The AR-2 Darter / Tayran AR-2 is a Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle used by several BLUFOR, REDFOR and INDFOR factions in ArmA 3.
A civilian variant also exists and is simply known as the Drone, where it is used in limited numbers by IDAP aid workers. It was added with the release of the Laws of War DLC.
Overview[]
- Roles:
- Reconnaissance
- Surveillance
- Laser targeting
| « | The Darter AR-2 is a miniature remote-controlled quadcopter equipped with laser designator. It is perfect for reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation. Darters are agile, silent and hard to detect. The ability to hover in one place and use the camera to observe a location is invaluable in setting ambushes. An OPFOR arms manufacturer was able to reverse-engineer the Darter's construction and now produces a similar vehicle. The OPFOR quadcopter is labeled as the Tayran AR-2. Field Manual[1]
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Design[]
Man-portable and compact, the Darter is miniature VTOL-capable quadrotor drone that is small enough to be carried in a backpack.
Features
Once unpacked and assembled by the operator, it can then be connected to through a UAV Terminal and assigned tasks or be used to mark targets with its laser designator for precision guided munitions.[CfgVh 5] It can be assigned to follow a person or vehicle while hovering at a safe distance, essentially acting as third, infrared-enabled eye for the operator (provided that they toggle the UAV's real-time camera feed).
Mobility
Its small size makes it agile and true to its name, can quickly dart through small gaps in buildings or hover just above the treeline in a forest. Some care should be taken when manoeuvring the drone in tight spaces however, as its controls are quite sensitive, and it is easy to accidentally crash the drone into a wall by flying too fast. In such cases, it may be advisable to toggle the Darter's auto-hover mode so as to mitigate some of its sensitivity.
A single Darter relays its laser spots to Rhino TDs positioned at two different locations. The CSAT convoy is neutralised by MARUKs despite the Rhino crews being positioned three kilometres away from their targets.
Notable Traits
The Darter UAV possesses integral data link capability. Because of this, whatever the drone marks with its laser can be transmitted to any nearby friendly vehicles that can receive targeting information via data link.[CfgVh 7][CfgVh 8]
One practical scenario of where this can be employed very effectively is with the Rhino tank destroyer's MARUK laser-guided ATGMs. By default, the Rhino's ATGMs are non-line-of-sight and thanks to the Darter, this NLOS capability can be exploited to full effect. So long as the Darter itself remains undetected, the drone operator can coordinate with the tank destroyer's crew to strike hostiles several kilometres away with near-pinpoint accuracy.
Another instance where the Darter's data link feature comes into play is with the MK41 VLS batteries fitted onto Liberty-class destroyers. The Darter can relay the location of its laser spots back to the battery's operator, allowing the ship's crew to strike any target within range with its devastating payload of Venator surface-to-surface cruise missiles.
Drawbacks
Care must be taken with the Darter's use, regardless of whether it is set to autonomous operation or manual control. It is only made out of plastic-based materials and can be disabled by just one bullet hitting any part of the airframe. Even coming into contact too roughly with a hard surface can instantly destroy the Darter.
Camouflage[]
- Digital Grey: Digitised semi-fractal camouflage pattern used by several AAF aircraft and boats. Exclusive to AAF AR-2s.
- Geometric: Greyscale version of the Geometric fractal camouflage pattern on Livonian Defense Force uniforms. Only applied onto LDF-operated AR-2s.
- Grey Hex: Light/dark grey cell pattern camouflage. Utilised by CSAT's AR-2s.
- IDAP: Flat white paint scheme with additional livery in the form of logos/signage of the International Development & Aid Project (IDAP). Used exclusively by IDAP aid workers.
- White: Pattern-less flat white paint scheme. Used on NATO AR-2s.
| Western Sahara Creator DLC only |
|---|
NOTE: The following camouflage schemes will only be available if the third party-developed Western Sahara Creator DLC is activated.
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Protection: Hitpoints[]
Both variants of the drone have base armour values of just 0.5.[CfgVh 9]
Protection: Armour[]
LEGEND[SCR 2]
Pink = plastic.bisurf
| .bisurf | Density [2][3][4] |
Thickness [2][3][4] |
bulletPenetrability [2][3][4] |
bulletPenetrabilityWithThickness [2][3][4] |
Friction [2][5] |
Restitution [2][5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| plastic.bisurf | 1200 | N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness | 160 | N/A; not used by plastic.bisurf | 0.7 | 0.3 |
The drone's airframe is made out of plastic.[rvmat 1][bisurf 1]
Stealth[]
As a Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) the Darter cannot be directly locked onto by most anti-aircraft/air-to-air weapon systems unless they have alternate manual guidance-based sensors available.[CfgVh 10][note 2] Due to being so small, it is also difficult to track by visual/radar-based sensors:
RCS[]
The Darter has a radar cross-section rating of just 0.1. This reduces the range at which active radars can detect the Darter by up to 90%.[CfgVh 11] Because the Darter lacks a radar module of its own, spotting the Darter via passive radars is not possible, and detecting it on active radar is virtually impossible under normal circumstances.
IR[]
The Darter provides no stealth capabilities against infrared-based sensors.[CfgVh 12]
Visual[]
The Darter is extremely difficult to track via visual-based sensors and can only be detected at 10% of their maximum range (factor of 0.1; reduction of 90%).[CfgVh 13]
Sensors[]
Being a small UAV, the Darter has only two types of sensors that are meant to be used exclusively for tracking purposes:
| Sensor type | Max range (Air/Ground) | Min range (Air/Ground) | Affected by environment? | Target max speed (km/h) | Azimuth coverage (°) | Elevation coverage (°) | Friendly identification range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared | A: 1,500 m G: 1,000 m [CfgVh 14][CfgVh 15] |
A: 500 m G: 500 m [CfgVh 16][CfgVh 17] |
Fog (0.005%) [CfgVh 18] |
126 km/h [CfgVh 19][Formula 1] |
51°[CfgVh 20] | 37°[CfgVh 21] | 2,000 m[CfgVh 22] |
| Human | A: 750 m G: 500 m [CfgVh 23][CfgVh 24] |
A: 500 m G: 500 m [CfgVh 25][CfgVh 26] |
Fog (0.005%) [CfgVh 27] |
54 km/h [CfgVh 28][Formula 2] |
51°[CfgVh 29] | 37°[CfgVh 30] | 0 m[CfgVh 31] |
Infrared Sensor[]
The Darter's IR Sensor is located in the drone's gimbal camera (represented by the red cone on the SENSORS panel).[CfgVh 32] Although it is technically affected by heavy fog, the range reduction effect is so miniscule (-7.5 metre reduction) that it will be barely noticeable.[note 3]
It should be noted that the IR Sensor has an elevation offset of -0.5 degrees.[CfgVh 33]
Human Sensor[]
The Darter's Human Sensor is located in the drone's gimbal camera (represented by the red cone on the SENSORS panel).[CfgVh 34] Although it is technically affected by heavy fog, the range reduction effect is so miniscule (-0.15 metre reduction) that it will be barely noticeable.[note 3]
It should be noted that the Human Sensor has an elevation offset of -0.5 degrees.[CfgVh 35]
Optics[]
"Pilot" AI[]
The camera for the "pilot" AI has the ability to toggle three vision modes: day, night, and black-/white-hot thermal.[CfgVh 36][CfgVh 37] It has variable zoom capability, with a minimum magnification of 0.2x[CfgVh 38] up to a maximum of 1x zoom.[CfgVh 39]
It should be that the camera is forward-facing only. It cannot be rotated nor can it be locked onto point/area targets.
"Gunner" AI[]
The camera for the "gunner" AI has the ability to switch between three fields-of-view: Wide (WFOV 0.5x)[CfgVh 40], Medium (MFOV 2.5x)[CfgVh 41], and Narrow (NFOV 8.7x).[CfgVh 42] No matter the selected FOV, the camera can toggle a day, night or black-/white-hot thermal vision mode.[CfgVh 43][CfgVh 44] The camera is fully stabilised and can be locked onto either point or area targets.[CfgVh 45]
The Darter's IR and Visual sensors are specifically slaved to this camera.[CfgVh 32][CfgVh 34] For rotation limits, there is no restriction to azimuth[CfgVh 46][CfgVh 47] but elevation is limited to an angle of just 3 degrees[CfgVh 48] and a depression of up to 90 degrees.[CfgVh 48]
Avionics[]
MAWS[]
The Darter is not equipped with a Missile Approach Warning System. The controller will not be warned if there are guided projectiles that have successfully locked onto the drone and are inbound towards it.[CfgVh 49]
RWR[]
The Darter is not fitted with a Radar Warning Receiver. The controller will not be warned if the drone is being locked onto by a radar-based targeting system.[CfgVh 50]
IWR[]
The Darter lacks an Infrared Warning Receiver. The controller will not be warned if there are infrared-based targeting systems attempting to lock onto the drone.[CfgVh 50]
LWR[]
The Darter is not equipped with a Laser Warning Receiver. The controller will not be warned if laser-based targeting systems are acquiring a lock.[CfgVh 50]
AI[]
NOTE: The following information only applies to the AI.
Camouflage rating[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Detection
The Darter has a camouflage[6] rating of 0.5.[CfgVh 51]
Cost[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority
The Darter has a cost[7] value of 20000.[CfgVh 52]
Threat values[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority
The Darter is considered to be a low-risk threat[8] to AI-controlled infantry units, ground vehicles and infantry (0.1/0.1/0.1).[CfgVh 53] Unless there are no other targets of opportunity that are within range, the Darter will usually be ignored by the AI in favour of others.
Noise factor[]
- Main article: AI Basics: Detection
The Darter has an audible[9] factor of 0.1.[CfgVh 54]
Trivia[]
- The Darter appears to be based on an enlarged version of the "AR.Drone Version 2.0" manufactured by Parrot SA of France.
- Prior to Game Update 1.12, Darter drones could not be assembled properly if the user was inside a building (the drone would either be destroyed instantly or would assemble underneath the structure).[10]
- The sound effect of its rotors spinning was changed after the release of the Laws of War DLC.[11]
- Despite clearly being battery-operated, Darters can "refuel" themselves from civilian gas terminals and military fuel trucks. At the same time, they cannot be recharged with batteries used by actual electronic items (i.e. laser designators).
- A unique CSAT-exclusive variant of the Tayran exists in the Old Man mini-campaign/scenario (Classname: O_UAV_01_Mine_F).[12]
Gallery[]
Config/script references[]
CfgVehicles
.bisurf
.rvmat
ScriptsFormulae |
Notes[]
- ↑ The Darter is technically considered to be unmanned and cannot be "driven" by a human player. However, because drone-type units in ArmA 3 are crewed by an invisible AI-controlled "pilot" and "gunner", the Darter actually has two seats that are inaccessible in regular gameplay.
- ↑ The Darter specifically has its irTarget configuration token set to "false" (0). Because of this, it is normally impossible to lock onto the Darter with surface-to-air/air-to-air missiles and other forms of guided weaponry even if the enemy can visually identify it. However, the enemy can still "lock" onto the Darter with their weapon cursors (if available) and use manual guidance methods (e.g. SACLOS) to direct their munitions towards it even though there is no lock-on tone.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 This sensor IS affected by the player's View and Object Distance settings and may not function at its maximum range unless their graphics settings are set to an equal or higher distance. However, it should be noted that specifically in the case of aerial targets, Object Distance settings will not affect the sensor's detection range (only View Distance still matters).
References[]
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External links[]
See also[]
Drones of comparable role and configuration[]
- Demining Drone (ArmA 3: Laws of War only)
- Utility Drone (ArmA 3: Laws of War only)
| Wheeled | AMV-7 Marshall • HEMTT (Ammo, Box, Cargo, Fuel, Flatbed, Medical, Repair, Transport, Transport Covered) • Hunter (HMG, GMG) • Prowler (Light, HMG, AT) • Quadbike • Rhino MGS (UP) • UGV Stomper (RCWS) |
| Tracked | CRV-6e Bobcat • ED-1D Pelter (ED-1E Roller) • IFV-6a Cheetah • IFV-6c Panther • M2A1 Slammer (A4 UP) • M4 Scorcher • M5 Sandstorm |
| Rotor-wing | AH-9 Pawnee • AH-99 Blackfoot (Stub Wings) • AL-6 Pelican (Medical) • AR-2 Darter • CH-67 Huron (Unarmed) • MH-9 Hummingbird • MQ-12 Falcon • UH-80 Ghost Hawk (Stub Wings) |
| Fixed-wing | A-164 Wipeout • F/A-181 Black Wasp II (Stealth) • MQ-4A Greyhawk • UCAV Sentinel • V-44X Blackfish (Infantry Transport, Vehicle Transport) |
| Aquatic | Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat Minigun • SDV |
| (Parenthesis) denote variants. Helicopters DLC | Apex DLC | Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC | |
| Wheeled | Ifrit (HMG, GMG) • MSE-3 Marid • Qilin (Minigun, AT) • Quadbike • Tempest (Ammo, Device, Fuel, Medical, Repair, Transport Covered) • UGV Saif (RCWS) • Zamak (Ammo, Fuel, Medical, Repair, Transport Covered) |
| Tracked | 2S9 Sochor • Akinaka ED-1D (Sayyah ED-1E) • BTR-K Kamysh • T-100 Varsuk (X Futura) • T-140 Angara (T-140K) • ZSU-39 Tigris |
| Rotor-wing | Jinaah AL-6 (Medical) • Mi-48 Kajman • Mi-290 Taru (Ammo, Bench, Cargo, Fuel, Medical, Repair, Transport) • PO-30 Orca (Unarmed) • Tayran AR-2 |
| Fixed-wing | K40 Abalil-3 • KH-3A Fenghuang • To-199 Neophron • To-201 Shikra (Stealth) • Y-32 Xi'an (Infantry Transport, Vehicle Transport) |
| Aquatic | Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat HMG • SDV |
| Parenthesis denote variants. Helicopters DLC | Apex DLC | Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC | |
| Wheeled | AFV-4 Gorgon • Quadbike • Strider (HMG, GMG) • UGV Stomper (RCWS) • Zamak (Ammo, Fuel, Medical, MRL, Repair, Transport Covered) |
| Tracked | AWC Nyx (304 Autocannon, 301 AT, 302 AA, 303 Recon) • ED-1D Pelter (ED-1E Roller) • FV-720 Mora • MBT-52 Kuma |
| Rotor-wing | AR-2 Darter • AL-6 Pelican (Medical) • CH-49 Mohawk • WY-55 Hellcat (Unarmed) |
| Fixed-wing | A-143 Buzzard • A-149 Gryphon • K40 Abalil-3 |
| Aquatic | Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat Minigun • SDV |
| Parenthesis denote variants. Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC | |
| Wheeled | Offroad (Covered, Comms) • Quadbike • UGV Stomper (RCWS) • Van Transport (MP) • Zamak (Ammo, Fuel, Medical, MRL, Repair, Transport Covered) |
| Tracked | ED-1D Pelter (ED-1E Roller) • FV-720 Odyniec |
| Rotor-wing | AL-6 Pelican (Medical) • AR-2 Darter • WY-55 Czapla (Unarmed) |
| Fixed-wing | A-149 Gryphon |
| (Parenthesis) denote variants. Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC | |
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