Rotary Gunner (General) Handbook

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

Your role access is determined by your skills, experience with those skills, and the specific roles that utilize them. With over 100 roles in UNITAF, creating detailed skill breakdowns for every role is a substantial undertaking that cannot be completed overnight. 

Estimated Role Cards

To ensure the entire unit can transition to the new system immediately, some roles are tagged as **"Estimated"**. These roles use a transitional approach:

• Temporary skill blocks simulate role-specific experience
• Estimated access levels are calculated based on these placeholder blocks
• Similar to LTS functionality but with improved accuracy and fewer limitations

Current State: Estimated roles provide functional access levels that closely mirror the previous LTS system while addressing many of its shortcomings. As development progresses, estimated role cards will be upgraded to the full FTS3 standard with detailed, role-specific skill requirements.

Important Note: When roles transition from "Estimated" to "Verified" status, your access level may change (either increase or decrease) as the requirements become more precise and role-specific.

This approach allows UNITAF to:

• Maintain operations during the transition period
• Provide immediate access to the improved FTS3 system
• Ensure continuity while detailed role cards are developed
• Gradually improve role accuracy over time

The estimated system serves as a bridge, ensuring no disruption to unit operations while we build toward the comprehensive FTS3 vision.

This is a temporary skill block, the skill block is being used to accumulate SP for time spent as Rotary Aircrew until it's role card is completed.

Small arms can penetrate unarmoured cockpits at close range but are less effective beyond 500 meters. Indicators include muzzle flashes, tracers, and sounds of hits. React by performing break turns, jinking, and changing altitude to use terrain for cover.

These weapons have high accuracy and heavy rounds that cause significant damage. Look for large tracers, muzzle flashes, and stable fire from vehicles or emplacements. Use break turns, jinking, and altitude changes to evade.

Effective at short range against slow, low helicopters. Watch for back blast and smoke trails. Immediately deploy flares and break turn perpendicular to the launch site. Stop flaring once confirmed as an unguided rocket.

Long-range, guided missiles are deadly and hard to evade. Look for smoke trails and launch warnings. Deploy flares and chaff, fly perpendicular to the missile, and use terrain to mask until out of danger.

Effective aircrew limit risk by applying tactical movement and minimizing exposure. Terrain masking, speed, and irregular flight paths reduce vulnerability. Avoid flying directly toward or away from enemy infantry to complicate their aim.

Altitude is key when facing gun-based anti-air. Flying higher makes it harder for gunners to lead shots, especially when combined with speed and unpredictable flight paths.

Against infrared-guided threats, flare/chaff deployment before and after an attack run disrupts missile lock. Expect rear-aspect engagements post-run, and dispense flares to confuse in-flight missiles. For radar-guided threats, deploy chaff when locked up or upon missile launch.

Flares target infrared-guided missiles by presenting false heat sources, either preventing lock-on or diverting launched missiles. Chaff confuses radar-guided threats by reflecting radar signals and creating false targets. In Arma 3, flares and chaff may deploy together unless modified systems allow separate use.

• Jinking: The act of making sharp, sudden, and unpredictable evasive manoeuvres. Jinking makes it difficult to track and lead an aerial target. It is most effective against unguided weapons such as machineguns, cannons, rockets, etc.   
• Break Turn: A sudden, sharp turn typically of 90 degrees or more. This is often used to attempt to evade a rocket or missile system, or when a heavy machinegun or anti-aircraft artillery piece has engaged the aircraft.   
• Emergency Climb/Dive: The aircraft gains or loses altitude rapidly in an attempt to evade a threat.  
• Defensive Roll: The aircraft rolls so that the bottom of it is between the threat weapon (typically machineguns) and the crew. A roll is usually accompanied by pulling the aircraft in the rolled direction, resulting in the aircraft pulling away from the threat.

All crew members must continuously share threat intelligence, friendly positions, and ammunition status. Critical threats such as missile launches or tracers must be reported immediately to prevent loss of aircraft or crew.

Pilots must communicate planned or ongoing maneuvers, especially when turreted systems are in use, allowing gunners to compensate for movement. They must also monitor and share updates on fuel levels and the aircraft’s airworthiness following any damage to ensure coordinated decisions on engagement and return-to-base timing.

Gunners must communicate weapon employment activities and targeting status so the pilot can adjust aircraft behaviour. If specific attack vectors or flight stability are required for effective weapon use, the gunner must clearly communicate these to the pilot.

Brevity words are essential for clear, fast, and unambiguous communication between aircrew during dynamic combat situations.

• Steady: Request to hold current heading to provide a stable firing platform.
• Rotate (left/right): Instruction to turn aircraft for optimal weapon employment.
• Popping up / Pop up: Aircraft is rising to clear an obstruction or take a shot.
• Dropping down / Drop down: Aircraft is descending behind cover, typically after engagement.
• Firing / Engaging: Gunner is actively firing weapons.
• Launched / Missile away: Gunner has launched a missile; aircraft may manoeuvre freely.
• Running in: Aircraft is beginning an attack run on a known target.
• Breaking (left/right/etc.): Aircraft is making a sharp turn in the indicated direction.

Quick threat callouts enable timely countermeasures and coordinated evasive action. 

• Missile, missile: Suspected or confirmed missile launch; triggers missile evasion protocol.
• Taking SAF: Aircraft is under small arms fire; evasive manoeuvres may be needed. Often shortened to “SAF, SAF.”
• Taking heavy: Aircraft is under heavy weapon fire such as vehicle-mounted guns. Often shortened to "Heavy, heavy."

Effective target and friendly identification depends on consistent use of contact brevity terms.

• Visual: Friendly forces have been sighted.
• Blind: Friendly forces cannot be seen.
• Tally: Hostile forces have been spotted.
• No joy: Hostile forces not seen.
• Tracers (direction): Enemy tracer fire seen, direction specified.
• Flashes (direction): Muzzle flashes spotted, direction specified.

Status terms inform the crew and controllers of critical conditions requiring resupply or immediate action.

• Winchester: Out of ammunition; unable to continue attack.
• Bingo: Low fuel; must return to base to avoid forced landing.

Brevity Word: "Mayday" — Aircraft is in critical condition and must land.

• Identify the emergency:
  • Fuel leak – Plan a diversion to safer ground.
  • Tail rotor loss – Maintain high speed, land in a clear area outside hostile range.
  • Engine failure – Execute autorotation immediately.
• Announce the emergency over command net.
• Communicate intended landing location to assist recovery efforts.
• Upon landing:
  • Dismount troops and establish security immediately.
  • Use crew-served weapons if defensible.
  • Relay current position and status to command.
  • Set up a treatment zone if wounded are present.
  • Decide to hold the crash site or move to a better position, depending on threat and terrain.
• Resume the mission if feasible, or await orders.

Brevity Word: "Wave Off" — Abort current landing attempt due to threat. 

• Evaluate the intensity and accuracy of enemy fire as helos approach.
• Continue the landing if:
  • Helos can safely land.
  • Infantry can dismount and effectively engage the enemy.
• If not, call for a shift or abort of the LZ immediately.
• Consider already-dismounted forces:
• Attempt to land nearby for support if another helo was shot down.
• Use flanking landings to avoid reinforcing into a kill zone.
• Ensure clear, fast communication of the change in plan to all aircraft.

Brevity word: "Downed Bird" — A helicopter has crashed but may have survivors.

Actions on:

• Assume survivability unless visual evidence confirms otherwise.
• Assess the crash visually—speed, terrain, fireball size, etc.
• Identify cause (e.g. MANPAD, HMG, RPG) to inform immediate threat response.
• Transmit crash location, helo ID, and threat type to command and other pilots.
• If the threat is near the LZ, announce an LZ shift (e.g., “LZ shift 500m west”).
• Prioritize getting remaining troops on the ground—do not delay.
• Once troops are down, a helo may be tasked with visual recon of the crash site, only if the threat allows.
• Rescue of survivors is at the discretion of the Platoon Commander based on the tactical situation.

Aircrew in UNITAF occupy a specialised role that requires a different perspective from most other combat positions. Understanding the purpose of aviation assets within the wider mission can help aircrew contribute more effectively to mission success.

Ground forces remain the primary focus of most operations. Arma is fundamentally designed around ground combat, and missions are generally planned with infantry and ground manoeuvre as the central element. As a result, there may be periods where aviation assets have limited tasks or where aircrew must adapt their employment to support the needs of the ground force. Flexibility and patience are important qualities for aviation personnel.

Aircraft possess capabilities that can significantly influence the outcome of an operation. Transport aircraft can rapidly move forces across the battlefield, while attack and reconnaissance platforms may provide firepower or situational awareness far beyond what is available to ground units. These capabilities make aviation assets valuable force multipliers.

However, these advantages come with corresponding responsibilities. Mistakes in aviation can have consequences that affect large portions of the force. The loss of a transport aircraft may delay an operation or result in significant casualties. Similarly, the firepower available to some aircraft can cause substantial friendly losses if employed incorrectly. Effective aircrew therefore balance initiative with discipline, ensuring their actions support the wider mission rather than dominate it.

Aircrew should also be aware of the technical limitations of the Arma engine. The simulation cannot fully represent the distances, sensor capabilities, object density, and air defence networks that would exist in real-world aviation operations. Pilots may observe mission support activities, notice areas where enemy forces have not been spawned, or encounter gaps in air defence coverage that exist for gameplay and performance reasons rather than tactical realism.

In these situations, it is beneficial to consider what would realistically be expected in the operational environment rather than exploiting engine limitations for advantage. Maintaining this mindset helps preserve immersion, supports fair gameplay, and contributes to a more authentic experience for all participants.

When in control of an aircraft, apply the following priorities in order:

1. Preservation of Life

Protect the lives of aircrew, passengers, and friendly personnel above all other considerations.

2. Preservation of Aircraft

Operate the aircraft responsibly to prevent unnecessary damage or loss whenever possible.

3. Mission Success

Complete the assigned mission once the safety of personnel and aircraft has been reasonably assured.

These priorities provide a framework for decision-making when mission requirements, aircraft safety, and personnel safety compete. When forced to choose between priorities, higher priorities should take precedence over lower priorities.

When workload increases or multiple tasks compete for attention, apply the following priorities in order:

1. Aviate

Maintain positive control of the aircraft and continue to fly safely. Aircraft control takes priority over all other tasks.

2. Navigate

Maintain awareness of position, route, terrain, and surrounding airspace to safely reach the intended destination.

3. Communicate

Communicate with JTACs, FACs, air traffic control, or other agencies once aircraft control and navigation are assured.

This prioritisation helps prevent aircrew from becoming distracted by communications or mission tasks at the expense of safely operating the aircraft. In situations where priorities conflict, aircraft control should always take precedence.

• Avoid unnecessary endangerment of friendly personnel during mission execution
• Take appropriate action to prevent avoidable aircraft loss or damage
• Demonstrate willingness to abort, divert, or modify missions when safety considerations outweigh mission requirements
• Prioritise preservation of personnel and aircraft when making operational decisions

• Maintain positive control of the aircraft before addressing navigation or communication tasks
• Maintain awareness of aircraft position, route, terrain, and hazards before conducting non-essential communications
• Avoid becoming task-saturated by radio traffic to the detriment of aircraft control
• Prioritise aircraft control and navigation during emergencies, combat engagements, or unexpected events
• Apply correct task prioritisation across all phases of flight in accordance with Aviate, Navigate, Communicate principles