Drop Tank modelling

[Thomasew]

Hi,


Are the physical limitions of Drop Tanks modelled in the Sim? e.g. Weight, Drag etc..

I've noticed that the AI never drop them, even during Air Combat, nor does the Player, have any way of dropping them (that I've found anyway).

How is this affecting Air Combat performance, if it is, and RTB situations where the Plane is low on Fuel, and would drop the Tanks to increase flight performance and efficiency?


Thanks


Cheers
Tom

[jomni]

Most SOP today would recommend keeping the tanks as much as possible.
Reasons given are:
1) the amount of spare tanks in the base. Can you sustain operations if you drop them every mission?
2) empty tanks on wings can save your life during a belly landing.

It would be cool to be able to drop tanks in the game thoug. More tactical considerations and consequence .

[snowburn]

is extra fuel from tanks modeled in game?

[Dimitris]

Yes.

[Thomasew]

ORIGINAL: Sunburn

Yes.

Hi Sunburn,


Is that YES to my questions, .. or, Snowburn's ?


Cheers
Tom

[Dimitris]

(I'm tempted to reply "yes" again [:)])

Snowburn's. For the former question I'll have to consult with our DB gurus.

[ComDev]

Drop tanks do not currently have any effect on aircraft performance [8D]

[Der Zeitgeist]

ORIGINAL: emsoy

Drop tanks do not currently have any effect on aircraft performance [8D]

Not even stealth/radar cross section? For the F-22, that would be highly significant!

[Dimitris]

Having RCS modifiers for external loadouts was something that we started working on during development (see here for an example). The it got de-prioritized as other items became more pressing. We'll return to this once we get certain things out of the way first.

Thanks!

[Thomasew]

ORIGINAL: emsoy

Drop tanks do not currently have any effect on aircraft performance [8D]

Hi,

Oh Dear, .. well, that's unfortunate, .. as it would certainly explain why my Sea Harriers seem to have such difficulty in dispensing with World War II era P-2V Patrol Aircraft. [:o]

... i.e. given that they were lugging External Fuel Tanks around, and paying the penalty for it. [:(]

Maybe I need to attack the P-2s with Nimrods. [;)]


Cheers
Tom

[thewood1]

I thought the aircraft didn't pay the penalty for external tanks.

[Thomasew]

ORIGINAL: thewood1

I thought the aircraft didn't pay the penalty for external tanks.

Um, .. apparently they don't. Read my post again, as I was suggesting that if they did come with a penalty, then the AI was not dropping them before engaging in Air Combat, .. which would have explained why my Harriers seemed to struggle against aging Patrol Aircraft.

.. the fact that there is no penalty, .. suggests some other issue.

It took 2 Harriers, 4 Aim-9s, and numerous gunfire bursts, .. to shoot down 1 P-2V. [&:]


Cheers
Tom

[thewood1]

I assumed you were complaining about not being able to drop tanks being the reason your harriers were under=performing...your last post.

[snowburn]

ORIGINAL: Sunburn

(I'm tempted to reply "yes" again [:)])

Snowburn's. For the former question I'll have to consult with our DB gurus.

Thanks

[Primarchx]

Jettison-able ordinance in general would be cool. I like the idea that my old, crusty SAM, while not likely to get a hard kill on a nifty, new fighter, might score a mission-kill by making it jettison its' bombs and head back to the barn. And of course the choice to punch tanks to gain a few points of Agility when engaged offensive or improve RCS will offer its' own game decision challenges.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: Primarchx

Jettison-able ordinance in general would be cool. I like the idea that my old, crusty SAM, while not likely to get a hard kill on a nifty, new fighter, might score a mission-kill by making it jettison its' bombs and head back to the barn. And of course the choice to punch tanks to gain a few points of Agility when engaged offensive or improve RCS will offer its' own game decision challenges.

And as mentioned earlier, if your base don't have enough tanks. Your range is reduced for the succeeding missions.