DCS AOC Tools

What is DCS AOC Tools?

DCS AOC Tools is a web-based Air Operations Center (AOC) and mission planning platform for DCS World virtual squadrons, designed for operations ranging from small missions to large-scale multiplayer events involving 100+ pilots and controllers. It helps mission planners and squadron staff organize operational tasking, coordinate flights and manage the information required for complex missions, including ATO, ACO, SPINS, communication plans and other operational documentation.

DCS AOC Tools is designed to complement the DCS World Mission Editor, not replace it. The DCS Mission Editor remains the primary environment for creating and editing the mission itself. Combined Ops allows mission planners to manage much of the detailed operational planning outside the .miz file, reducing repetitive mission edits when tasking, timings, targets or other operational information changes.

By uploading a DCS World .miz file, DCS AOC Tools automatically extracts available mission data, including aircraft groups, units, waypoints, targets, timings and other information already prepared in DCS. This imported data provides the starting point for building and coordinating the operational plan, from individual flights to missions involving multiple packages and squadrons.

Operational information added or overridden in DCS AOC Tools is managed externally from the original .miz file. The ACO is an exception: its Airspace Control Measures (ACM) can optionally be written to the .miz as DCS map drawings, while existing mission drawings are preserved. Mission planners can therefore prepare a fully detailed mission in the DCS Mission Editor or start with a simpler mission structure and complete the operational planning in Combined Ops.

REALISM & DCS WORLD DATA ACCURACY
A shared technical foundation that gives AOC and operational planning tools accurate DCS World terrain, navigation and environmental data for mission preparation and coordination.

LARGE-SCALE DCS WORLD OPERATIONS

DCS AOC Tools supports mission planning for small flights and large-scale DCS World operations. Coordinate multiple squadrons, packages, targets and supporting assets while managing ATO, ACO, SPINS and shared operational data for complex multiplayer missions.

DCS-NATIVE SRTM1 TERRAIN DATA

Uses high-fidelity SRTM1 elevation data from the active DCS theater for accurate operational, threat, airspace and terrain analysis.

POINT-TO-POINT LOS ANALYSIS

Helps planners evaluate line of sight between operational locations, threats and sensors using DCS World terrain data and a spherical coverage model that accounts for altitude differences and terrain obstruction.

TERRAIN MASKING ANALYSIS

Supports operational assessment of terrain-masking opportunities and limitations around threats, sensors and mission areas.

MISSION-DATE MAGNETIC VARIATION

Improves consistency of operational headings, bearings and navigation references across mission documentation and planning products.

NATIVE DCS MAPS

Provides operational planners with the same DCS World theater references used in the simulator when preparing mission data, airspace and operational products.

CUSTOMIZABLE TACTICAL DISPLAY

Provides flexible control over map layers and visual references to keep mission, airspace, target and operational information clear during planning and coordination.

UTM-CALIBRATED DATA

Keeps operational coordinates and geographic references consistent across mission documentation and the active DCS theater.
Shared technical foundation: Combined Ops uses DCS World simulation data and DCS-native geographic references across its operational tools, with each tool applying them to its specific mission role.

DCS AOC Tools Workflow

From DCS Mission Data to Operational Planning & Distribution

Complete .MIZ File
  • Created and edited in the DCS Mission Editor
  • Detailed flight plans, waypoints, targets & timings
  • Mission data can be prepared for optimal AOC Tools extraction
  • See the DCS Mission Editing Guide
OR
Basic .MIZ File
  • Flight created in the DCS Mission Editor
  • No additional waypoints required
  • Flight plan can be built later in DCS Mission Planner
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DCS AOC Tools
Web-Based Air Operations Center & Operational Planning
Import & Complete Mission Data
  • Import Mission Data: Extract aircraft, units, routes, waypoints, targets, timings and other data from the .miz.
  • Complete Flight Tasking: Add or override Task Units, Packages, Tasks, Targets, Mission Locations, TOT, NET, NLT and timings.
  • Enrich the Operation: Manage Escort, Reconnaissance, Loadout Requirements, JIPTL, Unit Remarks and other operational data.
  • Keep the .MIZ Intact: All additions and overrides are managed externally without modifying the original DCS mission file.
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Build the Operational Package
  • Build the ATO: Organize flights, tasking, packages, targets, timings and mission assignments.
  • Define Airspace Control: Create the ACO and its Airspace Control Measures (ACM), with the option to apply them to the .miz as DCS map drawings.
  • Publish Mission Instructions: Manage SPINS, Comm Plan, authentication data and other operational information for mission briefing.
  • Coordinate the Operation: Manage targets, JIPTL, personnel assignments and other data required to coordinate the mission.
Operational data is managed externally from the .MIZ.
Only ACO Airspace Control Measures (ACM) can optionally be written to the .MIZ as DCS map drawings, while existing mission drawings are preserved.
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Operational Data, Documentation & Tool Integration
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Mission Documentation PDFs
  • Complete Mission Package: ATO, ACO, SPINS & Comm Plan, including Local Channelization
  • Targeting Data: JIPTL & detailed Mission Target Data
  • Briefing Ready: Downloadable PDFs for mission planning and briefing
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DCS Mission Planner
  • Shared Mission Data: Access AOC mission information, flight tasking, targets, timings and operational data.
  • Mission Briefing Data: Review shared ATO, ACO, SPINS, Comm Plan and other relevant mission information.
  • Mission & Target Information: Use coordinated mission data, targets, routes and airspace information as the basis for pilot planning.
  • Mission File Access Control: Download of the original .miz mission file can be enabled or disabled by mission staff through DCS AOC Tools.
  • Detailed Flight Preparation: Build the flight plan in detail and create Mission Data Cards (MDC) and supported aircraft DTC files.
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DCS Airspace
  • Shared Mission Data: Access AOC mission tasking, flight information, targets, timings and other operational data.
  • Airspace Control: Use shared ACO and Airspace Control Measures (ACM) to establish the operational airspace picture.
  • For ATC, AWACS & GCI: Access coordinated mission information to support identification, control and tactical coordination.
  • Real-Time Operations: Combine shared mission data with the live tactical picture for airspace and track management.

DCS AOC Tools allows mission planners and squadron staff to:

  • Import Mission Data: Upload a DCS World .miz file and automatically extract available aircraft groups, units, routes, waypoints, targets, timings and other mission information, providing a common starting point for planning operations involving multiple flights and packages.
  • Complete Operational Data: Add or override task units, packages, tasks, targets, mission locations, TOT, NET, NLT, escort and reconnaissance data, loadout requirements, unit remarks and other mission details required to coordinate complex missions and large-scale multiplayer operations.
  • Interactive Mission Timeline: Visualize planned aircraft movements over time with an interactive timeline, playback controls and an adjustable time scale. Squadron commanders and mission planners can follow aircraft positions along their planned routes, review waypoint arrival times and coordinate the schedules of multiple flights and packages, gaining a clearer overview of the overall mission timeline.
  • Reduce Repetitive Mission Editing: Manage operational information externally in Combined Ops when changes do not require modifying the underlying DCS mission, making it easier to update plans as tasking and coordination requirements evolve.
  • Generate Mission Documentation: Build complete mission documentation including ATO, ACO, SPINS, Comm Plan, Local Channelization, JIPTL and detailed Mission Target Data, supporting coordinated planning and briefing across multiple flights and squadrons.
  • Share Coordinated Mission Data: Make the resulting operational information available across DCS Mission Planner and DCS Airspace, providing staff, pilots and controllers with a consistent operational picture throughout complex multiplayer missions.
  • Mission File Access Control: DCS AOC Tools provides control over whether the original DCS World .miz mission file is made available to pilots through DCS Mission Planner. When .miz access is enabled, assigned pilots can download the mission file from DCS Mission Planner and use it for mission preparation. When .miz access is disabled, the mission file remains unavailable for download, while the operational information specifically shared through Combined Ops remains accessible according to the configured permissions. This provides an additional layer of information control for multiplayer operations where the original mission file should not be distributed to participants in advance. Combined with restrictive coalition permissions in DCS AOC Tools, pilots can be limited to the coalition and operational information assigned to them, reducing the possibility of exposing mission content belonging to the opposing side before the mission.

Benefits for a Virtual Squadron in DCS World

For a virtual squadron, DCS AOC Tools provides a structured way to separate mission editing from operational planning. Staff can continue using the DCS Mission Editor for the parts of the mission that belong inside DCS, while Combined Ops manages the additional operational information required to plan, brief and coordinate missions ranging from individual flights to large-scale multiplayer operations involving multiple packages and squadrons.

The Interactive Mission Timeline gives squadron commanders and mission planners a time-based overview of planned aircraft movements across multiple flights and packages. With playback controls and an adjustable time scale, staff can follow aircraft positions along their planned routes according to scheduled waypoint arrival times, review mission sequencing and assess how different flights are expected to interact throughout the operation. This helps coordinate flight schedules, evaluate timing relationships and maintain a clearer operational overview when planning complex DCS World multiplayer missions.

  • Less Repetitive Mission Editing: Update operational information in Combined Ops without repeatedly reopening the DCS Mission Editor for changes that do not need to alter the underlying mission.
  • Reduced Manual Data Entry: Automatically extract information already present in the .miz and use it as the foundation for further operational planning.
  • Complete Mission Planning: Organize ATO tasking, units, packages, targets, timings, communications and other information required for detailed mission coordination across multiple flights and squadrons.
  • Centralized Documentation: Manage ATO, ACO, SPINS, Comm Plan, authentication data, JIPTL and other operational information in one structured environment.
  • Consistent Operational Data: Share coordinated mission information with DCS Mission Planner and DCS Airspace, helping keep staff, pilots and controllers aligned during complex multiplayer operations.

Main Features

DCS AOC Tools provides dedicated modules for managing the operational information used to plan, brief and coordinate DCS World missions:

  • Project Dashboard: View, create, open and manage projects, including project folders and mission files.
  • Project Properties & Project Info: Manage project name, time zone, visibility, .miz access and general or coalition-specific information.
  • ATO Header: Define the administrative and temporal information for the Air Tasking Order, including validity, operation type and message identification.
  • Missions: Manage missions imported from the .miz, assign Task Units and Packages, and override operational information such as targets, mission locations, loadouts and mission notes.
    • Filter and organize imported missions.
    • Review original .miz data and available mission information.
    • Apply operational overrides without changing the underlying mission data.
  • Task Units & Packages: Create and manage operational units such as squadrons, associate them with airbases using ICAO codes, and organize missions into packages with a designated Mission Commander (MC).
  • Comm Plan: Define and organize C2, local and intra-flight radio communications, including Local Channelization.
  • SPINS — Special Instructions: Create and manage mission-specific operational instructions, including supporting images where required.
  • Challenge and Reply: Manage authentication tables used for mission identification and communications.
  • JIPTL Manager: Create and manage a Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List, assign targets to missions, display them on the map and synchronize target information across DCS Mission Planner, DCS Airspace and mission documentation.
  • Standard Group Loadouts: Define standard loadouts for aircraft types using custom or automatically generated identification codes, then assign them to missions and ATO tasking.
  • Assignments: Assign personnel to mission positions and operational control roles such as ATC and AWACS.

Combined Ops and its tools (DCS AOC Tools, DCS Mission Planner and DCS Airspace) are developed and maintained solely and exclusively for DCS World as a platform for digital entertainment and flight simulation. Our operations are strictly non-commercial and non-military. Under no circumstances is our environment intended, nor should it be used, for commercial purposes, professional pilot training, or any military applications. We are a community of enthusiasts dedicated to the hobby of flight simulation, and all our activities are conducted purely for recreational and educational enjoyment within the gaming community.

Do you need more technical information?

view online documentation