no bug SA-13 AI engaging nothing, missile tracking no target, fuze activating earlier than self-destruct, at near head-on/tail-on aspects

[RocketmanAL]

Noticed since this most recent patch that the SA-13 is having problems with targets that are near head-on/tail-on aspect. Previously it had problems with tail-on. 

The system seems to track behind the aircraft as it approaches/departs from the system. Not close enough that I think it's tracking the aircraft, nor the plume from the engine, and it just loses track during launch. It's far enough away that the AI should know there's nothing in the seeker FOV, yet they continue to fire. There isn't anything in the area for the missile to acquire either, completely overcast, and it makes no attempt to maneuver toward the aircraft. Prior to this patch, the system had no problem acquiring and engaging from the head-on aspect but now appears to have lots of problems.

The missile also appears to be fuzing early, while the motor is still burning. It just self-destructs around the altitude of the aircraft or slightly above despite being far enough away that it should not fuze. 

When passing the system on a beam aspect it, and the missile, appear to have no problems. 

Attached track file with a relevant example from 5:30-6:00. 

SEAD Strike.trk

[NineLine]

I was able to reproduce the wild misses from tail-on after the Hornet passed over the SA-13, everything else looked ok. I have asked our weapons guys to take a look and will let you know. Thanks. 

 

[NineLine]

Ok, the team cleared it up for me, it's due to the missile being IR, so the ones that seem confused or missed by a lot are being messed up by the sun. Running the mission the other way has the reversed experience, running at night changes it again. 

[RocketmanAL]

Ok, just so I understand. The problem is that the missile is acquiring the sun through the clouds. This was a complete overcast weather scenario. Is this a problem with the WIP clouds? I know the air-to-air missile still has the ability to lock on and track through clouds.

Also doesn't explain the behavior I was seeing where the missiles were showing similar wild misses when facing the opposite direction of the sun. I know you weren't able to replicate it, but I can provide a video showing as such.

Side note: Will the SA-13 ever get its photo contrast mode?