[Pursuivant]

This is a new post to an old thread, but here are some further wishlist ideas

AI ATTACK OPTIONS

1) Ability to Specify Targets in Advance: Currently, when ordered to attack a target that isn't in range, AI gives you an "unable to comply" message (at least in the QMB). It would be handy if you could "program" sections or divisions to perform various tasks BEFORE you get to the target, either in the FMB or as player commands.

As player commands, this option would let you fly your plane without being distracted with a lot of formation commands when things get hectic.

2) Ability to Specify Target Priority: In conjunction with Option 1, this allows you to program AI so that it will automatically "default" to certain targets after the primary target is destroyed. For example, "Flak first, then aircraft on the ground, then vehicles, then other ground targets."

3) Ability to Specify Attack Type: Currently, there's no method in the FMB or the player commands that allow you to tell AI which method of attack they should use first. There should be the following options: Strafe, Air-to-Ground Rocket Attack, Air-to-Air Rocket Attack, Torpedo Attack, Dive Bomb Attack, Glide Bomb Attack, Low Level Bomb Attack (specify altitude), High Level Bomb Attack (specify altitude), Guided Bomb Attack, [Aerial Bomb Attack, Depth Charge Attack (set depth), Mine-Dropping Attack].

Edit: Add Paratroop drop, Cargo Drop, Flare Drop, and Kamikaze to "attack" types.

4) Ability to Specify Ordinance Priority: As for Option 2, but for ordinance types. Options: Internal/centerline bombs, external/wing bombs, Air-to-air rockets, Air-to-ground rockets, torpedoes, guided bombs, fixed guns, flexible guns, [aerial bombs, depth charges, mines].

5) Ability to Specify Attack Formation: Currently, it appears that planes don't always attack at once when ordered to do so. There should be the following FMB/Player commands: Attack individually, Attack by section/Rotte, Attack by Division/Schwarm, Attack by Squadron/Staffel.

6) Ability to Specify Number of Attacks: either a number or "unlimited." Specifying just one attack is automatically interpreted as "one attack and evade/ egress" meaning just one quick attack followed by going defensive and leaving the target area at as high a rate of speed as possible. Multiple attacks defaults to appropriate ordinance attacks, followed by strafing until the number of attacks is satisfied. Unlimited is the current situation - the AI will attack indefinitely until destroyed/heavily damaged, or it runs out of ammo.

For fighter attacks vs. aerial targets, specifying just one attack means a "bounce" followed by an attempt to evade.

7) Ability to Specify Automatic Abort Conditions: AI aborts attacks, goes defensive, and returns to base when one or more conditions occur: >X% formation casualties, light damage to plane, heavy damage to plane, crew lightly wounded, crew heavily wounded, crew bleeding, <X% fuel, <X% ordinance (type), <X% ammo, >X number of hostile fighters in area, >X number of hostile AAA in area.