AI Bombing

[An Ning]

I don't know how to do this
When I try making bombs they miss, so I need an AI to help -but when I try they drop the bombs at random.

Any help?

[Kage]

The real key to getting bombing runs to work isn't the bomb, though that helps (magnets are a must), but rather setting up the AI to work for you. Generally speaking for bombers you want the first setting relatively high (above 10, 20 seems to work well for slower planes in the 15-20m/s range) which helps to set up more accurate bombing runs as the AI isn't immediately turning once it passes over the target and thus potentially throwing off your bombs.

Same with the second setting though more so (90+), because trust me, you don't want to roll when you start dropping bombs. The three settings after that are really up to you and what you're plane can do, while the last three feed into the first two as they set the length of the bombing run.

First of the last three sets up the maximum distance you will begin a run from the target. Generally you want this to be long enough for you to turn properly, so again with slow planes 200-300 works well, which will net you a total distance traveled of roughly 400-600m, so plenty of time between actual attacks so feel free to load up on the bombs while forsaking the kegs. The second setting determines minimum range, more or less, this isn't really important with bombs, but with missiles you can use this to keep at range from the enemy, but for bombs set it around the minimum altitude you feel safe flying at and it should be golden.

Then lastly the weapon controller, this part takes some trial and error but with single ejector assisted two block mines, I've determined around 100m is optimal for relatively slow and low flying bombers (again 15-20m/s, and around 50 minimum altitude). Think dive bombers. If you're not using ejectors (which I highly suggest you do) then you have to take into account your forward speed and compensate accordingly Not to mention release height.

Almost forgot, unless you have a small payload or enough ammo production to keep up with the full demand, put the fire rate as low as possible, that way you won't wind up wasting ammo on your way out.

[l33t_m@ch1n3]

If you want your freefall bombs to guide themselves on to your target then I suggest you use an APN module, fin and IR or single pixel IR to always insure a hit provide you drop them close enough. Always rember APN is godlike for bombs.

In regards to AI settings its very simple, no need for LUA. On the aerial AI the most important thing for bombing runs is the turning and rolling deviation range and the range in which you start and end your attack runs. Always remember to set the turnung deviation to 0 and the rolling deviation to be as low as possible (depends on how good the roll on your plane is) you want to be as accurate as possible. For arguements sake your aircraft cruises at 300m and starts and ends its attack run at about 500m and 2000m.

If you set your local weapon controller to drop bombs at 500m that means at 500m RADIAL from the target it will drop the bomb. So in terms of distance relative to the ground its about 400m from the target. Pythagoras would be proud XD.

So what does this mean? Your aircraft will fly out to 2000m, roll to the angle you specified say say 45 degrees, yaw to within 0 degrees of the target, but it will end its bombing run at 500m before dropping its bombs.

What happens now is important: it won't correct its flight anymore, it'll continue to fly striaght untill it reaches 2000m again for another go. Meaning before 500m it will atempt to get as close as possible before leveling out. After that when the bomber get to within 400m the local weapon controller will drop the bombs. Keep in mind if your bombs are of the unguided variety you'll need to get a lot closer. But as a RULE OF THUMB always drop your bombs after you end your bombing run. If you follow this rule your bombs will always drop when your aircaft has leveled out.

Things to consider are the speed and manueverability of your aircraft and the manueverbility of your target. 2000m is about 10s if your bomber moves at 200m/s but if your bomber moves at about 50m/s thats about 40s. That means if the bomber stops its attack run at 500m a 200m/s aircraft will take 2.5s to pass over its target vs 10s of a bomber that moves at 50m/s. Now ask yourself, my bomber will not try to get any closer to the target after 500m, my bomber travels at 50m/s and takes 10s to pass over the target. In 10s will my target still be there? If your target is still moving then it might deviate by up to 15 degrees will I still be able to drop my bombs at 400m? Will the target leave the wespon controllers range in the span of 2s? If it does then the bomber will continue to head to 2000m before making another pass, a wasted oppurtunity and more chances for the target to hit back.

That's how you determine the bombing run distances. The larger they are the less accurate your bombing run will be unless you have an aircraft capable of great speed. Once you get the distances set correctly you'll find that your almost always level and on top of your target. A perfect chance to get an accurate hit regardless of what kind of bombs you have.

If your interested in example put into practice then feel free to check "Spirit of Freedom" the workshop. Its basically a high speed carpet bomber by yours truly.

[Blaank]

Load Deepwater Guard Flying Squirrel. Examine the weapon controller, AI aireal settings, and missiel controller.

[The Prophet]

set the AI to only shoot the bombs when they are about 50-150 or so units away, ensuring no waisted bombs, aim small miss small.

[Kethrian]

Wow so many complex answers...

just set up constraints on the missile conrtoller so it can only fire in a cone beneath you pointing slightly in front...

Job done