AI RTBs after firing decoys despite full load of bombs

[ColonelPanic42]

The goal here is to have a flight of F-14s launch their decoys and use them as cover while they approach to bomb the target.

 

AI skill is set to ace, and the SAM starts in red alert mode.

 

I've set up an Attack Group task on the target (aiui this does not require the target to be visible to the AI, but I have a Kiowa AFAC to spot the target just in case) set to auto weapon, group attack. Expend all ordnance is not an option when "auto" is selected.

 

I expect the AI to fire their decoys and then continue with the rest of their weapons. Instead they fire their decoys and go home.

 

I also tried using multiple Attack Group tasks, the first with Guided for the decoys and the second with Bombs for the bombs, but that didn't work either (they would loiter until their decoys were dead and then go home).

 

If I try to force them into the target area by placing another waypoint on top of the SAM, they loiter until their decoys are dead and then move to the target, at which point they get killed because their decoys are no longer protecting them.

 

The attached track dead_with_decoys shows the F-14 behavior.  

 

The problem is not unique to the F-14 or decoys. dead_with_harm_and_bombs shows the F/A-18 loaded with 2x HARM and 4x Mk83 doing the same thing.

 

Interestingly it's better (but still not what I expect) when the second weapon is not a bomb. dead_with_harm_and_jsow has the HARM fire, but the hornet keeps pushing to the target after launching (good!). After the HARM hits, the hornet fires a JSOW, loiters until that one hits, then fires another. I'm not sure if it waits for the HARM because it's waiting for the HARM or because it's not yet in range for the JSOW. It should not be waiting for the HARM, the HARM is there to suppress the site and the JSOW is supposed to kill it.

dead_with_decoys.trk dead_with_harm_and_jsow.trk dead_with_harm_and_bombs.trk

[CrashAlot]

Bump

[Wizard1393]

+1 

 

Actually a rather extensive overhaul of AI A2G behavior including AI wingmen commands is severely needed in my opinion.

[Flappie]

@ColonelPanic42 I fixed your SEAD F-14 mission to allow aircraft to attack while its TALD are gliding (I changed its reaction to threat order from "ALLOW ABORT MISSION" to "EVADE FIRE" and added another Attack Group action). The Tomcat successfully kills the SA-6 site. One issue, though: the TALD is slower than the Tomcat... I guess SEAD aircraft should push behind its decoy/anti-radiation missile, not ahead of it.

I applied a different fix for the Hornet: I assigned it the SEAD task, removed the "SEAD" advanced waypoint action, then added an Attack Group advanced waypoint action, and it works as you wish: the Hornet pushes while its AGM-88 are flying towardthe target.

As a consequence, I think the only missing thing right now is the SEAD tasking for the Tomcat. This was requested internally some months ago, following your other post. Wait and see.

Tomcat_sead with decoys_fix.miz Hornet_sead with decoys_fix.miz SEAD Hornet fix.trk SEAD Tomcat fix.trk

Edited December 11, 2021 by Flappie