No buoys with 'sonobuoy search' tactic

NFunky · 10-26-09, 09:42 PM

Was just playing around with some all out airborne ASW sanitization scenario with a Kilo and some P-3s. Watching from the Kilo with 'show truth' on, I noticed that there were no sonobuoy icons appearing on the screen even though both P-3s were set to 'sonobuoy search' of a reasonably small area. Does the 'sonobuoy search' tactic actually work, but the sonobuoys are invisible? Or do aircraft not actually drop buoys even though they're supposed to? Do I have to preposition a sonobuoy field if the aircraft are not human-controlled?

Thanks in advance...

Molon Labe · 10-26-09, 10:17 PM

This is a bug the sim shipped with that was never corrected. My guess is that what is happening is that the tactic creates invisible waypoints where the aircraft is supposed to drop buoys, but that those waypoints are too precise and the aircraft misses them, then ends up circling endlessly trying to fly to those points. It will eventually drop buoys, but it won't be a very neat pattern.

The Helix, however, does drop nice neat rows of buoys when set to the SB search tactic, FYI.

NFunky · 10-29-09, 11:16 AM

Good to hear, thanks Molon. I'm trying to set up that Persian Gulf scenario idea I've mentioned before. I was trying to see what kind and number of air assets are required to scour the Strait of Hormuz. Shame about the P-3 bug since I still believe a mere two planes plus a couple choppers could completely sanitize that area thus rendering any attempts at covert minelaying or shipping interdiction by Iran impossible. Still, I suppose if P-3s do eventually drop buoys they would still be useful to include in the scenario, however it does seem like I will have to focus on choppers as my primary searchers with maybe a frigate or two as well.

10-26-09, 09:42 PM	#1
NFunky Machinist's Mate Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 127 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	No buoys with 'sonobuoy search' tactic Was just playing around with some all out airborne ASW sanitization scenario with a Kilo and some P-3s. Watching from the Kilo with 'show truth' on, I noticed that there were no sonobuoy icons appearing on the screen even though both P-3s were set to 'sonobuoy search' of a reasonably small area. Does the 'sonobuoy search' tactic actually work, but the sonobuoys are invisible? Or do aircraft not actually drop buoys even though they're supposed to? Do I have to preposition a sonobuoy field if the aircraft are not human-controlled? Thanks in advance...

10-26-09, 10:17 PM	#2
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	This is a bug the sim shipped with that was never corrected. My guess is that what is happening is that the tactic creates invisible waypoints where the aircraft is supposed to drop buoys, but that those waypoints are too precise and the aircraft misses them, then ends up circling endlessly trying to fly to those points. It will eventually drop buoys, but it won't be a very neat pattern. The Helix, however, does drop nice neat rows of buoys when set to the SB search tactic, FYI. __________________

10-29-09, 11:16 AM	#3
NFunky Machinist's Mate Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 127 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Good to hear, thanks Molon. I'm trying to set up that Persian Gulf scenario idea I've mentioned before. I was trying to see what kind and number of air assets are required to scour the Strait of Hormuz. Shame about the P-3 bug since I still believe a mere two planes plus a couple choppers could completely sanitize that area thus rendering any attempts at covert minelaying or shipping interdiction by Iran impossible. Still, I suppose if P-3s do eventually drop buoys they would still be useful to include in the scenario, however it does seem like I will have to focus on choppers as my primary searchers with maybe a frigate or two as well.