⚡ Per-Munition Seeker Encoding ⚡

[hearty nimbus]

This'll allow for multiple laser strikes in a single bombing run, or even something as straightforward as lasing and bombing one target while deploying a second bomb to be JTAC/buddy lased.

In the case of the 45 I'd implement it by adding a new mode to the toggle at the bottom left of the SMS screen. The pilot would tap the mode toggle until it says SEEKER, select the munition they wish to configure and then tap in the code their buddy is planning to use. Weapon switching now treats that bomb as its own weapon group (any manually configured munitions with the same laser encoding are grouped), and it is clearly indicated by the SEEK/encoding/LOAL indicator on the HUD. Shipwide encoding would work as it does currently (not pictured; this is an old screenshot from the wiki).

Lowtech encoding would be performed via the Equip menu; select the munition and you have the display with the various munition configuration options (e.g. MADDOG for the 120). A new 'SEEKER' option is added here, when selected can take input from the numpad. Weapon switch grouping and HUD indications would work pretty much the same way as above. I realise Not as quick as the glass cockpits, but I can't think up any other way that is quite as clean for per-munition encoding.

[silent cove]

should still keep the ability to change them all at once

[hearty nimbus]

Aye, that's ship wide encoding and would still be present using the button in the middle of the SMS screen.

[gaunt linden]

Just to invert this idea, what about having the ability to put a TGP on any station, assign a unique code to each, and designate multiple targets simultaneously from your flying CCTV station?

[silent cove]

you mean having multiple TGPs ?
that could be unique but i don’t think so, i like the balance between gps and laser bombs as is

[gaunt linden]

Yes, but consider this: how awesome would your disco ball f26 look like on NVGs with 14 laser designators dancing around?

F26: oops, all litening

[spice hollow]

duuuude

true

ef-24 with 9 TGPs just lazing TSD targets

https://tenor.com/view/laser-laser-tools-laser-show-lasers-party-gif-15666808

[silent cove]

i don’t know , 2 or 3 turrets on a COIN plane (like OA-1K) would be cool but nothing more, it would be unmanageable

[frozen warren]

EWO putting that work in fr

[gaunt linden]

The solution is obviously adding more crew stations to keep the workload manageable. Three per crew member, makes five seats for this big dumb AG Overlord. Remaining three team mates fly bomb trucks to keep a steady stream of SDBs chasing laser pointers, using per-munition lazing codes.

[silent cove]

we need a sky warden to "collapse the stack"

[gaunt linden]

A light ISR/light ground attack vehicle derived from a crop duster would introduce interesting new gameplay elements

[river hull]

Couldn’t the MQ-31 do that?

[gaunt linden]

But I would want to know that I can fit an AG radar pod, a couple AIRS-Ts, half a dozen AMRAAMs, and a dozen SDBs…

[gaunt linden]

A cheap UCAV with target designating capabilities might actually be an interesting capability