Infantry 2.0: Close Air Support (CAS) Synergy, Laser Designators, and Airborne Operations

Game Discussion Infantry mode (WiP)
1

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.

  1. 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!

  1. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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!

3 Likes
2

I’ve been barking up this tree for years. It seems like most of the player base is in favor of keeping the game the same way it is for some reason. They just want point click simulator the drains your bank account.

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I get your point about the ‘point-and-click’ meta, but that’s exactly why I’m pushing this idea. Infantry and new mechanics could actually break that boring cycle and force players to use their brains, not just their wallets. If we stop suggesting things, the game will definitely stay the same.

1 Like
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A-10 being good?

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I agree 100%. I know there’s a small percentage of players who DO want change but it’s hard to convince a majority of the player base to add engaging mechanics. Players are contempt with this terrible gameplay loop and I can’t understand why. The way they beg for a new vehicle or aircraft, unlock it only to realize it’s impossible to use, then beg for another one is the literal definition of insanity. Just look at the suggestions that were passed to the devs. A few good ones drowned out by slop.

7

Exactly! Many players just want to grind new vehicles without actual gameplay depth. Infantry would make matches unpredictable and realistic, forcing people to work as a team. We shouldn’t stop spreading these ideas, because developers eventually look at active discussions. Also, it feels like Gaijin doesn’t take things seriously enough. They mostly focus on making jokes and memes in their videos instead of actually supporting game realism.

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I’ve already invested a ton of money into this game because I really want to support its realistic side.

1 Like
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Yes, it’s excellent for Close Air Support, especially in Ground Realistic Battles (GRB). But if you get uptiered to 10.7-11.0 BR, your only chance to survive is to know defensive maneuvers and actively use countermeasures — luckily, it has 480 flares, which is amazing! You can play with Mavericks, but high altitude will be a problem. The cannon is pure power! It shreds many tanks and IFVs if you use tracers with 61mm penetration. And don’t worry about the speed when landing, because its airbrakes are extremely strong.

10

we have MANPADS

One way to balince CAS would also be by the map with underground tunnels (pipes and stuff) you cant hit what you cant locate. AP bombs might help but you still need to land a hit or you may just blow a hole in with a new entrance.