Research, Development and Production (RDP)

Strategy Manual · RDP System

The RDP system stands for Research, Development and Production. It forms in WWII Online the strategic Research, Development and Production of the war economy. This means that not only the battle at the front influences the course of the war, but also the industrial performance in the hinterland.

Note: RDP determines how quickly new technology becomes available and how much supply can be slowed down by damaged factories.

1. Research

New vehicles, weapons and aircraft are gradually unlocked over the course of a campaign.

2. Development

Over time, factions receive more modern equipment and stronger variants of existing units.

3. Production

Factories produce substitute material and thus influence the speed of replenishment.

4. Strategic Bombing

Bombers can attack factories, slowing down enemy supplies.

Basic principle of RDP

Each faction has factories in the rear area.
These factories are associated with production and supplies.
New levels of equipment will be unlocked as the campaign progresses.
If a factory is damaged, it affects replacement and production.
Strategic bombers can specifically attack factories.
A severely damaged industry can noticeably weaken frontline supplies.

RDP System Basics - Factories

Each nation has a set number of strategic production facilities.
The Axis powers own 12 factories.
The Allies have a total of 18 factories:
9 British factories
9 French factories
These systems form the industrial backbone of the respective warfare.

The RDP factories and locations

A different number of factories can be found at these locations.

Great Britain

Canterbury
Ashford
Whitstable
Sittingbourne

France

Rouen East
Rouen
Abbeville
Montreuil
Breteuil
Amiens

Germany

Eat
Dusseldorf
Dortmund
Enschede
Cologne
Frankfurt
Leeuwarden
Limburg
Zwolle
Hoogeveen
Meppel
Harlingen

Replenishment system

The RDP system controls the replacement of destroyed vehicles and aircraft.
If production facilities of a particular vehicle or aircraft class are damaged or destroyed, the replenishment time of these units will be significantly extended. This means that the corresponding vehicles will be available again at the depots much later.
A successful attack on the opposing industry can therefore significantly limit the combat effectiveness of a faction in the long term.

Strategic importance

A campaign can be decided early if a faction manages to completely destroy nine enemy factories.
For this reason, the RDP system is one of the most important strategic elements outside of the actual front line.

What influences RDP?

Area	Meaning	Impact in the game
Research	Progress to new equipment	New vehicles, weapons and aircraft are unlocked.
Development	Technical progress of the faction	More modern variants replace or supplement older equipment.
production	Production of replacement material	Affects how quickly lost units are replaced.
Factories	Industrial infrastructure	Damaged factories extend supply times.
Bomber attacks	Strategic air strikes	Can weaken the enemy's supply in the long term.

RDP factories

The production facilities are located far behind the front and are among the most important strategic objectives of a campaign. Their destruction is predominantly carried out by coordinated bomber groups. View of Amiens production site (example view)

Factory close up — Close-up view of factory as a strategic target for bomber attacks.

Allied RDP factories

Other target areas have not yet been verified.

Ashford factory close-up — Ashford with altitude information that must be subtracted from the flight altitude in the bomb sight.

Whitstable factory close up — Whitstable without elevation. Target altitude above sea level = 0.

Strategic bombing

Bomber pilots can attack factories in the hinterland. These attacks DO not always have an immediately visible effect on the front line, but can affect the enemy faction's supply speed. This makes bomber missions a strategic tool.

Bomber takes off → Factory is attacked → Production output drops → Replenishment is delayed → Front will be weakened in the long term

Bombing with the Heinkel He 111 and the Ju 88

The Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88 form the backbone of the Axis strategic bomber formations in WWII Online. With their long range and variable bomb load, they are suitable for both tactical support attacks and strategic bombing far behind enemy lines.

Anyone who has mastered navigation, bomb aiming techniques and formation flying can make a decisive contribution to the success of an operation and sustainably weaken the enemy.

Flight time:
Depending on the starting point and destination factory in England/France, the flight time is approximately 70 to 90 minutes for a round trip flight.

Bomb height & aiming device

The bomb height is determined before the attack. The higher the bomber flies, the earlier the drop must take place and the more important course stability, speed and correctly set bomb targeting parameters become.

Pilot Direction Indicator – Heinkel He 111 H-2

The Pilot Direction Indicator supports the pilot during the bombing approach. While the bombardier tracks the target in the bomb sight, the pilot receives the necessary course corrections via this instrument. The aim is to keep the machine as stable and precisely on the target course as possible until the bombardier releases the bomb.

Function of the controls

Control element	Description
Green indicator light	Indicates that the instrument is ready for use.
Course display	The white pointer shows the necessary course correction. Pointer left → steer slightly to the left. Pointer right → steer slightly to the right. Pointer in the middle → optimal bombing course.
Adjustment knob	Serves to operate or calibrate the course indicator.
Motor switch	Turns the instrument's electrical system on or off.

Application in use

Calculation of the drop height — This is how the drop height is calculated.

Approach the target area at the planned altitude.
Keep speed and altitude as constant as possible.
DO not make any abrupt steering movements during the final approach.
Continuously correct the course using the white pointer.
Keep the pointer as centered as possible.
Only leave the approach after the bomb has been dropped.

Tactical note

The pilot should only make small course corrections during the bombing approach. Even small changes in direction shortly before the target can result in the carpet bomb hitting several hundred meters away from the actual target. A calm flight attitude is therefore more important than quick corrections.

Important

This instrument is used exclusively to guide the pilot. The actual target detection and the triggering of the bomb are carried out by the bombardier using the bomb sight.

For Hey 111 and Ju 88 In WWII Online we recommend an attack height between 2,500 m and 4,500 m, as here accuracy and chance of survival are usually in the best relationship.

A notice:
Don't be confused by looking through the bomb sight. When adjusting, focus on the HUD and especially the top display.

AGL, ALT and IAS

For a precise bomb drop, the values must be AGL, OLD and IAS be understood and adjusted correctly.

AGL

Above Ground Level means the actual altitude of the aircraft above the terrain.

OLD

Altitude is the flight altitude above sea level and serves as a reference for the bomb altitude.

IAS

Indicated airspeed is the airspeed displayed in the cockpit and influences the release time.

Note: A stable ALT, a constant IAS and a straight, smooth approach are the most important requirements for a successful bomb drop.

RDP and replenishment

The RDP system is closely related to the replenishment system. While the supply system describes the specific inventory of a Brigade, RDP influences the higher-level production and replacement speed.

system	function	Example
Supply	Concrete stock of a Brigade	How many tanks are currently available.
RDP	Production and technical progress	How quickly replacements will be delivered.
Factory damage	Disruption to production	Replenishment times are lengthening.

Why RDP is important

RDP combines frontline combat with a strategic war economy.
New equipment does not become available immediately, but depends on the campaign.
Factory damage can slow the replacement of lost vehicles.
Bombers are given an important strategic role.
Protecting your own factories is just as important as attacking enemy targets.

Tips for players

Bombers should attack factories not individually, but in a coordinated manner.
Fighter protection increases the chance of survival of strategic bomber missions.
Factory attacks usually take effect over a long period of time.
Defenders should protect their own industrial targets with fighters and anti-aircraft guns.
Frontline players benefit indirectly from successful RDP warfare.

Where DO I see the RDP status?

CRS provides a “Game Monitor” for this purpose.
The tool is only for PC users Download Game Monitor
You get the following view of what is happening.

Briefly explained:
RDP is the strategic industry of WWII Online. It determines research, production and replacement speed. Damaging enemy factories doesn't immediately weaken every unit on the front, but it weakens enemy supplies in the long term.