[WIP] IRAI (Intelligent Random AI)

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I doubt that even a Veteran or Elite destroyer would hear a sub running silent (15 rpm of E-machine, that is the propeller rotates only once every four seconds) and below 200m through their passive hydrophones. Particularly if we consider noise of the destroyer itself, turbulence they've created speeding around, recent DC blasts bubbles waves and ripples on the surface etc. I guess even modern destroyer, would have difficulties keeping contact.
And since the sub would be impossible to hear they have to ping to keep the contact - where SteelViking reported they didn't, that is unrealistic.

My recent experience with HK group: 1939, on clear sunny day at about 1400 a TF was reported by the lookouts. I ordered ahead flank and steered a intercept course as I could only see smokes and thought at first that it could be a BB or CA. After 15 minutes I got much closer and identified the TF as 4 DDs in a box pattern. While I was hesitating whether to attack, the closest DD steered my way and increased speed - his range ~5km, AOB ~70stb, seen on ~10 o'clock position, my speed - flank, wind ~3-4m/s, sun, scattered clouds. Crash dive to 100m, 90 degree turn to port, then silent running. DD run over my position dropping 2 DCs (no pings at all), exploded about 50-100m away and much shallower as observed through Obs (i know it is cheating). Immediately after explosions I made ahead flank burst for 15 seconds and turned 45 stb. Destroyer slowed down and sitted for a minute or so listening (?) Then speeded up to DC charge turned roughly in my direction but failed to run over me, dropped 1 DC ~100m away to port. Sonar reports 2nd DD got close (I play with externals off), it started to search far away from me and failed to find me at all. In the mean time I sinked to 135m. The first DD made two more runs each further away from me. Then lost me completely, I ordered 2 knots ahead and steered away from him, after 15 minutes ordered 3 knots. Judging by the sound DD searches a bit more and then steam away to rejoin TF.
It all seemed very realistic to me except that they definitely did not try to ping me as much as I expected in approx. 1 hour this thing took place I heard only 2-3 random pings. While in reality you would expect them to ping continuosly until ceasing search, why should DD not ping if he knows for sure that you already hear him? Even if he pings everytime in completely random direction and depth, the statistics chances of catching you in the beam get higher with every single ping. So he would ping, I recon, continuosly as soon as he discovers you (remember 2.5km range of that 'searchlight' beam?) and not ceasing until he leaves "search" mode, only switching to ranging gate when making his DC run.

I can make them ping like mad if that's what you want.....it's a WIP so more tweaking is needed. I'll play with the sonar and release another version.

[Vanilla]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

I can make them ping like mad if that's what you want.....it's a WIP so more tweaking is needed. I'll play with the sonar and release another version.

I guess that would be more realistic.
The only thing that puzzles me is if they should not be pinging while listening passively, I guess they could deafen their own sonarmen this way. In all other situations they should be pinging continuosly. That is - if he knows that you are around, he tries to listen, if he picks you up - then he should be immediately switching to active sonar to get exact bearing and range and not switching it off unless he loses track. If he can't get contact with you passively, he should try to ping in a search pattern across last known position, making breaks to listen passively from time to time. And I recon when DD first get to you he should start pinging from far away at max active sonar range as he sure cannot hear a thing while moving that fast and active pinging is the only way to make contact with you.

[SteelViking]

Huh, I wonder why our experiences were so different. What you just explained does seem spot on realism wise.

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by SteelViking

Huh, I wonder why our experiences were so different. What you just explained does seem spot on realism wise.

the beauty of Randomness.....I have lots of it coded into the ship's AI

[SteelViking]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

the beauty of Randomness.....I have lots of it coded into the ship's AI

That's random alright. But getting 6DDs stuck to you and nothing lets you shake em.......They could have at least had the courtesy of killing me with dcs but nope, they would rather me suffocate.

[dogshu]

I'm unable to download this from filefront, it gives me a 404.

[SteelViking]

Originally Posted by dogshu

I'm unable to download this from filefront, it gives me a 404.

Filefront has been on the fritz the last day or so.