Make search then engage in zone exclusive to that zone

[Rolds]

When this "Start Enroute Task" item is set for AI aircraft, the behavior I would like to see is that these aircraft will only engage other aircraft within the set zone to depict situations where fighters will not chase an enemy across the map into hostile territory. However, this is not the way this feature appears to work. The AI aircraft to appear to only engage aircraft within the zone, but once this happens they never disengage. I would like a feature that makes AI aircraft only engage enemy aircraft within a set zone (and if I could set the shape of said zone that would be even better).

[nighteyes2017]

mmm, this is weird. Because for me this is exactly what the engage in zone does. When i test it, as soon as an enemy leaves the zone, the AI breaks off the attack and goes back to their patrol route.

mission file example included. I put the target a bit far away in order for de CAP to setup their race track. otherwise at the start they wont react right away because of that setup. (takes about half an orbit).

engage in zone test.miz

[twistking]

On 10/25/2024 at 9:22 AM, nighteyes2017 said:

mmm, this is weird. Because for me this is exactly what the engage in zone does.

Can confirm.

[Exorcet]

On 10/20/2024 at 1:17 AM, Rolds said:

When this "Start Enroute Task" item is set for AI aircraft, the behavior I would like to see is that these aircraft will only engage other aircraft within the set zone to depict situations where fighters will not chase an enemy across the map into hostile territory. However, this is not the way this feature appears to work. The AI aircraft to appear to only engage aircraft within the zone, but once this happens they never disengage. I would like a feature that makes AI aircraft only engage enemy aircraft within a set zone (and if I could set the shape of said zone that would be even better).

From my understanding there is a 50% buffer. That is If the range of STE is 10 miles, the AI will chase enemies up to 15 miles. This is done probably to avoid the AI committing and disengaging constantly if a target is flying right on the border. It's good to have, what isn't good is that the 50% is hard coded. I think that's the solution here, allowing us to change that 50% buffer to anything we want. Probably the ability to set it in miles too, not just %.

[Rolds]

On 2/4/2025 at 8:24 AM, Exorcet said:

From my understanding there is a 50% buffer. That is If the range of STE is 10 miles, the AI will chase enemies up to 15 miles. This is done probably to avoid the AI committing and disengaging constantly if a target is flying right on the border. It's good to have, what isn't good is that the 50% is hard coded. I think that's the solution here, allowing us to change that 50% buffer to anything we want. Probably the ability to set it in miles too, not just %.

If you are right (and your DCS knowledge has impressed me before, I remember you provided a script that helped prove the S3B refueling rates weren't working properly), this would explain the issue I have. Search then engage in zone sometimes does appear to work, but I often set very large zones so that the edge of the zone is straighter and starts to approximate a straight border. If your information on a 50% buffer is correct, that 50% area would be very large in many of the missions I create, giving the impression that search then engage in zone isn't working at all. Fully agree, being able to adjust the buffer zone would greatly improve things.

 

[Exorcet]

On 2/14/2025 at 12:44 AM, Rolds said:

If you are right (and your DCS knowledge has impressed me before, I remember you provided a script that helped prove the S3B refueling rates weren't working properly), this would explain the issue I have. Search then engage in zone sometimes does appear to work, but I often set very large zones so that the edge of the zone is straighter and starts to approximate a straight border.

 

It's a really obvious problem with large distances because the buffer becomes huge, so it makes sense why you're running into the issue. I'm fairly sure ED confirmed the buffer but I don't know where that confirmation is as it was a while ago if I'm remembering correctly. It should be pretty easy to test and confirm at least.