Matrix Games Forums

Has anyone used air bridges?

I am, in general, having a lot of trouble using the air force in any meaningful way;

Biggest issues are that the AI don't build air forces (which removes the need of interceptors and anti-air) + the big logistical pain (admin burden) and expense of building airbases when the front is always moving farther and farther away from my cities

But going back on topic; has anyone used air bridges? I find it difficult to find a scenario in which I have some encircled troops but somehow they have an airbase handy. maybe helicopters? but range is really poor for them (7 to 8 hexes) and they still need a base; so really expensive and very situational

Helicopters, VTOLs and thopters can airbridge to any hex within their range. Thopters in particular can have superb range, which makes them excellent for deep strikes against enemy logistics routes, cities and assets. This can cripple enemy regimes if they don't defend against it, and tie up a lot of resources in rear area defense even if they do.

AFAIK some AIs *do* build air forces.

Air bridges are really nice to resupply newly conquered cities !

They seem to be buggy though - not respecting the SHQ percentages ?
(I had units starving next to the city where water was being airdropped. Damn Canadairs ! [8|] )

Well, first of all: Not every planet is suiteable for airforces!
You can have the best design and ideas, but if the planet has poor pressure/gravity ratio you will never get something usefull of the ground.
Divide the Airpressure in Millibar by the Gravity. If the result is not at least a 1, do not bother with airforces.

If you want to make a planet that allows/forces more ariforce, consider very mountainous or forrested. On top of a pressure/Gravity ratio of > 1.
Anything that slows down your troops, roadbuilding and especially vehicles will inherently make airforces more useable.
Forrests would give you a lot of fuel, but low fliers are hindered by foliage. It also does not hinder vehicles nearly as much.
So mountains seem the biggest factor to make Airforces viable.