Fighters' weaving

[Asura]

The question with mutual position of groups exists. From the very beginning in the generator such construction when the second and third groups carry out cover of the first was realized. To change it it is possible, but at first it is necessary to solve a question with behavior of AI. I now play version 4.10 MOD and I know that if the player acts as the leader to it only the first group submits, other groups don't fly together with the player, and follow a route which is put in mission. If the player changes a route and/or speed of flight conducted groups don't repeat these actions. To force them it is possible to submit only having ordered to cover. With bombers the problem is even more - they always fly in itself. At 4.11 this situation changed? If yes, that I without problems make groups independent.

[Lagarto]

If making flights of fighters escort one another is the only way to make them stay together, it's better to leave it that way. It's not realistic, but at least they act as one formation.

[Herra Tohtori]

Vertical separation between flights or flight elements was obviously an important part in the tactics employed by different air forces. They didn't just fly as a big formation at same altitude... maybe the DGen behaviour is an attempt to imitate that.

[Luno13]

The vertical separation is fine, no complaints there. Again, the problem is with the constant zig-zagging of the secondary flights.

[K_Freddie]

The way you describe it is the way they flew sorties... one flight looking out for bandits. Read a lot more books.. you'll see it all there

[Treetop64]

Originally Posted by K_Freddie

...Read a lot more books.. you'll see it all there

[SARCASM]OH, thank God you're here! We all needed that uppity, pretentious suggestion, as no one else would have considered that...[/SARCASM]

As mentioned by others in this thread, the issue under discussion is AI secondary fighter flights flying at full-throttle, burning excess fuel, and weaving and S-turning to avoid overtaking another primary fighter flight, not escorting traditionally slower bomber or attack flights.

Even when AI flights do escort bomber or attack units, or even fly secondary to another pure fighter flight that's just cruising along, they still use too much throttle, and do an excessive amount of weaving, roundabouts, and doubling back to catch back up with their charges.

[Lagarto]

In short, Freddie, cut that patronizing rubbish.

[eduzk]

Perhaps the AI could be modified so that when it is assigned to escort, it will behave differently when the escorted flight is fighter/bomber type? Stick in formation or fixed position with fighters and weave above bombers.

[FC99]

So what is the conclusion here, what is the desired behavior of flights that are on escort duty?

[Lagarto]

The behavior of flights that are on escort duty seems fine as it is. The problem is the behavior of flights on other duties, like patrols, sweeps and the like, when the first flight is 'escorted' by the second flight, while they should simply fly on together. But, as Asura pointed out, unfortunately this is what keeps them in formation.