Bombardment/Patrol Mission problems

[SViking]

This is a possible bug. The manual states that a TF set to patrol will perform its mission until low on endurance or seriously damaged. However, my bombardment missions *always* revert to surface combat and return home even after only one round of bombardment.

Has anyone been able to successfully keep a bombardment mission on station for even two turns?

[Toro]

I've noticed that Bombardments always revert to Surface after one mission, but they don't always head to home port. Depends on fuel/ammo usage, I think. ???

[dpstafford]

Originally posted by SViking
This is a possible bug. The manual states that a TF set to patrol will perform its mission until low on endurance or seriously damaged. However, my bombardment missions *always* revert to surface combat and return home even after only one round of bombardment.

Ships on a bombardment mission expend about half their heavy ammo on the target in one fire round, which almost by definition makes them low on ordinance. And puts them on a course for home.

[SViking]

Ah - I guess that may explain it. However, I have been able to force a TF back several (3-4) times manually, though I didn't pay attention to whether subsequent results we diminished. (I.e., a fleet couldn't using 50% of its current ammo each time should experience diminishing returns on the bombardment...or be out of ammo after the second bombardment if using 50% of its original ammo each time.)

[dpstafford]

Originally posted by SViking
I have been able to force a TF back several (3-4) times manually, though I didn't pay attention to whether subsequent results we diminished.

I believe that you would (or should) experience diminishing returns. To say nothing of what might happen to that TF if caught in surface combat with little or no ammo.