Visibility & Airstrikes

[Herr Straße Laufer]

The one major factor in air strikes and visibility is that there needs to be a LOS to the hex where the strike was plotted, until the strike occurs. Otherwise if friendly units lose sight of the hex the strike is recalled.

Because of the original intent for an abstract air system the manual is limited on what it says that planes can do in relation to visibility.

This is what I found (including from 'observations').
___________________________
Page 59
5.16 Air Attacks
At the start of each turn, you will be informed of how many Air Attacks you have remaining for use during the entire scenario (which also includes the current turn). If you use all of your listed Air Attacks in one turn, you will not have any to use in following turns. Due to the importance and strength of Air Attacks, it is usually wise to be conservative in their usage. Not every scenario will have Air Attacks available.

<snip>

A plotted Air Attack has a 65% chance of arrival on each turn (and each turn thereafter until it arrives). An arriving Air Attack will not always attack the target you pick; it will “search” for a proper target within about a five hex radius of its plotted hex. The more targets that there are within that radius the less likely it is that the Air Attack will hit the plotted location. There is even a slight chance that an Air Attack may make a mistake and attack a “friendly” unit! Therefore, it is advisable not to request an Air Attack in an area that has a lot of friendly units.

Page 137

"Observations"

Air Attacks are handy for tank-busting, especially the heavier tanks that may be difficult for your ground units to damage or destroy. Don’t be in a rush to use your Air Attacks early as the mere threat of them can keep your opponent worried for a longer period of time. Watch for stationary tanks in clear hexes if possible, as Air Attacks against units in good defensive terrain aren’t as effective. Don’t be afraid to use them against larger-caliber AT guns and artillery, especially when they are out of your artillery’s range. Also, be wary of enemy AA as they can damage an Air Attack. When you are subject to enemy Air Attacks, remember that movement is the best defense. Not being where you’re expected to be (in case an opponent is presumptive in placing Air Attacks) may save you losses.

_________________

The concept was to be abstract and also did not have variable visibility when the airplanes were modeled for the game.
Not quite and answer to your question. But, it is how planes were supposed to work in CS.
On map aircraft have a completely different model.



HSL