[1766] Helos get blown during mine clearing operations

[Knightpawn]

This is rare but it has happened twice (for now). HM-15 Blackhawks equipped with MK 106 sensor get blown during mine clearing operations while flying at 250ft ASL. Is this supposed to happen in reality?

I attach two pictures of message log as evidence and a save file (but one has to be patient and play along for it to happen)

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Screenshot 2025-12-21 220901.png (192.67 KiB) Viewed 466 times

[thewood1]

Are you sure the mine is destroying the helo? The message is saying its unaffected. What does the log say?

[Knightpawn]

Are you sure the mine is destroying the helo? The message is saying its unaffected. What does the log say?

Yes absolutely. See the pictures from the log: the ejection happens 1 sec after detonation. After playing around this happens (seldom but it does happen) when the helo travels straight above the mine with the magnetic sweeper on. If, on the other hand, I manoeuvre it as if it was a mine sweeping ship (as per the tutorial: get close and turn tail to the mine), then it is safe. But it should not supposed to be that way for a helo.

[thewood1]

In real life there is some risk to the help in mine sweeping, but I don't know what it is or how often it should happen.

[thewood1]

Are you sure the mine is destroying the helo? The message is saying its unaffected. What does the log say?

Yes absolutely. See the pictures from the log: the ejection happens 1 sec after detonation. After playing around this happens (seldom but it does happen) when the helo travels straight above the mine with the magnetic sweeper on. If, on the other hand, I manoeuvre it as if it was a mine sweeping ship (as per the tutorial: get close and turn tail to the mine), then it is safe. But it should not supposed to be that way for a helo.

But does it show the actual cause in the detailed log file? That is my question. Just trying not to assume it on a couple pieces of data.

[thewood1]

I knew I had read something from the devs on this...

"Midway through the operation one of the helicopters is destroyed by fragments from a surface mine detonation. This is not a bug; helicopters occasionally do get damaged or lost while detonating nearby mines (the USN lost two helicopters this way while clearing the Haiphong harbor in 1973). One of the upcoming new features of Command is gradual aircraft damage; this will enable sending the half-damaged helo home for repairs instead of permanently losing it."

https://command.matrixgames.com/?p=4408 ... 20so%20far!

[Knightpawn]

I am happy to defer to more experts than myself the determination if this occurrence (destruction of the helo) is indeed within the realm of possible.

PS I would presume that after the incidents of Operation End Sweep (as I now read, this was the name of the 1973 mine clearing from Haiphong harbor) the standard operating procedure would have been amended (eg. operate higher) to exclude any such occurrences in the future

[thewood1]

It actually hasn't been amended much. In fact, until real drones have started entering the picture, not much has changed in the last 50-60 years.

[Knightpawn]

In this save it happens all the time (five consecutive runs) in the same manner. (see mine clearing mission at the Hormuz entry)

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