‘Rotorheads’ is a PVE server which allows you to fly helicopters in several types of missions, but it also has a few slots for fixed wing aircraft to act as support to the rotary-wing operations.
The server maintains a persistent world, meaning that all progress (including deployed vehicles or transported crates) will still be there even after a server restart. The same happens on any downed pilots (which you will be rescuing) and any map marks you added.
Your spawn point can also be persisted. Your helicopter position may be saved and whenever you come back to the battlefield, you can find it stationed on the location you are at. This is also true for FARPs, which you can help build. It won’t be an easy task though, as you will need to place 6 crates on a given location for it to generate a FARP.
The team has also worked in a few algorithms that will generate enemy units in bunkers so that once armored vehicles are destroyed, both air strikes and combined arms deployment will be required to control these points.
Mission types
You’ll have quite an amount of mission types to fly. Marcos Romero, the person behind the server, sent us a list and he describes each and every one of them:
- CSAR: I've used Ciribob's CSAR script, but did a lot of enhancements to it, like the possibility to land up to 500 meters from the downed pilot, and making it run towards the helicopter, which means Rescue helicopter will have to be in the ground up to 2 minutes depending how far from the pilot landed. This creates some interesting situations when enemy is nearby. Weight increases with each rescue, and there is a limit in the number of units being transported, this limit is shared with the CTLD transported troops. If you are at full capacity, no more rescues will be possible.
- CTLD: Same as CSAR, it's a Ciribob's script, but also have quite a few enhancements on it. such as Deployed troops run and embark one by one in the helicopter.
- Troops transport limit is different for each aircraft type (Mi-8 can load lot more than the Huey). Multiple groups can be loaded in the helicopter till reach the max capacity.
- Cargo Crates are mixed between Internal cargo, and sling cargo. Internal cargo also affects the aircraft weight. The deployed units can be re-packed for transport, (will make the unit disappear and will spawn the transport creates)
- FAC: (Still testing this) We have 2 slots with Gazelles that can lase using different codes, and can choose the type of target that will lase. So, it's a fun task to coordinate with Fixed wing units to take care some of the ground targets.
- FARPS: I believe Rotorheads is the first MP server in giving the possibility to deploy FARPS (forward arming and refueling point) instead of the Classic FOB (forward operating base) included in CTLD. DCS doesn't have (at least that I know) to spawn FARP pads in a mission, Rotorheads have that possibility but only after a server restart (a small price)..
External map
You can also check out a live map outside the game, which allows you to check out the locations of the units involved, as well as downed pilots. This way, you can see if there’s anything of interest for you even without booting the sim.
Enemy units are shown but not until they are spotted by AI or other players. If there’s no knowledge of their presence, they won’t be shown on the map. You’ll have to watch out!
Accessing the server
Before you join the fun, you’ll have through a small mandatory training session.
Pilots need to pass a small text where they will be required to hover, taxi, navigate using the ADF, use CTLD and CSAR scripts and perform a final flight in which they will be required to maintain their altitude and speed.
Once you pass this test, your progress will be saved, and you will be good to go from then on.
Server details
Server name: Peritent P V E --<< Rotorheaads Server >>
SRS: rotorheads.ddns.net (autoconnect)
Discord: https://discord.gg/hRYv7Cq
