MOOSE CTLD/FAC and Convoy Scripts

This repository contains MOOSE-based scripts for enhancing DCS World missions with advanced logistics, troop transport, forward air control, and convoy management capabilities.

Overview

MOOSE CTLD (Combat Troop Landing and Deployment)

MOOSE CTLD is a comprehensive logistics and troop transport system that transforms helicopters and transport aircraft into force multipliers. Players can:

• Request and transport crates containing vehicles, weapons, and equipment
• Load and deploy troops for defensive or offensive operations
• Build forward operating bases (FOBs) and upgrade them to functional forward arming and refueling points (FARPs)
• Manage MEDEVAC operations with salvage point rewards
• Sling-load salvage from destroyed enemy units
• Receive hover coaching for precise crate pickup
• Access JTAC support for laser designation

The system includes immersive features like:

• Dynamic zone activation/deactivation
• Inventory management per pickup zone
• Salvage-based economy for advanced builds
• Mobile MASH units for casualty evacuation
• Comprehensive F10 menu interface

FAC (Forward Air Controller)

The FAC module provides full FAC/RECCE capabilities including:

• Auto-detection of FAC aircraft by group name or unit type
• Auto-lasing with configurable laser codes and marker types
• Target scanning and prioritization (AA/SAM detection)
• Artillery and naval gunfire support
• Bomber/fighter tasking for strikes
• RECCE sweeps with map marks and target storage
• Carpet bombing and TALD deployment
• Event-driven tasking via map marks

Convoy System

The Convoy script implements a dynamic convoy escort system featuring:

• Player-initiated spawns via F10 map marks near CTLD zones
• Road-based navigation to player-defined destinations
• Threat detection and response with automatic halting
• CAS (Close Air Support) requests when under attack
• Route integrity monitoring to prevent waypoint manipulation
• Coalition-specific operations with configurable templates

Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

1. DCS World with MOOSE framework installed
2. Mission Editor access for zone creation and script loading

Script Load Order

Load scripts in the Mission Editor in this exact order:

1. Moose.lua (MOOSE framework)
2. Moose_CTLD.lua (Core CTLD functionality)
3. catalogs/Moose_CTLD_Catalog.lua or catalogs/Moose_CTLD_Catalog_LowCounts.lua (Optional but recommended - provides crate recipes)
4. Moose_CTLD_FAC.lua (Optional - adds FAC capabilities)
5. Moose_Convoy.lua (Optional - adds convoy system)
6. Your initialization script (see examples below)

Mission Editor Setup

Required Zones

Create the following trigger zones in the Mission Editor:

• Pickup Zones: Where players request crates and load troops (e.g., PICKUP_BLUE_MAIN)
• Drop Zones: Designated areas for crate deployment (e.g., DROP_BLUE_1)
• FOB Zones: Areas where FOBs can be built (e.g., FOB_BLUE_A)
• MASH Zones: Medical evacuation zones (e.g., MASH_Alpha)
• Salvage Zones: Areas for delivering sling-loaded salvage (e.g., SALVAGE_1)

Zone Configuration

Each zone can be configured with:

• flag: Mission flag number for activation control
• activeWhen: Flag value that activates the zone (0 = always active)
• smoke: Smoke color for visual marking
• radius: Zone radius in meters
• freq: Radio frequency for beacons (MASH zones)

CTLD Initialization

Create a DO SCRIPT action in your mission with the following structure:

-- Check for required dependencies
if not _MOOSE_CTLD then
    env.info("[INIT] MOOSE CTLD not loaded!")
    return
end

-- Configuration table
local ctldConfig = {
    CoalitionSide = coalition.side.BLUE,  -- BLUE or RED
    
    -- Core settings
    AllowedAircraft = {
        'UH-1H', 'Mi-8MTV2', 'Mi-24P', 'SA342M', 'SA342L', 
        'SA342Minigun', 'UH-60L', 'CH-47Fbl1', 'CH-47F', 'Mi-17'
    },
    
    -- MEDEVAC system
    MEDEVAC = {
        Enabled = true,
        InitialSalvage = 25,
        MobileMASH = {
            Enabled = true,
            ZoneRadius = 300,
            BeaconFrequency = '32.0 FM',
            AnnouncementInterval = 300
        }
    },
    
    -- Zone definitions
    Zones = {
        PickupZones = {
            { name = 'PICKUP_BLUE_MAIN', flag = 9001, activeWhen = 0 }
        },
        DropZones = {
            { name = 'DROP_BLUE_1', flag = 9002, activeWhen = 0 }
        },
        FOBZones = {
            { name = 'FOB_BLUE_A', flag = 9003, activeWhen = 0 }
        },
        MASHZones = {
            { name = 'MASH_Alpha', freq = '251.0 AM', radius = 300, flag = 9010, activeWhen = 0 }
        },
        SalvageDropZones = {
            { name = 'SALVAGE_1', radius = 300, flag = 9020, activeWhen = 0 }
        }
    },
    
    -- Additional options
    BuildRequiresGroundCrates = true,
    LogLevel = 2,  -- 0=NONE, 1=ERROR, 2=INFO, 3=VERBOSE, 4=DEBUG
}

-- Create CTLD instance
local ctld = _MOOSE_CTLD:New(ctldConfig)

-- Optional: Load crate catalog
if _CTLD_EXTRACTED_CATALOG then
    ctld:MergeCatalog(_CTLD_EXTRACTED_CATALOG)
end

FAC Initialization (Optional)

Add FAC support after CTLD initialization:

if _MOOSE_CTLD_FAC then
    local facConfig = {
        CoalitionSide = coalition.side.BLUE,
        Arty = { Enabled = false },  -- Enable/disable artillery support
    }
    
    local fac = _MOOSE_CTLD_FAC:New(ctld, facConfig)
    -- Optional: Add reconnaissance zones
    -- fac:AddRecceZone({ name = 'RECCE_BLUE_1' })
    fac:Run()
end

Convoy System Setup (Optional)

Configure the Convoy script at the top of Moose_Convoy.lua:

-- Template groups (must exist as late-activated in Mission Editor)
CONVOY_TEMPLATE_NAMES = {
    "Convoy Template 1",
    "Convoy Template 2",
}

-- CTLD integration
CTLD_INSTANCE_NAME_BLUE = "ctldBlue"  -- Variable name of your BLUE CTLD instance
CTLD_INSTANCE_NAME_RED = "ctldRed"    -- Variable name of your RED CTLD instance
USE_CTLD_ZONES = true

-- Destination control
PLAYER_CONTROLLED_DESTINATIONS = true  -- false = use static destinations

-- Keywords for map marks
CONVOY_SPAWN_KEYWORD = "convoy start"
CONVOY_DEST_KEYWORD = "convoy end"

Complete Dual-Coalition Example

See Moose_CTLD_Init_DualCoalitions.lua for a complete example setting up both BLUE and RED coalitions with all systems enabled.

Player Usage

CTLD Operations

1. Spawn in a supported helicopter/transport aircraft
2. Fly to a Pickup Zone (marked with smoke)
3. Access F10 Menu → CTLD
4. Request Crates under Logistics → Request Crate
5. Load Crates by hovering or landing near them
6. Transport and Deploy crates at desired locations
7. Build Units using Operations → Build menus
8. Load/Deploy Troops for combat operations

FAC Operations

1. Spawn in a FAC-configured aircraft (group name containing "AFAC", "RECON", or "RECCE")
2. Access F10 Menu → FAC/RECCE
3. Enable Auto-Lase for automatic target designation
4. Scan for Targets and select priority threats
5. Request Support (artillery, naval gunfire, air strikes)

Convoy Operations

1. Place Map Mark with "convoy start" near a CTLD zone to spawn
2. Place Destination Mark with "convoy end" to set route
3. Monitor Progress via coalition messages
4. Provide CAS when convoys request air support
5. Redirect active convoys with additional destination marks

Configuration Options

CTLD Core Settings

• CoalitionSide: BLUE or RED coalition
• LogLevel: Logging verbosity (0-4)
• MessageDuration: On-screen message display time
• BuildRadius: Distance for collecting crates to build
• CrateLifetime: Auto-cleanup time for undelivered crates
• Inventory.Enabled: Per-zone stock tracking

Aircraft Capacities

Configure load limits per aircraft type:

AircraftCapacities = {
    ['UH-1H'] = { maxCrates = 3, maxTroops = 11, maxWeightKg = 1800 },
    ['CH-47F'] = { maxCrates = 10, maxTroops = 33, maxWeightKg = 12000 },
}

MEDEVAC System

• InitialSalvage: Starting salvage points
• MobileMASH.Enabled: Deployable medical units
• SlingLoadSalvage.Enabled: Salvage collection from wrecks

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. No CTLD menu: Check script load order and Moose installation
2. Cannot request crates: Ensure within range of active Pickup Zone
3. Build fails: Verify sufficient crates and correct zone restrictions
4. FAC not working: Check aircraft group naming and FAC script loading

Debug Logging

Set LogLevel = 4 in configuration for detailed debug information in dcs.log.

Zone Validation

Use the included validation tools to ensure zones are properly configured and accessible.

Contributing

This is a pure-MOOSE implementation focused on template-free setup and comprehensive logistics simulation. Contributions should maintain compatibility with the MOOSE framework and follow the established code patterns.

License

See individual script headers for licensing information. This implementation is based on original CTLD work by Ciribob with MOOSE adaptations.