Question: The AI and Airstrikes - Tanks vs. Points

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Air strikes are semi-random.

Air strikes come in two "flavors".
"Air Strikes" that tend to favor vehicle targets.
"COIN Strikes" that tend to favor infantry targets.

Suhiir is correct as usual, his description of the two flavors of strike aircraft is spot on. I would add SEAD, level bombers, and attack helicopters too.

Searching, visibility, and plotting are important elements to consider, but do not forget to check your load outs before assigning a strike. If you send a fighter bomber to attack tanks, but his stores of Mavericks is zero, he may not strike the tanks but opt to attack a nearby truck or dismounted infantry, or fly off without attacking anything.

I sent a section of AV-8B's on a strike with stores of cluster munitions and a 20mm cannon. The Harriers attacked with the 20mm cannon, no effect on the infantry. So, on the next sortie, I disabled the cannon and the Harriers dropped their cluster munitions. Lesson, check the primary weapon against the target.

Download the game manual pdf version here and search "air strike."

Have fun