Identification of enemy airplanes is so slow

[unmerged(486097)]

It takes ages, even for really slow airplanes. In the meanwhile they shoot all the missiles they want. I could assume that all unknown contacts are enemies, but that wouldn't be really correct, which brings me to another issue: missions don't have clear rules of engagement.
I'm not sure it's realistic that it takes so much time.

Anyone knows a good optician where I can send my pilots?

 

[unmerged(485085)]

My criteria for designating something hostile:

1. It's track indicates that it originated from a hostile airfield
2. It's headed toward my high value units (i.e., carrier, convoy or AEW aircraft)
3. It's going faster than 600 KMPH

The need to designate air units hostile is actually not that high in NWAC. This is because 1) hostile air contacts often are automatically classified by friendly units and 2) because there really isn't that much commercial traffic modeled in most of the NWAC missions. The overall lack of neutral contacts in the NWAC campaign is what makes the ROE aspect very simple and unrealistic. In these missions, ROE is exercised more as a matter of when and from where you want to attack, vice what you want to attack or whether or not you should. I don't think it detracts from the game too much, but it certainly would make it more interesting if there were more neutral traffic and consequences for 'collateral damage' (this would require a dynamic campaign, though).

 

[unmerged(486097)]

1) my point is exactly that hostile contacts often are automatically classified by friendly units, but after a while. Possibly a too long while.
2) indeed, I haven't seen commercial traffic, and this basically means that I can shoot anyone down. In other words, I'm making my own ROE up. It doesn't really detract from the game too much, as you say, but it doesn't really help either. It would be nice to have an efficient identification of units with some clear ROE defined in the mission.

Guess I'll have to live with it. Hopefully it will change in the future.

 

[3Form]

Just out of curiosity, what are you spotting with? I found that most units were identified quickly if I was using AEW units, or a helicopter at medium height, but much slower if I was relying purely on my CAP fighters.

 

[Robinsa]

Im curious as to why Crazybait think there should be more comercial traffic ? In proboably less than 1 day after an open conflict like this has started all civilan aircraft would be grounded. The ones that are in there are in the air should be free to be consider enemy transports of material and/or personnel.

 

[unmerged(486097)]

Just out of curiosity, what are you spotting with? I found that most units were identified quickly if I was using AEW units, or a helicopter at medium height, but much slower if I was relying purely on my CAP fighters.

interesting question. To spot I use whatever has the best radar: an AEW if I have it, or otherwise an ASW, or a fighter. When the identification doesn't succeed I send a couple of fighters for visual identification.
The thing is that I saw the problem mostly in baltic breakout, where I don't have an AEW. I'm not sure, however, if identification is so much faster with an AEW. What I really noticed is that it takes ages to my pilots to identify a couple of enemy fighters.

Robinsa, the idea of the commercial traffic comes because in general it shouldn't be a good idea to assume that any contact is hostile. You should be penalized for just shooting at an unknown target. I'm not sure how it would work in a case of open conflict though.