Ammunition Types (visit the Eagle rearm/refuel truck to restock shells)
- 32x HE (the default 1 round high explosive if not otherwise specified in fire mission)
- 2x Guided (note this shell is NOT laser guided, it is simply more precise than other shells)
- 6x APmine (each shell spreads some amount of anti personnel mines within some radius of impact point)
- 2x Cluster (each shell detonates some amount of high explosive within some radius of impact point)
- 6x Smoke (a single shell of white smoke, likely with same precision as the HE shell)
- 2x Laser (this shell can be guided onto moving targets by UAV or forward observer's laser designator)
- 6x ATmine (each shell spreads some amount of anti tank mines within some radius of impact point)
- Forward Observer places a yellow plus-marker labeled for instance: FM1_HE1_50m
Fire Mission number 1 high explosive 1 round (default spread radius is 50m if not specified) - FO requests fire mission from Command/XO/Thunder depending on who is in charge:
"Command, fire mission 1, grid 0515 0355, how copy?" - Command/XO/Thunder approves or denies the fire mission request (if Thunder is in charge they do the reply):
"Recon, fire mission 1 approved, out. - Then Thunder contacts FO when first shell is loaded and aimed (this may take a while if aiming manually):
"Recon, fire mission 1 ready, grid 0515 0355, 1 round HE, 50 meter spread, 50 seconds to target, how copy?"
If Thunder does not contact FO ten seconds after request was approved, the FO should contact them from here on:
"Thunder, fire mission 1, grid 0515 0355, how copy?"
The reason for no response may be Thunder is relocating, busy, or under fire if unprotected and away from base:
"Recon, Thunder is moving into position, ready in 2 minutes, out." - Once Thunder has stated they are ready the FO calls it in (or cancels the fire mission if situation has changed):
"Thunder, fire for effect, over." - Then Thunder fires its first shell and replies as they are loading and firing any additional shells for the fire mission:
"Shot, 50 seconds, out." - When first shell is halfway to target Thunder reopens communication (FO should enable laser designator now):
"Halfway, 25 seconds, out." - When first shell is 5 seconds from target Thunder reopens communication for battle damage assessment:
"Splash, over." - Finally the FO will conclude the fire mission (and delete the marker, or move marker if not concluded):
"Target suppressed, out."
So if target requires same fire mission again FO replies as below instead (Thunder then proceeds from step 6):
"Repeat fire, over."
- Do speak the mouseover grid but only if Command/XO/Thunder cannot find fire mission marker (mark fire missions in Side chat).
- Mouseover grid is only 6 digits (i.e. 051 east 035 north) so add in the last 10m digits 4 and 8 yourself (i.e. 0515 0355 is center of grid).
- Do increment the fire mission number so there are never multiple markers sharing the same number (and delete markers after use).
- Do not stray too far alone from base and rearm truck, as random infantry/armor patrols make quick work of Thunder's weak hull.
- Do try to use Command voice as Thunder for short easy communication, or Command chat as fallback if others are cluttering the radio.
- Do chat an occasional SITREP during quiet time, counting your available rounds and average flight time to targets in area of operations.
- Do place your first round directly on the marker, and remaining rounds as specified by the spread radius (default 50m from first round).
- Thunder should warn danger close just before their "how copy?" when ready, if friendlies are within spread radius +300m of target.
- Beware the Enter key, as it will fire your loaded round when pressed outside chat (never aim danger close to friendlies or civilians).
- Zoom in on map to ensure you are aiming directly on top of fire mission marker (use Guided shells for even better precision).
- Forward Observer FO on Laser fire mission should turn on designator when rounds are half-way (i.e. 25 seconds after the "shot" reply).
- UAV laser designators work just fine for Thunder as well (for all designators, try to aim on the ground nearby or on the roof of target).
- Learn and love Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact MRSI or "how to hit multiple targets at the same time with only one artillery piece".
- Expert FOs could even request two fire missions 1 and 2 at the same time, if they know Thunder can MRSI both targets at the same time.
- Only do Manual Targeting if you think artillery computer is for nuggets (practice in single player first please, to verify calculations).
- Expert FOs and Thunder may need to start manual fire missions 1 round at a time as "adjust fire" until they are on target to "fire for effect".
- I.e. first "adjust fire, out" round lands 50m east of target, so second message is "adjust fire, 50 meters west, out" until right on target.