Improved IR Missile Simulation

[itsthatguy]

As far as I can tell, the IR A2A missile simulation in DCS is extremely simplistic by modern standards - especially the IR-CCM aspect. It seemingly isn't substantially different than what it was in 2011 - or maybe earlier.
Aircraft only have 3 states of IR luminosity - Engines off, Engines on, and Afterburner. This means that the IR signature is the same whether on MIL or idle.
IR-CCM is apparently a dice roll to see if the missile "goes for the flare", with the chances varying depending on flare/missile type, range, and aspect. There is, apparently, no attempt to actually simulate the different methods of flare resistance employed by different types of missiles. A2A missiles are completely unaffected by sources of IR radiation from the ground, and can't actually "see" flares (you won't get a tone if you cue your seeker onto a flare).

With the recent improvements to radar and radar guided missiles seemingly wrapping up, this feels like a natural next step.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, Chaff is also very simplistically modeled - until the F-4, no radar in the game could actually "see" chaff.

Edited May 29, 2024 by itsthatguy

[Kang]

Somewhat relatedly, I would appreciate if clouds had an effect on IR seekers.

Or on AI spotting, for that matter...