AI aircraft do not bomb target

[buceador]

This, for me, is an old chestnut.  

You create a mission, something simple like AI aircraft follow a waypoint and in the ME you set ATTACK MAP OBJECT or BOMBING (it never seems clear which one will work) and drag the pointer to the desired position, run the scenario and... Nothing.  The AI arrives at the delivery point, turns around and proceeds to the next waypoint or RTBs.

So, you check that the unit has the correct weapon / targeting pod, you check they have sufficient fuel, you even check that their skill level is appropriate but even so they refuse to comply.

Now the worst of this, especially for someone who is new to DCS, is that there is no ERROR HANDLING routine in DCS.  This means you have no idea why the mission fails.

In the attached .trk I have tried ATTACK MAP OBJECT and BOMBING, I have also tried using GPS / LASER / GP bombs.  I have tried AUTO and also specified attack quantity - nothing works.

To be clear this is not ALWAYS the case, sometimes it works but as I said earlier there is no ERROR HANDLING.

Any and all input gratefully received!

@Flappie @BIGNEWY 

AI aircraft fail to bomb target.trk AI refuse to bomb.miz

Edited February 25 by buceador

[buceador]

Any insights?

[BIGNEWY]

Hi buceador.

its difficult for us to test as the mission contains user mods, 

do you have an example without them? 

[buceador]

7 minutes ago, BIGNEWY said:

do you have an example without them? 

I realised this would be requested so...

AI aircraft fail to bomb target.trk AI refuse to bomb NO MODS.miz

Edited February 25 by buceador

[BIGNEWY]

Taken a quick look. 

Dont set the bombing task on take off ( waypoint 0 ), you should set the bombing task on a later waypoint. 

Ive attached an edit, given them some space and altitude to complete the task 

hope it helps

 

bignewy edit AI refuse to bomb NO MODS.miz

[MissionCMDR]

I could not open the attached .miz as the editor would not even see the file. I did however stage a quick test with a basic A10 unit, and the AI bombed a target (static and placed) with both unguided and guided munitions. (iron bombs and mavericks)

I used the 'bombing' task for this purpose as it's utilized for placed objects (that we place) on the map. The 'Attack Map Object' is for the stuff you cannot really change on the F10 map, like a bridge or building (static objects).

Testing it is easy, simply place an enemy ground unit on the map, place an aerial 'bombing' unit on the map and set the task to bombing. Everything else should be straightforward from there as you are familiar with these settings by now (Note: ensure the main task of the unit is set properly, else you will not have a bombing option, which again you may already know)

Do the same test, except for the second test, delete the bombing task, replacing it with 'Attack Map Object', move the 'triangle' over a building somewhere on the map, and proceed with deployment.

Hopefully this helps clarify how to use this feature with more reliability for your mission tasks.

[buceador]

10 minutes ago, BIGNEWY said:

hope it helps

Thank you for you input and yes it works but the only difference seems to be that waypoint 2 is some distance past the target?
(In my original mission the bombing task was set to a later waypoint but without success)

I hope you (ED) takes onboard my point about no error handling, for newcomers to DCS the ME, despite the manual, has a steep learning curve with minimal on-screen feedback.

Thanks again.

[BIGNEWY]

12 minutes ago, buceador said:

Thank you for you input and yes it works but the only difference seems to be that waypoint 2 is some distance past the target?
(In my original mission the bombing task was set to a later waypoint but without success)

I hope you (ED) takes onboard my point about no error handling, for newcomers to DCS the ME, despite the manual, has a steep learning curve with minimal on-screen feedback.

Thanks again.

main difference is the bombing task was move to waypoint 1 ( not 0 )

altitude was increased to clear mountains. 

and waypoint distances increased to give more AO for the aircraft. 

 

[Dragan]

On 2/24/2025 at 5:53 PM, buceador said:

This, for me, is an old chestnut.  

You create a mission, something simple like AI aircraft follow a waypoint and in the ME you set ATTACK MAP OBJECT or BOMBING (it never seems clear which one will work) and drag the pointer to the desired position, run the scenario and... Nothing.  The AI arrives at the delivery point, turns around and proceeds to the next waypoint or RTBs.

So, you check that the unit has the correct weapon / targeting pod, you check they have sufficient fuel, you even check that their skill level is appropriate but even so they refuse to comply.

Now the worst of this, especially for someone who is new to DCS, is that there is no ERROR HANDLING routine in DCS.  This means you have no idea why the mission fails.

In the attached .trk I have tried ATTACK MAP OBJECT and BOMBING, I have also tried using GPS / LASER / GP bombs.  I have tried AUTO and also specified attack quantity - nothing works.

To be clear this is not ALWAYS the case, sometimes it works but as I said earlier there is no ERROR HANDLING.

Any and all input gratefully received!

@Flappie @BIGNEWY 

AI aircraft fail to bomb target.trk 67.48 kB · 8 downloads AI refuse to bomb.miz 19.85 kB · 9 downloads

I regularly deploy B-1B and B-52 to bomb targets, I usually set them to take off from the air trurning point, meaning they don't take off from the runway,when they reach the target, they make a huge maneuver for preparation and approach, and drop bombs, I am especially pleased with the performance of the B-1 and the actions of the GBU-38, try setting a strategic bomber for CAS action instead of bombing objects on the map, you will see excellent effects and performance,then arrange them normally to land in one of your airbases,and everything is fine.

Edited February 28 by Dragan