DCS: Black Shark Target Detection Model for AI Aircraft

[EvilBivol-1]

DCS: Black Shark Target Detection Model for AI Aircraft

 

DCS: Black Shark features new target assignment functionality in the mission editor and a complex target detection model for AI fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The model accounts for specific onboard sensors and environmental conditions. It is primarily designed to provide more realistic AI air-to-ground operations and includes the following variables:

• Unit onboard sensors
  • air-to-air radar
    
  • air-to-surface radar
    
  • multimode radar
    
  • radar warning receiver
    
  • television optics
    
  • low-light television optics
    
  • imaging infrared optics
    
  • infrared search and track system

  [*]Unit skill

  [*]Unit speed

  [*]Unit cockpit view limits

  [*]Time of day

  [*]Target background (open terrain, forest, water, road, etc.)

  [*]Atmospheric conditions

  • fog
    
  • overcast
    
  • precipitation

  [*]Line of sight obstruction (terrain, structures)

  [*]Target size (including dust tail when moving over unpaved surfaces)

  [*]Single vs. group targets

  [*]Clutter (buildings/structures)

  [*]Weapon firing

  [*]Artificial illumination (flare, ground fire, etc.)

  [*]Target light source (lights, beacons, etc.)

When assigning an attack waypoint, the mission designer designates a specific user-defined area on the map and target type(s) for the attacking aircraft to target (vehicles, buildings, aircraft, etc.). Upon reaching the attack waypoint, the AI begins to search for the desired target type(s) in the designated area until it either finds a target or reaches the next waypoint. The designated area can be minimized to strike a single coordinate (‘point’) on the map. The mission designer can assign the AI to conduct level (“carpet”) bombing by targeting two map points under the same name and identifying the initial and final target ‘points’.

 

The various radars and optical sights used by AI aircraft are defined individually for each unit according to their characteristics. This provides modeling of a wide range of combat capabilities of the modeled aircraft, depending on time of day and weather conditions.

 

Aircraft with no optical sensors or radar, such as the Su-25, will detect targets only when visual contact is possible. Detection depends on the horizontal and vertical cockpit view limits and on various environmental conditions, including time of day, weather, line of sight and other variables. At night, visual detection can be aided with artificial illumination or target firing activity. In bad weather, visual detection may be impossible.

 

Aircraft with television or low-light television optics will rely on natural or artificial illumination to detect targets. Reduction of natural light, fog, cloud cover, and heavy precipitation will reduce and ultimately eliminate the effectiveness of such systems.

 

Imaging infrared devices will allow aircraft to detect targets at night and in bad weather.

 

Aircraft equipped with radar are able to detect air and ground targets in any time of day and weather conditions. For air-to-surface radars, targets masked in ground clutter, such as city blocks, may be difficult or impossible to detect. However, unit movement, large units groups, and unit location on roads or runways will enhance radar detection. Certain radar models are restricted to detect only static structures or maritime targets (bombers and naval reconnaissance aircraft, respectively).

 

The unit skill and airspeed also affect the likelihood, range and time required for detection. In general, higher skill settings, lower airspeed and greater cockpit visibility increase the chances and range of both visual and sensor-based detection.

 

Numerous target characteristics are also calculated in the model. The target’s general size will determine maximum detection range for visual and sensor contact. A target in a group of units is more likely to be detected further than a target that is isolated. A moving target’s dust tail, including that of low flying aircraft, increases detection range (the dust tail is not present during heavy precipitation). Finally, any weapon firing contributes to fast detection. In general, more visible weapon types, such as MLRS barrages, will be detected further than less visible types, such as machine gun fire. Weapon fire can be detected either when the firing source is in the AI field of view or if the weapon trajectory enters the AI field of view. For example, the AI can detect and react to a SAM launch from the opposite side of a mountain, if the missile enters the AI’s field of view in flight.

 

All infantry units, including MANPAD troops, can be detected only after firing their weapons.

 

When engaging with cannon, TV, IR or SAL-guided weapons, the AI will commit to an attack only when visual or optical detection is possible. Target contact is required for weapon release. If target contact is lost before weapon release, the attack can continue only with unguided munitions. For example, if a target is detected due to weapon firing or under artificial illumination, but illumination or fire ceases before the attacked is complete, the AI can continue the engagement of a single target for up to 10 seconds with unguided rockets or bombs, aiming for the last visible target location.

 

Anti-ship cruise missiles can only be employed against targets detected with attack sensors, while surface attack cruise missiles can be employed either against detected targets or any map coordinate (‘point’).

 

When set to attack a ‘point’, as opposed to an object, any weapon can be used in any time of day and weather conditions.

 

When engaging air-to-air, sensor or visual contact must be possible for the AI to commit to an attack with cannon and IR-guided missiles. Target contact is required for weapon release. Radar contact is required for use of SARH and ARH missiles.

 

The DCS player can adjust the maximum detection ranges of the various units and individual sensor parameters in the program configuration files outside the simulation.

[Kusch]

DCS: Black Shark Target Detection Model for AI Aircraft

 

DCS: Black Shark features new target assignment functionality in the mission editor and a complex target detection model for AI fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The model accounts for specific onboard sensors and environmental conditions. It is primarily designed to provide more realistic AI air-to-ground operations and includes the following variables:

• Unit onboard sensors
  • air-to-air radar
    
  • air-to-surface radar
    
  • multimode radar
    
  • radar warning receiver
    
  • television optics
    
  • low-light television optics
    
  • imaging infrared optics
    
  • infrared search and track system

   

 

Including SAM systems (optics and IR chanel)?

[EvilBivol-1]

Including SAM systems (optics and IR chanel)?

No, this model is adopted for aircraft only (jets and helicopters). I wouldn't be surprised, however, if something similar was developed for ground AI as DCS evolves. Definitely not in Black Shark though and - as always - no promises. :)

[Boberro]

For example, the AI can detect and react to a SAM launch from the opposite side of a mountain, if the missile enters the AI’s field of view in flight.

 

Hmmm I read it twice and didn't find - field of view will be with head's turn or when head is stable always in one position, coz when we turn head example to right our FOV increases from right side but decreases from left, so will AI turns its heads or will always be stable and have FOV example on 170*?

[Kusch]

No, this model is adopted for aircraft only (jets and helicopters). I wouldn't be surprised, however, if something similar was developed for ground AI as DCS evolves. Definitely not in Black Shark though and - as always - no promises. :)

 

Thanks for reply :)

[VMFA117_Poko]

Wow, glad to hear that modelling of AI aircraft`s sensor capabilities is such detailed, because AI with a god's eye is a major problem in some sims. :thumbup:

Yeah You're right. Good work ED :thumbup:

[Smith]

Sounds nice :thumbup:

[Avimimus]

Very nice, I can see a lot of work has been done and I can't wait to see this in action.

 

Do any of these improve detection ability?:

- Multiple crew members

- Multiple allied aircraft

- Allied ground units

 

Having good recon or a description by a ground unit of the target area would help a real pilot a lot.

 

Thanks,

[CAT_101st]

great info. Thanks

[HungaroJET]

Detection depends on the horizontal and vertical cockpit view limits.

 

So will the AI (4xmpl:Su-25) rolling/banking left&right, turning pilot's head to different directions or flying inverted while searching targets below, by his eyes/visually (at higher altitude) ?

[EvilBivol-1]

Hmmm I read it twice and didn't find - field of view will be with head's turn or when head is stable always in one position, coz when we turn head example to right our FOV increases from right side but decreases from left, so will AI turns its heads or will always be stable and have FOV example on 170*?

The FOV is defined by the cockpit visibility angles, so it is a fixed number.

Do any of these improve detection ability?:

- Multiple crew members

- Multiple allied aircraft

- Allied ground units

 

Having good recon or a description by a ground unit of the target area would help a real pilot a lot.

The model description includes everything the current model calculates. Although it will continue to be tweaked as ED experiments with it, additional variables are not likely before release.

Remember, in the new targeting functionality in the ME, the mission designer already designates a specific area for the AI to search. That is toward your point about area recon/description.

So will the AI (4xmpl:Su-25) rolling/banking left&right, turning pilot's head to different directions or flying inverted while searching targets below, by his eyes/visually (at higher altitude) ?

No, the onus is on the mission designer to plot the route carefully, so that the target area will be in the AI's FOV. For aircraft like the Su-25, this is especially important, because of the cockpit visibility restrictions. Aircraft that have look-down sensors are not so difficult.

[HungaroJET]

...No, the onus is on the mission designer to plot the route carefully...

 

RGR, TY

[Weta43]

This all sounds very good - & promises a much improved AI target engagement behaviour.

 

About AI target detection:

 

So will the AI (4xmpl:Su-25) 'deliberately' execute rolling/banking left&right to look for targets

(Italics mine)

 

The FOV is defined by the cockpit visibility angles, so it is a fixed number.

 

the onus is on the mission designer to plot the route carefully

 

Presumably though, if the mission designer forces the AI to bank (eg fly a tight circle over the target area), then objects that were below the calculated FOV come into view & become viable targets ?

 

The DCS player can adjust the maximum detection ranges of the various units and individual sensor parameters in the program configuration files outside the simulation.

 

This sounds good - though attaching these parameters to individual mission files might be a better way to go - that way a given mission will play out in a similar way regardless of the player's individual set up.

[EvilBivol-1]

Presumably though, if the mission designer forces the AI to bank (eg fly a tight circle over the target area), then objects that were below the calculated FOV come into view & become viable targets ?

Yes

[Vekkinho]

I had a lot of difficulty locating Iglas during night. Even when I fly @2000m Igla guy can see my aircraft and shoots ASAP leaving me the blues of locating incoming missile.

 

I hope DCS will restrict AI performance of sight during night!

[Weta43]

includes the following variables:

Unit onboard sensors

air-to-air radar

air-to-surface radar

....

Unit speed

Unit cockpit view limits

Time of day

[Grimes]

interesting read, thanks for sharing.

 

Seems to be plenty of tools to make mission building fun and different.

[JEFX]

WOW!

 

Thanks for the info!

I have been dreaming of many of these features over my Lockon years...

The fact is, even if you build yourself a complex and realistic mission, if the interacting AI have such a dumb behavior as in LO it cannot become as immersive...

 

More realistic targeting and attacking behavior was very high on my hopes for AI.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

 

JEFX

[plane00]

I agree to 'Boberro's opinion.

 

6DOF, all should know. Fixed head position is unrealistic.

It is also unfair. It will downgrade many Russian aircrafts' combat capability.

 

And, I think infantry unit can be seen at very close distance or by excellent eyed pilot, though it is exremely rare. Don't you think that is more realistic?

 

And, Will AI aircraft only fly as we made in ME even FOV fixed? Time after time I will miss more capable and flexible AI unit...

 

Above all, It will not be advanced modeling even than LOFC or LO.

[Weta43]

6DOF, all should know. Fixed head position is unrealistic.

It is also unfair. It will downgrade many Russian aircrafts' combat capability.

 

It is unrealistic. Not unfair - NO planes in LO have 6DOF, so no-one has an advantage.

 

ALL aircraft in DCS will have 6DOF, so no-one will have an advantage.

Right from the start with the initial release (DCS.BS) every single player controlled aircraft in DCS will have 6DOF - what could be more fair than that ????

 

And, Will AI aircraft only fly as we made in ME even FOV fixed? Time after time I will miss more capable and flexible AI unit...

 

You don't know what angles their field of view is fixed at yet, so why are you complaining ?

+/- 90 degrees in the vertical, and +/- 180 in the horizontal would still be "fixed FOV", but allow god like coverage... IRL, a pilot can't see what's directly under him unless he manouvers the plane to do so - you think AI should be able to ?

 

Above all, It will not be advanced modeling even than LOFC or LO.

Please go back and actually read the thread.

[plane00]

ALL aircraft in DCS will have 6DOF, so no-one will have an advantage.

Right from the start with the initial release (DCS.BS) every single player controlled aircraft in DCS will have 6DOF - what could be more fair than that ????

I asked why AI aircrafts lack 6DOF.

You don't know what angles their field of view is fixed at yet, so why are you complaining ?

+/- 90 degrees in the vertical, and +/- 180 in the horizontal would still be "fixed FOV", but allow god like coverage... IRL, a pilot can't see what's directly under him unless he manouvers the plane to do so - you think AI should be able to ?

I think possibility to detect something in real world woud be higher than current planned mechanism by any means.

(ex. Pilot can see enemy's position at advanced time then go forward for some time then fianlly attack there. or He may just want to roll at that position to identify enemy. and so on)

So ME determining limit of AI's FOV as flight attitude has big problem.

 

Less advanced part than LO I said are ME limiting AI aircraft's FOV as flight atittude and zero possibilityof detecting infantry

units.

LO's AI has what to be modified. more flexible actions of AI are needed. Had DCS flexible action of AI aircrafts!!!

[EvilBivol-1]

I asked why AI aircrafts lack 6DOF.

6DOF or not, in real life you still cannot move your head outside of the cockpit. I understand what you are saying (a pilot could lean to look beyond the cockpit railing), but it wasn't exactly realistic to have AI with magic 360 deg. god view. If you feel the aircraft need more FOV, you can adjust them in the scripts. In fact, you could make a "realistic FOV pack" if you like and release it as a mod. A mission designer could also include an adjusted script file in the mission archive to replace the default one while the mission is running.

It will downgrade many Russian aircrafts' combat capability.

Correct, but many Russian aircraft are "downgraded" in real life where cockpit visibility is concerned. The visibility in an A-10 is better than in an Su-25. Black Shark will now model this difference.

And, I think infantry unit can be seen at very close distance or by excellent eyed pilot, though it is exremely rare. Don't you think that is more realistic?

Yes, the infantry quesiton is a little more complicated. It's hard to simulate all of the nuances at this point. For example, an unexpected MANPAD ambush in the middle of a forest should be impossible to detect, especially without IR optics looking in exactly the right direction. On the other hand, large number of troops in known locations should be easy to detect. For now, given the nature of Ka-50 operations, ED has chosen to make infantry invisible until they begin to fire. This may very well change over time and may also be adjustable in the scripts (not sure).

And, Will AI aircraft only fly as we made in ME even FOV fixed? Time after time I will miss more capable and flexible AI unit...

As I mentioned above - yes, the mission designer's task may be more complicated when using aircraft like the Su-25, which have no sensors to aid in target detection. However, it only takes an understanding of the system and thoughtful route placement. If you assign the route carefully, the aircraft should not have any problems finding the targets. For any aircraft with air-to-ground sensors, this is not going to be a significant problem.

Above all, It will not be advanced modeling even than LOFC or LO.

I guess you are entitled to that opinion. We'll just agree to disagree.

 

Given the new modeling, we can much better simulate the advantages of night-fighting capability of many western systems and - as you alluded to - the disadvantages of lacking this equipment on many Russian aircraft. This is how it is in reality.

LO's AI has what to be modified. more flexible actions of AI are needed. Had DCS flexible action of AI aircrafts!!!

This AI routine is more flexible. In LO, every aircraft simply saw everything and acted the same way. Now, the mission designer can choose the aircraft to best match the mission goals or to most realistically simulate a particular combat situation.

[plane00]

Wish about AI air unit

 

I hope AI isn't so foolish that ,though he dosn't know if there's man pad SAM, just fly overthere.especially excellent AI

It will anoys me whenever I make missions.

I hope AI also thinks and act as he is live man. He knows to escape and to stand by when needed, to refuel, to rearm, to suicide(?)to damage enemy...

At least su-25 pilot could anticipate danger because of his disadvatage, prepare properly in advance.

 

(How much difference between wide and narrow cockpit affects combat capability is complicated problem. I don't think it's linear

I hope ED solve that wisely....

Angle of cockpit will not be single factor to contribute to probability of detecting target. It is insufficient. Head rotation speed, eye search area, anticipating ability are also factors)

[GGTharos]

AI will never act like a real person. Not in a game, anyway.

[Mechanist]

Will there be a time limitation? For example: Spend 5 minutes over target area, then RTB?

 

I think after these, the DCS mission editor could be as powerfull as the OFP/ArmA misson editor.