As consequence of the great and recent "Coral Sea 25" I did observe a little strange behaviour.

To analyse it I scripted a little ASBM (anti-ship ballistic missile) scenario, settled in The Middle East IOPG theatre (Red Sea).

Basically the problem is, when launched ASBM against the USN surface group, the Burke-class DDG correctly launches only SM-3 against the incoming orbital missiles, as they are capable of shooting down incoming missiles at orbit height, but not the SM-6 or SM-2, as its maximum ceiling is Very High.

But the Harriers are launching against the incoming missiles its AMRAAM and Sidewinder, uncapable to reach orbit height!!! (only High or Very High capable).

Also, I observe the AMRAAM and Sidewinder, inmediatly after his launching, dissapear of the screen (probably because are incapable to sustain orbit height!), but are inutily expended!!!

 

2024-07 ASBM TEST.zip

AMRAAM launched at incoming DF-21D ASBM are inserted in ORBIT height:

Sidewinder launched at incoming DF-21D ASBM are inserted in ORBIT height:

Both AMRAAM and Sidewinder launched at incoming DF-21D ASBM inmediatly dissapear (two or probably only one second after launching), no trace of its activity or failed impact on the Message Log window:

But not! The AMRAAM and Sidewinder are shooting down ASBM in ORBIT in the latest test. In other cases very probably the Harriers were in bad position to catch the ASBM with its missiles, because speed/aspect issues. Clearly showed in the Message Log window (test scenario changed to put Harriers in better interception position):

 

I noticed the firing of of aam against the orbiting missles in the same scenario but didn't think of the error it indicated or analyse like you have enrique.

In fact I just packed my cargo planes and cleared out.

Confirming that behaviour here same as OP using its attached scenario.

You need to launch your harrier immediately and get all radars on. For me Harrier radar do not pick up the missile, ship  radar does, and unless you manually conduct the intercepting fire of AAM the harriers (use F1 attack command) will not engage.
interesting 5 of 6 aim-120 hit mark, 0 of 5 sm-3 hit mark. I was too slow to get a chance to fire sidewinder.

Edited July 25, 20241 yr by donaldseadog
report running the test scenario

I am thinking this is unresolved, test tonight in 2025.003

 

Is the optimal (note I'm not asking for "correct") behavior for the AAMs to stay at VHigh in the off-chance the ASBM dives at the same moment the AAMs would impact or should the AAMs not launch at all (like the SM-2)?

3 hours ago, TonyE said:

Is the optimal (note I'm not asking for "correct") behavior for the AAMs to stay at VHigh in the off-chance the ASBM dives at the same moment the AAMs would impact or should the AAMs not launch at all (like the SM-2)?

My thinking is best to be consistent with the SAM. Also the chances of getting that hit I'd think very slim so player or AI (depending which is the defensive side in the action) needs to decide if its optimum for their situation (eg there might be cruise missiles coming in right behind), and I think that's way beyond AI. It might also be frustrating for a player not knowing the reasoning.

 

Agreed, one could see a lot of munitions 'wasted' on tiny probability of hit shots.

Fixed in 2025.011 by not allowing missiles to be fired at opposing missiles outside the intercepting missile's altitude range.  You can probably still pull other hijinx like firing guns at orbital targets, firing AMRAAMs at satellites (hmm, no, I just coded so you can't do that last one!).