fixed Unexpected behaviour with the racetrack orbit task post update

[Northstar98]

Hi everyone,

The recent update has introduced some unexpected behaviour for the AI when performing a racetrack orbit. Unlike previously, where upon activation of the task the AI would fly directly to the next waypoint before making its 180° left turn, now, upon activation of the task, the AI immediately performs a 180° turn to the right, immediately followed by a 180° turn to the left. They will then fly to the next waypoint, make a correcting turn to the right and then commence the 180° left turn to begin the racetrack.

Fortunately, subsequent "laps" of the racetrack are perfectly excuted - completely as expected and the AI no longer needs to make corrections upon finishing a turn, which is fantastic to see.

However, the initial behaviour upon activation is undesirable, especially for practice missions with tankers and receivers that start from the air.

There’s no reason for the initial right, followed by left turn, all it does is displace the aircraft laterally from the intended course line and it's only something the AI later corrects when reaching the first turn. Instead, what should happen is that the AI should proceed to the next waypoint as it did before, perform its 180° turn, fly the reciprocal course until it reaches the start point, do another 180° turn and so on, as it does for subsequent laps.

 

Orbit_2.9.12.5336.trk

Edited January 21 by Northstar98
Added more detail, added intended behaviour

[Esac_mirmidon]

Confirmed

[dutchili]

Tanker have weird behavior too. After completing the left-hand racetrack, then weave to the right before starting the next lap. 

[Northstar98]

4 hours ago, dutchili said:

Tanker have weird behavior too. After completing the left-hand racetrack, then weave to the right before starting the next lap. 

Yeah, that unfortunately still occurs.

I'll make a seperate thread for that one though (unless one has been made already), as it is a seperate issue.

EDIT: Allegedly, it's a known issue, not sure if I should post one seperately.

Edited January 23 by Northstar98

[Northstar98]

Pleased to report that in subsequent tests, this appears to be fixed - the AI now proceeds directly to the next turn point before commencing any turns.

[SDsc0rch]

mm... i still see some "weave"

in other words, there's a slight (but significant) turn away from the direction of the orbit, then the turn (ie: quick bank to the left, then 180deg turn to the right)

i've got the tanker box set to 15x5 

Tacview-20250330-105112-DCS-BAZ-Shield-ACT-Salti_2025-03_02a_UNLTD-WPNs_LIM-FUEL_AIR-START_AAR-15x5.zip.acmi

[Northstar98]

32 minutes ago, SDsc0rch said:

mm... i still see some "weave"

in other words, there's a slight (but significant) turn away from the direction of the orbit, then the turn (ie: quick bank to the left, then 180deg turn to the right)

i've got the tanker box set to 15x5 

Tacview-20250330-105112-DCS-BAZ-Shield-ACT-Salti_2025-03_02a_UNLTD-WPNs_LIM-FUEL_AIR-START_AAR-15x5.zip.acmi 1.42 MB · 0 downloads

Yes, this is still the case - however this thread mostly was reporting behaviour upon entering the orbit, which is now fixed (procedes directly to the next waypoint then turns, instead of doing a 180° turn to the left, followed by a 180° turn to the right).

The behaviour you're seeing is probably worthy of its own thread, as it is a different issue (albeit a related one).

[SDsc0rch]

oh... wow - i didn't know it was that extreme 

they just need to tweak it a bit now