How realistic is the AI in a fight?

Just had a typical AI dogfight that has been this way forever. Say I have a P-51 light on fuel vs any of the German fighters say a 109 loaded with fuel on easy. I will skip the enemy's UFO flight model and ability to zoom climb and turn with no energy bleed for another time. So I get on his six and open up. Bits and pieces smoke and debri but he keeps going. Repeat this until my wrist is tired. On the other hand, he does a head on pass and with a quick blip, every bullet is that golden BB that hits every critical system I have. Wing rips off, pilot is dead, plane looks like swiss cheese.

I just flew with 3 aces against ONE "easy" 190 and he shot us all down. Pleeeeeze fix this.

Hi Jimjam,

I fly a lot of self-made SP missions, and I have the same frustrations which you describe. DCS Air-to air combat, which is currently unrealistic and unsatisfying, would be transformed if only these three elements were addressed and corrected:

1. At least 3 grades of enemy skill levels (with clearly noticeable differences in marksmanship and airmanship) and a 4th skill level of "Random" .

2. A.I. aircraft airspeed, climb, acceleration and turn rates reduced to realistic levels for the particular plane.

3. AI aircraft damage corrected to a percentage governed by number of hits received, together with indications of grades of damage (e.g. 10% - light smoke, 20% - heavier smoke, 50% - smoke and flames , 60% - small explosion with debris with pilot ejection, 70% or above - large catastrophic explosion.)

I am not a programmer, but believe that implementing the above (at least as an interim measure) would be an inexpensive way of improving a really serious fault in an otherwise excellent sim.

If programming the above is impossible or too difficult for E.D. then let them inform us. We have all been waiting a very long time for this AI model to be fixed and it is only fair that they give some clear and reliable indication of their intentions.

Regards,

Mich.

Well last night I had a AI pilot who alone could have ended WW2 early.

He was easy/full fuel in a Spit. Then there was me and 3 highest level pilots in 109s. I also added a 4 ship of 190s 1/2 fuel. Out of 4 engagements, he won 3 outta 4.

So I added another TWO 4 ship 190s and also littered the interception area with 12 various AAA pieces.

This leveled it out to a 50/50 win loss but eventually I figured out that the enemy AI WANTS YOU way more than anyone closer or on his 6.

I then would mege full speed and as he chased the TWELVE!! Wolves picked away at him. Once smoking I would re enter the fight. 12 VS ONE!!!! Sign him up!!!!!

Well just FYI Jim, but the AI in this sim is, frankly speaking, kind of wonky. And that's putting it mildly.