DCS Reference: Air Defenses

This resource is mainly for missions designers to set up fully-featured and functional SAM groups using the many various units available under the “Air defence” vehicle category in the DCS mission editor.

Each block describes the system as a whole, the ground units it consists of, the dependencies between these units, and some very rough performance figures (in-game and wiki-based). In addition, optional units and decorative static objects that would complement the system and make them closer to the real setup are listed, even if these units generally serve no added function. The only exception is ammunition-providing M818 and Ural trucks that effectively give nearby units (within 200m) infinite ammunition capacity.

Many systems include some sort of commander unit. The functionality these units is, at best, mythical. No official explanation has ever been offered, and community answers consist of a never-ending string of unsupported claims ranging from increasing detection range, to providing faster reloads or increased rate of fire, to data-linking (…but to what, or for what purpose, no-one knows). They are not necessary to create a working anti-air group, but it is possible that some obscure efficiency parameter will be degraded by doing so.

Note that maximum altitudes, in particular, can be a bit vague due to the interaction between maximum sensor elevation, sensor range, and missile flight capabilities. While the maximum altitude may seem sufficient on some systems, it is often a lot lower in practice because there is a rather narrow band between where the missile still has energy enough to climb, and where the (usually) radar is still able to track a target. For maximum skylord murderness, make sure the altitude capabilities are ridiculously above where the target is expected to fly.

Italicised units are optional and not necessary for the functioning of the system. Units (mainly decorative) that can be found outside the Air Defence category have their category indicated in parentheses, as do decorations that only exist as static objects.

Eastern systems

Radar-guided

2K12 Kub / SA-6 “Gainful”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
Reload / rearm	600s per missile; 1800s total rearm time per launcher from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	28s
Notes
Available to

9K33 Osa / SA-8 “Gecko”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
Reload / rearm	300s per missile; 1800s total ream time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	26s
Notes
Available to

9K37 Buk / SA-11 “Gadfly”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
Reload / rearm	240s per missile; 960s total rearm time per launcher from a depleted state.
Acquisition time
Notes
Available to

9K330 Tor / SA-15 “Gauntlet”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
Reload / rearm	650s per batch of 4 missiles; 1300s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	9s
Notes
Available to

S-75 Divina / SA-2 “Guideline”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM SR P-19	P-19 Danube 1RL134 / “Flat Face B” (search)	—	86nm
Reload / rearm	2700s per missile.
Acquisition time	?
Notes
Available to

S-125 Neva/Pechora / SA-3 “Goa”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM SR P-19	P-19 Danube 1RL134 / “Flat Face B” (search)	—	86nm
Reload / rearm	360s per batch of 2 missiles; 720s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	?
Notes
Available to

S-300P / SA-10 “Grumble”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
Reload / rearm	1800s per missile; 7200s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	3s
Notes
Available to

ZSU-23-4 Shilka

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
Reload / rearm
Acquisition time	8s
Notes
Available to

IR-guided

9K31 Strela-1 / SA-9 “Gaskin”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
Reload / rearm	338s per missile; 1352s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Available to

9K35 Strela-10 / SA-13 “Gopher”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
Reload / rearm	250s per missile; 2000s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Available to

9K38 Igla / SA-18 “Grouse”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
Reload / rearm	43s per missile; 172s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	6s
Notes
Available to

9K338 Igla-S / SA-24 “Grinch”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
Reload / rearm	43s per missile; 172s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	6s
Notes
Available to

Optically guided

2A13 / ZU-23-2

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
AAA ZU-23 Closed	Revetted static AAA gun	100× 23mm HE/AP +400 reserve	Engagement: 1.3nm Detection: 2.7nm
AAA ZU-23 Emplacement	Employed static AAA gun
AAA ZU-23 on Ural-375	Movable AAA gun
AAA ZU-23 Insurgent	Revetted static AAA gun with insurgent crew
AAA ZU-23 Insurgent Closed	Employed static AAA gun with insurgent crew
AAA ZU-23 Insurgent on Ural-375	Movable AAA gun with insurgent crew
Reload / rearm	10s reload; 10s rearm per batch of 100; 52s rearm from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	3.5s
Notes
All firing units have the same offensive capabilities. The difference is mostly cosmetic, other than that the Ural-375 variants can be driven around, whereas the rest are static emplacements. All can be directly controlled using Combined Arms] Has no special setup and is integrated into infantry or light mechanised columns, or used as static defences for fixed installations.
Available to

2K22 Tunguska / SA-19 “Grison”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
SAM SA-19 Tunguska 2S6	Self-propelled AAA and SACLOS SAM	8× 9M311 1936× 30mm HE/AP	Detection: 9nm Engagement: 2nm / 4nm (gun/missile) Altitude: 0-16,000'
Reload / rearm	134s per missile; 1072s total rearm time from a depleted state. 2570s to rearm depleted 30mm gun.
Acquisition time	4s
Notes
Has a radar for searching, ranging, and tracking targets; missiles are optically guided and do not require a lock-on. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 6× Tunguskas, but has no other special setup and is normally integrated into armoured and mechanised columns.
Available to

Early-warning / GCI systems

These units can be turned into ground-based GCI radars by assigning the advanced waypoint actions:

• Start Enroute Task > EWR
• Perform Command > Set Callsign
• Perform Command > Set Frequency

They are all static units and cannot be driven using Combined Arms

1L13-3 Nebo-SV “Box Spring”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
EWR 1L13	Early-warning radar	—
Acquisition time	N/A
Notes
Available to

55ZH6 Nebo “Tall Rack”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
EWR 55G6	Early-warning radar	—
Acquisition time	N/A
Notes
Available to

Western systems

Radar-guided

Flakpanzer Gepard

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SPAAA Gepard
Reload / rearm
Acquisition time	4s
Notes
Available to

MIM-23 Hawk PIP Phase I

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Hawk CWAR AN/MPQ-55	Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (low-altitude search)	—	Detection: 37nm
SAM Hawk LN M192	Launcher	3× MIM-23B	Engagement: 24nm Altitude: 200–65,000'
SAM Hawk PCP	Platoon Command Post	—	—
SAM Hawk SR AN/MPQ-50	Pulse Acquisition Radar (high-altitude search)	—	Detection: 48nm
SAM Hawk TR AN/MPQ-46	High Power Illumination doppler Radar (tracking)	—	Detection: 48nm
(Optional: SAM Hawk PCP)	Assault Fire Command Console	—	—
(Static Structures) GeneratorF	Battery Control Central	—	—
(Static Structures) GeneratorF	Information Coordination Central	—	—
(Optional: SAM Hawk PCP)	Launcher Section Controls	—	—
(Static Cargos) Container	M390 Missile Pallet	3× MIM-23B	—
(Unarmed) M818	M501 Loading Tractor	∞	—
N/A	Range-Only Radar	—	—
(Static Structures) GeneratorF	SEA 56kVA Generator	—	—
Reload / rearm	120s per launcher (3 missiles).
Acquisition time	12s
Notes
A basic Hawk battery consists of: 1× PCP 2× AN/MPQ-56 HPIR 1× AN/MPQ-50 PAR 1× AN/MPQ-55 CWAR 6× M192 Launchers 3× M501 Loading Tractors For further decoration, add 8× Structures/GeneratorF and 12× Cargos/Container static objects. The ROR is a fall-back system to help with ranging in a high-ECM environment. It is not simulated or present in DCS. Similarly, the AFCC and LSC are distributed systems for redundancy should the command post be eliminated. The effect of these can be approximated by adding 3 additional PCP:s. The system is static cannot be driven using Combined Arms.
Available to

MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Patriot AMG AN/MRC-137	Antenna Mast Group	—	—
SAM Patriot ECS AN/MSQ-104	Engagement Control Station	—	—
SAM Patriot EPP-III	Diesel-Electric Power Plant	—	—
SAM Patriot ICC	Information Coordination Central	—	—
SAM Patrion LN M901	Launcher	4× MIM-104C	Engagement: 54nm Altitude: 200–80,000'
SAM Patriot STR AN/MPQ-53	PESA Radar (search and track)	—	Detection: 85nm
(Unarmed) HEMTT TFFT	Guided Missile Transporter	—	—
(Unarmed) HEMTT TFFT	Large Repair Parts Transporter HEMTT	—	—
(Unarmed) M818	Maintenance Center	∞	—
(Unarmed) M818	Small Repair Parts Transporter	∞	—
(Static Cargos) Container	Parts containers	—	—
Reload / rearm	1800s per missile; 7200s total rearm time per launcher.
Acquisition time	?
Notes
A basic Patriot battery consists of: 1× ICC 1× AN/MSQ-104 ECS 1× AN/MRC-137 AMG 1× EPP-III 1× AN/MPQ-53 PESA Radar 8× M901 Launchers 1× GMT For further decoration, add 3× HEMTT TFTT and 8× M818 unarmed vehicles or as Ground Vehicles static objects (the non-static unarmed M818 vehicle can be used to provide ammunition rearmament). Has self-defence anti-missile capability. The system is static and cannot be driven using Combined Arms.
Available to

Rapier

Units	Function	Stores	Range
Blindfire FSA Blindfire Tracker
Blindfire FSA Launcher
Blindfire FSA Optical Tracker
Reload / rearm	240s per missile; 760s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	?
Notes
Available to

Roland

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Roland ADS
SAM Roland EWR	TÜR Early-Warning Radar	—	Detection: 18nm
Reload / rearm	70s per missile; 560s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	11s
Notes
Available to

IR-guided

AN/TWQ-1 / M1097 Heavy HMMWV Avenger

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Avenger M1097	IR-guided, self-propelled SAM	8× FIM-92 + 8 reserve 200× 12.7mm	Detection: 2.75nm Engagement: 2.45nm Altitude: 3,000m / 10,000'
Reload / rearm	40s per missile; 640s total rearm time from depleted state. 30s to rearm depleted 12.7mm gun.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Optical acquisition all-aspect IR homing. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into mobile infantry and other HMMWV / Stryker-based columns.
Available to

FIM-92 Stinger

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Stinger comm	Command unit	—	—
Stinger MANPADS	IR-guided MANPADS	3× FIM-92	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 2.7nm Altitude: 3,000m / 10,000'
Reload / rearm	15s reload per missile; ~180s rearm from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	6s
Notes
Optical acquisition all-aspect IR homing. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into infantry columns or as a supplement to any fixed installations. The system consists of infantry units and cannot be driven using Combined Arms.
Available to

M6 Linebacker

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Linebacker M6	IR-guided, self-propelled SAM and IFV	4× FIM-92 + 6 reserve 250× 25mm HE 71× 25mm AP 800× 7.62mm	Detection: 4.3nm Engagement: 2.45nm Altitude: 3,000m / 10,000'
Reload / rearm	0s reload per missile; 23s rearm per missile; 230s total rearm time from depleted state. 515s to rearm depleted 7.62mm gun; 1300s to rearm depleted 25mm AP; 830s to rearm depleted 25mm HE.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Optical acquisition all-aspect IR homing. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into armoured columns.
Available to

MIM-72G / M48 Chaparral

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM Chaparral M48	IR-guided, self-propelled SAM	4× MIM-72G + 4 reserve	Detection: 5.4nm Engagement: 0.2–4.5nm Altitude: 25-4,000m / 82–13,000'
Reload / rearm	41s per missile; 335s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Originally based on the rear-aspect AIM-9D, the G model upgrade uses an all-aspect seeker from the FIM-92 Stinger. Has no special setup and is instead intended to complement the M163 VADS as protection, and be integrated into light mechanised columns.
Available to

Optically guided

M163 Vulcan Air Defence Systems (VADS)

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Vulcan M163	Radar-ranging, self-propelled AAA	1180× 20mm	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 1.4nm Altitude: 1,500m / 4,500'
Reload / rearm	1280s
Acquisition time	6s
Notes
Optical sight with radar ranging; will not generate any RWR warning. Has no special setup and is instead intended to complement the M48 Chaparral, and be integrated into infantry/light mechanised columns.
Available to

WWII Systems

All these systems require the WWII Assets Pack. All are optically guided and do not create any kind of firing indication beyond flashes and (minimal) barrel smoke that has to be spotted visually. All are static emplacements that cannot be driven using Combined Arms.

2cm Flak 30

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Flak 30	Fixed AAA	20mm	2,200m / 1.3nm
Available to

2cm Flakvierling 38

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Flak-Vierling 38	Fixed AAA	4×20× 20mm	Engagement: 2,200m / 1.3nm
Available to

8,8cm Flak 18

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Flak 18	Fixed “Eighty-eight” Anti-air/anti-tank artillery	88mm Flak	Engagement: 14,800m / 8nm
AAA Kdo.G.40	Kommandogerät 40 optical rangefinder command unit	—	Detection: 16nm
Notes
The variant available in DCS only fires anti-air rounds.
Available to

8,8cm Flak 36

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Flak 36	Fixed AAA	88mm Flak	Engagement: 14,800m / 8nm
AAA Kdo.G.40	Kommandogerät 40 optical rangefinder command unit	—	Detection: 16nm
Available to

8,8cm Flak 37

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Flak 37	Fixed AAA	88mm Flak	Engagement: 14,800m / 8nm
AAA Kdo.G.40	Kommandogerät 40 optical rangefinder command unit	—	Detection: 16nm
Available to

Bofors 40mm

Units	Function	Stores	Range
AAA Bofors 40mm	Fixed AAA	620× 40mm L/60 Flak	Engagement: 7,160m / 4nm
Available to