnlink
+--   1.1.3 - ME-triggered flag via f? and triggerFlag 
+
+-- Object spawn zones have the following major uses:
+--  - dynamically spawn cargo 
+--  - litter a zone with static obejcts quickly 
+--  - linking static dynamic objects with ships, including cargo  
+--
+--
+-- How do we recognize an object spawn zone?
+-- contains a "objectSpawner" attribute
+-- a spawner must also have the following attributes
+--  - objectSpawner - anything, must be present to signal. put in 'ground' to be able to expand to other types  
+--  - types - type strings, comma separated. They all spawn in the same spot. 
+-- see here: https://github.com/mrSkortch/DCS-miscScripts/tree/master/ObjectDB
+--  - count - repeat types n times. optional, defaults to 1
+--  - country  - defaults to 2 (usa) -- see here https://wiki.hoggitworld.com/view/DCS_enum_country
+--    some important: 0 = Russia, 2 = US, 82 = UN neutral
+--    country is converted to coalition and then assigned to
+--    Joint Task Force <side> upon spawn
+--  - baseName - MANDATORY, for naming spawned objects - MUST BE UNIQUE!!!!
+--  - heading in DEGREES (default 0 = north ) direction entire group is facing 
+--  - weight - weight in kg if transportable
+--  - isCargo - boolean yes means it can be carried by other units
+--  - cooldown - seconds to cool down before re-spawning
+--  - maxSpawns - how many times we spawn. default = 1, -1 = unlimited
+--  - requestable -- via comms menu, will auto-pause 
+--  - managed -- if cargo, it's automatically passed to cfx cargo manager for handling (if cargo manager is loaded) 
+--  - (linkedUnit) for placing on ships 
+--  - (useOffset) for not using ship's center 
+
+-- respawn currently happens after theSpawns is deleted and cooldown seconds have passed 
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners = {}
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.callbacks = {} -- signature: cb(reason, group, spawner)
+ 
+
+--
+-- C A L L B A C K S 
+-- 
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.addCallback(theCallback)
+	table.insert(cfxObjectSpawnZones.callbacks, theCallback)
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.invokeCallbacksFor(reason, theSpawns, theSpawner)
+	for idx, theCB in pairs (cfxObjectSpawnZones.callbacks) do 
+		theCB(reason, theSpawns, theSpawner)
+	end
+end
+
+
+--
+-- creating a spawner
+--
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.createSpawner(inZone)
+	local theSpawner = {}
+	theSpawner.zone = inZone
+	theSpawner.name = inZone.name 
+	
+	-- connect with ME if a trigger flag is given 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "f?") then 
+		theSpawner.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "f?", "none")
+		theSpawner.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.triggerFlag)
+	end
+	
+	--theSpawner.types = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "types")
+	theSpawner.types = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "types", "White_Tyre")
+	local n = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "count", 1) -- DO NOT CONFUSE WITH OWN PROPERTY COUNT for unique names!!!
+	if n < 1 then n = 1 end -- sanity check. 
+	
+	theSpawner.numObj = n 
+	
+	theSpawner.country = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "country", 2) -- coalition2county(theSpawner.owner)
+	
+	theSpawner.rawOwner = coalition.getCountryCoalition(theSpawner.country)
+	theSpawner.baseName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "baseName", dcsCommon.uuid("objSpwn"))
+	--cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "baseName")
+	theSpawner.cooldown = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "cooldown", 60)
+	theSpawner.lastSpawnTimeStamp = -10000 -- just init so it will always work
+	theSpawner.autoRemove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "autoRemove", false)
+	theSpawner.autoLink = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "autoLink", true)
+
+	theSpawner.heading = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "heading", 0)
+	theSpawner.weight = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "weight", 0)
+	if theSpawner.weight < 0 then theSpawner.weight = 0 end 
+	
+	theSpawner.isCargo = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "isCargo", false)
+	if theSpawner.isCargo == true and theSpawner.weight < 100 then theSpawner.weight = 100 end 
+	theSpawner.managed = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "managed", true) -- defaults to managed cargo
+	
+	theSpawner.cdTimer = 0 -- used for cooldown. if timer.getTime < this value, don't spawn
+	-- theSpawner.cdStarted = false -- used to initiate cooldown when all items in theSpawns disappear
+	theSpawner.count = 1 -- used to create names, and count how many groups created
+	theSpawner.theSpawns = {} -- all items that are spawned. re-spawn happens if they are all out
+	theSpawner.maxSpawns = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "maxSpawns", 1)
+	theSpawner.paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "paused", false)
+	theSpawner.requestable = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "requestable", false)
+	if theSpawner.requestable then theSpawner.paused = true end
+	
+	
+	-- see if it is linked to a ship to set realtive orig headiong
+	
+	if inZone.linkedUnit  then
+		local shipUnit = inZone.linkedUnit
+		theSpawner.linkedUnit = shipUnit
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++obSpZ: zone " .. inZone.name .. " linked to ship (?) " .. shipUnit:getName() .. " of cat " .. shipUnit:getCategory(), 30)
+		
+		local origHeading = dcsCommon.getUnitHeadingDegrees(shipUnit)
+		
+		-- calculate initial delta 
+		local delta = dcsCommon.vSub(inZone.point,shipUnit:getPoint()) -- delta = B - A 
+		theSpawner.dx = delta.x 
+		theSpawner.dy = delta.z
+		
+		--theSpawner.dx = inZone.dx 
+		--theSpawner.dy = inZone.dy 
+		theSpawner.origHeading = origHeading
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++obSpZ: with dx = " .. theSpawner.dx .. " dy = " .. theSpawner.dy .. " hdg = " .. origHeading, 30)
+	end
+	return theSpawner
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.addSpawner(aSpawner)
+	cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners[aSpawner.zone] = aSpawner
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.removeSpawner(aSpawner)
+	cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners[aSpawner.zone] = nil
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZone(aZone)
+	return cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners[aZone]
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZoneNamed(aName)
+	local aZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aName) 
+	return cfxObjectSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZone(aZone)
+end
+
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.getRequestableSpawnersInRange(aPoint, aRange, aSide)
+	-- trigger.action.outText("enter requestable spawners for side " .. aSide , 30)
+	if not aSide then aSide = 0 end 
+-- currently, WE FORCE A  SIDE MATCH
+	aSide = 0
+	
+	if not aRange then aRange = 200 end 
+	if not aPoint then return {} end 
+
+	local theSpawners = {}
+	for aZone, aSpawner in pairs(cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners) do 
+		-- iterate all zones and collect those that match 
+		local hasMatch = true 
+		-- update the zone's point if it is linked to a ship, i.e. 
+		local delta = dcsCommon.dist(aPoint, cfxZones.getPoint(aZone))
+		if delta>aRange then hasMatch = false end 
+		if aSide ~= 0 then 
+		--[[--
+			-- check if side is correct for owned zone 
+			
+		--]]--
+		end
+		--[[--
+		if aSide ~= aSpawner.rawOwner then 
+			-- only return spawners with this side
+			-- note: this will NOT work with neutral players 
+			hasMatch = false 
+		end
+		--]]--
+		
+		if not aSpawner.requestable then 
+			hasMatch = false 
+		end
+		
+		if hasMatch then 
+			table.insert(theSpawners, aSpawner)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return theSpawners
+end
+
+--
+-- spawn troops 
+-- 
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(spawner)
+	--[[--
+	-- returns false ONLY if masterSpawn disagrees
+	
+	--]]--
+	return true
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnObjectNTimes(aSpawner, theType, n, container) 
+	if not aSpawner then return end
+	if not container then container = {} end 
+	if not n then n = 1 end
+	if not theType then return end 
+	local aZone = aSpawner.zone 
+	if not aZone then return end 
+	if n < 1 then return end 
+
+	local center = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) -- magically works with moving zones and offset 
+	
+	if n == 1 then 
+		-- spawn in the middle, only a single object
+		local ox = center.x
+		local oy = center.z
+		local theStaticData = dcsCommon.createStaticObjectData(
+			aSpawner.baseName .. "-" .. aSpawner.count, 
+			theType,
+			aSpawner.heading,
+			false, -- dead?
+			aSpawner.isCargo,
+			aSpawner.weight)
+		aSpawner.count = aSpawner.count + 1
+		
+		-- more to global position
+		dcsCommon.moveStaticDataTo(theStaticData, ox, oy)
+		
+		-- if linked, relative-link instead to ship 
+		-- NOTE: it is possible that we have to re-calc heading
+		-- if ship turns relative to original designation position.
+		if aZone.linkedUnit and aZone.autoLink then
+			dcsCommon.linkStaticDataToUnit(
+				theStaticData, 
+				aZone.linkedUnit, 
+				aSpawner.dx, 
+				aSpawner.dy, 
+				aSpawner.origHeading)
+		end 
+		
+		-- spawn in dcs
+		local theObject = coalition.addStaticObject(aSpawner.rawOwner, theStaticData) -- create in dcs
+		table.insert(container, theObject) -- add to collection
+		if aSpawner.isCargo and aSpawner.managed then 
+			if cfxCargoManager then 
+				cfxCargoManager.addCargo(theObject)
+			end
+		end
+		
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	local numObjects = n 
+	local degrees = 3.14157 / 180
+	local degreeIncrement = (360 / numObjects) * degrees
+	local currDegree = 0
+	local missionObjects = {}
+	for i=1, numObjects do 
+		local rx = math.cos(currDegree) * aZone.radius
+		local ry = math.sin(currDegree) * aZone.radius
+		local ox = center.x + rx 
+		local oy = center.z + ry -- note: z!
+		
+		local theStaticData = dcsCommon.createStaticObjectData(
+			aSpawner.baseName .. "-" .. aSpawner.count, 
+			theType,
+			aSpawner.heading,
+			false, -- dead?
+			aSpawner.isCargo,
+			aSpawner.weight)
+
+		theStaticData.canCargo = aSpawner.isCargo -- should be false, but you never know
+		if theStaticData.canCargo then 
+--			theStaticData.mass = aSpawner.weight
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ obSpw is cargo with w=" .. theStaticData.mass .. " for " .. theStaticData.name, 30)
+		end
+		
+		aSpawner.count = aSpawner.count + 1
+		dcsCommon.moveStaticDataTo(theStaticData, ox, oy)
+
+		if aZone.linkedUnit and aZone.autoLink then
+			dcsCommon.linkStaticDataToUnit(theStaticData, aZone.linkedUnit, aSpawner.dx + rx, aSpawner.dy + ry, aSpawner.origHeading)
+		end
+		
+		-- spawn in dcs
+		local theObject = coalition.addStaticObject(aSpawner.rawOwner, theStaticData) -- this will generate an event!
+		table.insert(container, theObject)
+		-- see if it is managed cargo 
+		if aSpawner.isCargo and aSpawner.managed then 
+			if cfxCargoManager then 
+				cfxCargoManager.addCargo(theObject)
+			end
+		end
+		-- update rotation
+		currDegree = currDegree + degreeIncrement
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(aSpawner)
+	
+	if type(aSpawner) == "string" then -- return spawner for zone of that name
+		aSpawner = cfxObjectSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZoneNamed(aName)
+	end
+	if not aSpawner then return end 
+	
+	-- will NOT check if conditions are met. This forces a spawn
+	local unitTypes = {} -- build type names
+	local p = cfxZones.getPoint(aSpawner.zone) -- aSpawner.zone.point  
+		
+	-- split the conf.troopsOnBoardTypes into an array of types
+	unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(aSpawner.types, ",")
+	if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+		table.insert(unitTypes, "White_Flag") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
+	end
+	
+	-- now iterate through all types and create objects for each name
+	-- overlaying them all n times 
+	aSpawner.theSpawns = {} -- forget whatever there was before.
+	for idx, typeName in pairs(unitTypes) do
+		 cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnObjectNTimes(
+				aSpawner, 
+				typeName, 
+				aSpawner.numObj, 
+				aSpawner.theSpawns)
+	end
+	
+	-- reset cooldown (forced) 
+	if true then -- or not spawner.cdStarted then -- forced on 
+		-- no, start cooldown
+		--spawner.cdStarted = true 
+		aSpawner.cdTimer = timer.getTime() + aSpawner.cooldown
+	end
+	
+	-- callback to all who want to know 
+	cfxObjectSpawnZones.invokeCallbacksFor("spawned", aSpawner.theSpawns, aSpawner)
+	
+	-- timestamp so we can check against cooldown on manual spawn
+	aSpawner.lastSpawnTimeStamp = timer.getTime()
+	-- make sure a requestable spawner is always paused 
+	if aSpawner.requestable then 
+		aSpawner.paused = true 
+	end
+	
+	if aSpawner.autoRemove then 
+		-- simply remove the group 
+		aSpawner.theSpawns = {} -- empty group -- forget all
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.despawnRemaining(spawner) 
+	for idx, anObject in pairs (spawner.theSpawns) do
+		if anObject and anObject:isExist() then 
+			anObject:destroy()
+		end		
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- U P D A T E 
+--
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.needsSpawning(spawner)
+		if spawner.paused then return false end 
+		if spawner.requestable then return false end 
+		if spawner.maxSpawns == 0 then return false end 
+		if #spawner.theSpawns > 0 then return false end 
+		if timer.getTime() < spawner.cdTimer then return false end 
+		
+		return cfxObjectSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(spawner)
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.update()
+	cfxObjectSpawnZones.updateSchedule = timer.scheduleFunction(cfxObjectSpawnZones.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxObjectSpawnZones.ups)
+	
+	for key, spawner in pairs (cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners) do 
+		-- see if the spawn is dead or was removed
+		-- forget all dead spawns
+		local objectsToKeep = {}
+--		if not spawner.requestable then 
+		for idx, anObject in pairs (spawner.theSpawns) do 
+			if not anObject:isExist() then
+				--trigger.action.outText("+++ obSpwn: INEXIST removing object in zone " .. spawner.zone.name, 30)
+			elseif anObject:getLife() < 1 then 
+				--trigger.action.outText("+++ obSpwn: dead. removing object ".. anObject:getName() .." in zone " .. spawner.zone.name, 30)
+			else 
+				table.insert(objectsToKeep, anObject)			
+			end
+		end
+--		end
+		
+		-- see if we killed off all objects and start cd if so
+		if #objectsToKeep == 0 and #spawner.theSpawns > 0 then 
+			spawner.cdTimer = timer.getTime() + spawner.cooldown
+		end
+		-- transfer kept items 
+		spawner.theSpawns = objectsToKeep 
+		
+		local needsSpawn = cfxObjectSpawnZones.needsSpawning(spawner)
+		-- check if perhaps our watchtrigger causes spawn
+		if spawner.triggerFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.triggerFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastTriggerValue then
+				needsSpawn = true 
+				spawner.lastTriggerValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+		end		
+		
+		if needsSpawn then 
+			cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(spawner)
+			if spawner.maxSpawns > 0 then 
+				spawner.maxSpawns = spawner.maxSpawns - 1
+			end
+			if spawner.maxSpawns == 0 then 
+				spawner.paused = true 
+
+			end
+		else 
+			-- trigger.action.outText("+++ NOSPAWN for zone " .. spawner.zone.name, 30)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxObjectSpawnZones.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Object Spawn Zones", 
+		cfxObjectSpawnZones.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- collect all spawn zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("objectSpawner")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		local aSpawner = cfxObjectSpawnZones.createSpawner(aZone)
+		cfxObjectSpawnZones.addSpawner(aSpawner)
+		if (not aSpawner.paused) and 
+		   cfxObjectSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(aSpawner) and
+		   aSpawner.maxSpawns ~= 0 
+		then 
+			cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(aSpawner)
+			-- update spawn count and make sure we haven't spawned the one and only 
+			if aSpawner.maxSpawns > 0 then 
+				aSpawner.maxSpawns = aSpawner.maxSpawns - 1
+			end
+			if aSpawner.maxSpawns == 0 then 
+				aSpawner.paused = true 
+				--trigger.action.outText("+++ maxspawn -- turning off  zone " .. aSpawner.zone.name, 30)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- and start the regular update calls
+	cfxObjectSpawnZones.update()
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Object Spawn Zones v" .. cfxObjectSpawnZones.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true
+end
+
+if not cfxObjectSpawnZones.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Spawn Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxObjectSpawnZones = nil 
+end
+
+--[[--
+IMPROVEMENTS
+ 'formations' - concentric, pile, random, array etc.
+--]]--

modules/cfxOwnedZones.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,860 @@
+cfxOwnedZones = {}
+cfxOwnedZones.version = "1.1.0"
+cfxOwnedZones.verbose = false 
+cfxOwnedZones.announcer = true 
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+
+1.0.3 - added getNearestFriendlyZone
+	  - added getNearestOwnedZone
+	  - added hasOwnedZones
+	  - added getNearestOwnedZoneToPoint
+1.0.4 - changed addOwnedZone code to use cfxZone.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty 
+      - changed to use dcsCommon.coalition2county 
+      - changed to using correct coalition for spawing attackers and defenders 
+1.0.5 - repairing defenders switches to country instead coalition when calling createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition -- fixed 
+1.0.6 - removed call to conqTemplate
+      - verified that pause will also apply to init 
+	  - unbeatable zones 
+	  - untargetable zones 
+	  - hidden attribute 
+1.0.7 - optional cfxGroundTroops module, error message when attackers
+      - support of 'none' type string to indicate no attackers/defenders 
+	  - updated property access 
+	  - module check 
+	  - cfxOwnedTroop.usesDefenders(aZone)
+	  - verifyZone
+1.0.8 - repairDefenders trims types to allow blanks in 
+        type separator 
+1.1.0 - config zone 
+	  - bang! support r, b, n capture
+	  - defaulting attackDelta to 10 instead of radius 
+	  - verbose code for spawning
+	  - verbose code for state transition 
+	  - attackers have (A) in name, defenders (D)
+	  - exit createDefenders if no troops
+	  - exit createAttackers if no troops 
+	  - usesAttackers/usesDefenders checks for neutral ownership 
+	  - verbose state change 
+	  - nearestZone supports moving zones 
+	  - remove exiting defenders from zone after cap to avoid 
+	    shocked state
+      - announcer 		
+	  
+--]]--
+cfxOwnedZones.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxCommander", -- to make troops do stuff
+--	"cfxGroundTroops", -- optional, used for attackers only
+}
+
+cfxOwnedZones.zones = {}
+cfxOwnedZones.ups = 1
+cfxOwnedZones.initialized = false 
+cfxOwnedZones.defendingTime = 100 -- 100 seconds until new defenders are produced
+cfxOwnedZones.attackingTime = 300 -- 300 seconds until new attackers are produced 
+cfxOwnedZones.shockTime = 200 -- 200 -- 'shocked' period of inactivity
+cfxOwnedZones.repairTime = 200 -- 200 -- time until we raplace one lost unit, also repairs all other units to 100%  
+
+-- owned zones is a module that managers 'conquerable' zones and keeps a 
+-- record of who owns the zone
+-- based on some simple rules that are regularly checked 
+
+-- 
+-- *** EXTENTDS ZONES ***, so compatible with cfxZones, pilotSafe (limited airframes), may conflict with FARPZones 
+--
+
+-- owned zones are identified by the 'owner' property. It can be initially set to nothing (default), NEUTRAL, RED or BLUE
+
+-- when a zone changes hands, a callback can be installed to be told of that fact
+-- callback has the format (zone, newOwner, formerOwner) with zone being the Zone, and new owner and former owners
+cfxOwnedZones.conqueredCallbacks = {}
+
+--
+-- zone attributes when owned
+--  owner: coalition that owns the zone
+--  status: FSM for spawning
+--  defendersRED/BLUE - coma separated type string for the group to spawm on defense cycle completion
+--  attackersRED/BLUE - as above for attack cycle. 
+--  timeStamp - time when zone switched into current state 
+--  spawnRadius - overrides zone's radius when placing defenders. can be use to place defenders inside or outside zone itself
+--  formation - defender's formation
+--  attackFormation - attackers formation 
+--  attackRadius - radius of circle in which attackers are spawned. informs formation 
+--  attackDelta - polar coord: r from zone center where attackers are spawned
+--  attackPhi - polar degrees where attackers are to be spawned
+--  paused - will not spawn. default is false 
+--  unbeatable - can't be conquered by other side. default is false
+--  untargetable - will not be targeted by either side. make unbeatable
+--  owned zones untargetable, or they'll become a troop magnet for 
+--  zoneAttackers 
+--  hidden - if set (default no), it no markings on the map
+--
+-- to create an owned zone that can't be conquered and does nothing
+-- add the following properties to a zone 
+-- owner = <x>, paused = true, unbeatable = true 
+
+--
+-- callback handling
+--
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.addCallBack(conqCallback)
+	local cb = {}
+	cb.callback = conqCallback -- we use this so we can add more data later
+	cfxOwnedZones.conqueredCallbacks[conqCallback] = cb
+	
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.invokeConqueredCallbacks(aZone, newOwner, lastOwner)
+	for key, cb in pairs (cfxOwnedZones.conqueredCallbacks) do 
+		cb.aZone = aZone -- set these up for if we need them later
+		cb.newOwner = newOwner
+		cb.lastOwner = lastOwner
+		-- invoke callback
+		cb.callback(aZone, newOwner, lastOwner)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.side2name(theSide)
+	if theSide == 1 then return "REDFORCE" end
+	if theSide == 2 then return "BLUEFORCE" end
+	return "Neutral"
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.conqTemplate(aZone, newOwner, lastOwner) 
+	if true then return end -- do not output
+
+	if lastOwner == 0 then 
+		trigger.action.outText(cfxOwnedZones.side2name(newOwner) .. " have taken possession zone " .. aZone.name, 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("Zone " .. aZone.name .. " was taken by ".. cfxOwnedZones.side2name(newOwner) .. " from " .. cfxOwnedZones.side2name(lastOwner), 30)
+end
+
+--
+-- M I S C
+--
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.drawZoneInMap(aZone)
+	-- will save markID in zone's markID
+	if aZone.markID then 
+		trigger.action.removeMark(aZone.markID)
+	end 
+	if aZone.hidden then return end 
+	
+	local lineColor = {1.0, 0, 0, 1.0} -- red 
+	local fillColor = {1.0, 0, 0, 0.2} -- red 
+	local owner = cfxOwnedZones.getOwnerForZone(aZone)
+	if owner == 2 then 
+		lineColor = {0.0, 0, 1.0, 1.0}
+		fillColor = {0.0, 0, 1.0, 0.2}
+	elseif owner == 0 then 
+		lineColor = {0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 1.0}
+		fillColor = {0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 0.2}
+	end
+	
+	local theShape = 2 -- circle
+	local markID = dcsCommon.numberUUID()
+
+	trigger.action.circleToAll(-1, markID, aZone.point, aZone.radius, lineColor, fillColor, 1, true, "")
+	aZone.markID = markID 
+	
+end
+
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.addOwnedZone(aZone)
+	local owner = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(aZone, "owner", 0) -- is already readm read it again
+
+	aZone.owner = owner -- add this attribute to zone 
+	
+	-- now init all other owned zone properties
+	aZone.state = "init"
+	aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+	--aZone.defendersRED = "Soldier M4,Soldier M4,Soldier M4,Soldier M4,Soldier M4" -- vehicles allocated to defend when red
+
+	aZone.defendersRED = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "defendersRED", "none")
+	aZone.defendersBLUE = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "defendersBLUE", "none")
+
+	aZone.attackersRED = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "attackersRED", "none")
+	aZone.attackersBLUE = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "attackersBLUE", "none")
+	
+	local formation = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(aZone, "formation")
+	if not formation then formation = "circle_out" end 
+	aZone.formation = formation
+	formation = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(aZone, "attackFormation")
+	if not formation then formation = "circle_out" end
+	aZone.attackFormation = formation 
+	local spawnRadius = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "spawnRadius", aZone.radius-5) -- "-5" so they remaininside radius 
+
+	aZone.spawnRadius = spawnRadius
+	
+	local attackRadius = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "attackRadius", aZone.radius)
+	aZone.attackRadius = attackRadius
+	local attackDelta = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "attackDelta", 10) -- aZone.radius)
+	aZone.attackDelta = attackDelta
+	local attackPhi = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "attackPhi", 0)
+	aZone.attackPhi = attackPhi 
+	
+	local paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "paused", false)
+	aZone.paused = paused 
+	
+	aZone.unbeatable = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "unbeatable", false)
+	aZone.untargetable = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "untargetable", false)
+	aZone.hidden = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "hidden", false)
+	cfxOwnedZones.zones[aZone] = aZone 
+	cfxOwnedZones.drawZoneInMap(aZone)
+	cfxOwnedZones.verifyZone(aZone)
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.verifyZone(aZone)
+	-- do some sanity checks
+	if not cfxGroundTroops and (aZone.attackersRED ~= "none" or aZone.attackersBLUE ~= "none") then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: " .. aZone.name .. " attackers need cfxGroundTroops to function")
+	end
+	
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.getOwnerForZone(aZone)
+	local theZone = cfxOwnedZones.zones[aZone]
+	if not theZone then return 0 end -- unknown zone, return neutral as default 
+	return theZone.owner
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.getEnemyZonesFor(aCoalition) 
+	local enemyZones = {}
+	local ourEnemy = dcsCommon.getEnemyCoalitionFor(aCoalition)
+	for zKey, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do 
+		if aZone.owner == ourEnemy then -- only check enemy owned zones
+			-- note: will include untargetable zones 
+			table.insert(enemyZones, aZone)			
+		end
+	end
+	return enemyZones
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.getNearestOwnedZoneToPoint(aPoint)
+	local shortestDist = math.huge
+	local closestZone = nil
+	
+	for zKey, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do 
+		local zPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) 
+		currDist = dcsCommon.dist(zPoint, aPoint)
+		if aZone.untargetable ~= true and 
+		   currDist < shortestDist then 
+			shortestDist = currDist
+			closestZone = aZone
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return closestZone, shortestDist
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.getNearestOwnedZone(theZone)
+	local shortestDist = math.huge
+	local closestZone = nil
+	local aPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
+	for zKey, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do
+		local zPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) 
+		currDist = dcsCommon.dist(zPoint, aPoint)
+		if aZone.untargetable ~= true and currDist < shortestDist then 
+			shortestDist = currDist
+			closestZone = aZone
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return closestZone, shortestDist
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.getNearestEnemyOwnedZone(theZone, targetNeutral)
+	if not targetNeutral then targetNeutral = false else targetNeutral = true end
+	local shortestDist = math.huge
+	local closestZone = nil
+	local ourEnemy = dcsCommon.getEnemyCoalitionFor(theZone.owner)
+	if not ourEnemy then return nil end -- we called for a neutral zone. they have no enemies 
+	local zPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
+	
+	for zKey, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do 
+		if targetNeutral then 
+			-- return all zones that do not belong to us
+			if aZone.owner ~= theZone.owner then 
+				local aPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+				currDist = dcsCommon.dist(aPoint, zPoint)
+				if aZone.untargetable ~= true and currDist < shortestDist then 
+					shortestDist = currDist
+					closestZone = aZone
+				end
+			end
+		else 
+			-- return zones that are taken by the Enenmy
+			if aZone.owner == ourEnemy then -- only check own zones
+				local aPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+				currDist = dcsCommon.dist(zPoint, aPoint)
+				if aZone.untargetable ~= true and currDist < shortestDist then 
+					shortestDist = currDist
+					closestZone = aZone
+				end
+			end
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	return closestZone, shortestDist
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.getNearestFriendlyZone(theZone, targetNeutral)
+	if not targetNeutral then targetNeutral = false else targetNeutral = true end
+	local shortestDist = math.huge
+	local closestZone = nil
+	local ourEnemy = dcsCommon.getEnemyCoalitionFor(theZone.owner)
+	if not ourEnemy then return nil end -- we called for a neutral zone. they have no enemies nor friends, all zones would be legal.
+	local zPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
+	for zKey, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do 
+		if targetNeutral then 
+			-- target all zones that do not belong to the enemy
+			if aZone.owner ~= ourEnemy then
+				local aPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+				currDist = dcsCommon.dist(zPoint, aPoint)
+				if aZone.untargetable ~= true and currDist < shortestDist then 
+					shortestDist = currDist
+					closestZone = aZone
+				end
+			end
+		else 
+			-- only target zones that are taken by us
+			if aZone.owner == theZone.owner then -- only check own zones
+				local aPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(aZone)
+				currDist = dcsCommon.dist(zPoint, aPoint)
+				if aZone.untargetable ~= true and currDist < shortestDist then 
+					shortestDist = currDist
+					closestZone = aZone
+				end
+			end
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	return closestZone, shortestDist
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.enemiesRemaining(aZone)
+	if cfxOwnedZones.getNearestEnemyOwnedZone(aZone) then return true end
+	return false
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.spawnAttackTroops(theTypes, aZone, aCoalition, aFormation)
+	local unitTypes = {} -- build type names
+	-- split theTypes into an array of types
+	unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(theTypes, ",")
+	if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+		table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
+		-- simply exit, no troops specified 
+		if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: no attackers for " .. aZone.name .. ". exiting", 30)
+		end
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: spawning attackers for " .. aZone.name, 30)
+	end
+		
+	--local theCountry = dcsCommon.coalition2county(aCoalition) 
+	
+	local spawnPoint = {x = aZone.point.x, y = aZone.point.y, z = aZone.point.z} -- copy struct 
+	
+	local rads = aZone.attackPhi * 0.01745
+	spawnPoint.x = spawnPoint.x + math.cos(aZone.attackPhi) * aZone.attackDelta
+	spawnPoint.y = spawnPoint.y + math.sin(aZone.attackPhi) * aZone.attackDelta 
+	
+	local spawnZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("attkSpawnZone", spawnPoint, aZone.attackRadius)
+	
+	local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+				aCoalition, -- theCountry,							
+				aZone.name .. " (A) " .. dcsCommon.numberUUID(), -- must be unique 
+				spawnZone, 											
+				unitTypes, 													
+				aFormation, -- outward facing
+				0)
+	return theGroup
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.spawnDefensiveTroops(theTypes, aZone, aCoalition, aFormation)
+	local unitTypes = {} -- build type names
+	-- split theTypes into an array of types
+	unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(theTypes, ",")
+	if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+		table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
+		-- simply exit, no troops specified 
+		if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: no defenders for " .. aZone.name .. ". exiting", 30)
+		end
+		return
+	end
+	
+	--local theCountry = dcsCommon.coalition2county(aCoalition) 
+	local spawnZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("spawnZone", aZone.point, aZone.spawnRadius)
+	local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+				aCoalition, --theCountry,				
+				aZone.name .. " (D) " .. dcsCommon.numberUUID(), -- must be unique 
+				spawnZone, 										unitTypes,
+				aFormation, -- outward facing
+				0)
+	return theGroup
+end
+--
+-- U P D A T E 
+--
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.sendOutAttackers(aZone)
+	-- only spawn if there are zones to attack
+	if not cfxOwnedZones.enemiesRemaining(aZone) then 
+		if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ - no enemies, resting ".. aZone.name, 30)
+		end
+		return 
+	end
+
+	if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ - attack cycle for ".. aZone.name, 30)
+	end
+	-- load the attacker typestring
+
+	-- step one: get the attackers 
+	local attackers = aZone.attackersRED;
+	if (aZone.owner == 2) then attackers = aZone.attackersBLUE end
+
+	if attackers == "none" then return end 
+
+	local theGroup = cfxOwnedZones.spawnAttackTroops(attackers, aZone, aZone.owner, aZone.attackFormation)
+	
+	-- submit them to ground troops handler as zoneseekers 
+	-- and our groundTroops module will handle the rest 
+	if cfxGroundTroops then 
+		local troops = cfxGroundTroops.createGroundTroops(theGroup)
+		troops.orders = "attackOwnedZone"
+		troops.side = aZone.owner
+		cfxGroundTroops.addGroundTroopsToPool(troops) -- hand off to ground troops
+	else 
+		if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ Owned Zones: no ground troops module on send out attackers", 30)
+		end 
+	end
+end
+
+-- bang support 
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.bangNeutral(value)
+	if not cfxOwnedZones.neutralTriggerFlag then return end 
+	local newVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(cfxOwnedZones.neutralTriggerFlag) + value 
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag(cfxOwnedZones.neutralTriggerFlag, newVal)
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.bangRed(value)
+	if not cfxOwnedZones.redTriggerFlag then return end 
+	local newVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(cfxOwnedZones.redTriggerFlag) + value 
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag(cfxOwnedZones.redTriggerFlag, newVal)
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.bangBlue(value)
+	if not cfxOwnedZones.blueTriggerFlag then return end 
+	local newVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(cfxOwnedZones.blueTriggerFlag) + value 
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag(cfxOwnedZones.blueTriggerFlag, newVal)
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.bangSide(theSide, value)
+	if theSide == 2 then 
+		cfxOwnedZones.bangBlue(value)
+		return 
+	end 
+	if theSide == 1 then 
+		cfxOwnedZones.bangRed(value)
+		return 
+	end 
+	cfxOwnedZones.bangNeutral(value)
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.zoneConquered(aZone, theSide, formerOwner) -- 0 = neutral 1 = RED 2 = BLUE 
+	local who = "REDFORCE"
+	if theSide == 2 then who = "BLUEFORCE" end
+	if cfxOwnedZones.announcer then 
+		trigger.action.outText(who .. " have secured zone " .. aZone.name, 30)
+		aZone.owner = theSide
+		-- play different sounds depending on who's won
+		if theSide == 1 then 
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(1, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(2, "Death BRASS.wav")
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(2, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(1, "Death BRASS.wav")
+		end
+	end 
+	-- invoke callbacks now
+	cfxOwnedZones.invokeConqueredCallbacks(aZone, theSide, formerOwner)
+	
+	-- bang! flag support 
+	cfxOwnedZones.bangSide(theSide, 1) -- winner 
+	cfxOwnedZones.bangSide(formerOwner, -1) -- loser 
+	
+	-- update map
+	cfxOwnedZones.drawZoneInMap(aZone) -- update status in map. will erase previous version 
+	-- remove all defenders to avoid shock state 
+	aZone.defenders = nil
+
+	-- change to captured 
+	
+	aZone.state = "captured"
+	aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.repairDefenders(aZone)
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++ enter repair for ".. aZone.name, 30)
+	-- find a unit that is missing from my typestring and replace it 
+	-- one by one until we are back to full strength
+	-- step one: get the defenders and create a type array 
+	local defenders = aZone.defendersRED;
+	if (aZone.owner == 2) then defenders = aZone.defendersBLUE end
+	local unitTypes = {} -- build type names
+	
+	-- if none, we are done
+	if defenders == "none" then return end 
+
+	-- split theTypes into an array of types	
+	allTypes = dcsCommon.trimArray(
+			dcsCommon.splitString(defenders, ",")
+		)
+	local livingTypes = {} -- init to emtpy, so we can add to it if none are alive
+	if (aZone.defenders) then 
+		-- some remain. add one of the killed
+		livingTypes = dcsCommon.getGroupTypes(aZone.defenders)
+		-- we now iterate over the living types, and remove their 
+		-- counterparts from the allTypes. We then take the first that 
+		-- is left
+		
+		if #livingTypes > 0 then 
+			for key, aType in pairs (livingTypes) do 
+				if not dcsCommon.findAndRemoveFromTable(allTypes, aType) then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++OwdZ WARNING: found unmatched type <" .. aType .. "> while trying to repair defenders for ".. aZone.name, 30)
+				else 
+					-- all good
+				end 
+			end
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	-- when we get here, allTypes is reduced to those that have been killed 
+	if #allTypes < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: WARNING: all types exist when repairing defenders for ".. aZone.name, 30)
+	else 
+		table.insert(livingTypes, allTypes[1]) -- we simply use the first that we find
+	end
+	-- remove the old defenders
+	if aZone.defenders then 
+		aZone.defenders:destroy()
+	end
+	
+	-- now livingTypes holds the full array of units we need to spawn 
+	local theCountry = dcsCommon.getACountryForCoalition(aZone.owner) 
+	local spawnZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("spawnZone", aZone.point, aZone.spawnRadius)
+	local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+				aZone.owner, -- was wrongly: theCountry		
+				aZone.name .. dcsCommon.numberUUID(), -- must be unique 
+				spawnZone, 											
+				livingTypes, 
+				
+				aZone.formation, -- outward facing
+				0)
+	aZone.defenders = theGroup
+	aZone.lastDefenders = theGroup:getSize()
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.inShock(aZone)
+	-- a unit was destroyed, everyone else is in shock, no rerpairs 
+	-- group can re-shock when another unit is destroyed 
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.spawnDefenders(aZone)
+	local defenders = aZone.defendersRED;
+	
+	if (aZone.owner == 2) then defenders = aZone.defendersBLUE end
+	-- before we spawn new defenders, remove the old ones
+	if aZone.defenders then 
+		if aZone.defenders:isExist() then 
+			aZone.defenders:destroy()
+		end
+		aZone.defenders = nil
+	end
+	
+	-- if 'none', simply exit
+	if defenders == "none" then return end
+	
+	local theGroup = cfxOwnedZones.spawnDefensiveTroops(defenders, aZone, aZone.owner, aZone.formation)
+	-- the troops reamin, so no orders to move, no handing off to ground troop manager
+	aZone.defenders = theGroup;
+	if theGroup then 
+		aZone.defenderMax = theGroup:getInitialSize() -- so we can determine if some units were destroyed
+		aZone.lastDefenders = aZone.defenderMax -- if this is larger than current number, someone bit the dust  
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++ spawned defenders for ".. aZone.name, 30)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: WARNING: spawned no defenders for ".. aZone.name, 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+--
+-- per-zone update, run down the FSM to determine what to do.
+-- FSM uses timeStamp since when state was set. Possible states are 
+--	- init -- has just been inited for the first time. will usually immediately produce defenders, 
+--    and then transition to defending 
+--  - catured -- has just been captured. transition to defending 
+--  - defending -- wait until timer has reached goal, then produce defending units and transition to attacking. 
+--  - attacking -- wait until timer has reached goal, and then produce attacking units and send them to closest enemy zone.
+--                 state is interrupted as soon as a defensive unit is lost. state then goes to defending with timer starting
+--  - idle - do nothing, zone's actions are turned off 
+--  - shocked -- a unit was destroyed. group is in shock for a time until it starts repairing. If another unit is 
+--               destroyed during the shocked period, the timer resets to zero and repairs are delayed
+--  - repairing -- as long as we aren't at full strength, units get replaced one by one until at full strength
+--                 each time the timer counts down, another missing unit is replaced, and all other unit's health 
+--                 is reset to 100%
+--  
+--  a Zone with the paused attribute set to true will cause it to not do anything 
+--
+-- check if defenders are specified
+function cfxOwnedZones.usesDefenders(aZone) 
+	if aZone.owner == 0 then return false end 
+	local defenders = aZone.defendersRED;	
+	if (aZone.owner == 2) then defenders = aZone.defendersBLUE end
+	
+	return defenders ~= "none"
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.usesAttackers(aZone) 
+	if aZone.owner == 0 then return false end 
+	local attackers = aZone.attackersRED;	
+	if (aZone.owner == 2) then defenders = aZone.attackersBLUE end
+	
+	return attackers ~= "none"
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.updateZone(aZone)
+	-- a zone can be paused, causing it to not progress anything
+	-- even if zone status is still init, will NOT produce anything
+	-- if paused is on.
+	if aZone.paused then return end 
+
+	nextState = aZone.state;
+	
+	-- first, check if my defenders have been attacked and one of them has been killed
+	-- if so, we immediately switch to 'shocked' 
+	if cfxOwnedZones.usesDefenders(aZone) and 
+	   aZone.defenders then 
+		-- we have defenders
+		if aZone.defenders:isExist() then
+			-- isee if group was damaged 
+			if aZone.defenders:getSize() < aZone.lastDefenders then 
+				-- yes, at least one unit destroyed
+				aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+				aZone.lastDefenders = aZone.defenders:getSize()
+				if aZone.lastDefenders == 0 then 
+					aZone.defenders = nil
+				end
+				aZone.state = "shocked"
+
+				return 
+			end
+			
+		else 
+			-- group was destroyed. erase link, and go into shock for the last time 
+			aZone.state = "shocked"
+			aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+			aZone.lastDefenders = 0
+			aZone.defenders = nil
+
+			return 
+		end
+	end
+	
+	
+	if aZone.state == "init" then 
+		-- during init we instantly create the defenders since 
+		-- we assume the zone existed already 
+		if aZone.owner > 0 then 
+			cfxOwnedZones.spawnDefenders(aZone)
+			-- now drop into attacking mode to produce attackers
+			nextState = "attacking"
+		else 
+			nextState = "idle"
+		end
+		
+		aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+	
+	elseif aZone.state == "idle" then
+		-- nothing to do, zone is effectively switched off.
+		-- used for neutal zones or when forced to turn off
+		-- in some special cases 
+		
+	elseif aZone.state == "captured" then 
+		-- start the clock on defenders
+		nextState = "defending"
+		aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+		if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: State " .. aZone.state .. " to " .. nextState .. " for " .. aZone.name, 30)
+		end 
+	elseif aZone.state == "defending" then 
+		if timer.getTime() > aZone.timeStamp + cfxOwnedZones.defendingTime then 
+			cfxOwnedZones.spawnDefenders(aZone)
+			-- now drop into attacking mode to produce attackers
+			nextState = "attacking"
+			aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+			if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: State " .. aZone.state .. " to " .. nextState .. " for " .. aZone.name, 30)
+			end
+		end
+
+	elseif aZone.state == "repairing" then 
+		-- we are currently rebuilding defenders unit by unit 
+		if timer.getTime() > aZone.timeStamp + cfxOwnedZones.repairTime then 
+			aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+			cfxOwnedZones.repairDefenders(aZone)
+			if aZone.defenders:getSize() >= aZone.defenderMax then
+--				
+				-- we are at max size, time to produce some attackers
+				nextState = "attacking"
+				aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+				if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: State " .. aZone.state .. " to " .. nextState .. " for " .. aZone.name, 30)
+				end
+			end
+			-- see if we are full strenght and if so go to attack, else set timer to reair the next unit
+		end
+		
+	elseif aZone.state == "shocked" then 
+		-- we are currently rebuilding defenders unit by unit 
+		if timer.getTime() > aZone.timeStamp + cfxOwnedZones.shockTime then 
+			nextState = "repairing"
+			aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+			if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: State " .. aZone.state .. " to " .. nextState .. " for " .. aZone.name, 30)
+			end
+		end
+		
+	elseif aZone.state == "attacking" then 
+		if timer.getTime() > aZone.timeStamp + cfxOwnedZones.attackingTime then 
+			cfxOwnedZones.sendOutAttackers(aZone)
+			-- reset timer
+			aZone.timeStamp = timer.getTime()
+			if cfxOwnedZones.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++owdZ: State " .. aZone.state .. " reset for " .. aZone.name, 30)
+			end
+		end
+	else 
+		-- unknown zone state 
+	end
+	aZone.state = nextState
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.update()
+	cfxOwnedZones.updateSchedule = timer.scheduleFunction(cfxOwnedZones.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxOwnedZones.ups)
+	
+	-- iterate all zones, and determine their current ownership status 
+	for key, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do 
+		-- a hand change can only happen if there are only ground troops from the OTHER side in 
+		-- the zone 
+		local categ = Group.Category.GROUND
+		local theBlues = cfxZones.groupsOfCoalitionPartiallyInZone(2, aZone, categ)
+		local theReds = cfxZones.groupsOfCoalitionPartiallyInZone(1, aZone, categ)
+		local currentOwner = aZone.owner
+		if #theBlues > 0 and #theReds == 0 and aZone.unbeatable ~= true then 
+			-- this now belongs to blue
+			if currentOwner ~= 2 then 
+				cfxOwnedZones.zoneConquered(aZone, 2, currentOwner)
+			end
+		elseif #theBlues == 0 and #theReds > 0 and aZone.unbeatable ~= true then 
+			-- this now belongs to red 
+			if currentOwner ~= 1 then 
+				cfxOwnedZones.zoneConquered(aZone, 1, currentOwner)
+			end
+		end 
+		
+		-- now, perhaps with their new owner call updateZone()
+		cfxOwnedZones.updateZone(aZone)
+	end
+	
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.sideOwnsAll(theSide) 
+	for key, aZone in pairs(cfxOwnedZones.zones) do 
+		if aZone.owner ~= theSide then 
+			return false
+		end
+	end
+	-- if we get here, all your base are belong to us 
+	return true
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.hasOwnedZones() 
+	for idx, zone in pairs (cfxOwnedZones.zones) do
+		return true -- even the first returns true
+	end
+	-- no owned zones
+	return false 
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.readConfigZone(theZone)
+	cfxOwnedZones.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	cfxOwnedZones.announcer = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "announcer", true)
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "r!") then 
+		cfxOwnedZones.redTriggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "r!", "<none>")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "b!") then 
+		cfxOwnedZones.blueTriggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "b!", "<none>")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "n!") then 
+		cfxOwnedZones.neutralTriggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "n!", "<none>")
+	end
+	cfxOwnedZones.defendingTime = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "defendingTime", 100)
+	cfxOwnedZones.attackingTime = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "attackingTime", 300)
+	cfxOwnedZones.shockTime = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "shockTime", 200)
+	cfxOwnedZones.repairTime = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "repairTime", 200)
+end
+
+function cfxOwnedZones.init()
+	-- check libs
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Owned Zones", 
+		cfxOwnedZones.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+
+	-- read my config zone
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("ownedZonesConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ownZ: no config", 30)
+	else
+		cfxOwnedZones.readConfigZone(theZone)
+	end
+	
+	-- collect all owned zones by their 'owner' property 
+	-- start the process
+	local pZones = cfxZones.zonesWithProperty("owner")
+	
+	-- now add all zones to my zones table, and convert the owner property into 
+	-- a proper attribute 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(pZones) do
+		cfxOwnedZones.addOwnedZone(aZone)
+	end
+	
+	initialized = true 
+	cfxOwnedZones.updateSchedule = timer.scheduleFunction(cfxOwnedZones.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxOwnedZones.ups)
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cx/x owned zones v".. cfxOwnedZones.version .. " started", 30)
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+if not cfxOwnedZones.init() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Owned Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxOwnedZones = nil 
+end
+
+
+

modules/cfxPlayer.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,644 @@
+-- cfx player handler for DCS Missions by cf/x AG
+-- 
+-- a module that provides easy access to a mission's player data
+-- multi-player only
+--
+
+cfxPlayer = {}
+						   -- a call to cfxPlayer.start()
+cfxPlayer.version = "3.0.1"
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+
+- 2.2.3 - fixed isPlayerUnit() wrong return of true instead of nil
+- 2.2.4 - getFirstGroupPlayer
+- 2.3.0 - added event filtering for monitors
+        - limited code clean-up
+		- removed XXXmatchUnitToPlayer
+		- corrected isPlayerUnit once more
+		- removed autostart option
+		- removed detectPlayersLeaving option 
+- 3.0.0 - added detection of network players 
+        - added new events newPlayer, changePlayer 
+		- and leavePlayer (never called)
+- 3.0.1 - isPlayerUnit guard against scenery object or map object 
+--]]--
+
+cfxPlayer.verbose = false;
+cfxPlayer.running = false 
+cfxPlayer.ups = 1 -- updates per second: how often do we query the players 
+				  -- a good value is 1
+cfxPlayer.playerDB = {} -- the list of all player UNITS
+		-- attributes
+			-- name - name of unit occupied by player
+			-- unit - unit this player is controlling
+			-- unitName - same as name
+			-- group - group this unit belongs to. can't change without also changing unit
+			-- groupName - name of group
+			-- coalition
+cfxPlayerGroups = {} -- GLOBAL VAR 
+-- list of all current groups that have players in them 
+-- can call out to handlers if group is added or removed
+-- use this in MP games to organise messaging and keep score
+-- by default, groupinfo merely contains the .group reference 
+-- and is accessed by name as key which is also accessible by .name
+			
+cfxPlayer.netPlayers = {} -- new for version 3: real player detection
+-- a dict sorted by player name that containts the unit name for last pass 
+
+cfxPlayer.updateSchedule = 0 -- ID used for scheduling update
+cfxPlayer.coalitionSides = {0, 1, 2} -- we currently have neutral, red, blue
+
+cfxPlayer.monitors = {} -- callbacks for events
+
+---
+-- structure of playerInfo
+--   - name - player's unit name
+--   - unit - the unit the player is occupying. Multi-Crew: many people can be in same unit
+--   - unitName same as name 
+
+--   - coalition - the side the unit is on, as a number 
+function cfxPlayer.dumpRawPlayers()
+	trigger.action.outText("+++ debug: raw player dump ---", 30)
+	for i=1, #cfxPlayer.coalitionSides do 
+		local theSide = cfxPlayer.coalitionSides[i] 
+		-- get all players for this side
+		local thePlayers = coalition.getPlayers(theSide) 
+		for p=1, #thePlayers do 
+			aPlayerUnit = thePlayers[p] -- docs say this is a unit table, not a person table!
+			trigger.action.outText(i .. "-" .. p ..": unit: " .. aPlayerUnit:getName() .. " controlled by " .. aPlayerUnit:getPlayerName() , 30)
+		end
+	end
+	trigger.action.outText("+++ debug: END DUMP ----", 30)
+end
+
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAllPlayers()
+	return cfxPlayer.playerDB -- get entire db. make sure not to screw around with it
+end
+
+
+function cfxPlayer.getPlayerInfoByName(theUnitName) -- note: UNIT name
+	thePlayer = cfxPlayer.playerDB[theUnitName] -- access the entry, not we are accessing by unit name
+	return thePlayer
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getPlayerInfoByIndex(theIndex) 
+	local enumeratedInfo = dcsCommon.enumerateTable(cfxPlayer.playerDB)
+	if (theIndex > #enumeratedInfo) then
+		trigger.action.outText("WARNING: player index " .. theIndex .. " out of bounds - max = " .. #enumeratedInfo, 30)
+		return nil end
+	if (theIndex < 1) then return nil end
+	
+	return enumeratedInfo[theIndex]
+end
+
+-- this is now a true/false function that returns true if unit is player 
+function cfxPlayer.XXXmatchUnitToPlayer(theUnit) -- what's difference to getPlayerInfo? GetPlayerInfo ALLOCATES if not exists 
+
+	if not (theUnit) then return false end
+	if not (theUnit:isExist()) then return false end 
+	
+	-- PATCH: if theUnit:getPlayerName() returns anything but nil
+	-- this is a player unit
+    -- unfortunately, this can sometimes fail
+	-- so make sure the function existst
+	-- it failed because the next level up function 
+	-- returned true if i returned anything but nil, and I return 
+	-- true or false, both not nil 
+	-- this proc works 
+	if not theUnit.getPlayerName then return false end 
+	
+	local pName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+	if pName ~= nil then 
+		-- trigger.action.outText("+++matchUnit: player name " .. pName .. " for unit " .. theUnit:getName(), 30)
+		return true 
+	end 
+	
+	if (true) then 
+		return false
+	end 
+	
+	-- ignmore old code below
+
+	for pname, pInfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do 
+		if (pInfo.unit == theUnit) then 
+			return pInfo
+		end
+	end
+	return nil
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.XXXisPlayerUnitAlt(theUnit)
+	for pname, pInfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do 
+		if (pInfo.unit == theUnit) then 
+			return true
+		end
+	end
+	return false
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(theUnit)
+	-- new patch. simply check if getPlayerName returns something
+	if not theUnit then return false end 
+	if not theUnit.getPlayerName then return false end -- map/static object 
+	local pName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+	if pName then return true end 
+	return false 
+	--
+	-- fixed, erroneously expected a nil from matchUnitToPlayer 
+	--return (cfxPlayer.matchUnitToPlayer(theUnit)) -- was: ~=nil, wrong because match returns true/false
+end
+
+
+
+function cfxPlayer.getPlayerUnitType(thePlayerInfo) -- 
+	if (thePlayerInfo) then 
+		theUnit = thePlayerInfo.unit
+		if (theUnit) and (theUnit:isExist()) then 
+			return theUnit:getTypeName()
+		end
+	end
+	return nil 
+end
+
+
+-- get player's unit info
+-- accesses player DB and returns the player's info record for the
+-- player's Unit. If record does not exist in db, a new record is allocated
+-- returns true if verification succeeeds: player unit existed before, and
+-- false otherwise. in the latter case, A NEW playerInfo object is returned
+function cfxPlayer.getPlayerInfo(theUnit)
+	local playerName = theUnit:getPlayerName() -- retrieve the name 
+	--- PATCH!!!!!!!
+	--- on multi-crew, we only have the pilot as getPlayerName. 
+	--- we now switch to the unit's name instead 
+	playerName = theUnit:getName() 
+	
+	-- trigger.action.outText("Player: ".. playerName, 10)
+
+    local existingPlayer = cfxPlayer.getPlayerInfoByName(playerName) -- try and access DB
+	if existingPlayer then
+		-- this player exists in the db. return the record
+		return true, existingPlayer;
+
+	else
+		-- this is a new player.
+		-- set up a new playerinfo record for this name
+		local newPlayerInfo = {}
+		newPlayerInfo.name = playerName
+		newPlayerInfo.unit = theUnit
+		newPlayerInfo.unitName = theUnit:getName()
+		newPlayerInfo.group = theUnit:getGroup()
+		newPlayerInfo.groupName = newPlayerInfo.group:getName()
+		newPlayerInfo.coalition = theUnit:getCoalition() -- seems to work when first param is class self
+		-- note that this record did not exist, and return record
+		return false, newPlayerInfo
+	end
+	
+end;
+
+function cfxPlayer.getSinglePlayerAirframe()
+	-- ALWAYS return a string! This is for debugging purposes
+	local thePlayers = {}
+	local count = 0
+	local theAirframe = "(none)"
+	for pname, pinfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do 
+		count = count + 1
+		theAirframe = pinfo.unit:getTypeName()
+	end
+	if count < 2 then return theAirframe end -- also returns if count == 0
+	return "<Multiplayer Not Yet Supported>"
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAnyPlayerAirframe()
+	-- use this for debugging, in single-player missions, or where it 
+	-- is unimportant which player, just a player
+	-- assumes that all players use the same airframe or are in the 
+	-- same group / unit 
+	for pname, pinfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do 
+		if (pinfo.unit:isExist()) then 
+			-- player may just have crashed or left
+			local theAirframe = pinfo.unit:getTypeName()
+			return theAirframe -- we simply stop after first successfuly access
+		end
+	end
+	return "error: no player"
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getFirstGroupPlayerName(theGroup)
+ -- get the name of player of the first 
+ -- player-controlled unit I come across in 
+ -- this group 
+	local allGroupUnits = theGroup:getUnits()
+	for ukey, uvalue in pairs(allGroupUnits) do 
+		-- iterate units in group
+		if (uvalue:isExist())  then -- and cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(uvalue)) 
+			-- player may just have crashed or left
+			-- but all units in the same group have the same type when they are aircraft
+			if cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(uvalue) then 
+				return uvalue:getPlayerName(), uvalue 
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return nil 
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAnyGroupPlayerAirframe(theGroup)
+	-- get the first player-driven unit in the group
+	-- and pass back the airframe that is being used 
+	local allGroupUnits = theGroup:getUnits()
+	for ukey, uvalue in pairs(allGroupUnits) do 
+		
+		if (uvalue:isExist())  then -- and cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(uvalue)) 
+			-- player may just have crashed or left
+			-- but all units in the same group have the same type when they are aircraft
+			local theAirframe = uvalue:getTypeName()
+			return theAirframe -- we simply stop after first successfuly access
+		end
+	end
+	return "error: no live player in group "
+end
+
+
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAnyPlayerPosition()
+	-- use this for debugging, in single-player missions, or where it 
+	-- is unimportant which player, just a player
+	-- will cause issues when you derive location info or group info 
+	-- from that player
+	for pname, pinfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do
+		if (pinfo.unit:isExist()) then 
+			local thePoint = pinfo.unit:getPoint()
+			return thePoint -- we simply stop after first successfuly access
+		end
+	end
+	return nil
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAnyGroupPlayerPosition(theGroup)
+	-- enter with dcs group to search for player units within
+	-- step one: get all units that belong to that group
+	local allGroupUnits = theGroup:getUnits()
+	-- we now iterate all returned units and look for 
+	-- a unit that is a player unit.
+	for ukey, uvalue in pairs(allGroupUnits) do 
+		-- we currently assume single-unit groups for players
+		if (uvalue:isExist()) then -- and cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(uvalue))
+			-- player may just have crashed or left
+			local thePoint = uvalue:getPoint()
+			return thePoint -- we simply stop after first successfuly access
+		end
+	
+	end
+	return nil
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAnyGroupPlayerInfo(theGroup)
+	for pname, pinfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do 
+		if (pinfo.unit:isExist() and pinfo.group == theGroup) then 
+			return pinfo -- we simply stop after first successfuly access
+		end
+	end
+	return "error: no player"
+end
+
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAllPlayerGroups()
+	-- merely accessot. better would be returning a copy 
+	return cfxPlayerGroups	
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getGroupDataForGroupNamed(name)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	return cfxPlayerGroups[name]
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getPlayersInGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return {} end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return {} end 
+	local gName = theGroup:getName()
+	local thePlayers = {}
+	
+	for pname, pinfo in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do 		
+		local pgName = ""
+		if pinfo.group:isExist() then pgName = pinfo.group:getName() end 
+		if (gName == pgName) then 
+			table.insert(thePlayers, pinfo)
+		end
+	end
+	return thePlayers
+end
+
+-- update() is called regularly to check up on the players
+-- when a mismatch to last player state is found, callbacks 
+-- can be invoked
+
+function cfxPlayer.update()
+	
+	-- first, re-schedule my next invocation
+	cfxPlayer.updateSchedule = timer.scheduleFunction(cfxPlayer.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxPlayer.ups)
+	
+	-- now scan the coalitions for all players
+	local currCount = 0 -- number of players found this pass
+	local currDB = {} -- db of player units this pass
+    local currPlayerUnitsByNames = {}	
+	-- iterate over all colaitions 
+	for i=1, #cfxPlayer.coalitionSides do 
+		local theSide = cfxPlayer.coalitionSides[i] 
+		-- get all player units for this side
+		local thePlayers = coalition.getPlayers(theSide) -- returns UNITs!!!
+
+		for p=1, #thePlayers do 
+			-- we now iterate the Units and compare what we find
+			local thePlayerUnit = thePlayers[p]
+			local isExistingPlayerUnit, theInfo = cfxPlayer.getPlayerInfo(thePlayerUnit)
+			
+			if (not isExistingPlayerUnit) then 
+				-- add Unit (not player!) to db
+				cfxPlayer.playerDB [theInfo.name] = theInfo
+				cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("new", "Player Unit " .. theInfo.name .. " entered mission", theInfo, {})
+
+			else
+				-- player's unit existed last time around
+				-- see if something changed:
+	
+-- currently, we track units, not players. side changes for units can't happen AT ALL 
+				
+				if theInfo.coalition ~= thePlayerUnit:getCoalition() then	
+					local theData = {}
+					theData.old = theInfo.coalition
+					theData.new = thePlayerUnit:getCoalition()
+
+					-- we invoke a callback
+					cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("side", "Player " .. theInfo.name .. " switched sides to " .. thePlayerUnit:getCoalition(), theInfo, theData)
+
+				end;
+
+-- we now check if the player has changed groups
+-- sinced we track units, this CANT HAPPEN AT ALL 
+
+				if theInfo.group ~= thePlayerUnit:getGroup() then 
+					local theData = {}
+					theData.old = theInfo.group
+					theData.new = thePlayerUnit:getGroup()
+					cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("group", "Player changed group to " .. thePlayerUnit:getGroup():getName(), theInfo, theData)
+					trigger.action.outText("+++ debug: Player " .. theInfo.name .. " changed GROUP to: " .. thePlayerUnit:getGroup():getName(), 30)
+				end
+
+				-- we should now check if the player has changed units
+-- since we track units, this cant happen at all
+				if theInfo.unit ~= thePlayerUnit then
+					-- player changed unit 
+					local theData = {}
+					theData.old = theInfo.unit
+					-- the old unit's name is still available in theInfo.unitName 
+					theData.oldUnitName = theInfo.unitName 
+					theData.new = thePlayerUnit
+					-- update Player Info
+					cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("unit", "Player changed unit to " .. thePlayerUnit:getName(), theInfo, theData)
+					
+				end
+				-- update the playerEntry. always done
+				theInfo.unit = thePlayerUnit
+				theInfo.unitName = thePlayerUnit:getName()
+				theInfo.coalition = thePlayerUnit:getCoalition()
+				theInfo.group = thePlayerUnit:getGroup()		
+			end;
+			
+			-- add this entry to current pass db so we can detect
+			-- any discrepancies to last pass
+			currDB[theInfo.name] = theInfo 
+			
+			-- now update current network player name db
+			local playerUnitName = thePlayerUnit:getName()
+			if not thePlayerUnit:isExist() then playerUnitName = "<none>" end 
+			currPlayerUnitsByNames[thePlayerUnit:getPlayerName()] = playerUnitName
+		end -- for all player units of this side
+	end -- for all sides
+	
+	-- we can now check if a player unit has disappeared	
+	-- we do this by checking that all old entries from cfxPlayer.playerDB
+	-- have an existing counterpart in new currDB
+	for name, info in pairs(cfxPlayer.playerDB) do
+		local matchingEntry = currDB[name]
+		if matchingEntry then 
+			-- allright nothing to do
+		else
+			-- whoa, this record is missing!
+			-- do we care?
+			if true then -- (cfxPlayer.detectPlayersLeaving) then
+				-- yes! trigger an event
+				cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("leave", "Player left mission", info, {})
+				-- we don't need to destroy entry, as we simply replace the
+				-- playerDB with currDB at end of update
+			else 
+				-- no, just copy old data over. They'll be back
+				currDB[name] = info
+			end
+		end 
+	end;
+	
+	-- we now perform a group check and update all groups for players 
+	local currPlayerGroups = {}
+	for pName, pInfo in pairs(currDB) do 
+		-- retrieve player unit and make sure it still exists
+		local theUnit = pInfo.unit
+		if theUnit:isExist() then 
+			-- yeah, it exists allright. let's get to the group
+			local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+			local gName = theGroup:getName()
+			-- see if this group is new
+			local thePGroup = cfxPlayerGroups[gName]
+			if not thePGroup then 
+				-- allocate new group
+				thePGroup = {}
+				thePGroup.group = theGroup
+				thePGroup.name = gName 
+				thePGroup.primeUnit = theUnit -- may be used as fallback
+				thePGroup.primeUnitName = theUnit:getName() -- also fallback only
+				thePGroup.id = theGroup:getID()
+				cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("newGroup", "New Player Group " .. gName .. " appeared", nil, thePGroup)
+			end
+			currPlayerGroups[gName] = thePGroup -- update group table
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- now check if a player group has disappeared
+	for gkey, gval in pairs(cfxPlayerGroups) do 
+		if not currPlayerGroups[gkey] then 
+			cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("removeGroup", "A Player Group " .. gkey .. " vanished", nil, gval) -- gval is OLD set, contains group 
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- version 3 addion: track network players
+	-- see if a new player has appeared 
+	for aPlayerName, aPlayerUnitName in pairs(currPlayerUnitsByNames) do 
+		-- see if this name was already in last 
+		if cfxPlayer.netPlayers[aPlayerName] then 
+			-- yes. but was it the same unit?
+			if cfxPlayer.netPlayers[aPlayerName] == currPlayerUnitsByNames[aPlayerName] then 
+				-- all is well, no change 
+			else 
+				-- player has changed units 
+				-- since they can't disappear, 
+				-- this event can happen 
+				local data = {}
+				data.oldUnitName = cfxPlayer.netPlayers[aPlayerName]
+				data.newUnitName = aPlayerUnitName
+				data.playerName = aPlayerName
+				if aPlayerUnitName == "" then aPlayerUnitName = "<none>" end 
+				if aPlayerUnitName == "<none>" then 
+					-- unit no longer exists, player probably dead,
+					-- parachuting or spectating. Maybe even left game
+					-- resgisters as 'change' -- is 'left unit'
+					cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("changePlayer", "A Player left unit " .. data.oldUnitName, nil, data)
+				else 
+					-- changed to new unit
+					cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("changePlayer", "A Player changed to unit " .. aPlayerUnitName, nil, data)
+				end 
+			end
+		else 
+			-- this is a new player
+			local data = {}
+			data.playerName = aPlayerName
+			data.newUnitName = aPlayerUnitName
+			cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("newPlayer", "New Player appeared " .. aPlayerName .. " in unit " .. aPlayerUnitName, nil, data)
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- version 3: detect if a player left 
+	for oldPlayerName, oldUnitName in pairs(cfxPlayer.netPlayers) do 
+		if not currPlayerUnitsByNames[oldPlayerName] then 
+			--local data = {}
+			--data.playerName = oldPlayerName
+			--data.oldUnitName = oldUnitName
+			--cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent("leavePlayer", "Player " .. oldPlayerName .. " disappeared from unit " .. oldUnitName, nil, data)
+			--
+			-- we keep the player in the db by copying 
+			-- it over and set the unit name to ""
+			-- will cause at least once 'change' event later 
+			-- probably two in MP
+			currPlayerUnitsByNames[oldPlayerName] = "<none>"
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- update playerGroups for this cycle
+	cfxPlayerGroups = currPlayerGroups
+	
+	-- update network player for this c<cle 
+	cfxPlayer.netPlayers = currPlayerUnitsByNames
+	
+	-- finally, we simply replace the old db with the new one
+	cfxPlayer.playerDB = currDB;
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAllNetPlayerNames ()
+	local themAll = {}
+	for aName, aUnitName in cfxPlayer.netPlayers do 
+		table.insert(themAll, aName)
+	end
+	return themAll
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getPlayerUnitName(aPlayerName) 
+	if not aPlayerName then return nil end 
+	return cfxPlayer.netPlayers[aPlayerName]
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.isPlayerSeated(aPlayerName)
+	local unitName = cfxPlayer.getPlayerUnitName(aPlayerName)
+	if not unitName then return false end 
+	if unitName == "" or unitName == "<none>" then return false end 
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- add a monitor to be notified of player events
+-- may provide a whitelist of events as array of strings
+function cfxPlayer.addMonitor(callback, events)
+	local newMonitor = {}
+	newMonitor.callback = callback
+	newMonitor.events = events 
+	cfxPlayer.monitors[callback] = newMonitor
+end;
+
+function cfxPlayer.removeMonitor(callback) 
+	if (cfxMonitos[callback]) then 
+		cfxMonitos[callback] = nil 
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.invokeMonitorsForEvent(evType, description, player, data)
+	for callback, monitor in pairs(cfxPlayer.monitors) do
+		-- should filter if evType is in monitor.events
+		if monitor.events and #monitor.events > 0 then 
+			-- only invoke if this event is listed
+			if dcsCommon.arrayContainsString(monitor.events, evType) then 
+				monitor.callback(evType, description, player, data)
+			end
+		else 
+			monitor.callback(evType, description, player, data)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.getAllExistingPlayerUnitsRaw()
+	local apu = {}
+	for i=1, #cfxPlayer.coalitionSides do 
+		local theSide = cfxPlayer.coalitionSides[i] 
+		-- get all players for this side
+		local thePlayers = coalition.getPlayers(theSide) 
+		for p=1, #thePlayers do 
+			local aUnit = thePlayers[p]
+			if aUnit and aUnit:isExist() then 
+				table.insert(apu, aUnit)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	return apu 
+end
+
+-- evType that can actually happen are 'new', 'leave' for units,
+-- 'newGroup' and 'removeGroup' for groups     
+function cfxPlayer.defaultMonitor(evType, description, info, data)
+	if cfxPlayer.verbose then
+		trigger.action.outText("+++Plr - evt '".. evType .."': <" .. description .. ">", 30)
+		if (info) then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++Plr: for unit named: " .. info.name, 30) 
+		else 
+			--trigger.action.outText("+++Plr: no player data", 30)
+		end
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++Plr: desc: '".. evType .."'<" .. description .. ">", 30)
+		-- we ignore the data block
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.start()
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x player v".. cfxPlayer.version .. ": started", 10)
+	cfxPlayer.running = true
+	cfxPlayer.update()	
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.stop()
+	if cfxPlayer.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("cf/x player v".. cfxPlayer.version .. ": stopped", 10)
+	end
+	timer.removeFunction(cfxPlayer.updateSchedule) -- will require another start() to resume
+	cfxPlayer.running = false
+end
+
+function cfxPlayer.init()
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x player v".. cfxPlayer.version .. ": loaded", 10)
+	-- when verbose, we also add a monitor to display player event
+	if cfxPlayer.verbose then 
+		cfxPlayer.addMonitor(cfxPlayer.defaultMonitor, {})
+		trigger.action.outText("cf/x player isd verbose", 10)
+	end
+	
+	cfxPlayer.start()
+end
+
+-- get everything rolling, but will only start if autostart is true
+cfxPlayer.init()
+
+--TODO: player status: ground, air, dead, none 
+-- TODO: event when status changes ground/air/...

modules/cfxPlayerScore.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,350 @@
+cfxPlayerScore = {}
+cfxPlayerScore.version = "1.2.0"
+cfxPlayerScore.badSound = "Death BRASS.wav"
+cfxPlayerScore.scoreSound = "Quest Snare 3.wav"
+cfxPlayerScore.announcer = true 
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+    1.0.1 - bug fixes to killDetected 
+	1.0.2 - messaging clean-up, less verbose 
+	1.1.0 - integrated score base system
+	      - accepts configZones 
+		  - module validation 
+		  - isNamedUnit(theUnit)
+		  - notify if named unit killed 
+		  - kill weapon reported 
+	1.2.0 - score table 
+		  - announcer attribute 
+		  - badSound name 
+		  - scoreSound name 
+		  
+--]]--
+cfxPlayerScore.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- this is doing score keeping
+	"cfxPlayer", -- player events, comms 
+	"cfxZones", -- zones for config 
+}
+cfxPlayerScore.playerScore = {} -- init to empty
+
+-- typeScore: dictionary sorted by typeString for score 
+-- extend to add more types. It is used by unitType2score to 
+-- determine the base unit score  
+cfxPlayerScore.typeScore = {}
+ 
+--
+-- we subscribe to the kill event. each time a unit 
+-- is killed, we check if it was killed by a player
+-- and if so, that player record is updated and the side
+-- whom the player belongs to is informed
+--
+cfxPlayerScore.aircraft = 50 
+cfxPlayerScore.helo = 40 
+cfxPlayer.ground = 10
+cfxPlayerScore.ship = 80 
+cfxPlayerScore.train = 5 
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.cat2BaseScore(inCat)
+	if inCat == 0 then return cfxPlayerScore.aircraft end -- airplane
+	if inCat == 1 then return cfxPlayerScore.helo end -- helo 
+	if inCat == 2 then return cfxPlayer.ground end -- ground 
+	if inCat == 3 then return cfxPlayerScore.ship end -- ship 
+	if inCat == 4 then return cfxPlayerScore.train end -- train 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("+++scr c2bs: unknown category for lookup: <" .. inCat .. ">, returning 1", 30)
+	
+	return 1 
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.unit2score(inUnit)
+	local vicGroup = inUnit:getGroup()
+	local vicCat = vicGroup:getCategory()
+	local vicType = inUnit:getTypeName()
+	local vicName = inUnit:getName() 
+	
+	-- simply extend by adding items to the typescore table.concat
+	-- we first try by unit name. This allows individual
+	-- named hi-value targets to have individual scores 
+	local uScore = cfxPlayerScore.typeScore[vicName]
+	if uScore == nil then 
+		-- WE NOW TRY TO ACCESS BY VICTIM'S TYPE STRING		
+		uScore = cfxPlayerScore.typeScore[vicType]
+	else 
+
+	end 
+	if type(uScore) == "string" then 
+		-- convert string to number 
+		uScore = tonumber(uScore)
+	end
+
+	if uScore == nil then uScore = 0 end 
+	if uScore > 0 then return uScore end 
+	
+	-- only apply base scores when the lookup did not give a result
+	uScore = cfxPlayerScore.cat2BaseScore(vicCat)
+	return uScore 
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.getPlayerScore(playerName)
+	local thePlayerScore = cfxPlayerScore.playerScore[playerName]
+	if thePlayerScore == nil then 
+		thePlayerScore = {}
+		thePlayerScore.name = playerName
+		thePlayerScore.score = 0 -- score
+		thePlayerScore.killTypes = {} -- the type strings killed
+		thePlayerScore.totalKills = 0 -- number of kills total 
+	end
+	return thePlayerScore
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.setPlayerScore(playerName, thePlayerScore)
+	cfxPlayerScore.playerScore[playerName] = thePlayerScore
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.updateScoreForPlayer(playerName, score)
+	local thePlayerScore = cfxPlayerScore.getPlayerScore(playerName)
+	
+	thePlayerScore.score = thePlayerScore.score + score
+	cfxPlayerScore.setPlayerScore(playerName, thePlayerScore)
+	return thePlayerScore.score 
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.logKillForPlayer(playerName, theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not playerName then return end 
+	
+	local thePlayerScore = cfxPlayerScore.getPlayerScore(playerName)
+	
+	local theType = theUnit:getTypeName()
+	local killCount = thePlayerScore.killTypes[theType]
+	if killCount == nil then 
+		killCount = 0
+	end
+	killCount = killCount + 1
+	thePlayerScore.totalKills = thePlayerScore.totalKills + 1
+	thePlayerScore.killTypes[theType] = killCount
+	
+	cfxPlayerScore.setPlayerScore(playerName, thePlayerScore)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.playerScore2text(thePlayerScore)
+	local desc = thePlayerScore.name .. " - score: ".. thePlayerScore.score .. " - kills: " .. thePlayerScore.totalKills .. "\n"
+	-- now go through all killSide
+	for theType, quantity in pairs(thePlayerScore.killTypes) do 
+		desc = desc .. "  - " .. theType .. ": " .. quantity .. "\n"
+	end
+	return desc
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.scoreTextForPlayerNamed(playerName)
+	local thePlayerScore = cfxPlayerScore.getPlayerScore(playerName)
+	return cfxPlayerScore.playerScore2text(thePlayerScore)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.isNamedUnit(theUnit) 
+	if not theUnit then return false end 
+	local theName = "(cfx_none)"
+	if type(theUnit) == "string" then 
+		theName = theUnit -- direct name assignment
+		-- WARNING: NO EXIST CHECK DONE!
+	else 
+		-- after kill, unit is dead, so will no longer exist!
+		theName = theUnit:getName() 
+		if not theName then return false end 
+	end
+	if cfxPlayerScore.typeScore[theName] then 
+		return true
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+--
+-- EVENT HANDLING
+--
+function cfxPlayerScore.preProcessor(theEvent)
+	-- return true if the event should be processed
+	-- by us
+	
+	if theEvent.id == 28 then
+		-- we only are interested in kill events where 
+		-- there is an initiator, and the initiator is 
+		-- a player 
+		if theEvent.initiator  == nil then 
+			-- trigger.action.outText("+++scr pre: nil INITIATOR", 30)
+			return false 
+		end 
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++scr pre: initiator is " .. theEvent.initiator:getName(), 30)
+		
+		local killer = theEvent.initiator 
+		if theEvent.target == nil then 
+			if cfxPlayerScore.verbose then trigger.action.outText("+++scr pre: nil TARGET", 30) end 
+			return false 
+		end 
+		
+		local wasPlayer = cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(killer)
+		if wasPlayer then 
+		else 
+		end
+		
+		return wasPlayer
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.postProcessor(theEvent)
+	-- don't do anything
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.killDetected(theEvent)
+	-- we are only getting called when and if 
+	-- a kill occured and killer was a player 
+	-- and target exists
+	local killer = theEvent.initiator
+	local killerName = killer:getPlayerName()
+	if not killerName then killerName = "<nil>" end
+	local killSide = killer:getCoalition()
+	local killVehicle = killer:getTypeName()
+	if not killVehicle then killVehicle = "<nil>" end 
+	local victim = theEvent.target
+
+	-- was it a player kill?
+	local pk = cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(victim)
+
+	-- was it a scenery object 
+	local wasBuilding = dcsCommon.isSceneryObject(victim)
+	if wasBuilding then 
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- was it fraternicide?
+	local vicSide = victim:getCoalition()
+	local fraternicide = killSide == vicSide
+	local vicDesc = victim:getTypeName()
+	local scoreMod = 1 -- start at one 
+
+	-- see what kind of unit (category) we killed
+    -- and look up base score 
+	if not victim.getGroup then 
+		if cfxPlayerScore.verbose then trigger.action.outText("+++scr: no group for " .. killVehicle .. ", killed by " .. killerName .. ", no score", 30) end 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	local vicGroup = victim:getGroup()
+	local vicCat = vicGroup:getCategory()
+	local unitScore = cfxPlayerScore.unit2score(victim)
+
+	-- see which weapon was used. gun kills score 2x 
+	local killMeth = ""
+	local killWeap = theEvent.weapon
+	if killWeap then 
+		local killWeapType = killWeap:getCategory()
+		if killWeapType == 0 then 
+			killMeth = " with GUNS" 
+			scoreMod = scoreMod * 2
+		else 
+			local kWeapon = killWeap:getTypeName()
+			killMeth = " with " .. kWeapon
+		end
+	else 
+		
+	end
+	
+	if pk then 
+		vicDesc = victim:getPlayerName() .. " in " .. vicDesc 
+		scoreMod = scoreMod * 10
+	end 
+	
+	if fraternicide then
+		scoreMod = scoreMod * -2
+		if cfxPlayerScore.announcer then 
+			trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(killSide, killerName .. " in " .. killVehicle .. " killed FRIENDLY " .. vicDesc .. killMeth .. "!", 30)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(killSide, cfxPlayerScore.badSound)
+		end 
+	else 
+		if cfxPlayerScore.announcer then 
+			trigger.action.outText(killerName .. " in " .. killVehicle .." killed " .. vicDesc .. killMeth .."!", 30)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(vicSide, cfxPlayerScore.badSound)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(killSide, cfxPlayerScore.scoreSound)
+		 end 
+		 -- since not fraticide, log this kill
+		 -- logging kills does not impct score
+		 cfxPlayerScore.logKillForPlayer(killerName, victim)
+	end
+	
+	-- see if it was a named target 
+	if cfxPlayerScore.isNamedUnit(victim) then 
+		if cfxPlayerScore.announcer then 
+			trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(killSide, killerName .. " reports killing strategic unit '" .. victim:getName() .. "'", 30)
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	local totalScore = unitScore * scoreMod
+	
+	local playerScore = cfxPlayerScore.updateScoreForPlayer(killerName, totalScore)
+	
+	if cfxPlayerScore.announcer then 
+		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(killSide, "Killscore:  " .. totalScore .. " for a total of " .. playerScore .. " for " .. killerName, 30)
+	end 
+	--trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(killSide, cfxPlayerScore.scoreTextForPlayerNamed(killerName), 30)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.readConfigZone(theZone)
+	cfxPlayerScore.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	-- default scores 
+	cfxPlayerScore.aircraft = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "aircraft", 50) 
+	cfxPlayerScore.helo = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "helo", 40)  
+	cfxPlayer.ground = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ground", 10)  
+	cfxPlayerScore.ship = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ship", 80)   
+	cfxPlayerScore.train = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "train", 5)
+	
+	cfxPlayerScore.announcer = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "announcer", true)
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "badSound") then 
+		cfxReconMode.badSound = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "badSound", "<nosound>")
+	end
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "scoreSound") then 
+		cfxReconMode.scoreSound = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "scoreSound", "<nosound>")
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScore.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Player Score", 
+							  cfxPlayerScore.requiredLibs) 
+	then 
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read my score table 
+	-- identify and process a score table zones
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("playerScoreTable") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++scr: no score table!", 30) 
+	else 
+		-- read all into my types registry, replacing whatever is there
+		cfxPlayerScore.typeScore = cfxZones.getAllZoneProperties(theZone)
+		trigger.action.outText("+++scr: read score table", 30) 
+	end 
+	
+	-- now read my config zone 
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("playerScoreConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++scr: no config!", 30) 
+	else 
+		cfxPlayerScore.readConfigZone(theZone)
+		trigger.action.outText("+++scr: read config", 30) 
+	end 
+	
+	-- subscribe to events and use dcsCommon's handler structure
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(cfxPlayerScore.killDetected,
+							  cfxPlayerScore.preProcessor,
+							  cfxPlayerScore.postProcessor)
+	trigger.action.outText("cfxPlayerScore v" .. cfxPlayerScore.version .. " started", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+
+if not cfxPlayerScore.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("+++ aborted cfxPlayerScore v" .. cfxPlayerScore.version .. "  -- libcheck failed", 30)
+	cfxPlayerScore = nil 
+end
+
+-- TODO: score mod for weapons type 
+-- TODO: player kill score 
+ 

modules/cfxPlayerScoreUI.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,303 @@
+cfxPlayerScoreUI = {}
+cfxPlayerScoreUI.version = "1.0.3"
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+ - 1.0.2 - initial version 
+ - 1.0.3 - module check
+		 
+--]]--
+
+-- WARNING: REQUIRES cfxPlayerScore to work. 
+-- WARNING: ASSUMES SINGLE_PLAYER GROUPS!
+cfxPlayerScoreUI.requiredLibs = {
+	"cfxPlayerScore", -- this is doing score keeping
+	"cfxPlayer", -- player events, comms 
+}
+-- find & command cfxGroundTroops-based jtacs
+-- UI installed via OTHER for all groups with players
+-- module based on xxxGrpUI and jtacUI
+ 
+cfxPlayerScoreUI.groupConfig = {} -- all inited group private config data 
+cfxPlayerScoreUI.simpleCommands = true -- if true, f10 other invokes directly
+
+--
+-- C O N F I G   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =============================
+--
+-- Each group has their own config block that can be used to 
+-- store group-private data and configuration items.
+--
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.resetConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+	local conf = {}
+	conf.theGroup = theGroup
+	conf.name = theGroup:getName()
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID()
+	conf.coalition = theGroup:getCoalition() 
+	
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.resetConfig(conf)
+
+	conf.mainMenu = nil; -- this is where we store the main menu if we branch
+	conf.myCommands = nil; -- this is where we store the commands if we branch 
+	
+	return conf
+end
+
+-- getConfigFor group will allocate if doesn't exist in DB
+-- and add to it
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxPlayerScoreUI nil group in getConfigForGroup!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	local theName = theGroup:getName()
+	local c = cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- we use central accessor
+	if not c then 
+		c = cfxPlayerScoreUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+		cfxPlayerScoreUI.groupConfig[theName] = c -- should use central accessor...
+	end
+	return c 
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- DOES NOT allocate when not exist
+	if not theName then return nil end 
+	return cfxPlayerScoreUI.groupConfig[theName]
+end
+
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	-- simple one-off step by accessing the group 
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxPlayerScoreUI nil unit in getConfigForUnit!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	return getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- M E N U   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =========================
+--
+--
+ function cfxPlayerScoreUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	if conf.myCommands then 
+		for i=1, #conf.myCommands do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myCommands[i])
+		end
+	end
+	conf.myCommands = {}
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	if conf.myMainMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myMainMenu) 
+		conf.myMainMenu = nil
+	end
+end
+
+-- this only works in single-unit groups. may want to check if group 
+-- has disappeared
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.removeCommsForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 	
+	-- perhaps add code: check if group is empty
+	local conf = cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.removeCommsForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 	
+	local conf = cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+--
+-- set main root in F10 Other. All sub menus click into this 
+--
+--function cfxPlayerScoreUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup)
+--	return true
+--end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxPlayerScoreUI nil UNIT in setCommsMenuForUnit!", 30)
+		return
+	end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+	-- depending on own load state, we set the command structure
+	-- it begins at 10-other, and has 'grpUI' as main menu with submenus
+	-- as required 
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	-- we test here if this group qualifies for 
+	-- the menu. if not, exit 
+	--if not cfxPlayerScoreUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup) then return end
+	
+	local conf = cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup) 
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID(); -- we do this ALWAYS so it is current even after a crash 
+
+	
+	if cfxPlayerScoreUI.simpleCommands then 
+		-- we install directly in F-10 other 
+		if not conf.myMainMenu then 
+			local commandTxt = "Score / Kills"
+			local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				nil,
+				cfxPlayerScoreUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "score"}
+				)
+			conf.myMainMenu = theCommand
+		end
+		
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	
+	-- ok, first, if we don't have an F-10 menu, create one 
+	if not (conf.myMainMenu) then 
+		conf.myMainMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(conf.id, 'Score / Kills') 
+	end
+	
+	-- clear out existing commands
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	-- now we have a menu without submenus. 
+	-- add our own submenus
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	-- add menu items to choose from after 
+	-- user clickedf on MAIN MENU. In this implementation
+	-- they all result invoked methods
+	
+	local commandTxt = "Show Score / Kills"
+	local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxPlayerScoreUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "score"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+
+end
+
+--
+-- each menu item has a redirect and timed invoke to divorce from the
+-- no-debug zone in the menu invocation. Delay is .1 seconds
+--
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.redirectCommandX(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxPlayerScoreUI.doCommandX, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.doCommandX(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local what = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+	-- now fetch the first player that drives a unit in this group
+	-- a simpler method would be to access conf.primeUnit 
+	
+	local playerName, playerUnit = cfxPlayer.getFirstGroupPlayerName(theGroup)
+	if playerName == nil or playerUnit == nil then 
+		trigger.action.outText("scoreUI: nil player name or unit for group " .. theGroup:getName(), 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	
+	local desc = cfxPlayerScore.scoreTextForPlayerNamed(playerName)
+	
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, desc, 30)
+	trigger.action.outSoundForGroup(conf.id, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+
+end
+
+
+--
+-- G R O U P   M A N A G E M E N T 
+--
+-- Group Management is required to make sure all groups
+-- receive a comms menu and that they receive a clean-up 
+-- when required 
+--
+-- Callbacks are provided by cfxPlayer module to which we
+-- subscribe during init 
+--
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.playerChangeEvent(evType, description, player, data)
+
+	if evType == "newGroup" then 
+
+		cfxPlayerScoreUI.setCommsMenu(data.group)
+
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "removeGroup" then 
+
+		-- we must remove the comms menu for this group else we try to add another one to this group later
+		local conf = cfxPlayerScoreUI.getConfigByGroupName(data.name)
+		
+		if conf then 
+			cfxPlayerScoreUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf) -- remove menus 
+			cfxPlayerScoreUI.resetConfig(conf) -- re-init this group for when it re-appears
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ scoreUI: can't retrieve group <" .. data.name .. "> config: not found!", 30)
+		end
+		
+		return
+	end
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- Start 
+--
+
+function cfxPlayerScoreUI.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx PlayerScoreUI", 
+							  cfxPlayerScoreUI.requiredLibs) 
+	then 
+		return false 
+	end
+	-- iterate existing groups so we have a start situation
+	-- now iterate through all player groups and install the Assault Troop Menu
+	allPlayerGroups = cfxPlayerGroups -- cfxPlayerGroups is a global, don't fuck with it! 
+	-- contains per group player record. Does not resolve on unit level!
+	for gname, pgroup in pairs(allPlayerGroups) do 
+		local theUnit = pgroup.primeUnit -- get any unit of that group
+		cfxPlayerScoreUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit) -- set up
+	end
+	-- now install the new group notifier to install Assault Troops menu
+	
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(cfxPlayerScoreUI.playerChangeEvent)
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x cfxPlayerScoreUI v" .. cfxPlayerScoreUI.version .. " started", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+--
+-- GO GO GO 
+--
+ 
+if not cfxPlayerScoreUI.start() then 
+	cfxPlayerScoreUI = nil
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x PlayerScore UI aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+end

modules/cfxReconGUI.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,385 @@
+cfxReconGUI = {}
+cfxReconGUI.version = "1.0.0"
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+ - 1.0.0 - initial version 
+		 
+--]]--
+-- find & command cfxGroundTroops-based jtacs
+-- UI installed via OTHER for all groups with players
+-- module based on xxxGrpUI
+ 
+cfxReconGUI.groupConfig = {} -- all inited group private config data 
+cfxReconGUI.simpleCommands = true -- if true, f10 other invokes directly
+
+--
+-- C O N F I G   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =============================
+--
+-- Each group has their own config block that can be used to 
+-- store group-private data and configuration items.
+--
+
+function cfxReconGUI.resetConfig(conf)
+	if conf.scouting then 
+		-- after a crash or other, reset
+		cfxReconMode.removeScout(conf.unit)
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Lost contact to scout...", 30)
+	end
+	conf.scouting = false -- if true, we are currently scouting.
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+	local conf = {}
+	conf.theGroup = theGroup
+	conf.name = theGroup:getName()
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID()
+	conf.coalition = theGroup:getCoalition() 
+	
+	local groupUnits = theGroup:getUnits()
+	conf.unit = groupUnits[1] -- WARNING: ASSUMES ONE-UNIT GROUPS
+	cfxReconGUI.resetConfig(conf)
+
+	conf.mainMenu = nil; -- this is where we store the main menu if we branch
+	conf.myCommands = nil; -- this is where we store the commands if we branch 
+	
+	return conf
+end
+
+-- getConfigFor group will allocate if doesn't exist in DB
+-- and add to it
+function cfxReconGUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxReconGUI nil group in getConfigForGroup!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	local theName = theGroup:getName()
+	local c = cfxReconGUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- we use central accessor
+	if not c then 
+		c = cfxReconGUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+		cfxReconGUI.groupConfig[theName] = c -- should use central accessor...
+	end
+	return c 
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- DOES NOT allocate when not exist
+	if not theName then return nil end 
+	return cfxReconGUI.groupConfig[theName]
+end
+
+
+function cfxReconGUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	-- simple one-off step by accessing the group 
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxReconGUI nil unit in getConfigForUnit!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	local conf = getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	conf.unit = theUnit 
+	return conf 
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- M E N U   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =========================
+--
+--
+ function cfxReconGUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	if conf.myCommands then 
+		for i=1, #conf.myCommands do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myCommands[i])
+		end
+	end
+	conf.myCommands = {}
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+	cfxReconGUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	if conf.myMainMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myMainMenu) 
+		conf.myMainMenu = nil
+	end
+end
+
+-- this only works in single-unit groups. may want to check if group 
+-- has disappeared
+function cfxReconGUI.removeCommsForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 	
+	-- perhaps add code: check if group is empty
+	local conf = cfxReconGUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	cfxReconGUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.removeCommsForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 	
+	local conf = cfxReconGUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	cfxReconGUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+--
+-- set main root in F10 Other. All sub menus click into this 
+--
+function cfxReconGUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup)
+	return true
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxReconGUI nil UNIT in setCommsMenuForUnit!", 30)
+		return
+	end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: cfxReconGUI unit:ISEXIST() failed in setCommsMenuForUnit!", 30)
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	cfxReconGUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+	-- depending on own load state, we set the command structure
+	-- it begins at 10-other, and has 'jtac' as main menu with submenus
+	-- as required 
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	-- we test here if this group qualifies for 
+	-- the menu. if not, exit 
+	if not cfxReconGUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup) then return end
+	
+	local conf = cfxReconGUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup) 
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID(); -- we do this ALWAYS so it is current even after a crash 
+--	trigger.action.outText("+++ setting group <".. conf.theGroup:getName() .. "> jtac command", 30)
+	
+	if cfxReconGUI.simpleCommands then 
+		-- we install directly in F-10 other 
+		if not conf.myMainMenu then 
+			local commandTxt = "Recon: "
+			local unitName = "bogus"
+			if conf.unit and conf.unit:isExist() then
+				unitName = conf.unit:getName()
+			elseif conf.unit then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++Recon: ISEXIST failed for unit in comms setup!", 30)
+				commandTxt = commandTxt .. "***"
+			else
+				trigger.action.outText("+++Recon: NIL unit in comms setup!", 30)
+				commandTxt = commandTxt .. "***"
+			end
+	
+			if conf.scouting then 
+				commandTxt = commandTxt .. " Stop Reporting"
+			else 
+				commandTxt = commandTxt .. " Commence Reports"
+			end
+			local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				nil,
+				cfxReconGUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "recon", unitName}
+				)
+			conf.myMainMenu = theCommand
+		end
+		
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	
+	-- ok, first, if we don't have an F-10 menu, create one 
+	if not (conf.myMainMenu) then 
+		conf.myMainMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(conf.id, 'Recon') 
+	end
+	
+	-- clear out existing commands
+	cfxReconGUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	-- now we have a menu without submenus. 
+	-- add our own submenus
+	cfxReconGUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	-- add menu items to choose from after 
+	-- user clickedf on MAIN MENU. In this implementation
+	-- they all result invoked methods
+	
+	local commandTxt = "Recon"
+	local unitName = "bogus"
+	if conf.unit and conf.unit:getName()then
+		unitName = conf.unit:getName()
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition("+++Recon: no unit in comms setup!", message, 30)
+		commandTxt = commandTxt .. "***"
+	end
+	
+	local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxReconGUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "recon", unitName}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+--[[--
+	commandTxt = "This is another important command"
+	theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				cfxReconGUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "Sub2"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+--]]--
+end
+
+--
+-- each menu item has a redirect and timed invoke to divorce from the
+-- no-debug zone in the menu invocation. Delay is .1 seconds
+--
+
+function cfxReconGUI.redirectCommandX(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxReconGUI.doCommandX, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function cfxReconGUI.doCommandX(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local what = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local unitName = args[3]
+	if not unitName then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ reconUI: doCommand: UNDEF unitName!", 30)
+		return 
+	elseif unitName == "bogus" then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ reconUI: doCommand: BOGUS unitName!", 30)
+	end
+	
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+--	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "+++ groupUI: processing comms menu for <" .. what .. ">", 30)
+	
+	-- whenever we get here, we toggle the recon mode
+	local theUnit = conf.unit 
+	local message = "Scout ".. unitName .. " has stopped reporting."
+	local theSide = conf.coalition
+	if conf.scouting then 
+		-- end recon 
+		cfxReconMode.removeScoutByName(unitName)
+		if theUnit:isExist() then 
+			message = theUnit:getName() .. " folds map, recon terminated."
+		end
+		conf.scouting = false 
+	else 
+		-- start recon
+		if theUnit and theUnit:isExist() then 
+			cfxReconMode.addScout(theUnit)
+			message = theUnit:getName() .. " reports bright eyes, commencing recon."
+			conf.scouting = true 
+		else 
+			message = "+++ reconGUI: " .. unitName .. " has invalid unit"
+		end 
+	end
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, message, 30)
+
+	-- reset comms 
+	cfxReconGUI.removeCommsForGroup(theGroup)
+	cfxReconGUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+end
+
+
+
+--
+-- G R O U P   M A N A G E M E N T 
+--
+-- Group Management is required to make sure all groups
+-- receive a comms menu and that they receive a clean-up 
+-- when required 
+--
+-- Callbacks are provided by cfxPlayer module to which we
+-- subscribe during init 
+--
+function cfxReconGUI.playerChangeEvent(evType, description, player, data)
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++ groupUI: received <".. evType .. "> Event", 30)
+	if evType == "newGroup" then 
+		-- initialized attributes are in data as follows
+		--   .group - new group 
+		--   .name - new group's name 
+		--   .primeUnit - the unit that trigggered new group appearing 
+		--   .primeUnitName - name of prime unit 
+		--   .id group ID 
+		--theUnit = data.primeUnit
+		-- ensure group data exists and is updated
+		local conf = cfxReconGUI.getConfigForGroup(data.group)
+		conf.unit = data.primeUnit
+		conf.unitName = conf.unit:getName() -- will break if no exist
+		
+		cfxReconGUI.setCommsMenu(data.group)
+--		trigger.action.outText("+++ groupUI: added " .. theUnit:getName() .. " to comms menu", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "removeGroup" then 
+		-- data is the player record that no longer exists. it consists of
+		--  .name 
+		-- we must remove the comms menu for this group else we try to add another one to this group later
+		local conf = cfxReconGUI.getConfigByGroupName(data.name)
+		
+		if conf then 
+			cfxReconGUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf) -- remove menus 
+			cfxReconGUI.resetConfig(conf) -- re-init this group for when it re-appears
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ reconUI: can't retrieve group <" .. data.name .. "> config: not found!", 30)
+		end
+		
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "leave" then
+		-- player unit left. we don't care since we only work on group level
+		-- if they were the only, this is followed up by group disappeared 
+		
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "unit" then 
+		-- player changed units. almost never in MP, but possible in solo
+		-- because of 1 seconds timing loop 
+		-- will result in a new group appearing and a group disappearing, so we are good
+		-- may need some logic to clean up old configs and/or menu items 
+
+	end
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- Start 
+--
+function cfxReconGUI.start()
+
+	-- iterate existing groups so we have a start situation
+	-- now iterate through all player groups and install the Assault Troop Menu
+	allPlayerGroups = cfxPlayerGroups -- cfxPlayerGroups is a global, don't fuck with it! 
+	-- contains per group player record. Does not resolve on unit level!
+	for gname, pgroup in pairs(allPlayerGroups) do 
+		local theUnit = pgroup.primeUnit -- get any unit of that group
+		cfxReconGUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit) -- set up
+	end
+	-- now install the new group notifier to install Assault Troops menu
+	
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(cfxReconGUI.playerChangeEvent)
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x cfxReconGUI v" .. cfxReconGUI.version .. " started", 30)
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- GO GO GO 
+--
+if not cfxReconMode then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x cfxReconGUI REQUIRES cfxReconMode to work.", 30)
+else 
+	cfxReconGUI.start()
+end

modules/cfxReconMode.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,606 @@
+cfxReconMode = {}
+cfxReconMode.version = "1.4.1"
+cfxReconMode.verbose = false -- set to true for debug info  
+cfxReconMode.reconSound = "UI_SCI-FI_Tone_Bright_Dry_20_stereo.wav" -- to be played when somethiong discovered
+
+cfxReconMode.prioList = {} -- group names that are high prio and generate special event
+cfxReconMode.blackList = {} -- group names that are NEVER detected. Comma separated strings, e.g. {"Always Hidden", "Invisible Group"}
+
+cfxReconMode.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+
+--[[--
+VERSION HISTORY
+ 1.0.0 - initial version 
+ 1.0.1 - removeScoutByName()
+ 1.0.2 - garbage collection 
+ 1.1.0 - autoRecon - any aircraft taking off immediately
+         signs up, no message when signing up or closing down
+		 standalone - copied common procs lerp, agl, dist, distflat
+		 from dcsCommon
+		 report numbers 
+		 verbose flag 
+ 1.2.0 - queued recons. One scout per second for more even
+         performance
+		 removed gc since it's now integrated into 
+		 update queue
+		 removeScout optimization when directly passing name
+		 playerOnlyRecon for autoRecon 
+		 red, blue, grey side filtering on auto scout
+ 1.2.1 - parametrized report sound 
+ 1.3.0 - added black list, prio list functionality 
+ 1.3.1 - callbacks now also push name, as group can be dead
+       - removed bug when removing dead groups from map
+ 1.4.0 - import dcsCommon, cfxZones etc 
+       - added lib check 
+	   - config zone 
+	   - prio+
+	   - detect+
+ 1.4.1 - invocation no longer happen twice for prio. 
+	   - recon sound 
+	   - read all flight groups at start to get rid of the 
+	   - late activation work-around 
+ 
+ 
+ cfxReconMode is a script that allows units to perform reconnaissance
+ missions and, after detecting units, marks them on the map with 
+ markers for their coalition and some text 
+ Also, a callback is initiated for scouts as follows
+   signature: (reason, theSide, theSout, theGroup) with  
+   reason a string 
+	 'detected' a group was detected
+     'removed' a mark for a group timed out
+	 'priority' a member of prio group was detected 
+	 'start' a scout started scouting
+	 'end' a scout stopped scouting
+	 'dead' a scout has died and was removed from pool 
+   theSide - side of the SCOUT that detected units
+   theScout - the scout that detected the group 
+   theGroup - the group that is detected  
+   theName - the group's name    
+--]]--
+
+cfxReconMode.detectionMinRange = 3000 -- meters at ground level
+cfxReconMode.detectionMaxRange = 12000 -- meters at max alt (10'000m)
+cfxReconMode.maxAlt = 9000 -- alt for maxrange (9km = 27k feet)
+
+cfxReconMode.autoRecon = true -- add all airborne units, unless 
+cfxReconMode.redScouts = false -- set to false to prevent red scouts in auto mode
+cfxReconMode.blueScouts = true -- set to false to prevent blue scouts in auto-mode
+cfxReconMode.greyScouts = false -- set to false to prevent neutral scouts in auto mode
+cfxReconMode.playerOnlyRecon = false -- only players can do recon 
+cfxReconMode.reportNumbers = true -- also add unit count in report 
+cfxReconMode.prioFlag = nil 
+cfxReconMode.detectFlag = nil 
+cfxReconMode.applyMarks = true 
+
+cfxReconMode.ups = 1 -- updates per second.
+cfxReconMode.scouts = {} -- units that are performing scouting.
+cfxReconMode.processedScouts = {} -- for managing performance: queue
+cfxReconMode.detectedGroups = {} -- so we know which have been detected
+cfxReconMode.marksFadeAfter = 30*60 -- after detection, marks disappear after
+                     -- this amount of seconds. -1 means no fade
+					 -- 60 is one minute
+
+cfxReconMode.callbacks = {} -- sig: cb(reason, side, scout, group)
+cfxReconMode.uuidCount = 0 -- for unique marks 
+
+
+-- end standalone dcsCommon extract 
+
+function cfxReconMode.uuid()
+	cfxReconMode.uuidCount = cfxReconMode.uuidCount + 1
+	return cfxReconMode.uuidCount
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.addCallback(theCB)
+	table.insert(cfxReconMode.callbacks, theCB)
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks(reason, theSide, theScout, theGroup, theName)
+	for idx, theCB in pairs(cfxReconMode.callbacks) do 
+		theCB(reason, theSide, theScout, theGroup, theName)
+	end
+end
+
+-- add a priority/blackList group name to prio list 
+function cfxReconMode.addToPrioList(aGroup)
+	if not aGroup then return end 
+	if type(aGroup) == "table" and aGroup.getName then 
+		aGroup = aGroup:getName()
+	end
+	if type(aGroup) == "string" then 
+		table.insert(cfxReconMode.prioList, aGroup)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.addToBlackList(aGroup)
+	if not aGroup then return end 
+	if type(aGroup) == "table" and aGroup.getName then 
+		aGroup = aGroup:getName()
+	end
+	if type(aGroup) == "string" then 
+		table.insert(cfxReconMode.blackList, aGroup)
+	end
+end
+
+
+function cfxReconMode.isStringInList(theString, theList)
+	if not theString then return false end 
+	if not theList then return false end 
+	if type(theString) == "string" then 
+		for idx,anItem in pairs(theList) do 
+			if anItem == theString then return true end
+		end
+	end
+	return false
+end
+
+-- addScout directly adds a scout unit. Use from external 
+-- to manually add a unit (e.g. via GUI when autoscout isExist
+-- off, or to force a scout unit (e.g. when scouts for a side
+-- are not allowed but you still want a unit from that side 
+-- to scout
+-- since we use a queue for scouts, also always check the 
+-- processed queue before adding to make sure a scout isn't 
+-- entered multiple times 
+
+function cfxReconMode.addScout(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++cfxRecon: WARNING - nil Unit on add", 30)
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if type(theUnit) == "string" then 
+		local u = Unit.getByName(theUnit) 
+		theUnit = u
+	end 
+	
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++cfxRecon: WARNING - did not find unit on add", 30)
+		return 
+	end	
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	-- find out if this an update or a new scout 
+	local thisID = tonumber(theUnit:getID())
+	local theName = theUnit:getName() 
+	local lastUnit = cfxReconMode.scouts[theName]
+	local isProcced = false -- may also be in procced line 
+	if not lastUnit then 
+		lastUnit = cfxReconMode.processedScouts[theName]
+		if lastUnit then isProcced = true end 
+	end
+
+	if lastUnit then 
+		-- this is merely an overwrite 
+		if cfxReconMode.verbose then trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: UPDATE scout " .. theName .. " -- no CB invoke", 30) end 
+	else 
+		if cfxReconMode.verbose then trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: new scout " .. theName .. " with ID " .. thisID, 30) end 
+		-- a new scout! Invoke callbacks
+		local scoutGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+		local theSide = scoutGroup:getCoalition()
+		cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("start", theSide, theUnit, nil, "<none>")
+	end 
+	
+	if isProcced then 
+		-- overwrite exiting entry in procced queue
+		cfxReconMode.processedScouts[theName] = theUnit
+	else 
+		-- add / overwrite into normal queue 
+		cfxReconMode.scouts[theName] = theUnit
+	end 
+	
+	if cfxReconMode.verbose then
+		trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: addded scout " .. theUnit:getName(), 30)
+	end
+end
+
+
+function cfxReconMode.removeScout(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++cfxRecon: WARNING - nil Unit on remove", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if type(theUnit) == "string" then 
+		cfxReconMode.removeScoutByName(theUnit)
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	if not theUnit then return end	
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	cfxReconMode.removeScoutByName(theUnit:getName())
+	local scoutGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	local theSide = scoutGroup:getCoalition()
+	cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("end", theSide, theUnit, nil, "<none>")
+end
+
+-- warning: removeScoutByName does NOT invoke callbacks, always
+-- use removeScout instead!
+function cfxReconMode.removeScoutByName(aName)
+	cfxReconMode.scouts[aName] = nil
+	cfxReconMode.processedScouts[aName] = nil -- also remove from processed stack 
+	if cfxReconMode.verbose then
+		trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: removed scout " .. aName, 30)
+	end
+end
+
+
+function cfxReconMode.canDetect(scoutPos, theGroup, visRange)
+	-- determine if a member of theGroup can be seen from 
+	-- scoutPos at visRange 
+	-- returns true and pos when detected
+	local allUnits = theGroup:getUnits()
+	for idx, aUnit in pairs(allUnits) do
+		if aUnit:isExist() and aUnit:getLife() >= 1 then 
+			local uPos = aUnit:getPoint()
+			uPos.y = uPos.y + 3 -- raise my 3 meters
+			local d = dcsCommon.distFlat(scoutPos, uPos) 
+			if d < visRange then 
+				-- is in visual range. do we have LOS?
+				if land.isVisible(scoutPos, uPos) then 
+					-- group is visible, stop here, return true
+					return true, uPos
+				end
+			else 
+				-- OPTIMIZATION: if a unit is outside 
+				-- detect range, we assume that entire group 
+				-- is, since they are bunched together
+				-- edge cases may get lucky tests
+				return false, nil 
+			end
+		end		
+	end
+	return false, nil -- nothing visible
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.placeMarkForUnit(location, theSide, theGroup) 
+	local theID = cfxReconMode.uuid()
+	local theDesc = "Contact: "..theGroup:getName()
+	if cfxReconMode.reportNumbers then 
+		theDesc = theDesc .. " (" .. theGroup:getSize() .. " units)"
+	end
+	trigger.action.markToCoalition(
+					theID, 
+					theDesc, 
+					location, 
+					theSide, 
+					false, 
+					nil)
+	return theID
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.removeMarkForArgs(args)
+	local theSide = args[1]
+	local theScout = args[2]
+	local theGroup = args[3]
+	local theID = args[4]
+	local theName = args[5]
+	
+--	if not theGroup then return end 
+--	if not theGroup:isExist then return end 
+	
+	trigger.action.removeMark(theID)
+	cfxReconMode.detectedGroups[theName] = nil 
+	
+	-- invoke callbacks
+	cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("removed", theSide, theScout, theGroup, theName)
+end 
+
+
+function cfxReconMode.detectedGroup(mySide, theScout, theGroup, theLoc)
+	-- put a mark on the map 
+	if cfxReconMode.applyMarks then 
+		local theID = cfxReconMode.placeMarkForUnit(theLoc, mySide, theGroup)
+	
+		-- schedule removal if desired 
+		if cfxReconMode.marksFadeAfter > 0 then 
+			args = {mySide, theScout, theGroup, theID, theGroup:getName()}
+			timer.scheduleFunction(cfxReconMode.removeMarkForArgs, args, timer.getTime() + cfxReconMode.marksFadeAfter)
+		end
+	end 
+	-- say something
+	if cfxReconMode.announcer then 
+		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(mySide, theScout:getName() .. " reports new ground contact " .. theGroup:getName(), 30)
+		-- play a sound 
+		trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(mySide, cfxReconMode.reconSound)
+	end 
+	
+	-- see if it was a prio target 
+	if cfxReconMode.isStringInList(theGroup:getName(), cfxReconMode.prioList) then 
+		if cfxReconMode.announcer then 
+			trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(mySide, "Priority target confirmed",	30)
+		end 
+		-- invoke callbacks
+		cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("priotity", mySide, theScout, theGroup, theGroup:getName())
+		
+		-- increase prio flag 
+		if cfxReconMode.prioFlag then 
+			local currVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(cfxReconMode.prioFlag)
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(cfxReconMode.prioFlag, currVal + 1)
+		end
+	else 
+		-- invoke callbacks
+		cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("detected", mySide, theScout, theGroup, theGroup:getName())
+	
+		-- increase normal flag 
+		if cfxReconMode.detectFlag then 
+			local currVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(cfxReconMode.detectFlag)
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(cfxReconMode.detectFlag, currVal + 1)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.performReconForUnit(theScout)
+	if not theScout then return end 
+	if not theScout:isExist() then return end -- will be gc'd soon
+	-- get altitude above ground to calculate visual range 
+	local alt = dcsCommon.getUnitAGL(theScout)
+	local visRange = dcsCommon.lerp(cfxReconMode.detectionMinRange, cfxReconMode.detectionMaxRange, alt/cfxReconMode.maxAlt)
+	local scoutPos = theScout:getPoint()
+	-- figure out which groups we are looking for
+	local myCoal = theScout:getCoalition()
+	local enemyCoal = 1 
+	if myCoal == 1 then enemyCoal = 2 end 
+	
+	-- iterate all enemy units until we find one 
+	-- and then stop this iteration (can only detect one 
+	-- group per pass)
+	local enemyGroups = coalition.getGroups(enemyCoal)
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs (enemyGroups) do 
+		-- make sure it's a ground unit 
+		local isGround = theGroup:getCategory() == 2
+		if theGroup:isExist() and isGround then 
+			local visible, location = cfxReconMode.canDetect(scoutPos, theGroup, visRange)
+			if visible then 
+				-- see if we already detected this one 
+				local groupName = theGroup:getName()
+				if cfxReconMode.detectedGroups[groupName] == nil then 
+					-- only now check against blackList
+					if not cfxReconMode.isStringInList(groupName, cfxReconMode.blackList) then 
+						-- visible and not yet seen 
+						-- perhaps add some percent chance now 
+						-- remember that we know this group 
+						cfxReconMode.detectedGroups[groupName] = theGroup
+						cfxReconMode.detectedGroup(myCoal, theScout, theGroup, location)
+						return -- stop, as we only detect one group per pass
+					end 
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+
+
+function cfxReconMode.updateQueues()
+	-- schedule next call 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxReconMode.updateQueues, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxReconMode.ups)
+	
+	-- we only process the first aircraft in 
+	-- the scouts array, move it to processed and then shrink
+	-- scouts table until it's empty. When empty, transfer all 
+	-- back and start cycle anew
+
+	local theFocusScoutName = nil 
+	local procCount = 0 -- no iterations done yet
+	for name, scout in pairs(cfxReconMode.scouts) do 
+		theFocusScoutName = name -- remember so we can delete
+		if not scout:isExist() then 
+			-- we ignore the scout, and it's 
+			-- forgotten since no longer transferred
+			-- i.e. built-in GC
+			if cfxReconMode.verbose then
+				trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: GC - removing scout " .. name .. " because it no longer exists", 30)
+			end
+			-- invoke 'end' for this scout  
+			cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("dead", -1, nil, nil, name)
+		else
+			-- scan for this scout
+			cfxReconMode.performReconForUnit(scout)
+			-- move it to processed table
+			cfxReconMode.processedScouts[name] = scout
+		end
+		procCount = 1 -- remember we went through one iteration
+		break -- always end after first iteration
+	end
+
+	-- remove processed scouts from scouts array
+	if procCount > 0 then 
+		-- we processed one scout (even if scout itself did not exist)
+		-- remove that scout from active scouts table
+		cfxReconMode.scouts[theFocusScoutName] = nil
+	else 
+		-- scouts is empty. copy processed table back to scouts
+		-- restart scouts array, contains GC already 
+		cfxReconMode.scouts = cfxReconMode.processedScouts
+		cfxReconMode.processedScouts = {} -- start new empty processed queue
+	end 
+end
+
+-- event handler 
+function cfxReconMode:onEvent(event) 
+	if not event then return end 
+	if not event.initiator then return end 
+	local theUnit = event.initiator 
+	
+	-- we simply add scouts as they are garbage-collected 
+	-- every so often when they do not exist 
+	if event.id == 15 or -- birth
+	   event.id == 3 -- take-off. should already have been taken 
+	                 -- care of by birth, but you never know 
+	then
+		-- check if a side must not have scouts.
+		-- this will prevent player units to auto-
+		-- scout when they are on that side. in that case
+		-- you must add manually
+		local theSide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+		if theSide == 0 and not cfxReconMode.greyScouts then 
+			return -- grey scouts are not allowed
+		end
+		if theSide == 1 and not cfxReconMode.redScouts then 
+			return -- grey scouts are not allowed
+		end
+		if theSide == 2 and not cfxReconMode.blueScouts then 
+			return -- grey scouts are not allowed
+		end
+		
+		if cfxReconMode.playerOnlyRecon then 
+			if not theUnit:getPlayerName() then 
+				return -- only players can do recon. this unit is AI
+			end
+		end
+		if cfxReconMode.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: event " .. event.id .. " for unit " .. theUnit:getName(), 30)
+		end 
+		cfxReconMode.addScout(theUnit)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- read all existing planes 
+-- 
+function cfxReconMode.processScoutGroups(theGroups)
+	for idx, aGroup in pairs(theGroups) do 
+		-- process all planes in that group 
+		-- we are very early in the mission, only few groups really 
+		-- exist now, the rest of the units come in with 15 event
+		if aGroup:isExist() then 
+			local allUnits = Group.getUnits(aGroup)
+			for idy, aUnit in pairs (allUnits) do 
+				if aUnit:isExist() then 
+					cfxReconMode.addScout(aUnit)
+					if cfxReconMode.verbose then
+						trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: added unit " ..aUnit:getName() .. " to pool at startup", 30)
+					end 
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.initScouts()
+	-- get all groups of aircraft. Unrolled loop 0..2 
+	local theAirGroups = {}  
+	if cfxReconMode.greyScouts then
+		theAirGroups = coalition.getGroups(0, 0) -- 0 = aircraft
+		cfxReconMode.processScoutGroups(theAirGroups) 
+	end
+	if cfxReconMode.redScouts then
+		theAirGroups = coalition.getGroups(1, 0) -- 1 = red, 0 = aircraft
+		cfxReconMode.processScoutGroups(theAirGroups) 
+	end
+	
+	if cfxReconMode.blueScouts then
+		theAirGroups = coalition.getGroups(2, 0) -- 2 = blue, 0 = aircraft
+		cfxReconMode.processScoutGroups(theAirGroups) 
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- read config 
+--
+function cfxReconMode.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("reconModeConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		if cfxReconMode.verbose then
+			trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: no config zone!", 30) 
+		end 
+		return 
+	end 
+	if cfxReconMode.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: found config zone!", 30) 
+	end 
+	
+	cfxReconMode.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+
+	cfxReconMode.autoRecon = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "autoRecon", true)
+	cfxReconMode.redScouts = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "redScouts", false)
+	cfxReconMode.blueScouts = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "blueScouts", true)	
+	cfxReconMode.greyScouts = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "greyScouts", false)
+	cfxReconMode.playerOnlyRecon = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "playerOnlyRecon", false)
+	cfxReconMode.reportNumbers = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "reportNumbers", true)
+		
+	cfxReconMode.detectionMinRange = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "detectionMinRange", 3000)
+	cfxReconMode.detectionMaxRange = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "detectionMaxRange", 12000)
+	cfxReconMode.maxAlt = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "maxAlt", 9000)
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "prio+") then 
+		cfxReconMode.prioFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "prio+", "none")
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "detect+") then 
+		cfxReconMode.detectFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "detect+", "none")
+	end
+	
+	
+	cfxReconMode.applyMarks = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "applyMarks", true)
+	cfxReconMode.announcer = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "announcer", true)
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "reconSound") then 
+		cfxReconMode.reconSound = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "reconSound", "<nosound>")
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- start 
+--
+function cfxReconMode.start()
+	-- lib check 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Recon Mode", 
+		cfxReconMode.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config 
+	cfxReconMode.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- gather exiting planes 
+	cfxReconMode.initScouts()
+	
+	-- start update cycle
+	cfxReconMode.updateQueues()
+		
+	if cfxReconMode.autoRecon then 
+		-- install own event handler to detect 
+		-- when a unit takes off and add it to scout
+		-- roster 
+		world.addEventHandler(cfxReconMode)
+	end
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Recon version " .. cfxReconMode.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true
+end
+
+--
+-- test callback 
+--
+function cfxReconMode.demoReconCB(reason, theSide, theScout, theGroup, theName)
+	trigger.action.outText("recon CB: " .. reason .. " -- " .. theScout:getName() .. " spotted " .. theName, 30)
+end
+
+if not cfxReconMode.start() then 
+	cfxReconMode = nil
+end
+
+-- debug: wire up my own callback
+-- cfxReconMode.addCallback(cfxReconMode.demoReconCB)
+
+
+--[[--
+
+ideas:
+ 
+- renew lease. when already sighted, simply renew lease, maybe update location.
+- update marks and renew lease 
+TODO: red+ and blue+ - flags to increase when a plane of the other side is detected
+
+ 
+--]]--
+
+
+ 
+ 

modules/cfxSSBClient.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,470 @@
+cfxSSBClient = {}
+cfxSSBClient.version = "2.0.0"
+cfxSSBClient.verbose = false 
+cfxSSBClient.singleUse = false -- set to true to block crashed planes
+-- NOTE: singleUse (true) requires SSB to disable immediate respawn after kick
+cfxSSBClient.reUseAfter = -1 -- seconds for re-use delay
+  -- only when singleUse is in effect. -1 means never 
+  
+cfxSSBClient.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxGroups", -- for slot access
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+
+--[[--
+Version History
+  1.0.0 - initial version
+  1.1.0 - detect airfield by action and location, not group name
+  1.1.1 - performance tuning. only read player groups once 
+        - and remove in-air-start groups from scan. this requires
+        - ssb (server) be not modified	
+  1.2.0 - API to close airfields: invoke openAirfieldNamed() 
+          and closeAirfieldNamed() with name as string (exact match required)
+		  to block an airfield for any player aircraft.
+		  Works for FARPS as well 
+		  API to associate a player group with any airfied's status (nil for unbind):
+		  cfxSSBClient.bindGroupToAirfield(group, airfieldName)
+		  API shortcut to unbind groups: cfxSSBClient.unbindGroup(group) 
+		  verbose messages now identify better: "+++SSB:"
+		  keepInAirGroups option 
+  2.0.0 - include single-use ability: crashed airplanes are blocked from further use
+        - single-use can be turned off 
+		- getPlayerGroupForGroupNamed()
+		- split setSlotAccess to single accessor 
+		  and interator
+		- reUseAfter option for single-use  
+		- dcsCommon, cfxZones import
+	
+WHAT IT IS
+SSB Client is a small script that forms the client-side counterpart to
+Ciribob's simple slot block. It will block slots for all client airframes
+that are on an airfield that does not belong to the faction that currently
+owns the airfield. 
+
+REQUIRES CIRIBOB's SIMPLE SLOT BLOCK (SSB) TO RUN ON THE SERVER
+
+If run without SSB, your planes will not be blocked.
+
+In order to work, a plane that should be blocked when the airfield or 
+FARP doesn't belong to the player's faction, the group's first unit
+must be within 3000 meters of the airfield and on the ground. 
+Previous versions of this script relied on group names. No longer.
+
+
+WARNING:
+If you modified ssb's flag values, this script will not work 
+
+YOU DO NOT NEED TO ACTIVATE SBB, THIS SCRIPT DOES SO AUTOMAGICALLY
+
+
+--]]--
+
+-- below value for enabled MUST BE THE SAME AS THE VALUE OF THE SAME NAME 
+-- IN SSB. DEFAULT IS ZERO, AND THIS WILL WORK
+
+cfxSSBClient.enabledFlagValue = 0 -- DO NOT CHANGE, MUST MATCH SSB 
+cfxSSBClient.disabledFlagValue = cfxSSBClient.enabledFlagValue + 100 -- DO NOT CHANGE
+cfxSSBClient.allowNeutralFields = false -- set to FALSE if players can't spawn on neutral airfields 
+cfxSSBClient.maxAirfieldRange = 3000 -- meters to airfield before group is no longer associated with airfield 
+-- actions to home in on when a player plane is detected and a slot may 
+-- be blocked. Currently, homing in on airfield, but not fly over 
+cfxSSBClient.slotActions = {
+	"From Runway",
+	"From Parking Area",
+	"From Parking Area Hot",
+	"From Ground Area",
+	"From Ground Area Hot",
+}
+cfxSSBClient.keepInAirGroups = false -- if false we only look at planes starting on the ground 
+-- setting this to true only makes sense if you plan to bind in-air starts to airfields 
+
+cfxSSBClient.playerGroups = {}
+cfxSSBClient.closedAirfields = {} -- list that closes airfields for any aircrafts
+cfxSSBClient.playerPlanes = {} -- names of units that a player is flying
+cfxSSBClient.crashedGroups = {} -- names of groups to block after crash of their player-flown plane 
+
+
+function cfxSSBClient.closeAirfieldNamed(name)
+	if not name then return end 
+	cfxSSBClient.closedAirfields[name] = true 
+	cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessByAirfieldOwner()
+	if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: Airfield " .. name .. " now closed", 30) 
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.openAirFieldNamed(name)
+	cfxSSBClient.closedAirfields[name] = nil 
+	cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessByAirfieldOwner()
+	if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: Airfield " .. name .. " just opened", 30) 
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.unbindGroup(groupName)
+	cfxSSBClient.bindGroupToAirfield(groupName, nil)
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.bindGroupToAirfield(groupName, airfieldName)
+	if not groupName then return end 
+	local airfield = nil
+	if airfieldName then airfield = Airbase.getByName(airfieldName) end 
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs(cfxSSBClient.playerGroups) do
+		if theGroup.name == groupName then 
+			if cfxSSBClient.verbose then
+				local newBind = "NIL"
+				if airfield then newBind = airfieldName end 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: Group " .. theGroup.name .. " changed binding to " .. newBind, 30) 
+			end
+			theGroup.airfield = airfield
+			return
+		end
+	end
+	if not airfieldName then airfieldName = "<NIL>" end 
+	trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: Binding Group " .. groupName .. " to " .. airfieldName .. " failed.", 30) 
+end
+--[[--
+function cfxSSBClient.dist(point1, point2) -- returns distance between two points	  	  
+  local x = point1.x - point2.x
+  local y = point1.y - point2.y 
+  local z = point1.z - point2.z
+  
+  return (x*x + y*y + z*z)^0.5
+end
+--]]--
+	
+-- see if instring conatins what, defaults to case insensitive
+--[[--
+function cfxSSBClient.containsString(inString, what, caseSensitive)
+	if (not caseSensitive) then 
+		inString = string.upper(inString)
+		what = string.upper(what)
+	end
+	return string.find(inString, what)
+end
+--]]--
+--[[--
+function cfxSSBClient.arrayContainsString(theArray, theString)
+	-- warning: case sensitive!
+	if not theArray then return false end
+	if not theString then return false end
+	for i = 1, #theArray do 
+		if theArray[i] == theString then return true end 
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+--]]--
+
+function cfxSSBClient.getClosestAirbaseTo(thePoint)
+	local delta = math.huge
+	local allYourBase = world.getAirbases() -- get em all
+	local closestBase = nil 
+	for idx, aBase in pairs(allYourBase) do
+		-- iterate them all 
+		local abPoint = aBase:getPoint()
+		newDelta = dcsCommon.dist(thePoint, {x=abPoint.x, y = 0, z=abPoint.z})
+		if newDelta < delta then 
+			delta = newDelta
+			closestBase = aBase
+		end
+	end
+	return closestBase, delta 
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return end 
+	-- WARNING: theGroup is cfxGroup record  
+	local theName = theGroup.name 
+	local theMatchingAirfield = theGroup.airfield 
+	-- airfield was attached at startup to group 
+	if cfxSSBClient.singleUse and cfxSSBClient.crashedGroups[theName] then 
+	   -- we don't check, as we know it's blocked after crash 
+	   -- and leave it as it is. Nothing to do at all now
+		   
+	elseif theMatchingAirfield ~= nil then 
+		-- we have found a plane that is tied to an airfield 
+		-- so this group will receive a block/unblock
+		-- we always set all block/unblock every time
+		-- note: since caching, above guard not needed
+		local airFieldSide = theMatchingAirfield:getCoalition()
+		local groupCoalition = theGroup.coaNum
+		local blockState = cfxSSBClient.enabledFlagValue -- we default to ALLOW the block
+		local comment = "available"
+			
+		-- see if airfield is closed 
+		local afName = theMatchingAirfield:getName()
+		if cfxSSBClient.closedAirfields[afName] then 
+			-- airfield is closed. no take-offs 
+			blockState = cfxSSBClient.disabledFlagValue
+			comment = "!closed airfield!"
+		end
+			
+		-- on top of that, check coalitions
+		if groupCoalition ~= airFieldSide then 
+			-- we have a problem. sides don't match 
+			if airFieldSide == 3 
+			or (cfxSSBClient.allowNeutralFields and airFieldSide == 0)
+			then 
+				-- all is well, airfield is contested or neutral and 
+				-- we allow this plane to spawn here
+			else 
+				-- DISALLOWED!!!!
+				blockState = cfxSSBClient.disabledFlagValue
+				comment = "!!!BLOCKED!!!"
+			end
+		end 
+		-- set the ssb flag for this group so the server can see it
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theName, blockState)
+		if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: group ".. theName .. ": " .. comment, 30)
+		end 
+	else 
+		if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: group ".. theName .. " no bound airfield: available", 30)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.getPlayerGroupForGroupNamed(aName)
+	local pGroups = cfxSSBClient.playerGroups
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs(pGroups) do
+		if theGroup.name == aName then return theGroup end 
+	end
+	return nil 
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessByAirfieldOwner()
+	-- get all groups that have a player-controlled aircraft
+	-- now uses cached, reduced set of player planes
+	local pGroups = cfxSSBClient.playerGroups -- cfxGroups.getPlayerGroup() -- we want the group.name attribute
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs(pGroups) do
+		cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessForGroup(theGroup)
+	end
+
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.reOpenSlotForGroupNamed(args)
+	-- this is merely the timer shell for opening the crashed slot
+	gName = args[1]
+	cfxSSBClient.openSlotForCrashedGroupNamed(gName)
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.openSlotForCrashedGroupNamed(gName)
+	if not gName then return end
+	local pGroup = cfxSSBClient.getPlayerGroupForGroupNamed(gName)
+	if not pGroup then return end 
+	cfxSSBClient.crashedGroups[gName] = nil -- set to nil to forget this happened 
+	cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessForGroup(pGroup) -- set by current occupation status 
+	trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC:SU: re-opened slot for group <" .. gName .. ">", 30)
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient:onEvent(event)
+	if event.id == 10 then -- S_EVENT_BASE_CAPTURED
+		if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: CAPTURE EVENT -- RESETTING SLOTS", 30)
+		end
+		cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessByAirfieldOwner()
+	end
+
+-- write down player names and planes
+	if event.id == 15 then
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC:SU: enter event 15", 30)
+		if not event.initiator then return end 
+		local theUnit = event.initiator -- we know this exists
+		local uName = theUnit:getName()
+		if not uName then return end 
+		-- player entered unit
+		local playerName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+		if not playerName then 
+			return -- NPC plane
+		end 
+		-- remember this unit as player controlled plane
+		-- because player and plane can easily disconnect
+		cfxSSBClient.playerPlanes[uName] = playerName
+		trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC:SU: noted " .. playerName .. " piloting player unit " .. uName, 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+
+	if cfxSSBClient.singleUse and event.id == 5 then -- crash
+		if not event.initiator then return end 
+		local theUnit = event.initiator 
+		local uName = theUnit:getName()
+		if not uName then return end
+		local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+		if not theGroup then return end 
+		-- see if a player plane
+		local thePilot = cfxSSBClient.playerPlanes[uName]
+		if not thePilot then 
+			-- ignore. not a player plane
+			trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC:SU: ignored crash for NPC unit <" .. uName .. ">", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+		-- if we get here, a player-owned plane has crashed 
+		local gName = theGroup:getName()
+		if not gName then return end 
+		
+		-- block this slot. 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(gName, cfxSSBClient.disabledFlagValue)
+		
+		-- remember this plane to not re-enable if 
+		-- airfield changes hands later 
+		cfxSSBClient.crashedGroups[gName] = thePilot -- set to crash pilot 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC:SU: Blocked slot for group <" .. gName .. ">", 30)
+		
+		if cfxSSBClient.reUseAfter > 0 then 
+			-- schedule re-opening this slot in <x> seconds
+			timer.scheduleFunction(
+				cfxSSBClient.reOpenSlotForGroupNamed, 
+				{gName}, 
+				timer.getTime() + cfxSSBClient.reUseAfter
+				)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSSBClient.update()
+	-- first, re-schedule me in one minute 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxSSBClient.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 60)
+	
+	-- now establish all slot blocks 
+	cfxSSBClient.setSlotAccessByAirfieldOwner()
+end
+
+-- pre-process static player data to minimize 
+-- processor load on checks
+function cfxSSBClient.processPlayerData()
+	cfxSSBClient.playerGroups = cfxGroups.getPlayerGroup()
+	local pGroups = cfxSSBClient.playerGroups
+	local filteredPlayers = {}
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs(pGroups) do
+		if theGroup.airfield ~= nil or cfxSSBClient.keepInAirGroups or 
+		cfxSSBClient.singleUse then 
+			-- only transfer groups that have airfields (or also keepInAirGroups or when single-use)
+			-- attached. Ignore the rest as they are 
+			-- always fine
+			table.insert(filteredPlayers, theGroup)
+		end
+	end
+	cfxSSBClient.playerGroups = filteredPlayers
+end
+
+-- add airfield information to each player group
+function cfxSSBClient.processGroupData()
+	local pGroups = cfxGroups.getPlayerGroup() -- we want the group.name attribute
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs(pGroups) do
+		-- we always use the first player's plane as referenced
+		local playerData = theGroup.playerUnits[1]
+		local theAirfield = nil
+		local delta = -1
+		local action = playerData.action 
+		if not action then action = "<NIL>" end 
+		-- see if the data has any of the slot-interesting actions
+		if dcsCommon.arrayContainsString(cfxSSBClient.slotActions, action ) then 
+			-- yes, fetch the closest airfield 
+			theAirfield, delta = cfxSSBClient.getClosestAirbaseTo(playerData.point)
+			local afName = theAirfield:getName()
+			if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: group: " .. theGroup.name .. " closest to AF " .. afName .. ": " .. delta .. "m" , 30)
+			end 
+			if delta > cfxSSBClient.maxAirfieldRange then 
+				-- forget airfield
+				 theAirfield = nil
+				if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: group: " .. theGroup.name .. " unlinked - too far from airfield" , 30)
+				end 
+			end
+			theGroup.airfield = theAirfield
+		else 
+			if cfxSSBClient.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++SSB: group: " .. theGroup.name .. " start option " .. action .. " does not concern SSB", 30)
+			end 
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- read config zone
+--
+function cfxSSBClient.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("SSBClientConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC: no config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("+++SSBC: found config zone!", 30) 
+	
+	cfxSSBClient.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	-- single-use
+	cfxSSBClient.singleUse = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "singleUse", false) -- use airframes only once? respawn after kick must be disabled in ssb
+	cfxSSBClient.reUseAfter = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "reUseAfter", -1)
+	
+	-- airfield availability 
+	cfxSSBClient.allowNeutralFields = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "allowNeutralFields", false)
+	
+	cfxSSBClient.maxAirfieldRange = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "maxAirfieldRange", 3000) -- meters, to find attached airfield
+
+	-- optimization 
+	
+	cfxSSBClient.keepInAirGroups = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "keepInAirGroups", false)
+	
+	-- SSB direct control. 
+	-- USE ONLY WHEN YOU ARE SURE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
+	
+	cfxSSBClient.enabledFlagValue = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "enabledFlagValue", 0)
+	
+	cfxSSBClient.disabledFlagValue = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "disabledFlagValue", cfxSSBClient.enabledFlagValue + 100)
+end
+
+--
+-- start
+--
+function cfxSSBClient.start()
+	-- verify modules loaded 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx SSB Client", 
+		cfxSSBClient.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config zone if present 
+	cfxSSBClient.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- install callback for events in DCS
+	world.addEventHandler(cfxSSBClient)
+	
+	-- process group data to attach airfields 
+	cfxSSBClient.processGroupData()
+	
+	-- process player data to minimize effort and build cache
+	-- into cfxSSBClient.playerGroups
+	cfxSSBClient.processPlayerData()
+	
+	-- install a timed update just to make sure
+	-- and start NOW
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxSSBClient.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
+	 
+	-- now turn on ssb 
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag("SSB",100)
+	
+	-- say hi!
+	trigger.action.outText("cfxSSBClient v".. cfxSSBClient.version .. " running, SBB enabled", 30)
+	
+	--cfxSSBClient.allYourBase()
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+if not cfxSSBClient.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cfxSSBClient v".. cfxSSBClient.version .. " FAILED loading.", 30)
+	cfxSSBClient = nil
+end
+
+--[[--
+  possible improvements: 
+	- use explicitBlockList that with API. planes on that list are always blocked. Use this for special effects, such as allowing a slot only to open from scripts, e.g. when a condition is met like money or goals reached
+   
+-]]--

modules/cfxSSBSingleUse.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+cfxSSBSingleUse = {}
+cfxSSBSingleUse.version = "1.1.0"
+
+--[[--
+Version History
+	1.0.0 - Initial version
+	1.1.0 - importing dcsCommon, cfxGroup for simplicity
+	      - save unit name on player enter unit as look-up
+		  - determining ground-start
+          - place wreck in slot 
+	1.1.1 - guarding against nil playerName	  
+	      - using 15 (birth) instead of 20 (player enter)
+WHAT IT IS
+SSB Single Use is a script that blocks a player slot
+after that plane crashes. 
+
+
+--]]--
+
+cfxSSBSingleUse.enabledFlagValue = 0 -- DO NOT CHANGE, MUST MATCH SSB 
+cfxSSBSingleUse.disabledFlagValue = cfxSSBSingleUse.enabledFlagValue + 100 -- DO NOT CHANGE
+
+
+cfxSSBSingleUse.playerUnits = {}
+cfxSSBSingleUse.slotGroundActions = {
+--	"From Runway", -- NOT RUNWAY, as that would litter runway
+	"From Parking Area",
+	"From Parking Area Hot",
+	"From Ground Area",
+	"From Ground Area Hot",
+}
+
+cfxSSBSingleUse.groundSlots = {} -- players that start on the ground 
+
+function cfxSSBSingleUse:onEvent(event)
+	
+	if not event then return end 
+	if not event.id then return end 
+	if not event.initiator then return end 
+	-- if we get here, initiator is set
+	local theUnit = event.initiator -- we know this exists
+	
+	
+	-- write down player names and planes
+	if event.id == 15 then
+		local uName = theUnit:getName()
+		if not uName then return end 
+		-- player entered unit
+		local playerName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+		if not playerName then 
+			return -- NPC plane
+		end  
+		-- remember this unit as player unit
+		cfxSSBSingleUse.playerUnits[uName] = playerName
+		trigger.action.outText("+++singleUse: noted " .. playerName .. " piloting player unit " .. uName, 30)
+		return 
+	end
+
+	-- check for a crash
+	if event.id == 5 then -- S_EVENT_CRASH
+		local uName = theUnit:getName()
+		if not uName then return end 
+	
+		local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+		if not theGroup then return end 
+		
+		-- see if a player plane
+		local thePilot = cfxSSBSingleUse.playerUnits[uName]
+		
+		if not thePilot then 
+			-- ignore. not a player plane
+			trigger.action.outText("+++singleUse: ignored crash for NPC unit <" .. uName .. ">", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+		
+		local gName = theGroup:getName()
+		if not gName then return end 
+		
+		-- see if it was a ground slot 
+		local theGroundSlot = cfxSSBSingleUse.groundSlots[gName]
+		if theGroundSlot then 
+			local unitType = theUnit:getTypeName()
+			trigger.action.outText("+++singleUse: <" .. uName .. "> starts on Ground. Will place debris for " .. unitType .. " NOW!!!", 30)
+			cfxSSBSingleUse.placeDebris(unitType, theGroundSlot)
+		end
+		
+		-- block this slot. 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(gName, cfxSSBSingleUse.disabledFlagValue)
+		
+		trigger.action.outText("+++singleUse: blocked <" .. gName .. "> after " .. thePilot  .. " crashed it.", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSSBSingleUse.placeDebris(unitType, theGroundSlot)
+	if not unitType then return end 
+	-- access location one, we assume single-unit groups
+	-- or at least that the player sits in unit one 
+	local playerData = theGroundSlot.playerUnits
+	local theSlotData = playerData[1]
+	local wreckData = {}
+	wreckData.heading = 0
+	wreckData.name = dcsCommon.uuid("singleUseWreck"..theSlotData.name)
+	wreckData.x = tonumber(theSlotData.point.x) 
+	wreckData.y = tonumber(theSlotData.point.z)
+	wreckData.dead = true 
+	wreckData.type = unitType
+	
+	coalition.addStaticObject(theGroundSlot.coaNum, wreckData )
+	trigger.action.outText("+++singleUse: wreck <" .. unitType .. "> at " .. wreckData.x  .. ", " .. wreckData.y .. " for " .. wreckData.name, 30)
+end
+
+
+function cfxSSBSingleUse.populateAirfieldSlots()
+	local pGroups = cfxGroups.getPlayerGroup() 
+	local groundStarters = {}
+	for idx, theGroup in pairs(pGroups) do
+		-- we always use the first player's plane as referenced
+		local playerData = theGroup.playerUnits[1]
+		local action = playerData.action 
+		if not action then action = "<NIL>" end 
+		-- see if the data has any of the slot-interesting actions
+		if dcsCommon.arrayContainsString(cfxSSBSingleUse.slotGroundActions, action ) then 
+			-- ground starter, not from runway
+			groundStarters[theGroup.name] = theGroup
+			trigger.action.outText("+++singleUse: <" .. theGroup.name .. "> is ground starter", 30)
+		end 
+	end
+	cfxSSBSingleUse.groundSlots = groundStarters
+end
+
+function cfxSSBSingleUse.start()
+	-- install event monitor 
+	world.addEventHandler(cfxSSBSingleUse)
+	
+	-- get all groups and process them to find 
+	-- all planes that are on the ground for 
+	-- eye candy 
+	cfxSSBSingleUse.populateAirfieldSlots()
+	
+	-- turn on ssb 
+	trigger.action.setUserFlag("SSB",100)
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("SSB Single use v" .. cfxSSBSingleUse.version .. " running", 30)
+end
+
+-- let's go!
+cfxSSBSingleUse.start()
+
+--[[--
+Additional features (later):
+- place a wreck in slot when blocking for eye candy
+- record player when they enter a unit and only block player planes
+
+--]]--

modules/cfxSmokeZones.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+cfxSmokeZone = {}
+cfxSmokeZone.version = "1.0.2" 
+cfxSmokeZone.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+--[[--
+	Version History
+ 1.0.0 - initial version
+ 1.0.1 - added removeSmokeZone
+ 1.0.2 - added altitude
+
+	SMOKE ZONES *** EXTENDS ZONES ***
+	keeps 'eternal' smoke up for any zone that has the 
+	'smoke' attribute 
+	
+	USAGE
+	add a 'smoke' attribute to the zone. the value of the attribute 
+	defines the color. Valid values are: red, green, blue, white, orange, 0 (results in green smoke), 1 (red smoke), 2 (white), 3 (orange), 4 (blue)
+	defaults to "green"
+	altiude is meters above ground height, defaults to 5m
+--]]--
+cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones = {}
+cfxSmokeZone.updateDelay = 5 * 60 -- every 5 minutes 
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.processSmokeZone(aZone)
+	local rawVal = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "smoke", "green")
+	rawVal = rawVal:lower()
+	local theColor = 0 
+	if rawVal == "red" or rawVal == "1" then theColor = 1 end 
+	if rawVal == "white" or rawVal == "2" then theColor = 2 end 
+	if rawVal == "orange" or rawVal == "3" then theColor = 3 end 
+	if rawVal == "blue" or rawVal == "4" then theColor = 4 end 
+
+	aZone.smokeColor = theColor
+	aZone.smokeAlt = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "altitude", 1)
+end
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZone(aZone)
+	table.insert(cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones, aZone)
+end
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZoneWithColor(aZone, aColor, anAltitude)
+	if not aColor then aColor = 0 end -- default green 
+	if not anAltitude then anAltitude = 5 end 
+	if not aZone then return end 
+	aZone.smokeColor = aColor
+	aZone.smokeAlt = anAltitude
+	cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZone(aZone) -- add to update loop
+	cfxZones.markZoneWithSmoke(aZone, 0, 0, aZone.smokeColor, aZone.smokeAlt) -- smoke on!
+end
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.removeSmokeZone(aZone)
+	if not aZone then return end 
+	if type(aZone) == "string" then 
+		aZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aZone) 
+	end
+	
+	-- now create new table 
+	local filtered = {}
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones) do 
+		if theZone ~= aZone then 
+			table.insert(filtered, theZone)
+		end 
+	end
+	cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones = filtered 
+end
+
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.update()
+	-- call me in a couple of minutes to 'rekindle'
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxSmokeZone.update, {}, timer.getTime() + cfxSmokeZone.updateDelay)
+	
+	-- re-smoke all zones after delay
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones) do 
+		if aZone.smokeColor then 
+			cfxZones.markZoneWithSmoke(aZone, 0, 0, aZone.smokeColor, aZone.smokeAlt)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Smoke Zones", 
+		cfxSmokeZone.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- collect all zones with 'smoke' attribute 
+	-- collect all spawn zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("smoke")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		cfxSmokeZone.processSmokeZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+
+	-- start update loop
+	cfxSmokeZone.update()
+	
+	-- say hi
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Smoke Zones v" .. cfxSmokeZone.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go 
+if not cfxSmokeZone.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Smoke Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxSmokeZone = nil 
+end

modules/cfxSpawnZones.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,485 @@
+cfxSpawnZones = {}
+cfxSpawnZones.version = "1.5.1"
+cfxSpawnZones.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxCommander", -- to make troops do stuff
+	"cfxGroundTroops", -- generic data module for weight 
+}
+cfxSpawnZones.ups = 1
+cfxSpawnZones.verbose = false 
+--
+-- Zones that conform with this requirements spawn toops automatically
+--   *** DOES NOT EXTEND ZONES *** LINKED OWNER via masterOwner ***
+-- 
+
+-- version history
+--   1.3.0 
+--         - maxSpawn
+--         - orders
+--         - range
+--   1.3.1 - spawnWithSpawner correct translation of country to coalition 
+--         - createSpawner - corrected reading from properties
+--   1.3.2 - createSpawner - correct reading 'owner' from properties, now 
+--           directly reads coalition
+--   1.4.0 - checks modules 
+--         - orders 'train' or 'training' - will make the 
+--           ground troops be issued HOLD WEAPS and 
+--           not added to any queue. 'Training' troops 
+--           are target dummies.
+--         - optional heading attribute 
+--         - typeMult: repeate type this many time (can produce army in one call)
+--   1.4.1 - 'requestable' attribute. will automatically set zone to 
+--         - paused, so troops can be produced on call
+--         - getRequestableSpawnersInRange 
+--   1.4.2 - target attribute. used for
+--         - orders: attackZone 
+--         - spawner internally copies name from cfxZone used for spawning (convenience only)
+--   1.4.3 - can subscribe to callbacks. currently called when spawnForSpawner is invoked, reason is "spawned"
+--         - masterOwner to link ownership to other zone 
+--   1.4.4 - autoRemove flag to instantly start CD and respawn 
+--   1.4.5 - verify that maxSpawns ~= 0 on initial spawn on start-up 
+--   1.4.6 - getSpawnerForZoneNamed(aName)
+--         - nil-trapping orders before testing for 'training'
+--   1.4.7 - defaulting orders to 'guard'
+--         - also accept 'dummy' and 'dummies' as substitute for training 
+--   1.4.8 - spawnWithSpawner uses getPoint to support linked spawn zones 
+--         - update spawn count on initial spawn
+--   1.5.0 - f? support to trigger spawn 
+--         - spawnWithSpawner made string compatible
+--   1.5.1 - relaxed baseName and default to dcsCommon.uuid()
+--         - verbose 
+--
+-- new version requires cfxGroundTroops, where they are 
+--
+-- How do we recognize a spawn zone?
+-- contains a "spawner" attribute
+-- a spawner must also have the following attributes
+--  - spawner - anything, must be present to signal. put in 'ground' to be able to expand to other types  
+--  - types    - type strings, comma separated 
+-- see here: https://github.com/mrSkortch/DCS-miscScripts/tree/master/ObjectDB
+--  - typeMult - repeat types n times to create really LOT of troops. optional, defaults to 1
+--  - country  - defaults to 2 (usa) -- see here https://wiki.hoggitworld.com/view/DCS_enum_country
+--    some important: 0 = Russia, 2 = US, 82 = UN neutral
+--    country is converted to coalition and then assigned to
+--    Joint Task Force <side> upon spawn
+--  - masterOwner - optional name of master cfxZone used to determine whom the surrounding 
+--    territory belongs to. Spwaner will only spawn if the owner coalition is the 
+--    the same as the coalition my own county belongs to.
+--    if not given, spawner spawns even if inside a zone owned by opposing force 
+--  - baseName - for naming spawned groups - MUST BE UNIQUE!!!!
+--  
+-- the following attributes are optional 
+--  - cooldown, defaults to 60 (seconds) after troops are removed from zone,
+--    then the next group spawns. This means troops will only spawn after 
+--    troops are removed and cooldown timed out 
+--  - autoRemove - instantly removes spwaned troops, will spawn again 
+--    again after colldown 
+--  - formation - default is  circle_out; other formations are 
+--		- line - left lo right (west-east) facing north
+--      - line_V - vertical line, facing north
+--      - chevron - west-east, point growing to north 
+--      - scattered, random
+--      - circle, circle_forward (all fact north)
+--		- circle-in (all face in)
+--      - circle-out (all face out)
+--      - grid, square, rect arrayed in optimal grid
+--      - 2deep, 2cols two columns, deep 
+--      - 2wide 2 columns wide (2 deep) 
+--  - heading in DEGREES (deafult 0 = north ) direction entire group is facing 
+--  - destination - zone name to go to, no destination = stay where you are 
+--  - paused - defaults to false. If present true, spawning will not happen
+--    you can then manually invoke cfxSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(spawner) to 
+--    spawn the troops as they are described in the spawner 
+--  - orders - tell them what to do. "train" makes them dummies, "guard" 
+--    "laze", "wait-laze" etc 
+--    other orders are as defined by cfxGroundTroops, at least 
+--      guard - hold and defend (default)
+--      laze - laze targets 
+--      wait-xxx for helo troops, stand by until dropped from helo 
+--      attackOwnedZone - seek nearest owned zone and attack
+--      attackZone - move towards the named cfxZone. will generate error if zone not found 
+--      name of zone to attack is in 'target' attribute
+--  - target - names a target cfxZone, used for orders. Troops will immediately
+--    start moving towards that zone if defined and such a zone exists
+--  - maxSpawns - limit number of spawn cycles. omit or -1 is unlimited
+--  - requestable - used with heloTroops to determine if spawning can be ordered by 
+--    comms when in range
+-- respawn currently happens after theSpawn is deleted and cooldown seconds have passed 
+cfxSpawnZones.allSpawners = {}
+cfxSpawnZones.callbacks = {} -- signature: cb(reason, group, spawner)
+ 
+
+--
+-- C A L L B A C K S 
+-- 
+function cfxSpawnZones.addCallback(theCallback)
+	table.insert(cfxSpawnZones.callbacks, theCallback)
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.invokeCallbacksFor(reason, theGroup, theSpawner)
+	for idx, theCB in pairs (cfxSpawnZones.callbacks) do 
+		theCB(reason, theGroup, theSpawner)
+	end
+end
+
+
+--
+-- creating a spawner
+--
+function cfxSpawnZones.createSpawner(inZone)
+	local theSpawner = {}
+	theSpawner.zone = inZone
+	theSpawner.name = inZone.name 
+	-- connect with ME if a trigger flag is given 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "f?") then 
+		theSpawner.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "f?", "none")
+		theSpawner.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.triggerFlag)
+	end
+	
+	theSpawner.types = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "types")
+	--theSpawner.owner = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(inZone, "owner", 0)
+	-- synthesize types * typeMult
+	local n = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "typeMult", 1)
+	local repeater = ""
+	if n < 1 then n = 1 end 
+	while n > 1 do 
+		repeater = repeater .. "," .. theSpawner.types
+		n = n - 1
+	end
+	theSpawner.types = theSpawner.types .. repeater 
+	
+	theSpawner.country = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "country", 0) -- coalition2county(theSpawner.owner)
+	theSpawner.masterZoneName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "masterOwner", "")
+	if theSpawner.masterZoneName == "" then theSpawner.masterZoneName = nil end 
+	
+	theSpawner.rawOwner = coalition.getCountryCoalition(theSpawner.country)
+	--theSpawner.baseName = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "baseName")
+	theSpawner.baseName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "baseName", dcsCommon.uuid("SpwnDflt"))
+	
+	theSpawner.cooldown = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "cooldown", 60)
+	theSpawner.autoRemove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "autoRemove", false)
+	theSpawner.lastSpawnTimeStamp = -10000 -- just init so it will always work
+	theSpawner.heading = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "heading", 0)
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++spwn: zone " .. inZone.name .. " owner " .. theSpawner.owner " --> ctry " .. theSpawner.country, 30)
+	
+	theSpawner.cdTimer = 0 -- used for cooldown. if timer.getTime < this value, don't spawn
+	theSpawner.cdStarted = false -- used to initiate cooldown when theSpawn disappears
+	theSpawner.count = 1 -- used to create names, and count how many groups created
+	theSpawner.theSpawn = nil -- link to last spawned group
+	theSpawner.formation = "circle_out"
+	theSpawner.formation = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "formation", "circle_out")
+	theSpawner.paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "paused", false)
+	theSpawner.orders = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "orders", "guard")
+	--theSpawner.orders = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "orders")
+	-- used to assign special orders, default is 'guard', use "laze" to make them laze targets. can be 'wait-' which may auto-convert to 'guard' after pick-up by helo, to be handled outside.
+	-- use "train" to tell them to HOLD WEAPONS, don't move and don't participate in loop, so we have in effect target dummies
+	-- can also use order 'dummy' or 'dummies' to switch to train
+	if theSpawner.orders:lower() == "dummy" or theSpawner.orders:lower() == "dummies" then theSpawner.orders = "train" end 
+	
+	theSpawner.range = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "range", 300) -- if we have a range, for example enemy detection for Lasing or engage range
+	theSpawner.maxSpawns = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "maxSpawns", -1) -- if there is a limit on how many troops can spawn. -1 = endless spawns
+	theSpawner.requestable = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "requestable", false)
+	if theSpawner.requestable then 
+		theSpawner.paused = true 
+	end
+	theSpawner.target = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "target", "")
+	if theSpawner.target == "" then -- this is the defaut case 
+		theSpawner.target = nil 
+	end
+	
+	return theSpawner
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.addSpawner(aSpawner)
+	cfxSpawnZones.allSpawners[aSpawner.zone] = aSpawner
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.removeSpawner(aSpawner)
+	cfxSpawnZones.allSpawners[aSpawner.zone] = nil
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZone(aZone)
+	return cfxSpawnZones.allSpawners[aZone]
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZoneNamed(aName)
+	local aZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aName) 
+	return cfxSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZone(aZone)
+end
+
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.getRequestableSpawnersInRange(aPoint, aRange, aSide)
+	-- trigger.action.outText("enter requestable spawners for side " .. aSide , 30)
+	if not aSide then aSide = 0 end  
+	if not aRange then aRange = 200 end 
+	if not aPoint then return {} end 
+
+	local theSpawners = {}
+	for aZone, aSpawner in pairs(cfxSpawnZones.allSpawners) do 
+		-- iterate all zones and collect those that match 
+		local hasMatch = true 
+		local delta = dcsCommon.dist(aPoint, aZone.point)
+		if delta>aRange then hasMatch = false end 
+		if aSide ~= 0 then 
+			-- check if side is correct for owned zone 
+			if not cfxSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(aSpawner) then 
+				-- failed ownership test. owner of master 
+				-- is not my own zone 
+				hasMatch = false 
+			end
+		end
+		
+		if aSide ~= aSpawner.rawOwner then 
+			-- only return spawners with this side
+			-- note: this will NOT work with neutral players 
+			hasMatch = false 
+		end
+		
+		if not aSpawner.requestable then 
+			hasMatch = false 
+		end
+		
+		if hasMatch then 
+			table.insert(theSpawners, aSpawner)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return theSpawners
+end
+--
+-- spawn troops 
+-- 
+function cfxSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(spawner)
+	-- returns false ONLY if masterSpawn disagrees
+	if not spawner.masterZoneName then 
+		--trigger.action.outText("spawner " .. spawner.name .. " no master, go!", 30)
+		return true 
+	end -- no master owner, all ok
+	local myCoalition = spawner.rawOwner
+	local masterZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(spawner.masterZoneName)
+	if not masterZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("spawner " .. spawner.name .. " DID NOT FIND MASTER ZONE <" .. spawner.masterZoneName .. ">", 30)
+	end
+	
+	if not masterZone.owner then 
+		--trigger.action.outText("spawner " .. spawner.name .. " - masterZone " .. masterZone.name .. " HAS NO OWNER????", 30)
+		return true 
+	end
+	
+	if (myCoalition ~= masterZone.owner) then 
+		-- can't spawn, surrounding area owned by enemy
+		--trigger.action.outText("spawner " .. spawner.name .. " - spawn suppressed: area not owned: " .. " master owner is " .. masterZone.owner .. ", we are " .. myCoalition, 30)
+		return false 
+	end
+	--trigger.action.outText("spawner " .. spawner.name .. " good to go: ", 30)
+	return true
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(aSpawner)
+	if type(aSpawner) == "string" then -- return spawner for zone of that name
+		aSpawner = cfxSpawnZones.getSpawnerForZoneNamed(aName)
+	end
+	if not aSpawner then return end 
+	
+	-- will NOT check if conditions are met. This forces a spawn
+	local unitTypes = {} -- build type names
+	--local p = aSpawner.zone.point  
+	local p = cfxZones.getPoint(aSpawner.zone) -- aSpawner.zone.point
+		
+	-- split the conf.troopsOnBoardTypes into an array of types
+	unitTypes = dcsCommon.splitString(aSpawner.types, ",")
+	if #unitTypes < 1 then 
+		table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
+	end
+	
+	local theCountry = aSpawner.country  
+	local theCoalition = coalition.getCountryCoalition(theCountry)
+--	trigger.action.outText("+++ spawn: coal <" .. theCoalition .. "> from country <" .. theCountry .. ">", 30)
+	
+	local theGroup = cfxZones.createGroundUnitsInZoneForCoalition (
+				theCoalition, 
+				aSpawner.baseName .. "-" .. aSpawner.count, -- must be unique 
+				aSpawner.zone, 											
+				unitTypes, 													
+				aSpawner.formation,
+				aSpawner.heading)
+	aSpawner.theSpawn = theGroup
+	aSpawner.count = aSpawner.count + 1 
+	-- we may also want to add this to auto ground troops pool 
+	-- we not only want to, we absolutely need to in order 
+	-- to make this work. 
+	
+	if aSpawner.orders and (
+	   aSpawner.orders:lower() == "training" or 
+	   aSpawner.orders:lower() == "train" )
+	then 
+		-- make them ROE "HOLD"
+		cfxCommander.scheduleOptionForGroup(
+			theGroup, 
+			AI.Option.Ground.id.ROE, 
+			AI.Option.Ground.val.ROE.WEAPON_HOLD, 
+			1.0)
+	else 
+		local newTroops = cfxGroundTroops.createGroundTroops(theGroup, aSpawner.range, aSpawner.orders) 
+		cfxGroundTroops.addGroundTroopsToPool(newTroops)
+		
+		-- see if we have defined a target zone as destination
+		if aSpawner.target then 
+			local destZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aSpawner.target)
+			if destZone then
+				newTroops.destination = destZone
+				cfxGroundTroops.makeTroopsEngageZone(newTroops)
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++ spawner " .. aSpawner.name .. " has illegal target " .. aSpawner.target .. ". Pausing.", 30)
+				aSpawner.paused = true 
+			end
+		elseif aSpawner.orders == "attackZone" then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ spawner " .. aSpawner.name .. " has no target but attackZone command. Pausing.", 30)
+				aSpawner.paused = true 		
+		end 
+		
+	end
+	
+	-- callback to all who want to know 
+	cfxSpawnZones.invokeCallbacksFor("spawned", theGroup, aSpawner)
+	
+	-- timestamp so we can check against cooldown on manual spawn
+	aSpawner.lastSpawnTimeStamp = timer.getTime()
+	-- make sure a requestable spawner is always paused 
+	if aSpawner.requestable then 
+		aSpawner.paused = true 
+	end
+	
+	if aSpawner.autoRemove then 
+		-- simply remove the group 
+		aSpawner.theSpawn = nil
+	end
+end
+
+
+--
+-- U P D A T E 
+--
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.update()
+	cfxSpawnZones.updateSchedule = timer.scheduleFunction(cfxSpawnZones.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxSpawnZones.ups)
+	
+	for key, spawner in pairs (cfxSpawnZones.allSpawners) do 
+		-- see if the spawn is dead or was removed
+		local needsSpawn = true 
+		if spawner.theSpawn then 
+			local group = spawner.theSpawn
+			if group:isExist() then 
+				-- see how many members of this group are still alive
+				local liveUnits = dcsCommon.getLiveGroupUnits(group)
+				-- spawn is still alive, will not spawn
+				if #liveUnits > 1 then 
+					-- we may want to check if this member is still inside
+					-- of spawn location. currently we don't do that
+					needsSpawn = false 
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	
+		if spawner.paused then needsSpawn = false end 
+		
+		-- see if we spawned maximum number of times already
+		-- or have -1 as maxspawn, indicating endless
+		if needsSpawn and spawner.maxSpawns > -1 then 
+			needsSpawn = spawner.maxSpawns > 0
+		end
+		
+		if needsSpawn then 
+			-- is this the first time? 
+			if not spawner.cdStarted then 
+				-- no, start cooldown
+				spawner.cdStarted = true 
+				spawner.cdTimer = timer.getTime() + spawner.cooldown
+			end
+		end
+
+		-- still on cooldown?
+		if timer.getTime() < spawner.cdTimer then needsSpawn = false end 
+		
+		-- is master zone still alinged with me?
+		needsSpawn = needsSpawn and cfxSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(spawner)
+
+		-- check if perhaps our watchtrigger causes spawn
+		if spawner.triggerFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.triggerFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastTriggerValue then
+				needsSpawn = true 
+				spawner.lastTriggerValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+		end
+				
+		-- if we get here, and needsSpawn is still set, we go ahead and spawn
+		if needsSpawn then 
+---			trigger.action.outText("+++ spawning for zone " .. spawner.zone.name, 30)
+			cfxSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(spawner)
+			spawner.cdStarted = false -- reset spawner cd signal 
+			if spawner.maxSpawns > 0 then 
+				spawner.maxSpawns = spawner.maxSpawns - 1
+			end
+			if spawner.maxSpawns == 0 then 
+				spawner.paused = true 
+				if cfxSpawnZones.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++ maxspawn -- turning off  zone " .. spawner.zone.name, 30)
+				end 
+			end
+		else 
+			-- trigger.action.outText("+++ NOSPAWN for zone " .. spawner.zone.name, 30)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+function cfxSpawnZones.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Spawn Zones", 
+		cfxSpawnZones.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- collect all spawn zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("spawner")
+	
+	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- paused 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		local aSpawner = cfxSpawnZones.createSpawner(aZone)
+		cfxSpawnZones.addSpawner(aSpawner)
+		if not aSpawner.paused and cfxSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(aSpawner) and aSpawner.maxSpawns ~= 0 then 
+			cfxSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(aSpawner)
+			-- update spawn count and make sure we haven't spawned the one and only 
+			if aSpawner.maxSpawns > 0 then 
+				aSpawner.maxSpawns = aSpawner.maxSpawns - 1
+			end
+			if aSpawner.maxSpawns == 0 then 
+				aSpawner.paused = true 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++ maxspawn -- turning off  zone " .. aSpawner.zone.name, 30)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- and start the regular update calls
+	cfxSpawnZones.update()
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Spawn Zones v" .. cfxSpawnZones.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true
+end
+
+if not cfxSpawnZones.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Spawn Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	cfxSpawnZones = nil 
+end
+
+--[[--
+IMPROVEMENTS
+ 'notMasterOwner' a flag to invert ownership, so we can spawn blue if masterOwner is red
+  
+  take apart owned zone and spawner, so we have a more canonical behaviour
+  
+  'repair' flag - have repair logic for units that are spawned just like now the owned zones do
+--]]--

modules/cfxmon.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+cfxmon = {}
+cfxmon.version = "1.0.0"
+cfxmon.delay = 30 -- seconds for display 
+--[[--
+	Version History 
+	1.0.0 - initial version
+	
+cfxmon is a monitor for all cfx events and callbacks
+use monConfig to tell cfxmon which events and callbacks
+to monitor. a Property with "no" or "false" will turn 
+that monitor OFF, else it will stay on
+
+supported modules if loaded
+   dcsCommon
+   cfxPlayer
+   cfxGroundTroops
+   cfxObjectDestructDetector
+   cfxSpawnZones
+   
+--]]--
+
+--
+-- CALLBACKS
+--
+-- dcsCommon Callbacks 
+function cfxmon.pre(event) 
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - dcsPre: " .. event.id .. " (" .. dcsCommon.event2text(event.id) .. ")", cfxmon.delay)
+	return true 
+end
+
+function cfxmon.post(event) 
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - dcsPost: " .. event.id .. " (" .. dcsCommon.event2text(event.id) .. ")", cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+function cfxmon.rejected(event) 
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - dcsReject: " .. event.id .. " (" .. dcsCommon.event2text(event.id) .. ")", cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+function cfxmon.dcsCB(event)
+	local initiatorStat = ""
+	if event.initiator then
+		local theUnit = event.initiator
+		local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+		
+		local theGroupName = "<none>"
+		if theGroup then theGroupName = theGroup:getName() end 
+		
+		initiatorStat = ", for " .. theUnit:getName()
+		initiatorStat = initiatorStat .. " of " .. theGroupName 
+	else 
+		initiatorStat = ", NO Initiator" 
+	end 
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - dcsMAIN: " .. event.id .. " (" .. dcsCommon.event2text(event.id) .. ")" .. initiatorStat, cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+-- cfxPlayer callback
+function cfxmon.playerEventCB(evType, description, info, data)
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - cfxPlayer: ".. evType ..": <" .. description .. ">", cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+-- cfxGroundTroops callback
+function cfxmon.groundTroopsCB(reason, theGroup, orders, data)
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - groundTroops: ".. reason ..": for group <" .. theGroup:getName() .. "> with orders " .. orders, cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+-- object destruct callbacks
+function cfxmon.oDestructCB(zone, ObjectID, name)
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - object destroyed: ".. ObjectID .." named <" .. name .. "> in zone " .. zone.name, cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+-- spawner callback 
+function cfxmon.spawnZoneCB(reason, theGroup, theSpawner)
+	local gName = "<nil>"
+	if theGroup then gName = theGroup:getName() end 
+	trigger.action.outText("***mon - Spawner: ".. reason .." group <" .. gName .. "> in zone " .. theSpawner.name, cfxmon.delay)
+end
+
+-- READ CONFIG AND SUBSCRIBE
+function cfxmon.start ()
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("monConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***mon: WARNING: NO config, defaulting", cfxmon.delay)
+		theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("MONCONFIG")
+	end
+	
+	-- own config
+	cfxmon.delay = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delay", 30)
+	trigger.action.outText("!!!mon: Delay is set to: " .. cfxmon.delay .. seconds, 50)
+	
+	-- dcsCommon
+	if cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "dcsCommon", true) then 
+		-- subscribe to dcs event handlers 
+		-- note we have all, but only connect the main
+		dcsCommon.addEventHandler(cfxmon.dcsCB) -- we only connect one
+		trigger.action.outText("!!!mon: +dcsCommon", cfxmon.delay)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("***mon: -dcsCommon", cfxmon.delay)
+	end
+	
+	-- cfxPlayer 
+	if cfxPlayer and cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cfxPlayer", true) then 
+		cfxPlayer.addMonitor(cfxmon.playerEventCB)
+		trigger.action.outText("!!!mon: +cfxPlayer", cfxmon.delay)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("***mon: -cfxPlayer", cfxmon.delay)
+	end
+	
+	-- cfxGroundTroops
+	if cfxGroundTroops and cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cfxGroundTroops", true) then 
+		cfxGroundTroops.addTroopsCallback(cfxmon.groundTroopsCB)
+		trigger.action.outText("!!!mon: +cfxGroundTroops", cfxmon.delay)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("***mon: -cfxGroundTroops", cfxmon.delay)
+	end
+	
+	-- objectDestructZones
+	if cfxObjectDestructDetector and cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cfxObjectDestructDetector", true) then 
+		cfxObjectDestructDetector.addCallback(cfxmon.oDestructCB)
+		trigger.action.outText("!!!mon: +cfxObjectDestructDetector", cfxmon.delay)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("***mon: -cfxObjectDestructDetector", cfxmon.delay)
+	end
+	
+	-- spawnZones 
+	if cfxSpawnZones and cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cfxSpawnZones", true) then 
+		cfxSpawnZones.addCallback(cfxmon.spawnZoneCB)
+		trigger.action.outText("!!!mon: +cfxSpawnZones", cfxmon.delay)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("***mon: -cfxSpawnZones", cfxmon.delay)
+	end
+end
+
+cfxmon.start()

modules/civAir.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,572 @@
+civAir = {}
+civAir.version = "1.4.0"
+--[[--
+	1.0.0 initial version
+	1.1.0 exclude list for airfields 
+	1.1.1 bug fixes with remove flight 
+	      and betweenHubs 
+		  check if slot is really free before spawning
+		  add overhead waypoint
+	1.1.2 inAir start possible
+	1.2.0 civAir can use own config file
+	1.2.1 slight update to config file (moved active/idle)
+	1.3.0 add ability to use zones to add closest airfield to 
+	      trafficCenters or excludeAirfields
+	1.4.0 ability to load config from zone to override 
+	      all configs it finds 
+		  module check 
+		  removed obsolete civAirConfig module
+		  
+	
+--]]--
+
+civAir.ups = 0.05 -- updates per second
+civAir.initialAirSpawns = true -- when true has population spawn in-air at start
+civAir.verbose = false 
+
+-- aircraftTypes contains the type names for the neutral air traffic
+-- each entry has the same chance to be chose, so to make an 
+-- aircraft more probably to appear, add its type multiple times
+-- like here with the Yak-40 
+civAir.aircraftTypes = {"Yak-40", "Yak-40",  "C-130", "C-17A", "IL-76MD", "An-30M", "An-26B"} -- civilian planes type strings as described here https://github.com/mrSkortch/DCS-miscScripts/tree/master/ObjectDB
+
+-- maxTraffic is the number of neutral flights that are 
+-- concurrently under way 
+civAir.maxTraffic = 10 -- number of flights at the same time
+civAir.maxIdle = 8 * 60 -- seconds of ide time before it is removed after landing 
+civAir.trafficAirbases = {
+		randomized = 0, -- between any on map 
+		localHubs = 1, -- between any two airfields inside the same random hub listed in trafficCenters
+		betweenHubs = 2 -- between any in random hub 1 to any in random hub 2
+	}
+
+civAir.trafficRange = 100 -- 120000 -- defines hub size, in meters. Make it 100 to make it only that airfield
+-- ABPickmethod determines how airfields are picked 
+-- for air traffic 
+civAir.ABPickMethod = civAir.trafficAirbases.betweenHubs
+civAir.trafficCenters = {
+	--"batu", 
+	--"kobul",
+	--"senaki",
+	--"kutai",
+	} -- trafficCenters is used with hubs. Each entry defines a hub 
+	  -- where we collect airdromes etc based on range 
+	  -- simply add a string to identify the hub center 
+	  -- e.g. "senak" to define "Senaki Kolkhi"
+	  -- to have planes only fly between airfields in 100 km range 
+	  -- around senaki kolkhi, enter only senaki as traffic center, set
+	  -- trafficRange to 100000 and ABPickMethod to localHubs
+	  -- to have traffic only between any airfields listed 
+	  -- in trafficCenters, set trafficRange to a small value 
+	  -- like 100 meters and set ABPickMethod to betweenHubs
+	  -- to have flights that always cross the map with multiple 
+	  -- airfields, choose two or three hubs that are 300 km apart,
+	  -- then set trafficRange to 150000 and ABPickMethod to betweenHubs
+	  -- you can also place zones on the map and add a 
+	  -- civAir attribute. If the attribute value is anything
+	  -- but "exclude", the closest airfield to the zone 
+	  -- is added to trafficCenters
+	  -- if you leave this list empty, and do not add airfields
+	  -- by zones, the list is automatically populated by all
+	  -- airfields in the map 
+		  
+civAir.excludeAirfields = {
+	--"senaki",
+	}
+	-- list all airfields that must NOT be included in 
+	-- civilian activities. Will be used for neither landing 
+	-- nor departure. overrides any airfield that was included 
+	-- in trafficCenters. Here, Senaki is off limits for 
+	-- civilian air traffic
+	-- can be populated by zone on the map that have the 
+	-- 'civAir' attribute with value "exclude"
+
+civAir.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	"cfxZones", -- zones management foc CSAR and CSAR Mission zones
+}
+
+civAir.activePlanes = {}
+civAir.idlePlanes = {}
+
+function civAir.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("CivAirConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***civA: NO config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("civA: found config zone!", 30) 
+	
+	-- ok, for each property, load it if it exists
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "aircraftTypes")  then 
+		civAir.aircraftTypes = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "aircraftTypes", "Yak-40")
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "ups")  then 
+		civAir.ups = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ups", 0.05)
+		if civAir.ups < .0001 then civAir.ups = 0.05 end
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "maxTraffic")  then 
+		civAir.maxTraffic = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "maxTraffic", 10)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "maxIdle")  then 
+		civAir.maxIdle = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "maxIdle", 8 * 60)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "trafficRange")  then 
+		civAir.trafficRange = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "trafficRange", 120000) -- 120 km 
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "ABPickMethod")  then 
+		civAir.ABPickMethod = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ABPickMethod", 0) -- randomized any
+	end
+
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "initialAirSpawns")  then 
+		civAir.initialAirSpawns = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "initialAirSpawns", true) 
+end
+
+
+
+function civAir.addPlane(thePlaneUnit) -- warning: is actually a group 
+	if not thePlaneUnit then return end 
+	civAir.activePlanes[thePlaneUnit:getName()] = thePlaneUnit
+end
+
+function civAir.removePlaneGroupByName(aName)
+	if not aName then 
+		return 
+	end 
+	if civAir.activePlanes[aName] then 
+		--trigger.action.outText("civA: REMOVING " .. aName .. " ***", 30) 
+		civAir.activePlanes[aName] = nil
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: warning - ".. aName .." remove req but not found", 30) 
+	end
+end
+
+function civAir.removePlane(thePlaneUnit) -- warning: is actually a group 
+	if not thePlaneUnit then return end
+	if not thePlaneUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	civAir.activePlanes[thePlaneUnit:getName()] = nil 
+end
+
+function civAir.getPlane(aName) -- warning: returns GROUP!
+	return civAir.activePlanes[aName]
+end
+
+-- get an air base, may exclude an airbase from choice 
+-- method is dependent on 
+function civAir.getAnAirbase(excludeThisOne) 
+	-- different methods to select a base 
+	-- purely random from current list 
+	local theAB;
+	if civAir.ABPickMethod == civAir.trafficAirbases.randomized then
+		repeat 
+			local allAB = dcsCommon.getAirbasesWhoseNameContains("*", 0) -- all airfields, no Ships nor FABS
+			theAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB)
+		until theAB ~= excludeThisOne
+		return theAB
+	end
+	
+	if civAir.ABPickMethod == civAir.trafficAirbases.localHubs then
+		-- first, pick a hub name
+	end
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("civA: warning - unknown method <" .. civAir.ABPickMethod .. ">", 30) 
+	return nil 
+end
+
+function civAir.excludeAirbases(inList, excludeList)
+	if not inList then return {} end
+	if not excludeList then return inList end 
+	if #excludeList < 1 then return inList end 
+	
+	local theDict = {}
+	-- build dict 
+	for idx, aBase in pairs(inList) do 
+		theDict[aBase:getName()] = aBase
+	end
+	
+	-- now iterate through all excludes and remove them from dics
+	for idx, aName in pairs (excludeList) do 
+		local allOfflimitAB = dcsCommon.getAirbasesWhoseNameContains(aName, 0)
+		for idx2, illegalBase in pairs (allOfflimitAB) do 
+			theDict[illegalBase:getName()] = nil 
+		end
+	end
+	-- now linearise (make array) from dict 
+	local theArray = dcsCommon.enumerateTable(theDict)
+	return theArray
+end
+
+function civAir.getTwoAirbases()
+	local fAB 
+	local sAB
+	-- get any two airbases on the map 
+	if civAir.ABPickMethod == civAir.trafficAirbases.randomized then
+		local allAB = dcsCommon.getAirbasesWhoseNameContains("*", 0) -- all airfields, no Ships nor FABS, all coalitions 
+		-- remove illegal source/dest airfields 
+		allAB = civAir.excludeAirbases(allAB, civAir.excludeAirfields)
+
+		fAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB)
+		repeat 
+			sAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB) 
+		until fAB ~= sAB or (#allAB < 2)
+		return fAB, sAB
+	end
+	
+	-- pick a hub, and then selct any two different airbases in the hub 
+	if civAir.ABPickMethod == civAir.trafficAirbases.localHubs then
+		local hubName = dcsCommon.pickRandom(civAir.trafficCenters)
+		-- get the airfield that is identified by this 
+		local theHub = dcsCommon.getFirstAirbaseWhoseNameContains(hubName, 0) -- only airfields, all coalitions
+		-- get all airbases that surround in range 
+		local allAB = dcsCommon.getAirbasesInRangeOfAirbase(
+				theHub, -- centered on this base 
+				true, -- include hub itself
+				civAir.trafficRange, -- hub size in meters 
+				0 -- only airfields
+				)		
+		allAB = civAir.excludeAirbases(allAB, civAir.excludeAirfields)
+		fAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB)
+		repeat 
+			sAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB) 
+		until fAB ~= sAB or (#allAB < 2)
+		return fAB, sAB
+	end
+	
+	-- pick two hubs: one for source, one for destination airfields, 
+    -- then pick an airfield from each hub 	
+	if civAir.ABPickMethod == civAir.trafficAirbases.betweenHubs then
+		--trigger.action.outText("between", 30)
+		local sourceHubName = dcsCommon.pickRandom(civAir.trafficCenters)
+		--trigger.action.outText("picked " .. sourceHubName, 30)
+		local sourceHub = dcsCommon.getFirstAirbaseWhoseNameContains(sourceHubName, 0)
+		--trigger.action.outText("sourceHub " .. sourceHub:getName(), 30)
+
+		local destHub 
+		repeat destHubName = dcsCommon.pickRandom(civAir.trafficCenters) 
+		until destHubName ~= sourceHubName or #civAir.trafficCenters < 2
+		destHub = dcsCommon.getFirstAirbaseWhoseNameContains(destHubName, 0)
+				--trigger.action.outText("destHub " .. destHub:getName(), 30)
+		local allAB = dcsCommon.getAirbasesInRangeOfAirbase(
+				sourceHub, -- centered on this base 
+				true, -- include hub itself
+				civAir.trafficRange, -- hub size in meters 
+				0 -- only airfields
+				)
+		allAB = civAir.excludeAirbases(allAB, civAir.excludeAirfields)
+		fAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB)
+		allAB = dcsCommon.getAirbasesInRangeOfAirbase(
+				destHub, -- centered on this base 
+				true, -- include hub itself
+				civAir.trafficRange, -- hub size in meters 
+				0 -- only airfields
+				)
+		allAB = civAir.excludeAirbases(allAB, civAir.excludeAirfields)
+		sAB = dcsCommon.pickRandom(allAB)
+		return fAB, sAB
+	end
+	
+	 
+	trigger.action.outText("civA: warning - unknown method <" .. civAir.ABPickMethod .. "> in getTwoAirbases()", 30) 
+end
+
+function civAir.parkingIsFree(fromWP) 
+	-- iterate over all currently registres flights and make 
+	-- sure that their location isn't closer than 10m to my new parking 
+	local loc = {}
+	loc.x = fromWP.x 
+	loc.y = fromWP.alt 
+	loc.z = fromWP.z 
+	
+	for name, aPlaneGroup in pairs(civAir.activePlanes) do
+		if aPlaneGroup:isExist() then 
+			local aPlane = aPlaneGroup:getUnit(1)			
+			if aPlane:isExist() then
+				pos = aPlane:getPoint()
+				local delta = dcsCommon.dist(loc, pos)
+				if delta < 21 then 
+					-- way too close 
+					trigger.action.outText("civA: too close for comfort - " .. aPlane:getName() .. " occupies my slot", 30) 
+					return false
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+civAir.airStartSeparation = 0
+function civAir.createFlight(name, theTypeString, fromAirfield, toAirfield, inAirStart)
+	if not fromAirfield then 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: NIL fromAirfield", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end 
+	
+	if not toAirfield then 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: NIL toAirfield", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end 
+	
+	local theGroup = dcsCommon.createEmptyAircraftGroupData (name)
+	local theAUnit = dcsCommon.createAircraftUnitData(name .. "-civA", theTypeString, false)
+	theAUnit.payload.fuel = 100000
+	dcsCommon.addUnitToGroupData(theAUnit, theGroup)
+	
+	local fromWP = dcsCommon.createTakeOffFromParkingRoutePointData(fromAirfield)
+	if not fromWP then 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: fromWP create failed", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end 
+	if inAirStart then 
+		-- modify WP into an in-air point 
+		fromWP.alt = fromWP.alt + 3000 + civAir.airStartSeparation -- 9000 ft overhead + separation
+		fromWP.action = "Turning Point"
+		fromWP.type = "Turning Point"
+			
+		fromWP.speed = 150;
+		fromWP.airdromeId = nil 
+		
+		theAUnit.alt = fromWP.alt
+		theAUnit.speed = fromWP.speed 
+	end
+	-- sometimes, when landing kicks in too early, the plane lands 
+	-- at the wrong airfield. AI sucks. 
+	-- so we force overflight of target airfield 
+	local overheadWP = dcsCommon.createOverheadAirdromeRoutPintData(toAirfield)
+	local toWP = dcsCommon.createLandAtAerodromeRoutePointData(toAirfield)
+	if not toWP then 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: toWP create failed", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end 
+	
+	if not civAir.parkingIsFree(fromWP) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: failed free parking check for flight " .. name, 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	
+	dcsCommon.moveGroupDataTo(theGroup, 
+							  fromWP.x, 
+							  fromWP.y)
+	dcsCommon.addRoutePointForGroupData(theGroup, fromWP)
+	dcsCommon.addRoutePointForGroupData(theGroup, overheadWP)
+	dcsCommon.addRoutePointForGroupData(theGroup, toWP)
+	
+	-- spawn
+	local groupCat = Group.Category.AIRPLANE
+	local theSpawnedGroup = coalition.addGroup(82, groupCat, theGroup) -- 82 is UN peacekeepers
+	return theSpawnedGroup
+end
+
+-- flightCount is a global that holds the number of flights we track
+civAir.flightCount = 0 
+function civAir.createNewFlight(inAirStart)
+	
+	civAir.flightCount = civAir.flightCount + 1
+	local fAB, sAB = civAir.getTwoAirbases()  -- from AB
+
+	local name = fAB:getName() .. "-" .. sAB:getName().. "/" .. civAir.flightCount
+	local TypeString = dcsCommon.pickRandom(civAir.aircraftTypes)
+	local theFlight = civAir.createFlight(name, TypeString, fAB, sAB, inAirStart)
+	
+	if not theFlight then 
+		-- flight was not able to spawn.
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: aborted civ spawn on fAB:" .. fAB:getName(), 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	civAir.addPlane(theFlight)  -- track it
+	
+	if civAir.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: created flight from <" .. fAB:getName() .. "> to <" .. sAB:getName() .. ">", 30) 
+	end 
+end
+
+function civAir.airStartPopulation()
+	local numAirStarts = civAir.maxTraffic / 2
+	civAir.airStartSeparation = 0
+	while numAirStarts > 0 do 
+		numAirStarts = numAirStarts - 1 
+		civAir.airStartSeparation = civAir.airStartSeparation + 200
+		civAir.createNewFlight(true)
+	end
+end
+
+-- 
+-- U P D A T E   L O O P 
+--
+
+function civAir.update()
+	-- reschedule me in the future. ups = updates per second. 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(civAir.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/civAir.ups)
+	
+	-- clean-up first:
+	-- any group that no longer exits will be removed from the array 
+	local removeMe = {}
+	for name, group in pairs (civAir.activePlanes) do 
+		if not group:isExist() then 
+			table.insert(removeMe, name) -- mark for deletion
+			--Group.destroy(group) -- may break 
+		end
+	end
+	
+	for idx, name in pairs(removeMe) do 
+		civAir.activePlanes[name] = nil
+		trigger.action.outText("civA: warning - removed " .. name .. " from active roster, no longer exists", 30)
+	end 
+	
+	
+	-- now, run through all existing flights and update their 
+	-- idle times. also count how many planes there are 
+	local planeNum = 0
+	local overduePlanes = {}
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	for name, aPlaneGroup in pairs(civAir.activePlanes) do
+		local speed = 0
+		if aPlaneGroup:isExist() then 
+			local aPlane = aPlaneGroup:getUnit(1)
+			
+			if aPlane and aPlane:isExist() and aPlane:getLife() >= 1 then 
+				planeNum = planeNum + 1
+				local vel = aPlane:getVelocity()
+				speed = dcsCommon.mag(vel.x, vel.y, vel.z)		
+			else 
+				-- force removal of group 
+				civAir.idlePlanes[name] = -1000
+				speed = 0
+			end
+		else 
+			-- force removal
+			civAir.idlePlanes[name] = -1000
+			speed = 0			
+		end 
+		
+		if speed < 0.5 then 
+			if not civAir.idlePlanes[name] then 
+				civAir.idlePlanes[name] = now
+			end
+			local idleTime = now - civAir.idlePlanes[name]
+			--trigger.action.outText("civA: Idling <" .. name .. "> for t=" .. idleTime, 30) 
+			if idleTime > civAir.maxIdle then 
+				table.insert(overduePlanes, name)
+			end
+		else 
+			-- zero out idle plane
+			civAir.idlePlanes[name] = nil			
+		end
+		--]]--
+	end
+	
+	-- see if we have less than max flights running
+	if planeNum < civAir.maxTraffic then 
+		-- spawn a new plane. just one per pass
+		civAir.createNewFlight()
+	end
+	
+	-- now remove all planes that are overdue
+	for idx, aName in pairs(overduePlanes) do 		
+		local aFlight = civAir.getPlane(aName) -- returns a group
+		civAir.removePlaneGroupByName(aName) -- remove from roster
+		if aFlight and aFlight:isExist() then 
+			-- destroy can only work if group isexist!
+			Group.destroy(aFlight) -- remember: flights are groups!
+		end 
+	end
+end
+
+
+
+function civAir.doDebug(any)
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x civTraffic debugger.", 30)
+	local desc = "Active Planes:"
+	local now = timer.getTime()
+	for name, group in pairs (civAir.activePlanes) do
+		desc = desc .. "\n" .. name 
+		if civAir.idlePlanes[name] then 
+			delay = now - civAir.idlePlanes[name]
+			desc = desc .. " (idle for " .. delay .. ")"
+		end
+	end
+	trigger.action.outText(desc, 30)
+end
+
+function civAir.collectHubs()
+	local pZones = cfxZones.zonesWithProperty("civAir")
+	
+	for k, aZone in pairs(pZones) do
+		local value = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "civAir", "")
+		local af = dcsCommon.getClosestAirbaseTo(aZone.point, 0) -- 0 = only airfields, not farp or ships 
+		if af then 
+			local afName = af:getName()
+			if value:lower() == "exclude" then 
+				table.insert(civAir.excludeAirfields, afName)
+			else 
+				table.insert(civAir.trafficCenters, afName)
+			end
+		end
+		
+	end
+end
+
+function civAir.listTrafficCenters()
+	trigger.action.outText("Traffic Centers", 30)
+	for idx, aName in pairs(civAir.trafficCenters) do
+		trigger.action.outText(aName, 30)
+	end
+end
+ 
+-- start 
+function civAir.start()
+	-- module check 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx civAir", civAir.requiredLibs) then 
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- see if there is a config zone and load it
+	civAir.readConfigZone()
+
+	-- look for zones to add to air fields list
+	civAir.collectHubs()
+	
+	-- make sure there is something in trafficCenters
+	if #civAir.trafficCenters < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++civTraffic: auto-populating", 30)
+		-- simply add airfields on the map
+		local allBases = dcsCommon.getAirbasesWhoseNameContains("*", 0)
+		for idx, aBase in pairs(allBases) do 
+			local afName = aBase:getName()
+			--trigger.action.outText("+++civTraffic: adding " .. afName, 30)
+			table.insert(civAir.trafficCenters, afName)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	civAir.listTrafficCenters()
+	
+	-- air-start half population if allowed
+	if civAir.initialAirSpawns then 
+		civAir.airStartPopulation()
+	end
+	
+	-- start the update loop
+	civAir.update()
+		
+	-- say hi!
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x civTraffic v" .. civAir.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+if not civAir.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x civAir aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	civAir = nil 
+end
+ 
+ --[[--
+  Additional ideas
+  source to target method 
+ --]]--

modules/guardianAngel.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,515 @@
+guardianAngel = {}
+guardianAngel.version = "2.0.2"
+guardianAngel.ups = 10
+guardianAngel.launchWarning = true -- detect launches and warn pilot 
+guardianAngel.intervention = true -- remove missiles just before hitting
+guardianAngel.explosion = -1 -- small poof when missile explodes. -1 = off. 
+guardianAngel.verbose = false -- debug info 
+guardianAngel.announcer = true -- angel talks to you 
+guardianAngel.private = false -- angel only talks to group 
+guardianAngel.autoAddPlayers = true 
+
+guardianAngel.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+
+--[[--
+  Version History 
+     1.0.0 - Initial version 
+	 2.0.0 - autoAddPlayer 
+	       - verbose 
+		   - lib check
+		   - config zone 
+		   - sneaky detection logic 
+		   - god intervention 100m
+		   - detect re-acquisition
+		   - addUnitToWatch supports string names
+		   - detect non-miss 
+		   - announcer
+		   - intervene optional 
+		   - launch warning optional 
+	 2.0.1 - warnings go to group 
+	       - invokeCallbacks added to module 
+		   - reworked CB structure
+		   - private option 
+     2.0.2 - poof! explosion option to show explosion on intervention
+           - can be dangerous	 
+
+
+This script detects missiles launched against protected aircraft an 
+removes them when they are about to hit
+	 
+--]]--
+
+guardianAngel.minMissileDist = 50 -- m. below this distance the missile is killed by god, not the angel :) 
+guardianAngel.myEvents = {1, 15, 20, 21, 23} -- 1 - shot, 15 - birth, 20 - enter unit, 21 - player leave unit, 23 - start shooting 
+guardianAngel.safetyFactor = 1.8 -- for calculating dealloc range 
+guardianAngel.unitsToWatchOver = {} -- I'll watch over these
+
+guardianAngel.missilesInTheAir = {} -- missiles in the air
+
+guardianAngel.callBacks = {} -- callbacks
+-- callback signature: callBack(reason, targetUnitName, weaponName)
+-- reasons (string): "launch", "miss", "reacquire", "trackloss", "disappear", "intervention"
+
+function guardianAngel.addCallback(theCallback)
+	if theCallback then 
+		table.insert(guardianAngel.callBacks, theCallback)
+	end
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks(reason, targetName, weaponName) 
+	for idx, theCB in pairs(guardianAngel.callBacks) do
+		theCB(reason, targetName, weaponName)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- units to watch 
+--
+function guardianAngel.addUnitToWatch(aUnit)
+	if type(aUnit) == "string" then 
+		aUnit = Unit.getByName(aUnit)
+	end
+	if not aUnit then return end 
+	local unitName = aUnit:getName()
+	guardianAngel.unitsToWatchOver[unitName] = aUnit
+	if guardianAngel.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++gA: now watching unit " .. aUnit:getName(), 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.removeUnitToWatch(aUnit)
+	if type(aUnit) == "string" then 
+		aUnit = Unit.getByName(aUnit)
+	end
+	if not aUnit then return end 
+	local unitName = aUnit:getName()
+	if not unitName then return end 
+	guardianAngel.unitsToWatchOver[unitName] = nil
+	if guardianAngel.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++gA: no longer watching " .. aUnit:getName(), 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.getWatchedUnitByName(aName)
+	if not aName then return nil end 
+	return guardianAngel.unitsToWatchOver[aName]
+end
+
+--
+-- watch q items
+--
+function guardianAngel.createQItem(theWeapon, theTarget, detectProbability)
+	if not theWeapon then return nil end 
+	if not theTarget then return nil end 
+	if not theTarget:isExist() then return nil end 
+	if not detectProbability then detectProbability = 1.0 end 
+	local theItem = {}
+	theItem.theWeapon = theWeapon
+	theItem.wP = theWeapon:getPoint() -- save location
+	theItem.weaponName = theWeapon:getName()
+	theItem.theTarget = theTarget
+	theItem.tGroup = theTarget:getGroup()
+	theItem.tID = theItem.tGroup:getID()
+	
+	theItem.targetName = theTarget:getName()
+	theItem.launchTimeStamp = timer.getTime()
+	theItem.lastCheckTimeStamp = -1000
+	theItem.lastDistance = math.huge 
+	theItem.detected = false 
+	theItem.lostTrack = false -- so we can detect sneakies!
+	theItem.missed = false -- just keep watching for re-ack
+	return theItem 
+end
+--[[--
+function guardianAngel.detectItem(theItem)
+	if theItem.detected then return end 
+	-- perform detection calculations here 
+	
+end
+--]]--
+
+-- calculate a point in direction from plane (pln) to weapon (wpn), dist meters 
+function guardianAngel.calcSafeExplosionPoint(wpn, pln, dist)
+	local dirToWpn = dcsCommon.vSub(wpn, pln) -- vector to weapon.
+	local v = dcsCommon.vNorm(dirToWpn) -- |v| = 1
+	local v = dcsCommon.vMultScalar(v, dist) -- |v| = dist 
+	local newPoint = dcsCommon.vAdd(pln, v)
+	return newPoint
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.monitorItem(theItem)
+	local w = theItem.theWeapon
+	local ID = theItem.tID
+	if not w then return false end
+	if not w:isExist() then 
+		if (not theItem.missed) and (not theItem.lostTrack) then 
+			local desc  = theItem.weaponName .. ": DISAPPEARED"
+			if guardianAngel.announcer then 
+				if guardianAngel.private then 
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, desc, 30) 
+				else 
+					trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) 
+				end
+			end 
+			guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("disappear", theItem.targetName, theItem.weaponName)
+		end 
+		return false 
+	end 
+	
+	local t = theItem.theTarget
+	local currentTarget = w:getTarget()
+	local oldWPos = theItem.wP
+	local A = w:getPoint() -- A is new point of weapon
+	theItem.wp = A -- update new position, old is in oldWPos
+	local B 
+	if currentTarget then B = currentTarget:getPoint() else B = A end 
+	
+	local d = math.floor(dcsCommon.dist(A, B))
+	local desc = theItem.weaponName .. ": "
+	if t == currentTarget then 
+		desc = desc .. "tracking " .. theItem.targetName .. ", d = " .. d .. "m"
+		local vcc = dcsCommon.getClosingVelocity(t, w)
+		desc = desc .. ", Vcc = " .. math.floor(vcc) .. "m/s"
+	   
+		-- now calculate lethal distance: vcc is in meters per second
+		-- and we sample ups times per second
+		-- making the missile cover vcc / ups meters in the next 
+		-- timer interval. If it now is closer than that, we have to 
+		-- destroy the missile
+		local lethalRange = math.abs(vcc / guardianAngel.ups) * guardianAngel.safetyFactor
+		desc = desc .. ", LR= " .. math.floor(lethalRange) .. "m"
+		if guardianAngel.intervention and 
+		   d <= lethalRange + 10 
+		then 
+			desc = desc .. " ANGEL INTERVENTION"
+			if theItem.lostTrack then desc = desc .. " (little sneak!)" end 
+			if theItem.missed then desc = desc .. " (missed you!)" end 
+			
+			
+			if guardianAngel.announcer then 
+				if guardianAngel.private then 
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, desc, 30) 
+				else 
+					trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) 
+				end
+			end
+			guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("intervention", theItem.targetName, theItem.weaponName)
+			w:destroy()
+			
+			-- now add some showy explosion so the missile
+			-- doesn't just disappear 
+			if guardianAngel.explosion > 0 then 
+				local xP = guardianAngel.calcSafeExplosionPoint(A,B, 500)
+				trigger.action.explosion(xP, guardianAngel.explosion)
+			end
+			
+			return false -- remove from list 
+		end
+		
+		if guardianAngel.intervention and 
+		   d <= guardianAngel.minMissileDist -- god's override 
+		then 
+			desc = desc .. " GOD INTERVENTION"
+			if theItem.lostTrack then desc = desc .. " (little sneak!)" end 
+			if theItem.missed then desc = desc .. " (missed you!)" end 
+			
+			if guardianAngel.announcer then 
+				if guardianAngel.private then 
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, desc, 30) 
+				else 
+					trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) 
+				end
+			end
+			guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("intervention", theItem.targetName, theItem.weaponName)
+			w:destroy()
+			if guardianAngel.explosion > 0 then 
+				local xP = guardianAngel.calcSafeExplosionPoint(A,B, 500)
+				trigger.action.explosion(xP, guardianAngel.explosion) 
+			end
+			return false -- remove from list 
+		end
+	else 
+		if not theItem.lostTrack then 
+			desc = desc .. "Missile LOST TRACK"
+			
+			if guardianAngel.announcer then
+				if guardianAngel.private then 
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, desc, 30) 
+				else 
+					trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) 
+				end			 
+			end
+			guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("trackloss", theItem.targetName, theItem.weaponName)
+			theItem.lostTrack = true 
+		end 
+		theItem.lastDistance = d 
+	    return true -- true because they can re-acquire! 
+	end
+	
+	if d > theItem.lastDistance then
+		-- this can be wrong because if a missile is launched 
+		-- at an angle, it can initially look as if it missed 
+		if not theItem.missed then 
+			desc = desc .. " Missile MISSED!"
+			
+			if guardianAngel.announcer then 
+				if guardianAngel.private then 
+					trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, desc, 30) 
+				else 
+					trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) 
+				end
+			end
+			guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("miss", theItem.targetName, theItem.weaponName)
+			theItem.missed = true 
+		end 
+		theItem.lastDistance = d 
+		return true -- better not disregard - they can re-acquire!
+	end
+	
+	if theItem.missed and d < theItem.lastDistance then 
+		desc = desc .. " Missile RE-ACQUIRED!"
+		
+		if guardianAngel.announcer then 
+			if guardianAngel.private then 
+				trigger.action.outTextForGroup(ID, desc, 30) 
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) 
+			end
+		end
+		theItem.missed = false  
+		guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("reacquire", theItem.targetName, theItem.weaponName)
+	end
+	
+	theItem.lastDistance = d 
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.monitorMissiles()
+	local newArray = {} -- we collect all still existing missiles here 
+	                    -- and replace missilesInTheAir with that for next round
+	for idx, anItem in pairs (guardianAngel.missilesInTheAir) do 
+		-- we now have an item 
+		-- see about detection 
+		-- guardianAngel.detectItem(anItem)
+		
+		-- see if the weapon is still in existence
+		stillAlive = guardianAngel.monitorItem(anItem)
+		if stillAlive then 
+			table.insert(newArray, anItem) 
+		end 
+	end
+	guardianAngel.missilesInTheAir = newArray
+end
+
+--
+-- E V E N T   P R O C E S S I N G
+-- 
+function guardianAngel.isInteresting(eventID) 
+	-- return true if we are interested in this event, false else 
+	for key, evType in pairs(guardianAngel.myEvents) do 
+		if evType == eventID then return true end
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+-- event pre-proc: only return true if we need to process this event
+function guardianAngel.preProcessor(event)
+	-- all events must have initiator set
+	if not event.initiator then return false end	
+	-- see if the event ID is interesting for us 
+	local interesting = guardianAngel.isInteresting(event.id) 
+	return interesting  
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.postProcessor(event)
+	-- don't do anything for now
+end
+
+-- event callback from dcsCommon event handler. preProcessor has returned true 
+function guardianAngel.somethingHappened(event)
+	-- when this is invoked, the preprocessor guarantees that
+	-- it's an interesting event and has initiator 
+	local ID = event.id
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local playerName = theUnit:getPlayerName() -- nil if not a player
+	
+	if ID == 15 and playerName then 
+		-- this is a player created unit 
+		if guardianAngel.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++gA: unit born " .. theUnit:getName(), 30)
+		end 
+		if guardianAngel.autoAddPlayers then 
+			guardianAngel.addUnitToWatch(theUnit)
+		end 
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if ID == 20 and playerName then 
+		-- this is a player entered unit 
+		if guardianAngel.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++gA: player seated in unit " .. theUnit:getName(), 30)
+		end 
+		if guardianAngel.autoAddPlayers then 
+			guardianAngel.addUnitToWatch(theUnit)
+		end
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if ID == 21 and playerName then
+		guardianAngel.removeUnitToWatch(theUnit)
+		return
+	end
+
+	if ID == 15 or ID == 20 or ID == 21 then 
+		-- non-player events of same type, disregard
+		return 
+	end
+
+	
+	if ID == 1 then 
+		-- someone shot something. see if it is fire directed at me 
+		local theWeapon = event.weapon 
+		local theTarget 
+		if theWeapon then 
+			theTarget = theWeapon:getTarget() 
+		else
+			return 
+		end 
+		if not theTarget then  
+			return
+		end 
+		if not theTarget:isExist() then return end 
+		
+		-- if we get here, we have weapon aimed at a target 
+		local targetName = theTarget:getName()
+		local watchedUnit = guardianAngel.getWatchedUnitByName(targetName)
+		if not watchedUnit then return end -- fired at some other poor sucker, we don't care
+		
+		-- if we get here, someone fired a guided weapon at my watched units
+		-- create a new item for my queue
+		local theQItem = guardianAngel.createQItem(theWeapon, theTarget) -- prob 100
+		table.insert(guardianAngel.missilesInTheAir, theQItem)
+		guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("launch", theQItem.targetName, theQItem.weaponName)
+		
+		local unitHeading = dcsCommon.getUnitHeadingDegrees(theTarget)
+		local A = theWeapon:getPoint()
+		local B = theTarget:getPoint()
+		local oclock = dcsCommon.clockPositionOfARelativeToB(A, B, unitHeading)
+
+		local grpID = theTarget:getGroup():getID()
+		if guardianAngel.launchWarning then 
+			-- currently, we always detect immediately 
+			-- can be moved to update()
+			if guardianAngel.private then 
+				trigger.action.outTextForGroup(grpID, "Missile, missile, missile, " .. oclock .. " o clock", 30)
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("Missile, missile, missile, " .. oclock .. " o clock", 30)
+			end
+			
+			theQItem.detected = true -- remember: we detected and warned already
+		end 
+		return
+	end
+	
+	local myType = theUnit:getTypeName()
+	if guardianAngel.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++gA: event " .. ID .. " for unit " .. theUnit:getName() .. " of type " .. myType, 30)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- U P D A T E   L O O P 
+--
+
+
+function guardianAngel.update()
+	timer.scheduleFunction(guardianAngel.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/guardianAngel.ups)
+	
+	guardianAngel.monitorMissiles()
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.collectPlayerUnits()
+	-- make sure we have all existing player units 
+	-- at start of game 
+	if not guardianAngel.autoAddPlayer then return end 
+	
+	for i=1, 2 do 
+		-- currently only two factions in dcs 
+		factionUnits = coalition.getPlayers(i)
+		for idx, aPlayerUnit in pairs(factionUnits) do 
+		-- add all existing faction units
+			guardianAngel.addUnitToWatch(aPlayerUnit)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- config reading
+--
+function guardianAngel.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("guardianAngelConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++gA: no config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+	if guardianAngel.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++gA: found config zone!", 30) 
+	end 
+	
+	guardianAngel.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	guardianAngel.autoAddPlayer = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "autoAddPlayer", true)
+	guardianAngel.launchWarning = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "launchWarning", true)
+	guardianAngel.intervention = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "intervention", true)
+	guardianAngel.announcer = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "announcer", true)
+	guardianAngel.private = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "private", false)
+	guardianAngel.explosion = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "explosion", -1)
+end
+
+
+--
+-- start 
+--
+function guardianAngel.start()
+	-- lib check 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Guardian Angel", 
+		guardianAngel.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config 
+	guardianAngel.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- install event monitor 
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(guardianAngel.somethingHappened,
+							  guardianAngel.preProcessor,
+							  guardianAngel.postProcessor)
+	
+	-- collect all units that are already in the game at this point
+	guardianAngel.collectPlayerUnits()
+	
+	-- start update 
+	guardianAngel.update()
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("Guardian Angel v" .. guardianAngel.version .. " running", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+function guardianAngel.testCB(reason, targetName, weaponName)
+	trigger.action.outText("gA - CB for ".. reason .. ": " .. targetName .. " w: " .. weaponName, 30)
+end
+
+-- go go go 
+if not guardianAngel.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("Loading Guardian Angel failed.", 30)
+	guardianAngel = nil 
+end
+
+-- test callback
+--guardianAngel.addCallback(guardianAngel.testCB)
+--guardianAngel.invokeCallbacks("A", "B", "C")

modules/jtacGrpUI.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,395 @@
+jtacGrpUI = {}
+jtacGrpUI.version = "1.0.2"
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+ - 1.0.2 - also include idling JTACS
+         - add positional info when using owned zones 
+		 
+--]]--
+-- find & command cfxGroundTroops-based jtacs
+-- UI installed via OTHER for all groups with players
+-- module based on xxxGrpUI
+ 
+jtacGrpUI.groupConfig = {} -- all inited group private config data 
+jtacGrpUI.simpleCommands = true -- if true, f10 other invokes directly
+
+--
+-- C O N F I G   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =============================
+--
+-- Each group has their own config block that can be used to 
+-- store group-private data and configuration items.
+--
+
+function jtacGrpUI.resetConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+	local conf = {}
+	conf.theGroup = theGroup
+	conf.name = theGroup:getName()
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID()
+	conf.coalition = theGroup:getCoalition() 
+	
+	jtacGrpUI.resetConfig(conf)
+
+	conf.mainMenu = nil; -- this is where we store the main menu if we branch
+	conf.myCommands = nil; -- this is where we store the commands if we branch 
+	
+	return conf
+end
+
+-- getConfigFor group will allocate if doesn't exist in DB
+-- and add to it
+function jtacGrpUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: jtacGrpUI nil group in getConfigForGroup!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	local theName = theGroup:getName()
+	local c = jtacGrpUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- we use central accessor
+	if not c then 
+		c = jtacGrpUI.createDefaultConfig(theGroup)
+		jtacGrpUI.groupConfig[theName] = c -- should use central accessor...
+	end
+	return c 
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.getConfigByGroupName(theName) -- DOES NOT allocate when not exist
+	if not theName then return nil end 
+	return jtacGrpUI.groupConfig[theName]
+end
+
+
+function jtacGrpUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	-- simple one-off step by accessing the group 
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: jtacGrpUI nil unit in getConfigForUnit!", 30)
+		return nil 
+	end
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	return getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- M E N U   H A N D L I N G 
+-- =========================
+--
+--
+ function jtacGrpUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	if conf.myCommands then 
+		for i=1, #conf.myCommands do
+			missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myCommands[i])
+		end
+	end
+	conf.myCommands = {}
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+	jtacGrpUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	if conf.myMainMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItemForGroup(conf.id, conf.myMainMenu) 
+		conf.myMainMenu = nil
+	end
+end
+
+-- this only works in single-unit groups. may want to check if group 
+-- has disappeared
+function jtacGrpUI.removeCommsForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then return end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 	
+	-- perhaps add code: check if group is empty
+	local conf = jtacGrpUI.getConfigForUnit(theUnit)
+	jtacGrpUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.removeCommsForGroup(theGroup)
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 	
+	local conf = jtacGrpUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup)
+	jtacGrpUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf)
+end
+
+--
+-- set main root in F10 Other. All sub menus click into this 
+--
+function jtacGrpUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup)
+	return true
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit)
+	if not theUnit then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++WARNING: jtacGrpUI nil UNIT in setCommsMenuForUnit!", 30)
+		return
+	end
+	if not theUnit:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup()
+	jtacGrpUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.setCommsMenu(theGroup)
+	-- depending on own load state, we set the command structure
+	-- it begins at 10-other, and has 'jtac' as main menu with submenus
+	-- as required 
+	if not theGroup then return end
+	if not theGroup:isExist() then return end 
+	
+	-- we test here if this group qualifies for 
+	-- the menu. if not, exit 
+	if not jtacGrpUI.isEligibleForMenu(theGroup) then return end
+	
+	local conf = jtacGrpUI.getConfigForGroup(theGroup) 
+	conf.id = theGroup:getID(); -- we do this ALWAYS so it is current even after a crash 
+--	trigger.action.outText("+++ setting group <".. conf.theGroup:getName() .. "> jtac command", 30)
+	
+	if jtacGrpUI.simpleCommands then 
+		-- we install directly in F-10 other 
+		if not conf.myMainMenu then 
+			local commandTxt = "jtac Lasing Report"
+			local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				nil,
+				jtacGrpUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "lasing report"}
+				)
+			conf.myMainMenu = theCommand
+		end
+		
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	
+	-- ok, first, if we don't have an F-10 menu, create one 
+	if not (conf.myMainMenu) then 
+		conf.myMainMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForGroup(conf.id, 'jtac') 
+	end
+	
+	-- clear out existing commands
+	jtacGrpUI.clearCommsSubmenus(conf)
+	
+	-- now we have a menu without submenus. 
+	-- add our own submenus
+	jtacGrpUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.addSubMenus(conf)
+	-- add menu items to choose from after 
+	-- user clickedf on MAIN MENU. In this implementation
+	-- they all result invoked methods
+	
+	
+	
+	local commandTxt = "jtac Lasing Report"
+	local theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				jtacGrpUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "lasing report"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+--[[--
+	commandTxt = "This is another important command"
+	theCommand =  missionCommands.addCommandForGroup(
+				conf.id, 
+				commandTxt,
+				conf.myMainMenu,
+				jtacGrpUI.redirectCommandX, 
+				{conf, "Sub2"}
+				)
+	table.insert(conf.myCommands, theCommand)
+--]]--
+end
+
+--
+-- each menu item has a redirect and timed invoke to divorce from the
+-- no-debug zone in the menu invocation. Delay is .1 seconds
+--
+
+function jtacGrpUI.redirectCommandX(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(jtacGrpUI.doCommandX, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.doCommandX(args)
+	local conf = args[1] -- < conf in here
+	local what = args[2] -- < second argument in here
+	local theGroup = conf.theGroup
+--	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "+++ groupUI: processing comms menu for <" .. what .. ">", 30)
+	local targetList = jtacGrpUI.collectJTACtargets(conf, true)
+	-- iterate the list
+	if #targetList < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "No targets are currently being lased", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	local desc = "JTAC Target Report:\n"
+--	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, "Target Report:", 30)
+	for i=1, #targetList do 
+		local aTarget = targetList[i]
+		if aTarget.idle then 
+			desc = desc .. "\n" .. aTarget.jtacName .. aTarget.posInfo ..": no target"
+		else 
+			desc = desc .. "\n" .. aTarget.jtacName .. aTarget.posInfo .." lasing " .. aTarget.lazeTargetType .. " [" .. aTarget.range .. "nm at " .. aTarget.bearing .. "°]"
+		end 
+	end
+	trigger.action.outTextForGroup(conf.id, desc .. "\n", 30)
+end
+
+function jtacGrpUI.collectJTACtargets(conf, includeIdle)
+	-- iterate cfxGroundTroops.deployedTroops to retrieve all 
+	-- troops that are lazing. 'Lazing' are all groups that 
+	-- have an active (non-nil) lazeTarget and 'laze' orders
+	if not includeIdle then includeIdle = false end 
+	
+	local theJTACS = {}
+	for idx, troop in pairs(cfxGroundTroops.deployedTroops) do 
+		if troop.coalition == conf.coalition
+		 and troop.orders == "laze" 
+		 and troop.lazeTarget 
+		 and troop.lazeTarget:isExist() 
+		then 
+			table.insert(theJTACS, troop)
+		elseif troop.coalition == conf.coalition 
+		 and troop.orders == "laze"
+		 and includeIdle
+		then 
+			-- we also include idlers
+			table.insert(theJTACS, troop)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- we now have a list of all ground troops that are lazing.
+	-- get bearing and range to targets, and sort them accordingly
+	local targetList = {}
+	local here = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(conf.theGroup) -- this is me
+	
+	for idx, troop in pairs (theJTACS) do
+		local aTarget = {}
+		-- establish our location 
+		aTarget.jtacName = troop.name 
+		aTarget.posInfo = ""
+		if cfxOwnedZones and cfxOwnedZones.hasOwnedZones() then 
+			local jtacLoc = dcsCommon.getGroupLocation(troop.group)
+			local nearestZone = cfxOwnedZones.getNearestOwnedZoneToPoint(jtacLoc)
+			if nearestZone then 
+				local ozRange = dcsCommon.dist(jtacLoc, nearestZone.point) * 0.000621371
+				ozRange = math.floor(ozRange * 10) / 10
+				local relPos = dcsCommon.compassPositionOfARelativeToB(jtacLoc, nearestZone.point)
+				aTarget.posInfo = " (" .. ozRange .. "nm " .. relPos .. " of " .. nearestZone.name .. ")"
+			end
+		end
+		-- we may get idlers, catch them now 
+		if not troop.lazeTarget then 
+			aTarget.idle = true
+			aTarget.range = math.huge
+		else 
+			-- get the target we are lazing 
+			local there = troop.lazeTarget:getPoint()
+			aTarget.idle = false
+			aTarget.range = dcsCommon.dist(here, there)
+			aTarget.range = aTarget.range * 0.000621371 -- meter to miles 
+			aTarget.range = math.floor(aTarget.range * 10) / 10
+			aTarget.bearing = dcsCommon.bearingInDegreesFromAtoB(here, there)
+			--aTarget.jtacName = troop.name 
+			aTarget.lazeTargetType = troop.lazeTargetType
+		end
+		table.insert(targetList, aTarget)
+	end
+	
+	-- now sort by range 
+	table.sort(targetList, function (left, right) return left.range < right.range end )
+	
+	-- return list sorted by distance
+	return targetList
+end
+
+--
+-- G R O U P   M A N A G E M E N T 
+--
+-- Group Management is required to make sure all groups
+-- receive a comms menu and that they receive a clean-up 
+-- when required 
+--
+-- Callbacks are provided by cfxPlayer module to which we
+-- subscribe during init 
+--
+function jtacGrpUI.playerChangeEvent(evType, description, player, data)
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++ groupUI: received <".. evType .. "> Event", 30)
+	if evType == "newGroup" then 
+		-- initialized attributes are in data as follows
+		--   .group - new group 
+		--   .name - new group's name 
+		--   .primeUnit - the unit that trigggered new group appearing 
+		--   .primeUnitName - name of prime unit 
+		--   .id group ID 
+		--theUnit = data.primeUnit
+		jtacGrpUI.setCommsMenu(data.group)
+--		trigger.action.outText("+++ groupUI: added " .. theUnit:getName() .. " to comms menu", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "removeGroup" then 
+		-- data is the player record that no longer exists. it consists of
+		--  .name 
+		-- we must remove the comms menu for this group else we try to add another one to this group later
+		local conf = jtacGrpUI.getConfigByGroupName(data.name)
+		
+		if conf then 
+			jtacGrpUI.removeCommsFromConfig(conf) -- remove menus 
+			jtacGrpUI.resetConfig(conf) -- re-init this group for when it re-appears
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ jtacUI: can't retrieve group <" .. data.name .. "> config: not found!", 30)
+		end
+		
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "leave" then
+		-- player unit left. we don't care since we only work on group level
+		-- if they were the only, this is followed up by group disappeared 
+		
+	end
+	
+	if evType == "unit" then 
+		-- player changed units. almost never in MP, but possible in solo
+		-- because of 1 seconds timing loop 
+		-- will result in a new group appearing and a group disappearing, so we are good
+		-- may need some logic to clean up old configs and/or menu items 
+
+	end
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- Start 
+--
+function jtacGrpUI.start()
+
+	-- iterate existing groups so we have a start situation
+	-- now iterate through all player groups and install the Assault Troop Menu
+	allPlayerGroups = cfxPlayerGroups -- cfxPlayerGroups is a global, don't fuck with it! 
+	-- contains per group player record. Does not resolve on unit level!
+	for gname, pgroup in pairs(allPlayerGroups) do 
+		local theUnit = pgroup.primeUnit -- get any unit of that group
+		jtacGrpUI.setCommsMenuForUnit(theUnit) -- set up
+	end
+	-- now install the new group notifier to install Assault Troops menu
+	
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(jtacGrpUI.playerChangeEvent)
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x jtacGrpUI v" .. jtacGrpUI.version .. " started", 30)
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- GO GO GO 
+--
+if not cfxGroundTroops then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x jtacGrpUI REQUIRES cfxGroundTroops to work.", 30)
+else 
+	jtacGrpUI.start()
+end

modules/limitedAirframes.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,828 @@
+limitedAirframes = {}
+limitedAirframes.version = "1.3.0"
+limitedAirframes.enabled = true -- can be turned off
+limitedAirframes.userCanToggle = true -- F-10 menu?
+limitedAirframes.maxRed = -1 -- -1 == infinite
+limitedAirframes.maxBlue = 6 -- -1 = infinite
+limitedAirframes.redWinsFlag = "999"
+limitedAirframes.blueWinsFlag = "998" 
+ 
+limitedAirframes.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
+				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course for safe landings
+	"cfxPlayer", -- callbacks 
+--	"cfxGroundTroops", -- generic data module for weight 
+}
+
+--[[-- VERSION HISTORY
+ - 1.0.0 - initial version 
+ - 1.0.1 - out text to coalition for switch
+         - less verbose
+		 - win/lose sound by coalition
+ - 1.0.2 - corrected some to to-->for Groups typos
+ - 1.0.3 - renamed to 'pilot' instead of airframe:
+           pilotSafe attribute 
+		 - fixed MP bug, switched to EventMonII code
+ - 1.0.4 - added CSAR integration: create CSAR and callback
+         - safe ditch only at less than 7 kmh and 10m agl 
+ - 1.0.5 - replaced 5 (crash) check for helos only 
+ - 1.0.6 - changed alt and speed tests to inAir
+           reduced verbosity 
+		   made reporting of new units for coalition side only 
+ - 1.0.7 - if unlimited pilots it says so when you return one 
+           to base
+ - 1.0.8 - now can query remaining pilots 
+ - 1.0.9 - better formatted remaining pilots 
+ - 1.1.0 - module manager 
+         - separated out settings 
+		 - hand change in pilotsafe zones that can be landed in 
+ - 1.2.0 - limitedAirframesConfig zone 
+ - 1.3.0 - added network dead override logic via unitFlownByPlayer
+ 
+--]]--
+
+-- limitedAirframes manages the number of available player airframes
+-- per scenario and side. Each time a player crashes the plane
+-- outside of safe zones, the number is decreased for that side
+-- when the number reaches -1 or smaller, other side wins
+-- !!!Only affects player planes!!
+
+-- *** EXTENDS ZONES ***
+-- safe zones must have a property "pilotSafe"
+--   - pilotSafe - this is a zone to safely change airframes in
+--   - redSafe (optional, defaults to true)
+--   - blueSafe (optional, defaults to true)
+--     set to "false" or "no" to disallow that side to change 
+--	   airframes even when safer
+--   if zone can change ownership, player's coalition 
+--   is checked against current zone ownership 
+--   zone owner. 
+
+-- when red wins due to blue frame loss, flag 999 is set to true
+-- when blue wins due to red frame loss, flag 998 is set to true
+-- set a mission trigger to end mission if you want to end mission
+-- or simply keep running, and a CHEATER! message will flash 
+-- every time the losing side enters a new aircraft 
+
+limitedAirframes.safeZones = {} -- safezones are zones where a crash or change plane does not
+-- these zones are created by adding an 'pilotSafe' attribute
+
+limitedAirframes.myEvents = {5, 9, 30, 6, 20, 21, 15 } -- 5 = crash, 9 - dead, 30 - unit lost, 6 - eject, 20 - enter unit, 21 - leave unit, 15 - birth
+
+-- guarantee a min of 2 seconds between events
+-- for this we save last event per player 
+limitedAirframes.lastEvents = {}
+-- each time a plane crashes or is abandoned check 
+-- that it's a player unit 
+-- inside a crash free zone 
+-- update the side's airframe credit 
+
+limitedAirframes.currRed = 0
+limitedAirframes.currRed = 0
+
+-- we record all unit names that contain a player 
+-- so that we can check against these when we receive
+-- an ejection event. We also keep a list of players
+-- for good measure and their status
+limitedAirframes.playerUnits = {}
+limitedAirframes.players = {}
+limitedAirframes.unitFlownByPlayer = {} -- to detect dead after 
+		-- 21 (player left unit) we store on 15 (birth)
+		-- which unit a player occupies. if player 
+		-- then levaes and dead has a mismatch, we resolve 
+		-- by not calling dead. 
+		-- works if eject does not call player left unit 
+		-- unit[unitname] = playername. if nil, no longer 
+		-- occupied by player.
+		
+limitedAirframes.theCommand = nil 
+
+--
+-- READ CONFIG ZONE TO OVERRIDE SETTING
+--
+function limitedAirframes.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("limitedAirframesConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***LimA: NO config zone!", 30) 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("LimA: found config zone!", 30) 
+	
+	-- ok, for each property, load it if it exists
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "enabled")  then 
+		limitedAirframes.enabled = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "enabled", true)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "userCanToggle")  then 
+		limitedAirframes.userCanToggle = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "userCanToggle", true)
+	end
+	
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "maxRed")  then 
+		limitedAirframes.maxRed = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "maxRed", -1)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "maxBlue")  then 
+		limitedAirframes.maxBlue = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "maxBlue", -1)
+	end
+	
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "redWinsFlag")  then 
+		limitedAirframes.redWinsFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "redWinsFlag", "999")
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "blueWinsFlag")  then 
+		limitedAirframes.blueWinsFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "blueWinsFlag", "998")
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- UNIT AND PLAYER HANDLING
+--
+function limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName)
+	if limitedAirframes.playerUnits[uName] then return true end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(uName)
+	if limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName) then 
+		return limitedAirframes.playerUnits[uName]
+	end
+	trigger.action.outText("+++lim: WARNING: " .. uName .. " is unknown!", 30)
+	return "***Error"
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnit(theUnit)
+	return limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(theUnit:getName())
+end
+
+-- addPlayerUnit adds a unit as a known player unit 
+-- and also adds the player if unknown
+function limitedAirframes.addPlayerUnit(theUnit)
+	local theSide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	if not uName then uName = "**XXXX**" end 
+	local pName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+	if not pName then pName = "**????**" end 
+	limitedAirframes.updatePlayer(pName, "alive")
+	
+	local desc = "unit <" .. uName .. "> controlled by <" .. pName .. ">"
+	if not(limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName)) then 
+		--desc = "+++lim: added ".. desc .. " to list of known player units"
+	else 
+		if limitedAirframes.playerUnits[uName] == pName then 
+			desc = "player unit <".. uName .. "> controlled by <".. limitedAirframes.playerUnits[uName].."> re-seated"
+		else 
+			desc = "Updated player unit <".. uName .. "> from <".. limitedAirframes.playerUnits[uName].."> to <" .. pName ..">"
+		end 
+	end 
+	limitedAirframes.playerUnits[uName] = pName 
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, desc, 30)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.killPlayer(pName)
+	limitedAirframes.updatePlayer(pName, "dead")
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++lim: PILOT LOST: " .. pName .. ", NO CSAR", 30)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.killPlayerInUnit(theUnit)
+	limitedAirframes.updatePlayerInUnit(theUnit, "dead")
+	--trigger.action.outText("+++lim: PILOT LOST, NO CSAR", 30)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.updatePlayerInUnit(theUnit, status)
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	if not limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++lim: WARNING: updatePlayerInUnit to " .. status .. " with unknown pilot for plane", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	local pName = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(uName)
+	limitedAirframes.updatePlayer(pName, status)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.updatePlayer(pName, status)
+	if not pName then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++lim: WARNING - NIL pName in updatePlayer for status " .. status, 30)
+		return
+	end 
+	local desc = ""
+	if not limitedAirframes.players[pName] then 
+		desc = "+++lim: NEW player " .. pName .. ": " .. status
+	else 
+		if limitedAirframes.players[pName] ~= status then 
+			desc = "+++lim: CHANGE player " .. pName .. " " .. limitedAirframes.players[pName] .. " -> " .. status
+		else 
+			desc = "+++: player " .. pName .. " no change (" .. status .. ")"
+		end
+	end
+	
+	limitedAirframes.players[pName] = status 
+	-- if desc then trigger.action.outText(desc, 30) end 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.getStatusOfPlayerInUnit(theUnit)
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	if not limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++lim: WARNING get player status for unknown pilot in plane " .. uName, 30)
+		return nil
+	end
+	local pName = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(uName)
+	return limitedAirframes.getStatusOfPlayerNamed(pName)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.getStatusOfPlayerNamed(pName)
+	return limitedAirframes.players[pName]
+end
+
+--
+-- E V E N T   H A N D L I N G 
+-- 
+function limitedAirframes.XXXisKnownPlayerUnit(theUnit) 
+	if not theUnit then return false end 
+	local aName = theUnit:getName()
+	if limitedAirframes.playerUnitNames[aName] ~= nil then 
+		return true
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.isInteresting(eventID) 
+	-- return true if we are interested in this event, false else 
+	for key, evType in pairs(limitedAirframes.myEvents) do 
+		if evType == eventID then return true end
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.preProcessor(event)
+	-- make sure it has an initiator
+	if not event.initiator then return false end -- no initiator 
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	
+
+	if event.id == 6 then -- Eject, plane already divorced from player
+		if limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName) then 
+			--trigger.action.outText("limAir: detected EJECT for player unit " .. uName .. " player " .. limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(uName), 30)
+			return true
+		end
+		return false -- no longer of interest 
+	end
+	
+	if event.id == 5 then -- crash, plane no longer attached to player
+		
+		if limitedAirframes.isKnownUnitName(uName) then
+			--trigger.action.outText("limAir: detected CRASH for player unit " .. uName .. " player " .. limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(uName), 30)
+			return true
+		end
+		return false -- no longer of interest 
+	end
+	
+	
+	if not cfxPlayer.isPlayerUnit(theUnit) then 
+		-- not a player unit. Events 5 and 6 have been
+		-- handled before, so we can safely ignore
+		return false 
+	end  
+
+	-- exclude all ground units
+	local theGroup = theUnit:getGroup() 
+	local cat = theGroup:getCategory()
+	if cat == Group.Category.GROUND then 
+		return false 
+	end
+
+	-- only return true if defined as interesting 
+	return limitedAirframes.isInteresting(event.id) 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.postProcessor(event)
+	-- don't do anything
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.somethingHappened(event)
+	-- when this is invoked, the preprocessor guarantees that
+	-- we have:
+	-- * an interesting event
+	-- * unit is valid and was a player's unit
+	
+	-- the events that are relevant for pilot loss are:
+	-- * player entered: set pilot 'alive' state, maybe add new 
+	--   unit and pilot to db of players and units 
+	-- * pilot died - decrease pilot count, set 'dead' state
+	-- * eject - decrease pilot count, 'MIA' state, csar possible
+	-- * player left - when pilot status 'alive' - check safe zone 
+	--               - outside safe zone, csar possible, set 'MIA'
+	--               - when pilot anything but 'alive' - ignore
+	
+	if not event.initiator then 
+		trigger.action.outText("limAir: ***WARNING: event (" .. ID .. "): no initiator, should not have been procced", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local unitName = theUnit:getName()
+	local ID = event.id
+	local myType = theUnit:getTypeName()
+	
+	-- "20" event (player enter): always processed 
+--[[--	if ID == 20 or ID == 15 then -- player entered unit
+		limitedAirframes.addPlayerUnit(theUnit) -- will also update player and player status to 'alive'
+		-- now procc a 'cheater' since we entered a new airframe/pilot
+		limitedAirframes.checkPlayerFrameAvailability(event)
+		return 
+	end
+--]]--
+	
+	if ID == 20 then -- 20 ENTER UNIT
+		local pName = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnit(theUnit)
+		if not pName then pName = "***UNKNOWN***" end 
+		--trigger.action.outText("limAir: Received ENTER UNIT (20) for " .. pName .. " in " .. unitName , 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if ID == 15 then -- birth - this one is called in network, 20 is too unreliable
+		-- can set where birthed: runway, parking, air etc.
+		limitedAirframes.addPlayerUnit(theUnit) -- will also update player and player status to 'alive'
+		-- now procc a 'cheater' since we entered a new airframe/pilot
+		limitedAirframes.checkPlayerFrameAvailability(event)
+		local playerName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+		limitedAirframes.unitFlownByPlayer[unitName] = playerName
+		-- TODO: make sure this is the ONLY plane the player
+		-- is registered under, and mark mismatches
+		trigger.action.outText("limAir: 15 -- player " .. playerName .. " now in " .. unitName, 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- make sure unit's player pilot is known
+	if not limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(unitName) then
+		trigger.action.outText("limAir: ***WARNING: Ignored player event (" .. ID .. "): unable to retrieve player name for " .. unitName, 30)
+		return  -- plane no longer of interest cant retrieve pilot -- BUG!!!
+	end
+	
+	
+	-- event 6 - eject - plane divorced but player pilot is known
+	if ID == 6 then -- eject
+		limitedAirframes.pilotEjected(event)			
+		return
+	end
+	
+	-- event 5 - crash - plane divorced but player pilot is known 
+	-- if pilot is still alive, this should now cause a pilot lost event if we are a helicopter 
+	
+	if ID == 5 then -- crash
+		-- as of new processing, no longer relevant
+		-- limitedAirframes.airFrameCrashed(event) 
+		-- helicopters do not call died when helo
+		-- crashes. so check if we are still seated=alive 
+		-- and call pilot dead then 
+		-- for some reason, pilot died also may not be called 
+		-- so if pilot is still alive and not MIA, he's now dead.
+		-- forget the helo check, this now applies to all 
+
+		
+		local pStatus = limitedAirframes.getStatusOfPlayerInUnit(theUnit)
+		if pStatus == "alive" then 
+			-- this frame was carrrying a live player 
+			limitedAirframes.pilotDied(theUnit)
+			return 
+		else 
+			trigger.action.outText("limAir: Crash of airframe detected - but player status wasn't alive (" .. pStatus .. ")", 30)
+			return 
+		end 
+	end 
+
+-- removed dual 21 detection here 
+	
+	if ID == 21 then 
+		-- remove pilot name from unit name 
+		limitedAirframes.unitFlownByPlayer[unitName] = nil
+		--trigger.action.outText("limAir: 21 -- unit " .. unitName .. " unoccupied", 30)
+		
+		trigger.action.outText("limAir: 21 (player left) for unit " .. unitName , 30)
+		-- player left unit. Happens twice
+		-- check if player alive, else we have a ditch.
+		limitedAirframes.handlePlayerLeftUnit(event)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	
+	if ID == 9 then -- died 
+		--trigger.action.outText("limAir: 9 (PILOT DEAD) for unit " .. unitName , 30)
+		local thePilot = limitedAirframes.unitFlownByPlayer[unitName]
+		if not thePilot then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++limAir: 9 O'RIDE -- unit " .. unitName .. " was legally vacated before!", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+		limitedAirframes.pilotDied(theUnit)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if ID == 30 then -- unit lost
+		return 
+	end
+	
+
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("limAir: WARNING unhandled: " .. ID .. " for player unit " .. theUnit:getName() .. " of type " .. myType, 30)
+end
+
+--
+-- HANDLE VARIOUS SITUATIONS
+--
+
+function limitedAirframes.handlePlayerLeftUnit(event)
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	-- make sure the pilot is alive
+	if limitedAirframes.getStatusOfPlayerInUnit(theUnit) ~= "alive" then 
+		-- was already handled. simply exit
+		local pName = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnitName(theUnit:getName())
+		local pStatus = limitedAirframes.getStatusOfPlayerInUnit(theUnit)
+		-- player was already dead and has been accounted for 
+		--trigger.action.outText("limAir: Change Plane for player <" .. pName .. "> with status <" .. pStatus .. "> procced.", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- check if the unit was inside a safe zone
+	-- if so, graceful exit 
+	local uPos = theUnit:getPoint() 
+	local meInside = cfxZones.getZonesContainingPoint(uPos, limitedAirframes.safeZones)
+	local mySide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	--local speed = dcsCommon.getUnitSpeed(theUnit) -- this can cause problems with carriers, so check if below 
+	--local agl = dcsCommon.getUnitAGL(theUnit) -- this will cause problems with FARP and carriers. 
+	-- we now check the inAir 
+	local isInAir = theUnit:inAir()
+	--trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(mySide, "limAir: safe check for Pilot " .. theUnit:getPlayerName() .. ": agl=" .. agl .. ", speed = " .. speed .. ", air status = " .. dcsCommon.bool2YesNo(isInAir), 30)
+
+	for i=1, #meInside do 
+		-- I'm inside all these zones. We look for the first
+		-- that saves me 
+		local theSafeZone = meInside[i]
+		local isSafe = false
+		if mySide == 1 then 
+			isSafe = theSafeZone.redSafe 
+		elseif mySide == 2 then 
+			isSafe = theSafeZone.blueSafe
+		else 
+			isSafe = true 
+		end
+		
+		if theSafeZone.owner then
+			-- owned zone. olny allow in neutral or owned by same side 
+			isSafe = isSafe and (mySide == theSafeZone.owner or theSafeZone.owner == 0)
+			trigger.action.outText("+++: Lim - " .. theSafeZone.name .. " ownership: myside = " .. mySide .. " zone owner is " .. theSafeZone.owner, 30)
+		else 
+			-- trigger.action.outText("+++: Zone " .. theSafeZone.name .. " has no ownership, skipping check", 30)
+		end
+		
+		-- check we are at rest below 10m height. agl may give 
+		-- misreadings on carriers and FARPs, while speed may read
+		-- wrongly on carriers (tbd). we now use isInAir to determine if
+		-- we ditched while in flight 
+		--if speed > 2 or agl > 10 then isSafe = false end 
+		--if not isInAir then return false end -- why *not* isInAir??? 
+		
+		-- for matter of fact, why did we return ANYTHING???
+		-- there may be a bug here 
+		-- maybe it should be "if isInAir then isSafe = false"??
+		if isInAir then isSafe = false end 
+		
+		if isSafe then 
+			trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(mySide, "limAir: Pilot " .. theUnit:getPlayerName() .. " left unit " .. theUnit:getName() .. " legally in zone " .. theSafeZone.name, 30)
+			-- remove from known player planes
+			-- no more limitedAirframes.removePlayerUnit(theUnit)
+			return;
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- ditched outside safe harbour
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(mySide, "Pilot " .. theUnit:getPlayerName() .. " DITCHED unit " .. theUnit:getName() .. " -- PILOT LOSS (MIA)", 30)
+	limitedAirframes.pilotLost(theUnit)
+	if csarManager and csarManager.airframeDitched then 
+		csarManager.airframeDitched(theUnit)
+	end
+	
+	limitedAirframes.updatePlayerInUnit(theUnit, "MIA") -- cosmetic only
+	limitedAirframes.createCSAR(theUnit)
+end
+
+
+
+function limitedAirframes.pilotEjected(event)
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	-- do we want to check location?
+	-- no. if the user ejects, plane is done for
+	local theSide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	local pilot = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnit(theUnit)
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, "Pilot <" .. pilot .. "> ejected from " .. uName .. ", now MIA", 30)
+	
+	local hasLostTheWar = limitedAirframes.pilotLost(theUnit)
+	
+	limitedAirframes.updatePlayerInUnit(theUnit, "MIA") -- cosmetic only
+	-- create CSAR if applicable
+	if not hasLostTheWar then 
+		limitedAirframes.createCSAR(theUnit)
+	end 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.pilotDied(theUnit)
+	--limitedAirframes.killPlayerInUnit(theUnit)
+	local theSide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	local pilot = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnit(theUnit)
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, "Pilot <" .. pilot .. "> is confirmed KIA while controlling " .. uName, 30)
+	limitedAirframes.pilotLost(theUnit)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.pilotLost(theUnit)
+	-- returns true if lost the war 
+	-- MUST NOT MESSAGE PILOT STATUS AS MIA CAN ALSO BE SET
+	-- first DELETE THE UNIT FROM player-owned unit table
+	-- so an empty crash after eject/death will not be counted as two losses
+	limitedAirframes.killPlayerInUnit(theUnit)
+
+	-- now see if we are enabled to limit airframes 
+	if not limitedAirframes.enabled then return false end 
+	
+	-- find out which side lost the airframe and message side
+	local theSide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	local pilot = limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnit(theUnit)
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	--trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, "Pilot <" .. pilot .. "> is confirmed KIA while controlling " .. uName, 30)
+	
+	if theSide == 1 then -- red 
+		theOtherSide = 2 
+		if 	limitedAirframes.maxRed < 0 then return false end -- disabled/infinite
+		
+		limitedAirframes.currRed = limitedAirframes.currRed - 1
+		
+		if limitedAirframes.currRed == 0 then
+			trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, "\nYou have lost almost all of your pilots.\n\nWARNING: Losing any more pilots WILL FAIL THE MISSION\n", 30)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theSide, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+			return false  
+		end
+		
+		if limitedAirframes.currRed < 0 then 
+			-- red have lost all airframes 
+			trigger.action.outText("\nREDFORCE has lost all of their pilots.\n\nBLUEFORCE WINS!\n", 30)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theSide, "Death PIANO.wav")
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theOtherSide, "Triumphant Victory.wav")
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(limitedAirframes.blueWinsFlag, 1 )
+			return true 
+		end
+		
+		
+	elseif theSide == 2 then -- blue 
+		theOtherSide = 1
+		if 	limitedAirframes.maxBlue < 0 then return false end -- disabled/infinite
+		limitedAirframes.currBlue = limitedAirframes.currBlue - 1
+		if limitedAirframes.currBlue == 0 then
+			trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, "\nYou have lost almost all of your pilots.\n\nWARNING: Losing any more pilots WILL FAIL THE MISSION\n", 30)
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theSide, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+			return false 
+		end
+		if limitedAirframes.currBlue < 0 then 
+			-- red have lost all airframes 
+			trigger.action.outText("\nBLUEFORCE has lost all of their pilots.\n\nREDFORCE WINS!\n", 30)
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(limitedAirframes.redWinsFlag, 1 )
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theSide, "Death PIANO.wav")
+			trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theOtherSide, "Triumphant Victory.wav")
+			return true 
+		end
+		trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theSide, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theSide, "You have lost a pilot! Remaining: " .. limitedAirframes.currBlue, 30)
+	end
+	return false 
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.checkPlayerFrameAvailability(event)
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local theSide = theUnit:getCoalition()
+	if theSide == 1 then -- red 
+		if 	limitedAirframes.maxRed < 0 then return end -- disabled/infinite
+		if limitedAirframes.currRed < 0 then 
+			-- red have lost all airframes 
+			trigger.action.outText("\nREDFORCE is a CHEATER!\n", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+	elseif theSide == 2 then -- blue 
+		if 	limitedAirframes.maxBlue < 0 then return end -- disabled/infinite
+		if limitedAirframes.currBlue < 0 then 
+			-- red have lost all airframes 
+			trigger.action.outText("\nBLUEFORCE is a CHEATER!\n", 30)
+			return 
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+
+function limitedAirframes.createCSAR(theUnit)
+	-- only do this if we have installed CSAR Manager
+	if csarManager and csarManager.createCSARforUnit then 
+		csarManager.createCSARforUnit(theUnit, 
+			limitedAirframes.getKnownUnitPilotByUnit(theUnit),
+			100)
+	end
+end
+
+-- start up
+
+function limitedAirframes.addSafeZone(aZone)
+	if not aZone then 
+		trigger.action.outText("WARNING: NIL Zone in addSafeZone", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+
+	-- transfer properties if they exist 
+	-- blueSafe, redSafe: what side this is safe for, default = yes 
+	
+	-- add zone to my list
+	limitedAirframes.safeZones[aZone] = aZone 
+	aZone.redSafe = true
+	aZone.redSafe = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "redSafe", true)
+	aZone.blueSafe = true 
+	aZone.blueSafe = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "blueSafe", true)
+
+	trigger.action.outText("limAir: added safeZone " .. aZone.name, 30)
+end
+
+
+
+--
+-- COMMAND & CONFIGURATION
+--
+function limitedAirframes.setCommsMenu()
+	local desc = "Pilot Count (Currently ON)"
+	local desc2 = "Turn OFF Pilot Count (Cheat)?"
+	if not limitedAirframes.enabled then 
+		desc = "Pilot Count (Currently OFF)"
+		desc2 = "ENABLE Pilot Count"
+	end
+	-- remove previous version
+	if limitedAirframes.rootMenu then 
+		missionCommands.removeItem(limitedAirframes.theScore)
+		missionCommands.removeItem(limitedAirframes.theCommand)
+		missionCommands.removeItem(limitedAirframes.rootMenu)
+	end
+	limitedAirframes.theCommand = nil
+	limitedAirframes.rootMenu = nil 
+	
+	-- add current version menu and command
+	limitedAirframes.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenu(desc, nil)
+	
+	limitedAirframes.theScore = missionCommands.addCommand("How many airframes left?" , limitedAirframes.rootMenu, limitedAirframes.redirectAirframeScore, {"none"})
+	
+	limitedAirframes.theCommand = missionCommands.addCommand(desc2 , limitedAirframes.rootMenu, limitedAirframes.redirectToggleAirFrames, {"none"})
+	
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.redirectAirframeScore(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(limitedAirframes.doAirframeScore, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.doAirframeScore(args)
+	local redRemaining = "unlimited"
+	if limitedAirframes.maxRed >= 0 then 
+		redRemaining = limitedAirframes.currRed .. " of " .. limitedAirframes.maxRed
+		if limitedAirframes.currRed < 1 then 
+			redRemaining = "no"
+		end
+	end
+	
+	local blueRemaining = "unlimited"
+	if limitedAirframes.maxBlue >= 0 then 
+		blueRemaining = limitedAirframes.currBlue .. " of " .. limitedAirframes.maxBlue
+		if limitedAirframes.currBlue < 1 then 
+			blueRemaining = "no"
+		end
+	end
+	
+	local msg = "\nRED has " .. redRemaining .. " pilots left,\nBLUE has " .. blueRemaining .. " pilots left\n"
+	trigger.action.outText(msg, 30, true)
+	trigger.action.outSound("Quest Snare 3.wav")
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.redirectToggleAirFrames(args)
+	timer.scheduleFunction(limitedAirframes.doToggleAirFrames, args, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
+end
+
+function limitedAirframes.doToggleAirFrames(args)
+	limitedAirframes.enabled = not limitedAirframes.enabled
+	limitedAirframes.setCommsMenu()
+	local desc = "\n\nPilot Count rule NOW IN EFFECT\n\n"
+	
+	if limitedAirframes.enabled then 
+		trigger.action.outSound("Quest Snare 3.wav")
+	else
+		desc = "\n\nYou cowardly disabled Pilot Count\n\n"
+		trigger.action.outSound("Death PIANO.wav")
+	end
+	trigger.action.outText(desc, 30)
+	limitedAirframes.setCommsMenu()
+end
+
+--
+-- CSAR CALLBACK
+--
+
+function limitedAirframes.pilotsRescued(theCoalition, success, numRescued, notes)
+	local availablePilots = 0
+	if theCoalition == 1 then -- red 
+		limitedAirframes.currRed = limitedAirframes.currRed + numRescued
+		if limitedAirframes.currRed > limitedAirframes.maxRed then 
+			limitedAirframes.currRed = limitedAirframes.maxRed 
+		end
+		availablePilots = limitedAirframes.currRed
+		if limitedAirframes.maxRed < 0 then 
+			availablePilots = "unlimited"
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	if theCoalition == 2 then -- blue 
+		limitedAirframes.currBlue = limitedAirframes.currBlue + numRescued
+		if limitedAirframes.currBlue > limitedAirframes.maxBlue then 
+			limitedAirframes.currBlue = limitedAirframes.maxBlue 
+		end
+		availablePilots = limitedAirframes.currBlue
+		if limitedAirframes.maxBlue < 0 then 
+			availablePilots = "unlimited"
+		end 
+	end
+	trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(theCoalition, "\nPilots returned to flight line, you now have " .. availablePilots..".\n", 30)
+	trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(theCoalition, "Quest Snare 3.wav")
+end
+
+--
+-- START 
+--
+
+function limitedAirframes.start()
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Limited Airframes", 
+		limitedAirframes.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- override config settings if defined as zone
+	limitedAirframes.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- collect all zones that are airframe safe 
+	local afsZones = cfxZones.zonesWithProperty("pilotSafe")
+	
+	-- now add all zones to my zones table, and init additional info
+	-- from properties
+	for k, aZone in pairs(afsZones) do
+		limitedAirframes.addSafeZone(aZone)
+	end
+	
+	-- connect player callback 
+	-- install callbacks for airframe-related events
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(limitedAirframes.somethingHappened, limitedAirframes.preProcessor, limitedAirframes.postProcessor)
+	
+	
+	-- set current values
+	limitedAirframes.currRed = limitedAirframes.maxRed
+	limitedAirframes.currBlue = limitedAirframes.maxBlue
+	
+	-- collect active player unit names 
+	local allPlayerUnits = cfxPlayer.getAllExistingPlayerUnitsRaw()
+	for i=1, #allPlayerUnits do 
+		local aUnit = allPlayerUnits[i]
+		limitedAirframes.addPlayerUnit(aUnit)
+--		trigger.action.outText("limAir: detected active player unit " .. aUnit:getName(), 30)
+	end
+	
+	
+	-- allow configuration menu 
+	if limitedAirframes.userCanToggle then 	
+		limitedAirframes.setCommsMenu()
+	end
+	
+	-- connect to csarManager if present 
+	if csarManager and csarManager.installCallback then 
+		csarManager.installCallback(limitedAirframes.pilotsRescued)
+		trigger.action.outText("+++lim: connected to csar manager", 30)
+	else 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++lim: NO CSAR integration", 30)
+	end
+	
+	-- say hi
+	trigger.action.outText("limitedAirframes v" .. limitedAirframes.version .. " started: R:".. limitedAirframes.maxRed .. "/B:" .. limitedAirframes.maxBlue, 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+if not limitedAirframes.start() then 
+	limitedAirframes = nil
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Limited Airframes aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+end
+
+
+
+--[[--
+   safe ditch: check airspeed and altitude. ditch only counts if less than 10m and 2 kts 
+   report number of airframes left via second instance in switch off menu
+--]]--

modules/nameStats.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+nameStats = {}
+nameStats.version = "1.1.0"
+--[[--
+  package that allows generic and global access to data, stored by 
+  name and path. Can be used to manage score, cargo, statistics etc.
+  provides its own root by default, but modules can provide their own 
+  private roots to be managed the same way.
+  
+  Uses a path metaphor to access fine grained levels
+  
+	version history 
+	1.0.0 - initial release 
+	1.1.0 - added table to leaf for more general 
+	      - added ability to use arbitrary roots
+		  - setValue 
+		  - reset
+		  - getAllPathes
+	1.1.1 - simplified strings to a single string 
+	      - left old logic intact for log extensions
+		  - setString()
+	
+--]]--
+-- statistics container. everything is in here
+ 
+nameStats.stats = {}
+
+--[[--
+	to access data, there are the following principles:
+	- name: uniquely defines a branch where all data for this name 
+	        is stored. MANDATORY, MUST NEVER BE nil
+			this is usually a unit's name 
+	- path: in each branch you can have a path (string) to the data 
+	        to more precisely define. for example, you can have separate 
+			paths 'score' and 'weight' under the same name 
+			There currently is no logic attached to a path except that
+			it must be unique inside the same branch
+	        OPTIONAL. if omittted, a default data set is returned
+	- rootNode: OPTIONAL storage (table) you can pass to create your own 
+	        pricate storage space that can't be accessed unless the 
+			invoking method also passes the same rootNode 
+	
+	Data 
+		Data is stored in a "leaf node" that has three properties
+		- value: a numerical value that can be set and changed
+		- string: a strings that can be set and added to 
+		- table: a table that you can treat as you like and that     
+		         is never looked into nor changed by this module 
+				 
+--]]--
+
+function nameStats.getAllNames(theRootNode) -- root node is optional
+	if not theRootNode then theRootNode = nameStats.stats end  
+	local allNames = {}
+	for name, entry in pairs(theRootNode) do 
+		table.insert(allNames, name)
+	end
+	return allNames
+end
+
+function nameStats.getAllPathes(name, theRootNode)
+	if not theRootNode then theRootNode = nameStats.stats end 
+	local allPathes = {}
+	local theEntry = theRootNode[name]
+	if not theEntry then 
+		return allPathes 
+	end
+	
+	for pathName, data in pairs(theEntry.data) do 
+		table.insert(allPathes, pathName)
+	end
+	
+	return allPathes
+end
+
+-- change the numerical value by delta. use negative numbers to decrease
+function nameStats.changeValue(name, delta, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	theLeaf.value = theLeaf.value + delta
+	return theLeaf.value 
+end
+
+-- set to a specific value 
+function nameStats.setValue(name, newVal, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	theLeaf.value = newVal
+	return theLeaf.value 
+end
+
+-- add a string to the log
+function nameStats.addString(name, aString, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	if not aString then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	--table.insert(theLeaf.strings, aString)
+	theLeaf.strings = theLeaf.strings .. aString
+--	return aString
+end
+
+-- reset the log
+function nameStats.removeAllString(name, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+--	theLeaf.strings = {}
+	theLeaf.strings = ""
+end
+
+function nameStats.setString(name, aString, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	theLeaf.strings = aString
+end
+
+-- set the table variable
+function nameStats.setTable(name, path, aTable, rootNode)
+	if not name then return end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	theLeaf.theTable = aTable
+end
+
+-- get the numerical value associated with name, path 
+function nameStats.getValue(name, path, rootNode) -- allocate if not exist
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	return theLeaf.value
+end
+
+-- get the log associated with name, path 
+function nameStats.getStrings(name, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	return theLeaf.strings
+end
+
+-- alias for compatibility reasons
+function nameStats.getString(name, path, rootNode)
+	return nameStats.getStrings(name, path, rootNode)
+end
+
+-- get the table stored under name, path.
+function nameStats.getTable(name, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	local theLeaf = nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode)
+	return theLeaf.theTable
+end
+
+-- reset whatever is stored under name, path
+-- WARNING: passing nil path will entirely reset the whole name 
+function nameStats.reset(name, path, rootNode)
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	if not rootNode then rootNode = nameStats.stats end 
+	local theEntry = rootNode[name]
+	if not theEntry then 
+		-- does not yet exist, create a root entry
+		theEntry = nameStats.createRoot(name)
+		rootNode[name] = theEntry
+		nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode) -- will alloc an empty leaf
+		return -- done
+	end
+	if not path then -- will delete everything!!!
+		theEntry = nameStats.createRoot(name)
+		rootNode[name] = theEntry
+		return  
+	end 
+	-- create new leaf and replace existing
+	theLeaf = nameStats.createLeaf()
+	theEntry.data[path] = theLeaf
+		
+end
+
+--
+--
+-- private function 
+--
+--
+function nameStats.getLeaf(name, path, rootNode) 
+	if not name then return nil end 
+	if not rootNode then rootNode = nameStats.stats end 
+	-- will allocate if not existlocal theEntry = nameStats.stats[name]
+	local theEntry = rootNode[name]
+	if not theEntry then 
+		-- does not yet exist, create a root entry
+		theEntry = nameStats.createRoot(name)
+		rootNode[name] = theEntry
+	end
+	-- from here on, the entry exists 
+	if not path then return theEntry.defaultLeaf end 
+	
+	-- access via path 
+	local theLeaf = theEntry.data[path]
+	if not theLeaf then 
+		theLeaf = nameStats.createLeaf()
+		theEntry.data[path] = theLeaf
+	end
+	return theLeaf
+end
+
+function nameStats.createLeaf()
+	local theLeaf = {}
+	theLeaf.value = 0
+	theLeaf.strings = ""
+	theLeaf.log = {} -- was strings
+	theLeaf.theTable = {}
+	return theLeaf
+end
+
+-- for each entry in stats, this is the root container
+function nameStats.createRoot(name)
+	local theRoot = {} -- all nodes are in here
+	theRoot.name = name 
+	theRoot.data = {} -- dict by path for leafs
+	theRoot.defaultLeaf = nameStats.createLeaf()
+	return theRoot
+end
+
+-- say hi!
+trigger.action.outText("cf/x NameStats v" .. nameStats.version .. " loaded", 30)

modules/parashoo.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+parashoo = {}
+parashoo.version = "1.1.0" 
+--[[--
+   VERSION HISTORY 
+   - 1.0.0 initial version 
+   - 1.1.0 wait 3 minutes before destroying para 
+           guy, else KIA reported when player still
+		   in pilot
+   
+--]]--
+parashoo.killDelay = 3 * 60 -- 3 minutes delay
+
+function parashoo.removeGuy(args)
+	local theGuy = args.theGuy
+	if theGuy and theGuy:isExist() then  
+		Unit.destroy(theGuy)
+	end
+end 
+
+
+-- remove parachuted pilots after landing
+function parashoo:onEvent(event)
+	if event.id == 31 then -- landing_after_eject
+		if event.initiator then 
+			
+			local args = {}
+			args.theGuy = event.initiator 			
+			timer.scheduleFunction(parashoo.removeGuy, args, timer.getTime() + parashoo.killDelay)
+			--Unit.destroy(event.initiator) -- old direct remove
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+-- add event handler
+world.addEventHandler(parashoo)
+trigger.action.outText("parashoo v" .. parashoo.version .. " loaded.", 30)

tutorial & demo missions/dml skeleton mission code.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+dmlMain = {}
+--
+-- DML-based mission skeleton with event loop
+--
+dmlMain.ups = 1 -- 1 update per second
+-- minimal libraries required
+dmlMain.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- minimal module for all
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxPlayer", -- player events
+}
+
+dmlMain.config = {} -- for reading config zones
+
+--
+-- world event handling
+--
+function dmlMain.wPreProc(event)
+	return true -- true means invoke worldEventHanlder()
+	-- filter here and return false if the event is to be ignored
+end
+
+function dmlMain.worldEventHandler(event)
+	-- now analyse table <event> and do stuff
+	trigger.action.outText("DCS World Event " .. event.id .. " (" .. dcsCommon.event2text(event.id) .. ") received", 30)
+end
+
+--
+-- player event handling
+--
+function dmlMain.playerEventHandler (evType, description, info, data)
+	trigger.action.outText("DML Player Event " .. evType .. " received", 30)
+end
+
+
+--
+-- update loop
+--
+function dmlMain.update() 
+	-- schedule myself in 1/ups seconds
+	timer.scheduleFunction(dmlMain.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/dmlMain.ups)
+	
+	-- perform any regular checks here in your main loop
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- read configuration from zone 'dmlMainConfig'
+-- 
+
+function dmlMain.readConfiguration()
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("dmlMainConfig")
+	if not theZone then return end 
+	dmlMain.config = cfxZones.getAllZoneProperties(theZone)
+	-- demo: dump all name/value pairs returned
+	trigger.action.outText("DML config read from config zone:", 30)
+	for name, value in pairs(dmlMain.config) do
+		trigger.action.outText(name .. ":" .. value, 30)
+	end
+	trigger.action.outText("---- (end of list)", 30)
+
+end
+
+--
+-- start
+-- 
+function dmlMain.start()
+	-- ensure that all modules have loaded
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("DML Main", 
+		dmlMain.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read any configuration values placed in a config zone on the map
+	dmlMain.readConfiguration()
+	
+	-- subscribe to world events 
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(dmlMain.worldEventHandler, 
+							  dmlMain.wPreProc) -- no post nor rejected
+	
+	-- subscribe to player events 
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(dmlMain.playerEventHandler)
+	
+	
+	-- start the event loop. it will sustain itself 
+	dmlMain.update()
+	
+	-- say hi!
+	trigger.action.outText("DML Main mission running!", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- start main
+if not dmlMain.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("Main mission failed to run", 30)
+	dmlMain = nil
+end

tutorial & demo missions/ldgCtr.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+ldgCtr = {}
+--
+-- DML-based mission that counts the number of
+-- successful missions for all players. MP-capable
+--
+
+ldgCtr.ups = 1 -- 1 update per second
+-- minimal libraries required
+ldgCtr.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- minimal module for all
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"cfxPlayer", -- player events
+}
+
+ldgCtr.config = {} -- for reading config zones
+ldgCtr.landings = {} -- set all landings to 0
+--
+-- world event handling
+--
+function ldgCtr.wPreProc(event)
+	return event.id == 4 -- look for 'landing event'
+end
+
+function ldgCtr.worldEventHandler(event)
+	-- wPreProc filters all events EXCEPT landing
+	local theUnit = event.initiator
+	local uName = theUnit:getName()
+	local playerName = theUnit:getPlayerName()
+	trigger.action.outText(uName .. " has landed.", 30)
+	if playerName then 
+		-- if a player landed, count their landing 
+		local numLandings = ldgCtr.landings[playerName]
+		if not numLandings then numLandings = 0 end 
+		numLandings = numLandings + 1
+		ldgCtr.landings[playerName] = numLandings
+		trigger.action.outText("Player " .. playerName .. " completed ".. numLandings .." landings.", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- player event handling
+--
+function ldgCtr.playerEventHandler (evType, description, info, data)
+	-- not needed
+end
+
+
+--
+-- update loop
+--
+function ldgCtr.update() 
+	-- schedule myself in 1/ups seconds
+	timer.scheduleFunction(ldgCtr.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/ldgCtr.ups)
+	
+	-- no regular checks needed
+end
+
+--
+-- read configuration from zone 'ldgCtrConfig'
+-- 
+
+function ldgCtr.readConfiguration()
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("ldgCtrConfig")
+	if not theZone then return end 
+	ldgCtr.config = cfxZones.getAllZoneProperties(theZone)
+end
+
+--
+-- start
+-- 
+function ldgCtr.start()
+	-- ensure that all modules have loaded
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("Landing Counter", 
+		ldgCtr.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read any configuration values placed in a config zone on the map
+	ldgCtr.readConfiguration()
+	
+	-- init variables & state 
+	ldgCtr.landings = {}
+	
+	-- subscribe to world events 
+	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(ldgCtr.worldEventHandler, 
+							  ldgCtr.wPreProc) -- no post nor rejected
+	
+	-- subscribe to player events 
+	cfxPlayer.addMonitor(ldgCtr.playerEventHandler)
+	
+	
+	-- start the event loop. it will sustain itself 
+	ldgCtr.update()
+	
+	-- say hi!
+	trigger.action.outText("Landing Counter mission running!", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- start main
+if not ldgCtr.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("Landing Counter failed to run", 30)
+	ldgCtr = nil
+end