Section Formation

section

section <name>
   debug
   detached
   offset ...
   [lead] unit ... end_unit
end_section

Overview

A sections is a formation that is formed from two unit sub-formations. Sections cannot be defined at the root level in input files. Sections can also be defined in script, see WsfFormation and WsfFormationManager. Sections can be given commands, see WsfFormationCommand.

Common Formation Commands

debug

Enable extra debugging output.

detached

For formations defined in the initial conditions, this will cause this formation to not be attached to its parent. After initialization any attached formation will have its members placed into the correct positions relative to the formation leader. The detached status on a formation also effects the way formation commands are propagated down through the hierarchy. See WsfFormationCommand.

offset <length-value> <angle-value> <length-value> offset_type

Specify the offset of the formation from its parent. This is the means by which the initial relative positioning of the members of a formation is specified. The offset is given as a triplet of a range from the reference point, a relative bearing from the direction of travel of the leader, and a vertical offset (or stack). For example, the following offset would be the point 100 m to the right of the reference point and at 1 m higher altitude.

offset 100 m 90 deg 1 m fixed-altitude

The offset type is either welded-wing or fixed-altitude. A welded wing offset computes its location based on the body frame of the lead platform. A fixed altitude offset computes its location as if the lead platform has a zero roll angle.

Sub-formation Commands

unit … end_unit

Define a unit sub-formation. See Unit Formation.

lead

Specify that the following unit sub-formation is to be the lead sub-formation of this section. Sections defined in input files must have one of their sub-formations designated as the lead sub-formation.