Janes Janes F-15 has been out for a few weeks now and has been exposed to the masses. Most people really like it. Sure there are the die-hard whiners out there saying "it doesn't have this" and "it doesn't have that", but I think these folks would whine even if it did have the options they're whining about. There are some things that I think all would like to have included (like Co-op Multiplayer), but I have found so many positive features in Janes F-15 that I can overlook those things. One of those incredible features is the Mission Builder.

We have already covered many of the features in this simulation in an effort to give you a taste of what to expect. One feature I did not cover, however, is the Mission Builder. There is so much to this component that it's hard to know where to begin, and I needed more time with it to understand the potential. Now that I've had more time, let's take a peek inside.

The main screen of the Mission Builder is where you will spend most of you time. All the features are accessible via radio buttons on the right side. Below is a list of options to choose from:

• New Mission, Open Mission, Save Mission
• Add Aircraft, Remove Aircraft, Aircraft Information
• Add Moving Vehicle, Remove Moving Vehicle, Moving Vehicle Information
• Add Ground Object, Remove Ground Object, Ground Object Information
• Add Waypoint, Remove Waypoint, Waypoint Information
• Add Goal, Remove Goal, Goal Information
• Add Area Goal, Remove Area Goal, Mission Events
• Add JSTAR, Remove JSTAR, JSTAR Information
• Add Bullseye, Remove Bullseye, Alternate Path
• Briefing, Debriefing, Mission Information
• Environment, Filters, Builder Options
• Add GCI Link, Delete GCI Link, Groups
• Add TACAN, Delete TACAN, TACAN Information
• Add FAC, Delete FAC, Rules of Engagement
• Add Mission Label, Delete Mission Label, Distance Between Two Points
• Destroy Object, Un-destroy Object

As you can see this thing is HUGE! It is a very powerful and complex feature. It had to be this complex, because this is the tool that Janes used to design the missions. I have spent several hours with this thing and have barely scratched the surface.

To create a very simple mission is very easy. Just right click on your flight (Shown on the runway by default), change any information you wish i.e. how many in your flight, starting altitude, speed etc… Then add another aircraft and select enemy, altitude, loadout etc… Next all you have to do is place them where you want them, add a few waypoints and save the mission. Load it up and you're off and running.

That's great for the easy stuff but most of this can be done in the Instant Mission selection instead of going through all these steps. What the Mission Builder was designed for is setting up very complex missions. Say you want to re-create some of the real missions the F-15 flew in the Gulf War. This is where you would be able to accomplish such a task. You could even include CNN .Wav files to be broadcast at various times in the mission.

It's All an Event

The heart of the Mission Builder is the Events you create and the User Flags. They are the things that make the missions come alive and give the player a sense of being right in the thick of things. When a player crosses a certain area or destroys an object certain Events will take place that you create. As per the manual (P5.44), An Event is essentially a way of saying, "Make this Action happen, whenever that condition occurs", in such a way the computer program can understand.

These Events can be various types: Timed, Area, Goal State etc… Each of these options allows further definitions that change the events actions. This programming takes time and you should try and think out your mission before jumping in and building it. Lay out what you want to accomplish. Then put all your key components on the map and assign their waypoints. Next define your mission goals and assign these to your flight.

I usually test the mission next, sort of a dry run. After that I place any other object I might want in the mission like GCI Links, AAA, SAM sites and then start to tackle the Events. If you want a certain group of Migs to take off if the mission goal is destroyed you would program it in. Or if you want a .Wav file to be played when an enemy flight reaches a certain area, you would create the events next.

One Event I have not been able to create is a FAC (Forward Air Controller). No matter what I do I can't seem to get this to work. Others have but I must be missing a key point to get them to start broadcasting enemy positions to my flight.

Another Event that others have reported is difficult is the SAR (Search and Rescue) Flights. I too have had a hard time to get these flights to work correctly. I will try to get a step by step procedure posted once I get one completed.

In the same way creating a group of Migs to take off on Intercept Alert can be challenging. You must not only assign the Migs to an Intercept Alert function, but you must also place Early Warning Radars close to their base. This will give them Intercept capability as you approach. You can assign AWACs patrols to enemy A-50's that will alert various aircraft to your flight.

You can assign User Flags to objects also. As a flight reaches a certain point it will set the User Flag to which events can occur if this user flag is set etc… For example: You can create a bridge busting mission downtown Basra and on your way you can have JSTARs report enemy movement and assign this target to your flight. Assign a secondary path to the new target area and away you go. You can even include your own .Wav file of trapped marines calling for help and then have a group of Migs take off as you approach.

This can all be accomplished using User Flags and Events. You can also include random elements so maybe the JSTAR's call you the first time you fly and maybe they don't the second, leaving you to bomb the bridges as planned. However, this isn't something you can just do on the fly. You should really plan your mission as much as possible before attempting to create it.

Another feature of the mission Builder is the ability to define random occurrences for various flights and objects. This helps you create missions with elements of unpredictability so that replay is more interesting. If your flight is jumped by a group of Migs the first time you fly the mission, they might not be there the second time you fly it.

The amount of objects you can place is outstanding. Choose from Allied Armor positions to Iraqi Fire trenches to burnt out villages, its all there. There is also a good choice of aircraft to choose from, Migs of various types, B52's, F117's and Tornado's. If you want to have some fun, leave your flight on the ground on your runway and create a flight of Enemy B52's with your airport as their target. Set them out about 30 miles. Save the mission and then load it up and watch the fireworks from any of the outside views! Try this same mission with Tornado's on fast Low approach bombing runs! Then set up AAA and SAM sites to take them out, the show is really fun to watch.

As you can see F-15's Mission Builder is quite complex. Because of this ability, custom missions are cropping up all over the net. They vary in complexity and replayability, but you can be sure those designing these missions are learning as they go and more and better missions will continue to be produced. We are hosting a good batch of these already and I look forward to many downloads in the future.

One of the things I would have liked to have seen is the ability to create missions and then fly them over the Internet, even if it was only H2H missions. It really would be fun to set up escort flights and then try to protect them from other Human opponents or set up a mixed engagement of Human and Computer controlled flights for very large Internet furballs. Maybe Janes will look into this and other options as an add-on or as part of F-15 II?

I would rate Janes F-15 very high on my list of simulations. Will it be the simulation of the year? With stiff competition in the form of Falcon 4 and Total Air War I doubt it, but I do think it is one of the best simulators I have seen in a while. Just being back in the F-15 is fantastic! The graphics at 640x480 are very nice, with good use of 3DFX technology. The flight model feels good and has been backed by many real F15 pilots. The weapon choices and explosions are outstanding.

In summary, F15 has pushed the envelope for communication and wingman control and the radio chatter is the best on the market. Two good campaigns and single missions are included. There is a good selection of training missions, though they could have been further developed with tutorials as in Longbow2 (Check out this custom A2G training mission, or download this mission trio courtesy of Ian Boys). The manuals are of standard high quality one expects from all Jane's products. Finally, H2H multiplay and a very complex and integral mission designer all included in one simulation.

I would say to the hard core as well as the novice flight sim enthusiast that Janes F-15 should be on their must have list. Even those who have taken a hard line position that they won't buy without Co-op multiplay should at least try it. Like I said, there is so much to like in Janes F-15 that any serious air combat pilot needs to try it. Personally, I haven't had such a rush flying solo against the computer since Falcon 3.0 appeared. F15 gets you going!