Aircraft Tunnel Vision

[Lt. Ketch]

I've been attacked by aircraft called in by the AI that made a couple of strafing runs before dropping their bombs. As far as I understand it, the AI turned off the bombs until it's AOP was in sight of a hard target and then he let me have it. I've been trying to employ the same strategy

[PanzerBob]

I certainly agree about how to get your airstrkes on target. Another tactic is to send no less that 6 Stukas against a mass of troops and armour I have found this to be much more effective than attacks by one or two Stukas. The other thing is to try to get a location on your EN's AAA assets and either hit them hard with artillery (I recommend this.) or avoid flying near them when attacking.

Bob out

[hoplitis]

Originally Posted by Lt. Ketch

I've been attacked by aircraft called in by the AI that made a couple of strafing runs before dropping their bombs. As far as I understand it, the AI turned off the bombs until it's AOP was in sight of a hard target and then he let me have it. I've been trying to employ the same strategy

I don't think the AI chooses/turns off weapon slots. That's a human player priviledge and another advantage the human opponent has over the "dumb" AI. Maybe the said planes had already conducted their bomb run in a previous turn and still had some ammo remaining for their guns?

[Lt. Ketch]

Originally Posted by hoplitis

I don't think the AI chooses/turns off weapon slots. That's a human player priviledge and another advantage the human opponent has over the "dumb" AI. Maybe the said planes had already conducted their bomb run in a previous turn and still had some ammo remaining for their guns?

That's what I thought at first, but it the argument seemed to fall apart when I got bombed by what appeared to be the same plane after he had strafed my troops a two or three times. Now, it could have been that the AI had more air assets then I was aware of, but I can't remember what I saw when I checked the endgame run down. Maybe Don and Andy will shed some light on if the AI can turn off weapons.

I can't help commenting on on the "dumb" AI. It probably shows my level of play, but I have a great deal of respect for the war engine that Don and Andy have bred and raised. If any one haven't played agaisn't in a while, I sure you'll be pleasently suprised. So you PBEMers can try that while I (an AIer) will try to set up some PBEM games.

[Imp]

Maybe Don and Andy will shed some light on if the AI can turn off weapons.

I will save them the effort no it can't what it can do is pick the right target for the weapon. A plane armed with cannon is probably looking for armour to plink. Its bombload however might be far better suited to dropping on infantry so really the pilot wants to drop them on infantry.
You not the AI have the luxury of turning them off so they are not wasted assuming of course you survive for another pass.
It did not attack infantry by mistake it attacked them because it was a better target for the payload.

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Imp

I will save them the effort no it can't what it can do is pick the right target for the weapon. A plane armed with cannon is probably looking for armour to plink. Its bombload however might be far better suited to dropping on infantry so really the pilot wants to drop them on infantry.
You not the AI have the luxury of turning them off so they are not wasted assuming of course you survive for another pass.
It did not attack infantry by mistake it attacked them because it was a better target for the payload.

None of the above, naturally.

Planes can now strafe 30 degrees off-axis - have done for the last two releases or so.

Cannon and rockets can therefore be fired at something the bombs don't line up to - the plane can then fly on a bit and bomb if a valid target is directly in line of flight.

The Ai does not "reserve" any weapons.

Andy

[Imp]

Originally Posted by Mobhack

None of the above, naturally.

Planes can now strafe 30 degrees off-axis - have done for the last two releases or so.

Cannon and rockets can therefore be fired at something the bombs don't line up to - the plane can then fly on a bit and bomb if a valid target is directly in line of flight.

The Ai does not "reserve" any weapons.

Andy

Yes realise that but my assumption was a plane armed with cannon & bombs of the high kill low pen variety would fire the cannon at armour then try & bomb infantry if close to it only using the bombs on the armour if nothing better is available. Have I misread things as its just observation so might have percieved it wrong.
I was not saying you need to switch weapons off just you have the luxury if so wish. More a MBT thing turning off standoff weapons because you want to drop the bomb payload.

[Mobhack]

Aircraft fire everything that bear - there is no distinction between cannon or bombs. A plane with "anti-personnel" bombs will just as happily drop on tanks, since they are still bombs.

Andy