Abrams Not Using Coaxial Machine Gun

[rmeckman]

Back playing game after a break. In version 3.0.3.10626, Abrams tanks seem to avoid using their M240 coaxial machine guns against infantry targets in favor of the .50 cal M2. In the attached image (from The Long Night), a tank platoon has spent the last turn firing at an enemy scout team in the same hex. It exclusively used the .50 cal M2 for the task. I have yet to see a tank coaxial MG used for any purpose. Note that the .50 cal usage doesn't show up in the Ammunition Report.

This also seems to run counter to the v 10626 release notes that "Air Defense guns should not be turned on to ground targets", unless that only applies to dedicated AD systems.

The save files that the image came from are also attached.

[SgtZdog]

The patch note I think is incorrect and was supposed to read the opposite. As such the .50 being a more powerful weapon will generate better predicted results and so be used instead of the 240.

[rmeckman]

Since they are operated by different crew members, both the .50 and the coax MG could be firing at the same time. Earlier in this scenario, I think one Abrams pretty much ran out of .50 cal ammo firing at infantry but still wouldn't use the the other two MGs.

Do the spotting and combat rules have any factors related to whether or not vehicles are buttoned up? If an Abrams is firing its .50 cal, the exposed crew should be vulnerable to enemy small arms fire (perhaps a hit to morale/readiness or even falling out).

[CapnDarwin]

To help use locate and troubleshoot the issue, do you have a save game at the point where the M1's are out or nearly out of .50 cal and not using the other MGs? If you could zip the files and upload here, it would be very helpful.

[rmeckman]

The closest thing I have right now is this save from a different scenario (Rude Awakening). The 7/I/11 Abrams tank platoon in hex 3922 has been firing at nearby infantry for multiple turns using exclusively the .50 cal, to the point that readiness is getting low. In my resolution of this turn, the tanks end up with between 1 and 18 .50 cal bursts left.

Some enemy infantry gets within 500 m, and the tanks are also subject to artillery barrages. Yet, they never employ the coax MG (or the pintle mounted M240, which I can't recall ever being fired in FCCW).

[CapnDarwin]

Thank you for the file. It sounds like the AD "fix" may have broken something in the target and weapon selection logic. We will look into it.