Matrix Games Forums

I've recently purchased Command and I've always found a good way to learn a game like this is to tinker around with the scenario editor even though I'm not a creator of scenarios. Being a Brit, I wanted to use one of our new upcoming Type 26 frigates to hunt a Russian sub. I was able to add the frigate, sub, set up mission and reference points. I even managed to add a Merlin to the Type 26 and have it patrol the area - also dropping sonobuoysalong the way. So far so good.

I then decided to add an air base (RAF Lossiemouth) and a Poseidon P8. This is when the problem started. When prepping the P8 for ASW patrol, the torpedo and sonbuoy loadouts were not available. The checkbox to show only available loadouts was ticked so I unchecked the box and loaded them anyway. When trying to run this aircraft on patrol, I get a constant message in red saying that it can't drop sonobuoys because no channels are available. I've tried to find out what this means but I'm at a loss so I'm hoping that somebody can point me in the right direction. thanks in advance.

This sounds like an old DB issue, be sure you're on the latest DB, if you still have the issue please indicate the DBID of the P8 with this issue and as a workaround you can use a P8 from another country

Thanks for the suggestion.
It appears that I'm on the latest DB but I upgraded the scenario to the latest DB just to be sure.

I've made a little progress. I can now see the sonobuoys in the available loudouts screen. I had to manually add them to the airfield magazines to get this. Now I can load the P8 without having to use the override button.

When I send it out on patrol, I'm still having the no available channels problem so still no sonobuoys being dropped and still scratching my head.

Can you share the scenario? Just zip the scen or save file and upload it to the forum

Scenario file attached. I've set it up so all you need to do is select the P8 and run the scenario. You should see the no channel available notice in red as it transits the search area.

As far as I can gather a channel is actually a radio frequency used to communicate with the sonobuoy, so it looks like (for some reason) the P8 doesn't have a comm link between itself and any sonobuoys it might drop and is therefore not dropping them. I can't figure out why this is the case. Thanks for having a look

Update - problem solved. I had to add a Generic NATO Sonobuoy comms link. P8 now dropping sonobuoys over the search area.

Yes, it is a problem of the database.

There are 2 UK Poseidons in the db, 2026 and 2021.

The 2021 version is lacking the sonobuoy link.

Thanks for that information. I was using the 2021 version so that explains everything.

An update on this scenario I'm making.

I decided to add mid air refuelling but just couldn't get it to work. Nikel's post on P8 database issues with the sonobuoys gave me the idea of checking the database again. It turns out that both versions of RAF P8s are down as using boom refuelling but the RAF uses drogue. The Voyager refuelling tanker had drogue refuelling so was incompatible with the P8. I worked around the problem be replacing the Voyager with a tanker from the USA with boom refuelling and it worked perfectly. I did a bit of checking and the RAF P8 does indeed use a boom system and has to rely on US refuelling tankers (really stupid situation in my opinion).

kvob wrote: Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:21 pm An update on this scenario I'm making.

I decided to add mid air refuelling but just couldn't get it to work. Nikel's post on P8 database issues with the sonobuoys gave me the idea of checking the database again. It turns out that both versions of RAF P8s are down as using boom refuelling but the RAF uses drogue. The Voyager refuelling tanker had drogue refuelling so was incompatible with the P8. I worked around the problem be replacing the Voyager with a tanker from the USA with boom refuelling and it worked perfectly. I did a bit of checking and the RAF P8 does indeed use a boom system and has to rely on US refuelling tankers (really stupid situation in my opinion).

One of the best parts of doing detailed work with CMO through playing and scenario building is doing research thinking you found a problem...then actually learning something instead.

I agree 100%
I'm finding learning this game to be a very good way of also learning the many nuances of modern warfare and its related technologies.