I noticed something unusual while playing HDS8 IOPG Scenario 06.0. When ESM indicates detection of hostile A/C, the standard dialogue appears asking what you want to do. If I choose Intercept, in most cases the only A/C that appear as available to intercept the contact are S-3's with ASW loadouts, as if the contact were a sub and not an A/C. This is in spite of FA-18's in patrol sectors with Air to Air loadouts.

 

Buddha

Agreed, this is a side effect of a feature added a few builds back. Someone please assemble a tiny test scenario showing the behavior.

anyone? please

I cannot see any untoward behavior. I took IOPG 6.0 for a spin and indeed was prompted to intercept with S-3 and F-14. The S-3 is correct since they have Sidewinders. In the attached test scenario (South America battlest, play as Blue, HCDB-081124) the planes without AAMs are not prompted to intercept the Red Mainstay.

 

I'm considering this not an issue unless someone puts more legwork into it. Also be aware that sometimes a longer ranged yet less capable plane will show when the target it not within range of the more capable fighters.

ASWATA1.zip

Edited December 13, 200817 yr by TonyE
2008.064 SE & GE used

Although you are correct in stating that the S-3s in question do carry Sidewinders for self defense in the AAW arena, I certainly would never consider using an S-3 as an interceptor.

 

The reason I pointed this out is that in this scenario, there are F/A-18s available which are in the formation and loaded out for AAW and are not being offered as available to intercept the inbound hostile A/C, while the S-3's are.

 

Buddha

You need to prove it, provide us with the files to verify what you are seeing. I could not replicate the situation. I'm not saying it isn't happening, just maybe that the Hornets don't have the gas to do the job I had GP loaded Hornets in fomatiion in GIUK 6.0 and they were listed in the Intercept dialog).

You need to prove it, provide us with the files to verify what you are seeing. I could not replicate the situation. I'm not saying it isn't happening, just maybe that the Hornets don't have the gas to do the job I had GP loaded Hornets in fomatiion in GIUK 6.0 and they were listed in the Intercept dialog).

 

This is rapidly becoming more trouble than it's worth. Since I seem to be alone in having the problem, I'll just order the intercepts manually and bypass the situation.

 

Buddha

You need to prove it, provide us with the files to verify what you are seeing. I could not replicate the situation. I'm not saying it isn't happening, just maybe that the Hornets don't have the gas to do the job I had GP loaded Hornets in fomatiion in GIUK 6.0 and they were listed in the Intercept dialog).

 

This is rapidly becoming more trouble than it's worth. Since I seem to be alone in having the problem, I'll just order the intercepts manually and bypass the situation.

 

Buddha

 

Please don't, we're here to advance the game and fixing problems is one way to do that. All it takes is a saved game where the Hornets in formation have enough fuel for the intercept. Ideally it would be a small test scen but we can fight about that later . Zip up an appropriate save and attach it to your reply.

Tony,

 

Don't get the impression that I mean to stop contributing to the testing process. It just seems that this particular issue is a dead end. I can only take your request for proof to mean that nobody else is having the problem, in which case bringing it up here is only a waste of everyone's time.

 

Buddha

There is every possibility that I'm the only one who took the time to try it other than you. You saw the issue, I didn't so I just need to know how to reproduce it and a saved game is a drop dead sure way to reproduce it.

I've seen this happen from time to time as well, but I figured, as others, that it had to do with a lack of fuel to intercept and return safely.

Will try to remember to check it out when it happens again.

I'm going to have a look at it, see if I can recreate it here.

 

Updated: I think maybe I can confirm Buddha's observation. Savegame from HDS8 IOPG6 attached.

 

When choosing an Intercept, the S-3 (ASW) and F/A-18 (Intercept) appear. The F/A-18 (GP), although it has Sidewinder, does not.

interceptsave.zip

Thanks Brad, that save provided the needed trigger.

 

When considering whether to add a flight of planes to the Air Intercept dialog range requirement is different than what might have been expected. I glossed over it when testing myself but Brad's save demonstrated the point.

 

Consider your target 315nm away. The code says you need 315nm x 4 fuel in order to be added to the Intercept list, not 315nm x 2. There is a possibility it is a bug (I find no H3 paper rule referring to this situation and naturally the code isn't commented). Both Brad and I agree that it may also be a good estimation of fuel required for a combat intercept, expecting that you might accelerate and use more fuel than on a ferry mission over the same distance.

 

It also accounts for the situation where the target plane is heading away, not towards you, providing some buffer. This particular code for inclusion in the list isn't considering where the target is travelling, only its current position so the extra fuel helps prevent wastage of planes that couldn't possibly make an intercept (while at the same time listing some planes that may have been omitted from a pure intercept calculation. Those planes become handy if the target turns towards you).

 

So what do you think? I'm of the mind that we leave it as is and now we know the mechanism behind what was before an inexplicable exclusion from the Intercept list.

 

Note to Tony, Staffo.c ~826:

				time = TimeToDistance(range_nm,(short)lspeed);
			if ((r < (NM100*4)) && ((time<<2) < unit->Air->Endurance))

I would also agree that we should leave as it is (for now, at least).

 

When I use the Intercept function (and I don't use it a lot), its almost always in a situation where I am looking for the closest, fastest possible intercept. This is usually because a 'bogie' has popped up unexpectedly and I've been caught with my pants down, so to speak.

 

So, having it list just any capable aircraft is not really what I'm looking for in the Intercept function. Personal opinion, of course.

Leave it be.

Add a note to the User Guide "Intercept" Button section explaining the situation.