What is DCS mission planning?

It is the work of writing a brief, a flight plan, and a kneeboard before you fly. The brief is the task. The flight plan is the route, times, and altitudes. The kneeboard is the cockpit copy of that plan.

Can I plan a DCS mission in a browser?

Yes. DCS Planner is a web app. The core planner is free and does not require a login. You build waypoints, threats, and exports in the browser, then load the files in DCS World.

Which aircraft can I plan for?

You can plan for F-16C, F-15E, F/A-18C, A-10C II, AH-64D, M-2000C, F-14, and C-130J. Waypoint limits differ by airframe. The AH-64D holds 50 waypoints, the M-2000C holds 20, the F-14 holds 9 typed nav points, and the F-15E has separate A, B, and C routes.

How do I get a planned route into DCS World?

Export a kneeboard PNG, a .miz (units, drawings, and bullseye), a CombatFlite .cf, a LotAtc .env, DCS-DTC JSON, or a clipboard copy of the route. Import works for .miz, .trk, and CombatFlite .cf.

Guides

How to Plan a DCS World Mission (Step-by-Step)

DCS World missions are easier to fly when the route, threats, and cockpit data exist before you spawn. This guide is that planning workflow. DCS Planner is a browser tool that does the same job on a map.

What "mission planning" means in DCS

In DCS World, mission planning is three related products. The brief is the task: who you fly with, what to attack or defend, and when. The flight plan is the route: waypoints, headings, distances, altitudes, and times. The kneeboard is the paper in the cockpit: a compact copy of the route, frequencies, and threats you can read without leaving the jet.

The in-game Mission Editor builds the world. A planner builds the route you will fly inside that world.

Step 1: Pick your theater and study the airspace

DCS Planner currently supports 5 theaters: Cold War Germany, Caucasus, Syria, Persian Gulf, and Nevada (NTTR). Pick the map that matches the mission. Each theater has airfields with coordinates and radio data on the map. For the eastern Mediterranean theater, see DCS Syria Mission Planning Guide.

Airfields, tower/ATC and TACAN frequencies

Airfields on a supported theater show tower, ground, TACAN, and VOR frequencies when that data exists. Use those frequencies for departure, recovery, and the tanker or AWACS picture before you write the route. Persian Gulf is the planner's default theater; see the DCS Persian Gulf Mission Planning Guide for Strait of Hormuz airfields, frequencies, and carrier planning.

Bullseye and the reference grid

Bullseye is a shared reference point for the coalition. A typical call is a bearing and range from that point, not from your jet. DCS Planner reads bullseye from an imported .miz and shows it on the map. Plan the route relative to bullseye so the same picture works for the package and GCI. See DCS Bullseye Explained (BRAA vs Bullseye) for how to read a call and set bullseye in the planner.

Step 2: Build the route (waypoints, headings, distances)

Click the map to drop waypoints. The planner draws the route and shows distance and heading on each leg. You can import an existing .miz or .trk and edit waypoints inline. See DCS Flight Plan: Waypoints, Headings & Routes for coordinate formats, airframe waypoint limits, and route export.

You can plan for F-16C, F-15E, F/A-18C, A-10C II, AH-64D, M-2000C, F-14, and C-130J. Aircraft have different waypoint limits. In the planner, the AH-64D holds 50 waypoints, the M-2000C holds 20, the F-14 holds 9 typed nav points, and the F-15E has separate A, B, and C routes. For Hornet sequences, the A/A waypoint, and cartridge export, see DCS F/A-18C Mission Planning & Waypoints.

Fuel, TOT and time-on-station basics

Time-on-target (TOT) is the clock time the flight should arrive at a point. The planner stores TOT on waypoints and on packages so a strike package can share one time. Time-on-station is the window a CAP, tanker, or AWACS stays in its orbit. The planner does not compute bingo fuel. Check fuel in the cockpit and with the loadout builder.

Step 3: Map the threats (SAM/AAA rings, IADS layers)

Place SAM and AAA units on the map. Launchers show threat rings that use DCS engagement ranges. An IADS is layered: long-range SAM, medium-range SAM, SHORAD, MANPADS, AAA, and EWR. Draw the ingress so the route stays outside rings you cannot defeat, and use terrain later to hide from radar you cannot avoid.

The SAM encyclopedia has detection, tracking, and launch ranges for systems the planner knows. See DCS SAM Threat Rings & Route Planning for how those rings work and how to export them.

Step 4: Terrain and safe altitudes (MSA, AGL clearance, terrain profile)

Once the route exists, check the ground under it. DCS Planner samples terrain along the route: AGL clearance at each point, a terrain profile, MSA, and peak markers. Raise the altitude or move the waypoint if a ridge sits on the nose. The 3D radar view shows terrain masking and route exposure against SAM radar.

Step 5: Get the plan into the cockpit (kneeboard, .miz, DTC)

Export what the cockpit can use:

A kneeboard PNG for the DCS kneeboard folder
A .miz with units, drawings, and bullseye
A CombatFlite .cf file
A LotAtc .env for drawings
DCS-DTC JSON (waypoints and COMM presets)
A clipboard copy of the route

For the F-16C Viper cartridge, see DCS F-16 DTC Guide (Data Transfer Cartridge).

Import works for .miz, .trk, and CombatFlite .cf.

Doing it faster in the browser

Open DCS Planner. Pick the theater. Click the route. Place SAM and AAA rings. Check AGL and MSA. Export the kneeboard or .miz.

The core planner is free and does not require a login. After you sign in, an AI mission generator can draft a mission from a prompt. Review that draft on the map before you export it.

Open the planner

FAQ

What is DCS mission planning?: It is the work of writing a brief, a flight plan, and a kneeboard before you fly. The brief is the task. The flight plan is the route, times, and altitudes. The kneeboard is the cockpit copy of that plan.
Can I plan a DCS mission in a browser?: Yes. DCS Planner is a web app. The core planner is free and does not require a login. You build waypoints, threats, and exports in the browser, then load the files in DCS World.
Which DCS maps does DCS Planner support?: DCS Planner currently supports 5 theaters: Cold War Germany, Caucasus, Syria, Persian Gulf, and Nevada (NTTR).
Which aircraft can I plan for?: You can plan for F-16C, F-15E, F/A-18C, A-10C II, AH-64D, M-2000C, F-14, and C-130J. Waypoint limits differ by airframe. The AH-64D holds 50 waypoints, the M-2000C holds 20, the F-14 holds 9 typed nav points, and the F-15E has separate A, B, and C routes.
How do I get a planned route into DCS World?: Export a kneeboard PNG, a .miz (units, drawings, and bullseye), a CombatFlite .cf, a LotAtc .env, DCS-DTC JSON, or a clipboard copy of the route. Import works for .miz, .trk, and CombatFlite .cf.
Do I need an account to use DCS Planner?: No account is required for the core planner. After you sign in, an AI mission generator can draft a mission from a prompt. Review that draft on the map before you export it.