What's the role of AWACS supposed to be?

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    • What's the role of AWACS supposed to be?

      I'm having a difficult time understanding how to use AWACS here. In general, I use aircraft in support of ground forces to sanitize as much as possible the next territory they're about to enter. Having AWACS has not been a huge help for me, and I wonder first if I'm unique in this or not?
      There's no point in flying it over friendly territory because I can already see all the non-stealth units in it.
      Flying it over enemy territory or the sea constitutes a major risk, because then the enemy could see it before I see the attacking units, and when I detach fighters from escorting the AWACS to destroy the threat to it, they refuel before hitting the attackers, which leaves AWACS very vulnerable for (in general) at least 30 minutes, which is more than enough time for the attackers to destroy the AWACS.

      What is the role of an effective AWACS in CoN?
      "The enemy cannot push a button, if you disable his hand."
      Sergeant Zim, Terran Federation
    • AWACs have given me an advantage on the maps I have started using them on. I deploy them mostly along coastlines of myself and my allies and it usually gives us a large field of early warning that way. Over land I cannot say. At sea though I haven't experienced many using aircraft carriers or frigates to hurt em. It would be nice if the radar gave more information, but it is still reasonably useful. I also usually try and have some kind of ASF patrolling where the AWAC is to protect it (occasionally a strike fighter as well).
    • In other games (and in real life, I suppose) AWACS help your stealth units to remain hidden. If your unit has a link with an AWACS then your unit does not need to turn on its sensors, hence reducing its footprint and visibility. Finding and locating foes is a job for the AWACS, your "eye in the sky". In addition, AWACS are in safe zones, far away from your foe's range.

      I don't know if that's simulated in this game, however.
    • Hello gents,
      AWACS is an aircraft with radar range superior to everything else, essentially giving you grasp of enemy force. Later levels of AWACS have Scout ability, meaning that they can uncover Stealth Air Superiority Fighters, Stealth Strike Fighters and most importantly - Stealth Bombers. Having one or two AWACS' greatly helps with coordinating attack on unknown territory and sometimes even allows to bypass enemy unseen.
    • Lord Aodhan wrote:

      If you want make more use of your AWACs equip a AWACs squadron to a Bomber wing. Your AWACs radar can light up the enemy for your bombers to launch cruise missiles at safe distances. Search and Destroy
      But "equipping" means forcing them to fly together ? The power of an AWACS comes from its ability to operate from long distances, far more distance than missile range (your missiles and the enemy's)

      What I would do is to attach an air superiority fighter to my AWACS in order to protect it all the time (AWACS are very vulnerable), and then send bombers to the identified "contacts" that will appear on the map.

      Of course, if your enemy has an AWACS, destroying it would be a #1 priority for your fighters. You will blind the enemy.

      The post was edited 1 time, last by xamevou ().

    • There is no point have strike fighters and bombers if you have no where to send them :P

      AWACs are extremely useful, I couldnt say I would recommend upgrading them really advanced. But very useful none the less.

      It is hugely important to know where your enemies are and to have a general idea of the battlefield. Imagine trying to use a big airborne force.. How do you know your not just about to drop a unit on a pair of the finest main battle tank ?

      Its important to know about your enemy. I quote

      Thus we may know that there are 5 essentials for victory :

      He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight
      He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces
      He will in who prepared himself waits to take the enemy unprepared

      (other 2 not needed in this case)



      Not only that it is really useful for early warning. If there is a wave of heavy bombers on its way awacs will be able to let you know well before hand


      Have to finish this short, but my point is that its important to know about and where your enemy are. More than just having lots of cool units.
      The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants
      - Thomas Jefferson

      Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.
      - Milton Friedman

      Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.
      - Sun Tzu
    • simple, they are radar spotters. If someone don't see reasons to use them, then I want to be on a map with that person :D

      Kristovi wrote:

      But AWACs are not better than heavy bombers and they just can't shoot.
      What would make AWACs interesting would be by revealing units,not only their radar echoe.

      How so they are not better? Check radar range man. Yeah, and what more? Star from the sky? Be serious.
    • Kristovi wrote:

      But AWACs are not better than heavy bombers and they just can't shoot.
      What would make AWACs interesting would be by revealing units,not only their radar echoe.
      .... They are different to bombers.. they have different roles. Just cos it doesnt shoot doesnt mean its a bad unit. If you really think that, maybe your knowledge of defense is worse than I currently think. AWACs do reveal units what do you think they do? only send our radio waves?
      The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants
      - Thomas Jefferson

      Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.
      - Milton Friedman

      Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.
      - Sun Tzu
    • Kristovi wrote:

      First, they just reveal echos, not units.
      Second : they don't reveal half of units. Most of the time i'm surprised by units while my AWACS is just over it.
      That must be a glitch then bud ....
      The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants
      - Thomas Jefferson

      Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.
      - Milton Friedman

      Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.
      - Sun Tzu
    • Kristovi wrote:

      First, they just reveal echos, not units.
      Second : they don't reveal half of units. Most of the time i'm surprised by units while my AWACS is just over it.
      They only reveal units with HIGH radar signatures such as tanks, artillery, and fixed-wing aircraft. They do not detect infantry or helos, at first. In later upgrades they can detect helos and stealth aircraft. But they can never detect infantry.

      The post was edited 1 time, last by TimboInLimbo ().