Defect Name: Aircraft Grouping Not Logical

Build: 2007.000 (Aug 12 2007 Release)

Repeatable: Y

Operating System: XP

Database: I have no idea - the standard thing that goes with HDSC 10.0

Scenario: grouping_problem.zip

 

Long Description: I'm used (HC 2002) to the fact that aircraft flying in one group are in a tight formation that causes them to appear as one icon both on Group Map and Unit Map. In HCE it seems to be different. In the attached scenario, I have launched an attack group comprised of two SEAD A-6s, one SEAD F-18 and two F-14s for AA cover. Unforutnately, HCE for some reason decided that the SEAD aircraft should fly some considerable distance in front of the escort F-14s. Of course, this is very unpractical, because strike aircraft get exposed to enemy fighters. As the screenshot below shows, my SEAD aircraft are going to be attacked in a second, while the F-14 have just missed with their first Phoenix salvo and are unable to save those poor beggars. [There's another, separate F-14 group that is accidentally very close to those escorting ones, sorry for this little hassle in reading the screenshot.]

 

 

I don't even know if it's a bug or a design flaw. Because if you want to be realistic and not put all planes at one spot, then provide the player with a formation editor for aircraft that would allow to arrange things logically.

 

Expected behaviour: Planes formation should be manageable - either automatically thightly grouped [like in older HC], or formation edition should be possible.

Observed behaviour: Planes assume a seamingly random formation within the group, exposing themselves to unnecessary danger

 

Of course, now that I know how it functions, I will send fighters in separate groups, in front of strike aircraft. But that's not how it should work.

 

By-The-Way: The group's Cruise speed is 570kts, which is not what F-14s would do. (In the old HC the group would fly with the speed of the slowest plane.) Is this intended? I assume then that fuel is burned faster by the F-14s and that it's properly accounted, right?

The game is operating as it has always done. Check the spacing between your F-14 and your Hornet. It is 41nm.

 

If you check the spacing between your two carriers, they are 40nm apart. You have inadvertently launched planes from both carriers into the same group. The group behaviour is working as it always did. I think that the oversight is on your part.

 

I don't disagree that it would be a nice option for all elements within a group to move together once they launch, but I would truly hate to see this as a mandatory behaviour because there are some missions like ASW whereby you want your MPA/helos to be spread out so that they can drop a wall or line of overlapping sonobuoys.

I've just checked with HC 2002 and you're right, Herman. Seems like I haven't operated too many multi-carrier strike groups

Thanks for the answer and sorry for the confusion.