[Suhiir]

** PERSONAL OPINION **

I regularly play the US Marines, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)is their fundamental TO&E. They rely on their own private air force to make up for a lack of artillery (compared to military organizations) and armor. Given the airstrike AI in WinSPMBT its' a real "challenge".

The AI regularly purchases about a battalions worth of AA per company.

The priority target for aircraft is opponent AA assets, regardless of weapons load. So you can expect your expensive and rare guided bombs/missiles, your bomb laden "counter-battery" aircraft, or your cluster bomb loaded "anti-personnel" aircraft to all unload on the first MANPAD or AAMG they see.

Guided bombs/missiles regularly "bounce" off armored (even lightly armored) vehicles, and occasionally destroy other vehicles in nearby hexes.

So yeah, given the high point value of aircraft in WinSPMBT they are very, very rarely worth the cost.
Think of them as more a scenario design feature then a worthwhile combat unit.