Fixed Wing AI Only Utilize One Weapon Type

[ericinexile]

Thread title is confusing but here's the problem. I've noticed that A/I carrying multiple suitable weapons will only use one type on targets and return home with the rest. Two examples: A Tu-22 carrying both 250 kg and 500 kg FABS will only drop one type on a point target (carpet bombing) and keep the rest. Or a SEAD Su-25t carrying kh58 and Kh25MPU will get closer to the SAM in order to launch the shorter range Kh25 but will land (if they survive) with the Kh58s still on wing. HOWEVER, if you loadout the Su-25t with only a pair of Kh58 it will launch at a longer distance from the target than it would have done had it carried the Kh25 as well (and again in this last scenario, the Kh58 will not be used).

[EvilBivol-1]

I don't have the time to do a more thorough test right now, but could you post a mission example? In my test, a Su-25T armed with both Kh-58 and Kh-25MPU launched both -58s first. See attachment.

test_SEAD_25T.miz

[ericinexile]

Hmmm, I played your mission twice. The first run, he fired both Kh-58s and later jettisoned the 25s after being engaged. On the second run, he fired the Kh-58s but did nothing with the rest of his loadout...perhaps because the 58s did the job. But I am impressed that he at least launched the longer reach weapon first. My first test is similar to yours. Usually, the 4 Kh-25's take out the SAM and negate the need for the 58's. My question, in addition to why aren't both weapons used, is why the shorter range weapon first? But in your test the 58 IS used so perhaps it has to do with target. The second example clearly shows the use of just one bomb type against a point target regardless of distance between points. The problem occurs on the Tu22 as well. (Oddly, and unrelated, Tu22's only fly solo even if you assign a flight of two or more.)

Wild_Weazel.miz

TEST.miz

Edited June 10, 2009 by ericinexile

[Panzertard]

Different behaviour in different builds? (language editions)

Or do you guys use different mods/addons?

[EvilBivol-1]

The first run, he fired both Kh-58s and later jettisoned the 25s after being engaged. On the second run, he fired the Kh-58s but did nothing with the rest of his loadout...perhaps because the 58s did the job.

Yup, sounds normal.

My first test is similar to yours. Usually, the 4 Kh-25's take out the SAM and negate the need for the 58's. My question, in addition to why aren't both weapons used...

A specific weapon type per target per attack. If more attacks are needed/more targets are present, then the AI would "evaluate" which follow-up weapons to use.

...is why the shorter range weapon first?

Yeah, this was interesting. I elimitated the differences between our missions one by one and found that your Su-25T would engage with Kh-58s first when I set the SAM skill down to average. I'm guessing this has to do with the SAMs slower reaction time to go from detection to lock against the Su-25T, but not quite sure why that would change the AI's choice of weapon.

The second example clearly shows the use of just one bomb type against a point target regardless of distance between points.

This sounds normal, too. One type of bomb per taget per run. You can't drop different types of unguided bombs in a single run, because they have different ballistics. Once the target is hit, no more need for bombs.

Oddly, and unrelated, Tu22's only fly solo even if you assign a flight of two or more.

Yes, also normal. Edited June 11, 2009 by EvilBivol-1

[ericinexile]

I think there must be a "one pass gene" designed into the AI to ensure they aren't completely suicidal by throwing everything they got, including flight manuals and thermos bottles at an enemy who shoots back. Thanks EB for checking it out.