Difference between rockets, precision bomb, bombs?

[[] ¬ []1 TEFLON DON 永遠のトランプ]

Anyone know what the exact difference is between rockets, bombs, and precision bombs on aircraft?

[maerchen]

Bombs are generally better vs soft.
Rockets get the paiload effiency applied science bonus.
Precision bombs are better vs hard targets.
Both bomb types get the cluster bomb +50% damage bonus on soft targets once researched and modelled in.

[[] ¬ []1 TEFLON DON 永遠のトランプ]

Originally posted by maerchen:

Bombs are generally better vs soft.
Rockets get the paiload effiency applied science bonus.
Precision bombs are better vs hard targets.
Both bomb types get the cluster bomb +50% damage bonus on soft targets once researched and modelled in.

Are rockets the middle ground between soft v hard target?

[ulzgoroth]

No, rockets favor hard targets too.

Rockets are lighter than bombs, but have lower limits on possible firepower. They provide some air firepower, unlike bombs. The manual claims they're superior to precision bombs, but I'm not seeing a clear-cut reason. It seems like big precision bombs are better for heavy tankbusting work.

EDIT: As for the bomb hatch, it also provides a bit of cargo capacity and is the only air to ground weapon allowed on Level Bombers. (Probably on any high-altitude types? I haven't fully explored.)

[maerchen]

I have not much experience with those, I tend to overwhelm the enemy before I can deploy those techs en masse, as I always start at tech level III.

Rockets have an added air-to-air combat value, though, even if they aren't dedicated A2A tech. A2A missiles, once researched, have a high air combat value and a low ground attack value.

I remember a game where I had medium helis with heavy rockets. Those where deadly and fun, might see if I still have the save with the model details.

Maybe ask in the War Room at matrixforums for more in depth info?

[ulzgoroth]

AAMs are particularly distinguished from other air to air weapons by avoiding or even reversing the penalties that gunfighters get in the first rounds of combat. I'm not sure what you get for those if you make a plane with only rockets, I gave my attack helicopter model MGs as well (they also provide some ground firepower).

[Kadrush]

I found rockets worse than prec bombs vs hard targets, but they cost far less ammo. Very usefull vs light armor, useless vs those 300mm polymers armor TD the AI like to send on late game.