Intro:
Yo! We’ve talked about boots on the ground and the economy, but let’s look up. In real modern warfare, infantry and aviation are like two hands of one body. Right now in War Thunder, CAS (Close Air Support) just bombs random targets. I propose a total overhaul of how infantry and pilots interact. Here is my deep dive into Infantry-Aviation Synergy.
- The “Forward Observer” Class
We need a specialized class equipped with high-magnification binoculars and a Laser Designator. This player wouldn’t focus on kills, but on “painting” targets. If a soldier paints a tank, the pilot of a plane or helicopter (with laser-guided munitions) should see a diamond marker on their HUD or MFD. This is true teamwork!
- Smoke Marking for CAS
Every squad leader should have access to Colored Smoke Grenades.
- Green Smoke: “We are here, don’t bomb us!”
- Red Smoke: “Enemy is exactly at this position, strike now!”
This is simple, cinematic, and incredibly effective for communication without using voice chat.
- Tactical Map Pinging (Infantry to Pilot)
Let’s improve the “Map Ping.” When a soldier spots a target, it should appear as a 3D marker for the pilot for 5-10 seconds, but only if the soldier has a radio. This simulates the soldier calling in coordinates over the airwaves.
- Airborne Deployments (The “Drop Zone” Mechanic)
Imagine starting a match in a transport plane like the Il-76 or C-130. You and 20 other players are in the cargo hold. The pilot (another player or AI) flies over the map, the light turns green, and you jump. You control your parachute to land on a strategic rooftop or behind enemy lines. This would be the most epic start to any match.
- Helicopter Transport & Extraction
Helicopters like the Mi-8, Black Hawk, or Huey should be the “taxis” of the battlefield.
- Rapid Insertion: Dropping troops in a hot zone while door-gunners provide cover fire.
- Medevac: Landing to pick up wounded soldiers to “reset” their death timer and earn massive rewards for the pilot.
- MANPADS and the “Fear Factor”
To balance powerful CAS, infantry needs portable AA like the Stinger or Igla. But it shouldn’t be “point and click” easy. The pilot should get a RWR (Radar Warning) or see the missile trail, making it a high-stakes duel between the guy on the ground and the guy in the cockpit.
- Suppression from the Air
If a jet makes a low-altitude supersonic pass or a helicopter fires a rocket barrage near infantry, it should cause a “Suppression Effect.” Your screen shakes, the sound of the engine deafens you. Even if the pilot misses, they are helping their ground troops move forward by terrifying the enemy.
- Transport Plane Protection
If we have airborne drops, the team needs to protect the transport planes. This gives fighters a real job — escorting the “paratrooper bus” to the drop zone while enemy interceptors try to shoot it down. A mini-mission within the main battle!