Am not sure the AI " sees " smoke
Maybe its wakes
Maybe its sound
Try running with the noise meter on
Not exactly a reliable tool but
If you run surfaced parallel to a convoy at a distance of your choice - around 3\4 or 5km
Now run flank and the meter turns red indicating you have a high CHANCE of being detected
Drop speed to slow and the meter will turn green indicating little or no chance of being detected
Now the visual distance hasnt changed so why less chance of the AI spotting you ?
Either the wakes OR the sound get factored into the game or both
Your results are interesting
Carry on
