Faulty a/c engage/disengage logic leads to incongruities

[$trummer]

I know you guys are aware of this but I wanted to supply one more example:

In the excellent "Pincer" mission last night, about six Lynxes that were assigned to an ASW patrol around the British fleet went "engaged offensive" after I picked up a sub-surface contact over 300 miles away. I hadn't even marked the contact as hostile (there are many biologics in this mission.) Off they all went, their route/intent clear from the route-line that appeared between each individual unit directly to the contact. No amount of mashing the U key, trying the same thing via the drop-down menu, or attempting to cancel their route with F3 worked. Only when they inevitably ran out of fuel did they RTB. I know I do not have to explain why this AI behavior is truly unfortunate.

This was in the latest version of the sim, by the way. I have experienced it in many forms, with many aircraft, in other missions. I'm wondering how high on the list fixing this AI logic might be. Thanks, guys.

[Dimitris]

I assume the "investigate outside patrol area" patrol option was disabled?

[$trummer]

ORIGINAL: Sunburn

I assume the "investigate outside patrol area" patrol option was disabled?

Affirm.

[$trummer]

Sunburn, apologies. I checked the mission editor settings for the CAP in "Malvinas 1982 (The Pincer)" and the a/c are indeed set to "Investigate outside patrol area". However, it is currently difficult, in certain circumstances, to recall aircraft to their original mission when they have become "engaged offensive" and you might also consider preventing aircraft from going after distant contacts well beyond their fuel range as this just burns fuel needlessly and distracts the player.

[Figeac]

I agree. There should be a way to easily make units on "engaged offensive" status to drop their targets and get back to their original mission.

I actually think that the "investigate contacts outside patrol zone" is not the problem, as it is a very cool feature, and yes, there should be a limit to that based on the platform endurance (and they should not go on full speed if it is a neutral contact they are investigating, but in cruise speed to save fuel). But what I really think it should be done is always enable the "drop all contacts", or to auto do it if a platform is unassigned from a mission. So we could have more control over them.

[renders]

edit by me