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 / Symbol
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 / Symbol
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
SAM SA-8 Osa 9A33	Radar-guided, self-propelled SAM	6× 9M33	Detection: 16nm Engagement: 5.5nm Altitude: 21,000'
Reload / rearm	5s readying time; 310s per missile; 1860s total ream time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	23s
Notes
Has a radar for searching, ranging, and tracking targets as well as for missile guidance. Can launch and track 2 missiles at a time. Can lock incoming missiles but only has limited self-defence anti-missile capability. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 4× Osas, but has no other special setup and is normally integrated into armoured and mechanised columns.
Available to

9K37 Buk / SA-11 “Gadfly”

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

9K331 Tor / SA-15 “Gauntlet”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
SAM SA-15 Tor 9A331	Radar-guided, self-propelled SAM	8× 9M331	Detection: 13nm Engagement: 6nm Altitude: 60–26,000'
Reload / rearm	4s readying time; 579s per batch of 4 missiles; 1158s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	9s
Notes
Has a radar for searching, ranging, and tracking targets as well as for missile guidance. Can launch and track 2 missiles at a time. Has self-defence anti-missile capability. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 4× Tors, but has no other special setup and is normally integrated into armoured and mechanised columns.
Available to

S-75 Divina / SA-2 “Guideline”

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

S-125 Neva/Pechora / SA-3 “Goa”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
SAM SR P-19	P-19 Danube 1RL134 / “Flat Face B” (search)	—	Detection: 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 / Symbol
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 / Symbol
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
SPAAA ZSU-23-4 Shilka	Radar-ranging, self-propelled AAA	2000× 23mm HE+AP	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 1.3nm Altitude: 6,500'
Reload / rearm	10s reload; 10s rearm from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	8s
Notes
Has a radar for ranging, and tracking targets, but offers no search scope in Combined Arms. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 6× Shilkas, but has no other special setup and is normally integrated into armoured and mechanised columns.
Available to

IR-guided

9K31 Strela-1 / SA-9 “Gaskin”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM SA-9 Strela-1 9P31	IR-guided, self-propelled SAM	4× 9M31	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 2.2nm Altitude: 100–12,000'
Reload / rearm	311s per missile; 1244s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Optical acquisition rear-aspect IR homing. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into mobile infantry or mechanised columns.
Available to

9K35 Strela-10M3 / SA-13 “Gopher”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
SAM SA-13 Strela-10M 9A35M3	IR-guided, self-propelled SAM	4× 9M37 + 4 reserve 100× 7.62mm + 900 reserve	Detection: 4.5nm Engement: 2.7nm Altitude: 75–15,000'
Reload / rearm	130s per missile; 1040s total rearm time from a depleted state. 12s reload per batch of 100× 7.62mm; 158s total to ream a depleted 7.62mm gun.
Acquisition time	2.5s
Notes
Optical acquisition all-aspect IR homing. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 6× Strela-10M3:s, but has no other special setup and is normally integrated into armoured and mechanised columns.
Available to

9K38 Igla / SA-18 “Grouse”

Units	Function	Stores	Range
SAM SA-18 Igla comm	Command unit	—	Detection: 2.7nm
SAM SA-18 Igla	IR-guided MANPADS	3× 9K38	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 2.8nm Altitude: 12,000'
Reload / rearm	15s reload; 43s per missile; 172s total rearm time 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

9K338 Igla-S / SA-24 “Grinch”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
SAM SA-18 Igla-S comm	Command unit	—	Detection: 2.7nm
SAM SA-18 Igla-S	IR-guided MANPADS	3× 9K338	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 2.8nm Altitude: 12,000'
Reload / rearm	15s reload; 43s per missile; 172s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	6s
Notes
Optical acquisition all-aspect IR homing, incorrectly labelled “SA-18” in spite of being the Igla-S model. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into infantry columns or as a supplement to any fixed installations. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 6 sections of Igla-S:s. The system consists of infantry units and cannot be driven using Combined Arms.
Available to

Optically guided

2A13 / ZU-23-2

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
CP 9S80M1 Sborka	PPRU-M1 / “Dog Ear” command unit	—	Detection: 19nm
AAA ZU-23 Closed	Revetted static AAA gun	100× 23mm + 400 reserve	Detection: 2.7nm Engagement: 1.3nm
AAA ZU-23 Emplacement	Employed static AAA gun
AAA ZU-23 on Ural-375	Mobile 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	Mobile 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. If combined with a Sborka command vehicle, each vehicle coordinates 6 sections of ZU-23:s.
Available to

2K22 Tunguska / SA-19 “Grison”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
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. Missiles can only be defeated through manoeuvring. 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, but offer detection capabilities that tie into the more realistic simulation modes of LotATC 4 DCS. The editor detection ring displays an artificial limit of how far detection scripting will report a target; actual ranges for the EWR task are much longer.

1L13-3 Nebo-SV “Box Spring”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
EWR 1L13	Early-Warning Radar	—	Detection: 65nm (scripting) / 160nm (AI EWR Tasking)
Acquisition time	N/A
Notes
Has no offensive or defensive capabilities beyond what air assets it can guide towards a threat, and should be paired with layered AA and ground assets for protection.
Available to

55ZH6 Nebo “Tall Rack”

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
EWR 55G6	Early-Warning Radar	—	Detection: 65nm (scripting) / 215nm (AI EWR Tasking)
Acquisition time	N/A
Notes
Has no offensive or defensive capabilities beyond what air assets it can guide towards a threat, and should be paired with layered AA and ground assets for protection.
Available to

Western systems

Radar-guided

Flakpanzer Gepard

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
SPAAA Gepard	Self-propelled AAA	660× 35mm HE	Detection: 8nm Engagement: 2nm
Reload / rearm	1940s rearm from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	4s
Notes
Has a radar for searching, ranging, and tracking targets. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into armoured or mechanised columns.
Available to

MIM-23 Hawk PIP Phase I

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
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
(Approximation: SAM Hawk PCP)	Assault Fire Command Console	—	—
(Static Structures) GeneratorF	Battery Control Central	—	—
(Static Structures) GeneratorF	Information Coordination Central	—	—
(Approximation: SAM Hawk PCP)	Launcher Section Controls	—	—
(Static Cargos) Container	M390 Missile Pallet	3× MIM-23B	—
(Unarmed) Transport 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 For further decoration, add 8× Structures/GeneratorF and 12× Cargos/Container static objects. Add 3× Unarmed M818 trucks to provide reloads and to approximate the M501 Loading Tractors. 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 / Symbol
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) Transport M818	Maintenance Center	∞	—
(Unarmed) Transport 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 For further decoration, add 4× HEMTT TFTT (1× GMT and 3× LRPT), 8× M818 (1× MC, 7× SRPT), and 14× Containers. The transports can be added as static objects, but as always, 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 / Symbol
Blindfire FSA Blindfire Tracker	“Blindfire” Field Standard A radar guidance unit and generator.	—	Detection: 16nm
Blindfire FSA Launcher	Launcher, surveillance radar, IFF, and generator.	4× Rapier Mk1	Detection: 16nm Engagement: 4nm Altitude: 10,000'
Blindfire FSA Optical Tracker	SACLOS optical tracking unit	—	Detection: 10nm
(Unarmed) Land Rover 101 FC	Forward Controller	—	—
(Unarmed) Transport M818	Missile Supply Trailer	—	—
Reload / rearm	240s per missile; 760s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	?
Notes
A basic Rapier battery consists of: 1× Launcher 1× Optical Tracker 1× Blindfire Tracker The system should be capable of running pure SACLOS without the Blindfire radar, but will not fire if one is not povided. For further decoration, 1× FC and 1× MST can be added to supply ammunition. The system is static and cannot be driven using Combined Arms.
Available to

Roland 2

Units	Function	Stores	Range / Symbol
SAM Roland ADS	Marder-mounted Air Defence System	2× Roland + 8 reserve	Detection: 6nm Engagement: 4nm Altitude: 30–19,500'
SAM Roland EWR	TÜR Early-Warning Radar	—	Detection: 18nm
Reload / rearm	3s readying time after missile detonation; 6s reload; 31s rearm per missile; 310s total rearm time from a depleted state.
Acquisition time	10s
Notes
Has a radar for searching, ranging, and tracking targets as well as for missile guidance. Has no special setup and is instead integrated into armoured or mechanised columns. In Combined Arms, reloading and rearming the ADS is very prone to breakdowns, and missiles very rarely track outside of minimum range. The EWR cannot be driven. While nominally supported, the Roland is for all intents and purpose not compatible with or suitable for CA direct control.
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. Note that most eastern RWRs do not display this threat. 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