|
hermanhum -> RE: Formation Editor Question (7/28/2006 10:20:51 PM)
|
That's a good question. I did a bit of testing. I had a CVBG and assigned 2 separate formation patrols:
A) 2-plane CAP in the Formation Editor consisting of F-18C with 2x AIM-120 AMRAAM
B) SH-60B on Sonobuoy patrol with 2x Mk46 Mod 5 torpedoes
When the CAP ran low on fuel, there were no replacements with the same AMRAAM ordnance. So, I *think* that the AI tried to re-arm some other F-18Cs that were currently on deck with Bombs and launched one with an AIM-7 loadout and another on minimal loadout (unarmed) as replacements. There was a whole bunch of F-18D and F-14s (with AMRAAM and Phoenix) that could have been launched for CAP since they all had AAW loadouts, but I guess the AI prefers to stay in the same category of aircraft.
When the SH-60B ran low on fuel, there were other SH-60Bs in the CVBG but they all had Barracuda torpedoes loaded. The AI took one of them, re-loaded it with Mk46 Mod 5, and launched it to relieve the returning helo.
My conclusion is that the AI will try to keep your formation patrol up with the assets it has on hand. However, I would caution you to keep an eye on them or else you are going to get results that you had not anticipated (i.e. unarmed aircraft on patrol). Also, as a personal preference, I don't use formation patrols all that much because I find them to be very awkward to cancel once assigned. In one instance, I found it easier to just break up the CVBG and re-group them rather than going about and cancelling each and every formation patrol.
|
|
|
|
