CTLD

CTLD is a modular scripting framework used in the Arma series to manage cargo transport and supply drop operations. It provides a system for aircraft to deliver crates and vehicles to players on the ground, either by dropping from above or via sling load. The CTLD framework originated in the Arma community and has become a widely adopted tool in Arma 3 missions for simulating logistics and resupply scenarios.

How it works: Designers place Drop Zones (DZ) and Landing Zones (LZ) within a mission. CTLD uses cargo crates that can be spawned at supply caches or loaded in flight; helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft equipped with CTLD can pick up crates or release them at DZ/LZ. Crates can be retrieved by ground troops, loaded onto vehicles, or left as static cargo. The system handles payload limits, crate types, and timing to coordinate deliveries and pickups, with options for automatic crate cleanup and failure handling.

Usage and configuration: CTLD is configured via mission initialization files or in-game modules. Aircraft are assigned CTLD roles, and crates and zones are defined with type and capacity parameters. It supports multiple crate variants, including standard cargo crates and specialized types like medical or ammunition crates, and is designed to be extended with patches for compatibility with other mods such as ACE or RHS. The interface typically provides in-game actions, radio commands, and status feedback to players and air crews.

Impact: CTLD is widely used to add logistical realism to Arma missions, enabling coordinated air-logistics operations and humanitarian or combat resupply scenarios. As an open, community-maintained project, it has multiple forks and thorough documentation, with ongoing updates and compatibility improvements across mod ecosystems.