Circular Orbit Diameter

[MBot]

Since about a month or so I noticed a change in AI orbit behaviour. Previously I think that circular orbit size was based on a fixed bank angle (I think it was 23°), so orbits would be wider with increased altitude altitude and weight. Now it seems that circular orbit is fixed to a 3.5 NM diameter. This means that at high weight and high altitude, AI tries to fly tight circular orbits at up to 60° bank angle and at full AB. Unnecessary afterburner usage will break any fuel planing for the mission. Under unfavorable circumstances AI is even unable to sustain a tasked orbit. Also wingmen are often unable to join up with their leader in such orbits.

 

Orbit.trk

Edited July 16, 2021 by MBot

[Grimes]

Seems to break when you change the formation. If using the default echelon right open formation the flight is able to keep the orbit more or less sane. Reported. 

[MBot]

On the Open Beta I cannot see a difference between formations. In the attached missions, two single-ship groups are assigned an orbit. One with a formation assigned, the other with default formation. Bot execute an identical tight 58° bank orbit.

 

 

OrbitFormation.miz

[enigma6584]

You guys are rockin.  Glad to see this stuff is being looked at.  Cheers to the both of you.

[dorianR666]

i see this bug too.

broke couple of my missions.

[MBot]

Additional information:

 

Single ship flights make a much more (too) aggressive orbit compared to multi-ship flights, all other things being equal.

Orbit_Single_vs_Two.trk