Combined Ops is a web-based platform built for DCS World virtual squadrons, mission planners, pilots, and air controllers. Built on over 20 years of military flight simulation experience, the platform was created with a clear focus: making joint operations and community cooperation as straightforward as possible. Modern platforms and fast connections allow larger groups of pilots and support units to fly together. Combined Ops provides a central space where virtual flight groups can publish joint operations, sign up for multi-squadron events, and coordinate. The suite currently features three core standalone tools—DCS AOC Tools, DCS Mission Planner, and DCS Airspace—with new community-driven features under continuous development.
Combined Ops is designed for DCS World virtual squadrons, individual pilots, mission planners, AOC staff, ATC, AWACS and GCI operators.
Mission staff → DCS AOC Tools
Pilots / Flight Leads → DCS Mission Planner
ATC / AWACS / GCI → DCS Airspace
Squadron leadership / organizers → Combined Ops Portal
Choose the Combined Ops tool that best matches your role in DCS World, whether you are an individual pilot, flight lead, mission planner, squadron staff member or community organizer.
Each tool can be used independently, while the full suite can be combined to support coordinated operations from mission planning and pilot preparation to real-time airspace control.
- Squadron staff / mission planner — DCS AOC Tools
- Pilot / flight lead — DCS Mission Planner
- ATC / AWACS / GCI controller — DCS Airspace
- Squadron organizer / commander — Combined Ops Portal and any operational tool required by their role
- Running a complete operation — Use the relevant tools together
Combined Ops simplifies how virtual squadrons plan, coordinate, and execute DCS World operations. Instead of juggling spreadsheets, external PDF editors, and scattered Discord messages, your group gets a single hub to manage everything from administrative rosters to tactical execution.
For squadron leaders and organizers, it offers a dedicated management area where you can publish joint events, manage member rosters, assign leadership roles, and invite outside squadrons to fill mission packages. For mission designers and controllers, DCS AOC Tools and DCS Airspace let you generate full operational documentation (like ATOs, ACOs, and SPINS) and monitor live tactical radar tracks in real time. For pilots, DCS Mission Planner delivers quick flight briefings, DTC profile creation, and printable Mission Data Cards. Whether you fly solo or command a 50-pilot coalition, it cuts down setup friction so you can focus on the flight.
Yes, Combined Ops is provided completely free of charge for non-commercial, entertainment use within the DCS World community.
Getting started with Combined Ops takes just a few quick steps. First, create your free personal account on the platform. Once registered, your next step depends on your role within your flight community.
If you are an individual pilot, you can search for your virtual squadron on the platform and request to join, or browse open public missions to sign up for available slots. If you are a squadron leader or founder, you can register your group profile, set up your roster, and send invite links to your members. Once your account and group are ready, you can immediately start using DCS AOC Tools, DCS Mission Planner, and DCS Airspace to plan and execute your missions.
Combined Ops is designed around DCS World-native simulation data rather than treating the simulator as a visual reference only. Its tools use DCS World terrain, elevation, coordinate and simulation data according to the role of each application, so planning, analysis and tactical displays remain aligned with the simulated environment.
- Dynamic Magnetic Variation: Automatically calculates precise magnetic declination using the latest real-world IGRF data matched to your mission's specific date.
- High-Fidelity SRTM1 Terrain Data: Uses SRTM1 elevation data extracted directly from DCS World to guarantee that altitude readings and elevation profiles mirror the simulator's environment 1:1.
- Radar Line of Sight (LOS) & Terrain Masking: Advanced real-time algorithms calculate accurate LOS coverage for ground-based radars, SAM sites, and ADS systems, factoring in terrain masking so pilots and controllers can plan flight paths around radar coverage.
- UTM Grid Calibration: Coordinates, bearings, and tactical calculations are tailored to the exact UTM zone and quadrant of the active DCS theater, ensuring absolute synchronization and zero offset between tool data and the in-game world.
- Native Map Support: Renders native DCS World map textures and terrain layouts directly on tactical scopes for 1:1 visual fidelity (currently rolling out across supported theaters).
Combined Ops uses DCS World-native terrain data for terrain-dependent calculations. Its SRTM1 elevation data is extracted from the DCS World theater rather than simply using external real-world elevation data. This keeps terrain elevation, line-of-sight and terrain-masking analysis aligned with the environment actually represented by the simulator.
This is particularly important for flight planning, radar coverage and terrain masking, because the relevant reference is the terrain used by DCS World during the mission.
Yes. DCS AOC Tools, DCS Mission Planner and DCS Airspace are standalone applications and do not require the complete Combined Ops ecosystem to be used. They can also be connected when a squadron wants to share mission, flight, targeting, communication and airspace information across the operational workflow.
Combined Ops provides an integrated web-based suite designed to support every phase of a DCS World mission—from command-level planning to tactical flight execution and live airspace control. The three core tools include:
- DCS AOC Tools: A comprehensive mission management platform for mission designers and staff. By uploading a DCS mission file (.miz), staff can instantly extract core flight data, override mission parameters (task units, packages, tasks, targets, TOT, mission location, mission start and stop time, unit remarks, and much more), manage asset/personnel assignments, and generate complete operational documentation including ATO, ACO, SPINS, Comm Plans, JIPTL, and printable PDF packages.
- DCS Mission Planner: A pilot-focused web application that works standalone or linked directly with DCS AOC Tools. Virtual pilots can review tactical briefings, plan routes, build custom Data Transfer Cartridge (.dtc) files for direct export into DCS World, and generate printable Mission Data Cards (MDC) in A4 or A5 format.
- DCS Airspace: A web-based tactical radar console built for ATC, AWACS, and GCI operators. Connecting directly to a live DCS World server via IP and port, it merges live server telemetry with planning data from DCS AOC Tools and DCS Mission Planner to display real-time radar sweeps, track data, and airspace limits.
These applications can be used individually for standalone tasks or connected together to create a single synchronized workflow for multi-squadron operations.
DCS AOC Tools manages operational planning and mission data. DCS Mission Planner uses that information for detailed pilot flight preparation. DCS Airspace uses shared mission and airspace information together with live DCS World data for ATC, AWACS and GCI operations.
The tools remain independently usable, but connected workflows reduce duplicated data entry and keep staff, pilots and controllers aligned around the same operational information.
DCS AOC Tools is a comprehensive, web-based mission creation and Air Operations Center management suite tailored for DCS World mission designers, command staff, and flight planners. Built to replace scattered spreadsheets and manual documentation, it streamlines how complex multi-squadron operations are structured and published.
By uploading a single DCS mission file (.miz), you can automate and customize every aspect of your event:
- Automated Documentation Generation: Instantly parse mission files to extract coalitional assets, airfields, waypoints, and flight packages into standardized ATO, ACO, SPINS, Comm Plan, JIPTL, and more.
- Operational Customization: Override default mission parameters, set specific Package/Flight tasks, assign primary/secondary targets, define Time on Target (TOT, NET, NLT), define mission locations and mission start and stop time, define and assign unit remarks, and publish Joint Integrated Prioritized Target Lists (JIPTL).
- Asset & Personnel Roster Management: Assign specific virtual squadrons, flights, and individual pilots to mission slots, controlling access permissions across multi-group coalitions.
- Document Export & Integration: Export clean, printable operational PDF packages or stream mission data directly to DCS Mission Planner for pilot DTC generation and live tracking in DCS Airspace.
Whether you are managing a small internal squadron training or a massive 100+ pilot joint force coalition, DCS AOC Tools cuts down administrative overhead so your staff can focus on high-level tactical planning.
Yes. Combined Ops tools can import standard DCS World .miz mission files and extract the mission information available in the file. The amount of information available to the tools depends on how the mission is structured and which data has been configured in the DCS Mission Editor.
DCS AOC Tools can use the imported data as the starting point for operational planning, while DCS Mission Planner can also work directly with .miz files for standalone flight preparation.
To ensure optimal parsing of some flight data, like waypoints and target data, certain formatting best practices should be followed when building missions in the DCS World Mission Editor. Detailed guidelines, tips, and step-by-step setup instructions are available in the DCS World Mission Editing guide in the Combined Ops Wiki.
DCS Mission Planner is a pilot-focused briefing and tactical planning application built specifically for flight leads and virtual aviators. It is not a mission editor or file creation tool for DCS World—you cannot edit map objects, triggers, or 3D terrain with it. Instead, it is a dedicated web dashboard where pilots analyze, customize, and prepare their flight profiles based on operational briefings.
Using DCS Mission Planner, virtual pilots and flight leads can:
- Access ATO Briefings & Data: Review flight assignments, waypoints, threat zones, communication plans, and Special Instructions (SPINS) published directly from DCS AOC Tools.
- Build Data Transfer Cartridges (.dtc): Configure custom avionics profiles—including radio pre-sets, weapon delivery parameters, countermeasure programs, and waypoint offsets—and export them directly into compatible DCS aircraft avionics via supported DTC mods.
- Generate Mission Data Cards (MDC): Automatically compile and export clean, printable Mission Data Cards in A4 or A5 format for quick reference during flight or integration into kneeboard folders.
- Coordinate Flight Packages: Adjust fuel loads, weapon loadouts, and flight-level tactics with wingmen before hopping into the cockpit.
Whether you fly as a solo pilot joining a public event or lead a four-ship package in a large coalition, DCS Mission Planner bridges the gap between high-level command planning and cockpit execution.
No. DCS Mission Planner is not intended to replace the DCS World Mission Editor. The Mission Editor remains the environment for creating the DCS mission itself. DCS Mission Planner focuses on the pilot's operational preparation: flight planning, route analysis, navigation, fuel and flight data, DTC preparation and Mission Data Cards.
This separation allows mission creation and pilot preparation to remain distinct parts of the workflow while still sharing the relevant mission data.
DCS Mission Planner is a dedicated, web-based tool designed for flight leads and pilots to seamlessly translate miz file data and Air Tasking Order (ATO) assignments into precise, executable flight plans. Key features include:
- ATO-Driven Briefing Access: Log in to select assigned missions and instantly access all relevant tactical and flight information compiled directly from .miz files via DCS AOC Tools.
- Advanced Navigation & Waypoints: Easily place and configure detailed navigation waypoints—such as Virtual Initial Points (VIP), Visual Reference Points (VRP), and Objective Areas (OA)—with intuitive map interactions.
- DTC Preparation: Prepare and share Data Transfer Cartridges (.json for DCS-DTC and .dtc for native DCS World) for quick avionics loading.
- MDC Preparation: Generate and export customizable Mission Data Cards (MDC) in printable A4 and A5 PDF formats.
- Terrain & Radar LOS Calculation: Perform precise Line-of-Sight (LOS) calculations from any specific map unit or arbitrary point on the map. The tool uses high-resolution SRTM1 elevation data extracted directly from DCS World to ensure the LOS accurately mirrors actual in-simulator terrain masking and visibility.
- Seamless AOC & Airspace Synchronization: Automatically sync every leg of the flight plan, assigned radio frequencies, targets, and mission remarks back to the AOC, keeping GCI and ATC controllers fully updated in real time across DCS Airspace.
Yes, absolutely. DCS Mission Planner is a fully independent pilot application and does not require DCS AOC Tools to function. You can use it as a standalone planning suite in two of its three operating modes:
- 1. Standalone without a .miz file: Select your aircraft type and theater (map) manually to build custom flight routes, configure radio presets, and set up weapon parameters from scratch.
- 2. Standalone with your own .miz file: Upload any local DCS World mission file (.miz) directly to automatically parse route waypoints, airfields, and flight data for personal mission briefings.
- 3. Linked with DCS AOC Tools (Optional): Connect directly to operations published by your squadron staff to automatically import synchronized Air Tasking Orders (ATO) and package assignments.
In all 3 modes, you retain full access to standalone core features, including exporting custom Data Transfer Cartridge (.dtc) files directly into your DCS aircraft avionics and generating printable Mission Data Cards (MDC) in A4 or A5 format.
Yes. DCS Mission Planner can be used independently with no DCS AOC Tools project. Pilots can create flight plans from scratch after selecting an aircraft and theater, or upload their own .miz file. AOC Tools integration is optional and adds shared mission and operational data.
DCS Airspace is a web-based, real-time tactical radar console designed specifically for Air Traffic Control (ATC), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS), Ground-Controlled Intercept (GCI) operators, and Mission Controllers in DCS World.
Connecting directly to a live DCS Olympus and DCS World server via IP and port, DCS Airspace streams real-time telemetry directly to your browser without requiring extra software downloads. It merges live server data with mission parameters published via DCS AOC Tools and DCS Mission Planner, presenting flight paths, tracks, airspace boundaries, and bullseye coordinates on an interactive tactical display.
DCS Airspace is a real-time tactical airspace control application for DCS World ATC, AWACS and GCI operators. It combines DCS World detection data, mission information and tactical airspace controls in a browser-based operational display.
- Advanced C2 & Intercept Geometry: Multi-Bullseye selection (mission native or ACO custom), Track-to-Track and Free-Hand Tactical BRAA measurement modes, real-time Cut-Off intercept geometry calculations, and ATO-linked agency mission tracking (monitoring fuel, ordnance, fuel, transponder settings, and flight plans).
- Shared Tactical Coordination: Define private Tracks of Interest, assign shared Groups of Responsibility across connected controllers, track active engagements with linked targeting lines, and receive audio/visual alerts for new or lost radar contacts.
- ATC & Ground Operations: Comprehensive airbase scheduled flights oversight, real-time ground control taxiway tracking, a dedicated Precision Approach Radar (PAR) interface with glide slope visualization, and custom reference point locking.
- Integrated IADS & Terrain Radar: Active ADS SAM battery control and high-fidelity Radar Line of Sight calculations using SRTM1 terrain data for realistic radar masking analysis.
- Ecosystem Integration & Display Customization: integration with DCS AOC Tools and DCS Mission Planner, dual grid support (MGRS & WGS84), declutter filters (speed, altitude, aircraft type), and customizable map layers (satellite, AWACS-style, and native DCS terrain).
Setting up DCS Airspace requires linking your DCS World server via DCS Olympus (which acts as the underlying backend telemetry server).
Follow these simple steps to get started:
* 1. Server Backend Setup: Ensure DCS Olympus is installed on your DCS server. Since DCS Airspace runs as a client for DCS Olympus, no additional software needs to be installed on the client side.
* 2. Add Your Server in Combined Ops: Log into your User Control Panel (UCP), navigate to the Airspace Servers panel, and register your server by entering the DCS Olympus server IP, port, and access passwords.
* 3. Link to AOC Tools & Configure Permissions: Once connected, you can set access permissions for your virtual controllers and link the live server to an active DCS AOC Tools project to automatically display flight plans, ATO targets, and airspace limits on the radar scope.
Full details, setup instructions, and related resources are available in the DCS Airspace setup guide in the Combined Ops Wiki.
Yes, DCS Airspace features a highly customizable, multi-tier permissions system configured via your User Control Panel and DCS AOC Tools:
* 1. Public (No Restrictions): The radar scope is visible and accessible to all logged-in users on Combined Ops.
* 2. Host Group Members Only: Access is restricted strictly to members of your virtual group, granting full visibility over both Blue and Red coalitions.
* 3. Operation & AOC Tools Project Related: Ties radar access directly to an official Combined Ops Operation and AOC Tools project, unlocking granular control modes managed by Group and AOC Admins:
* Group Members + Registered Users (Unrestricted): Host group members get dual-coalition access, while external pilots must register for the Operation.
* Registered Users Only (Coalition Restricted): Users must register for the Operation and can only view their approved coalition (Bluefor or Redfor) to prevent intelligence leaks.
* Registered Users Only (Coalition & Role Restricted): The most secure tier. Only users registered and approved for designated ATC or AWACS roles within their coalition can access the radar display.
Full setup instructions for the DCS Airspace permissions system are available in the DCS Airspace permissions setup guide in the Combined Ops Wiki.
DCS Airspace displays aircraft and ground contacts according to the detection data provided by DCS World. It does not replace the simulator's detection state with an independent radar model for the tactical contact picture. This keeps the displayed tactical picture consistent with what the simulation itself detects.
DCS Airspace can additionally perform its own terrain-based line-of-sight analysis using DCS-native terrain elevation for radar coverage, sensor visibility and point-to-point tactical analysis.
Yes. DCS Airspace provides extensive display customization. Controllers can show, hide or adjust the opacity of tactical layers and operational overlays such as ACO, drawings, airbases and threat circles, while also adjusting map brightness and display style.
An ATC/GCI/AWACS-style dark tactical display is also available for controller-focused operations.
Yes. Combined Ops can perform point-to-point line-of-sight analysis using DCS World-native terrain elevation data. Users can analyze visibility between selected positions, including terrain effects between a sensor or radar position and a target position at a specified altitude.
This can be used to study routes, radar exposure and terrain-masking opportunities before the mission.
Once your group is created and your squadron members have joined, you can assign specific operational roles to delegate administrative and mission planning tasks:
- Group Admins: Can edit all squadron settings, manage member rosters, and assign user roles. For security reasons, Group Admins cannot delete the group or remove the Group Founder.
- AOC Admins & Staff: Receive full access to all features within DCS AOC Tools, allowing them to manage missions, update operational databases, and oversee Air Tasking Orders (ATO).
- Editors: Can create, edit, and publish operations on the Combined Ops site calendar, as well as accept or reject slot registrations from participating pilots.
- Group Members: Regular members receive full access to private group operations and DCS Mission Planner features. They can view briefing materials and participate in events without administrative modification rights.
As the Group Founder, you retain ultimate control over your squadron profile and can adjust member permissions at any time through your group dashboard.
To start publishing and sharing operations, you must be the Group Founder or have an assigned AOC Staff or Editor role within your squadron. Once permissions are set, you can share operations across the community using two synchronized methods:
- DCS AOC Tools (Mission Planning): Upload your DCS World mission file (.miz) directly to the platform. The system automatically extracts mission data and generates your Air Tasking Order (ATO), Special Instructions (SPINS), and flight packages.
- Combined Ops Main Site (Event & Slot Management): Create a new operation entry on the main event calendar. You can set slot availability, publish briefing details, and allow members from your own squadron or allied Combined Ops groups to sign up and participate in joint operations.
Both tools work together seamlessly so that mission parameters set in DCS AOC Tools are automatically accessible to registered pilots in DCS Mission Planner and air controllers in DCS Airspace.
Yes, absolutely. You do not need to generate your mission documentation through DCS AOC Tools to use the slot registration and event system.
When creating or editing an event in your User Control Panel (UCP), you can bypass automated generation and simply paste a link to your external documentation (such as Google Drive, Discord briefs, or custom PDFs) into the Operation Custom Link field. Participating pilots and allied squadrons will be able to sign up for mission slots on the calendar while accessing your custom briefings directly from the operation page.
When creating or editing an event in your User Control Panel, you can manage access using two key privacy settings:
- Operation Visibility: Controls who can see your mission and its tactical details. You can restrict access to your own squadron members or open sign-ups to allied Combined Ops groups and the wider community.
- Not Listed Option: Hides the event from the public calendar entirely. When enabled, your operation will not appear in search results or public feeds, making it accessible exclusively to pilots who receive a direct link.
Using these two settings together allows you to run completely private internal squadron trainings, unlisted tactical events, or fully public multi-group coalitions.
Detailed documentation and operational guides explaining Air Tasking Orders (ATO), Airspace Control Orders (ACO), Special Instructions (SPINS), and other generated tactical files are available in the Combined Ops Official Wiki for DCS World mission planning and operations.
In the wiki, you will find comprehensive breakdowns of:
- ATO & ACO Structure: How mission parameters, flight schedules, and airspace structures extracted from DCS World mission files (.miz) are compiled and formatted.
- SPINS & Comm Plans: Instructions on defining coalition radio frequencies, RAMROD tables, code words, bullseye positions, and combat search and rescue (CSAR) procedures.
- JIPTL & Targeting Lists: Guidance on setting up Joint Integrated Prioritized Target Lists and assigning primary/secondary objectives to packages.
- Export Formats: How to read and utilize exported PDF briefing packages, printable Mission Data Cards (MDC), and Data Transfer Cartridge (.dtc) files.
The wiki provides step-by-step references for both mission planners using DCS AOC Tools and virtual pilots using DCS Mission Planner to ensure standardized operational procedures across all missions.
Yes, complete official documentation for all Combined Ops tools, workflows, and integrations is available online in the Combined Ops Official Wiki and Documentation.
The wiki covers comprehensive guides and step-by-step tutorials, including:
* DCS AOC Tools Setup: Best practices for mission designers, including how to structure .miz files in the DCS World Mission Editor for optimal parsing of ATOs, ACOs, SPINS, and communication plans.
* DCS Mission Planner Usage: Detailed instructions for virtual pilots on generating custom Data Transfer Cartridges (.dtc), exporting Mission Data Cards (MDC), and managing flight briefings.
* DCS Airspace Integration: Configuration steps for linking live DCS World servers to the tactical radar view for ATC, AWACS, and GCI controllers.
* Group & Event Management: Guides on setting up virtual squadrons, configuring user permissions, and publishing joint coalition operations on the event calendar.
Whether you are a squadron commander, mission editor, or virtual pilot, the Combined Ops Official Wiki is continuously updated with documentation and practical guides to help you get the most out of the Combined Ops ecosystem.
Yes, Combined Ops has an official Discord community where you can get direct support, ask questions, and chat with developers, mission planners, and other virtual pilots.
Whether you need assistance setting up DCS AOC Tools, configuring DCS Mission Planner, or linking your server to DCS Airspace, you can join our active community using the Combined Ops Official Discord for DCS World Support.
You can report bugs, submit feedback, or suggest new features directly on our Official Discord server at Combined Ops Official Discord for DCS World Support.
Inside the server, you will find dedicated channels for bug reporting, technical support, and feature suggestions. Sharing your issue details or .miz mission files on Discord allows our development team to investigate problem reports quickly and continuously improve the platform for the DCS World community.