AI Wingmen for Air RB / PvE Missions

This is a suggestion to introduce optional AI wingmen for players in air battles, particularly useful in PvE missions, solo grinding, or immersive gameplay. These wingmen would be customizable, limited in number, and controllable via basic commands.

Why AI Wingmen?

  • Many players enjoy flying solo but often feel outnumbered in PvE or realistic missions.
  • AI wingmen would give players a sense of formation flying and tactical support.
  • It adds immersion for people who enjoy a DCS-like or Ace Combat-style experience.
  • Useful for training, missions, and support without needing a full squad.
    Key Features:
  • Player can bring 1–2 AI wingmen into battle (configurable from loadout or lineup screen).
  • AI planes could be weaker versions of real tech tree vehicles (to keep balance).
  • Basic control commands:
    • Cover Me
    • Attack My Target
    • Hold Position / Form Up
    • RTB (Return to Base)
  • Would follow player closely unless instructed.
  • No kill-stealing, no objective capturing – purely supportive role.
    Balancing Ideas:
  • AI wingman takes up a slot (like a backup aircraft).
  • Limited ammo/fuel.
  • Reduced combat ability (lower awareness, simplified behavior).
  • Only available in PvE, Solo Missions, or custom Air RB scenarios.
    Inspirations:
  • DCS World, Ace Combat, ARMA 3 – all offer tactical AI wingmen.
  • War Thunder already has AI aircraft in PvE and EC – this just gives control over them.
    Final Thoughts:
    This feature would boost immersion, help solo players, and make the game feel more tactical and alive — without breaking balance. A small AI companion, even with basic function, would be a huge quality-of-life improvement for many players.
    Core Concept:
  • Players activate the AI via a code (e.g. “WINGMAN-GPT-01”) in the game settings or companion app.
  • This would simulate an onboard AI assistant capable of tactical communication, basic command response, and immersive feedback.
  • The AI would not control the plane — it would act as a verbal and informational copilot, similar to voice assistants or training copilots in military sims.
    What the AI Copilot Could Do:
    Cover me"
    What’s my current heading?"
    Do I have a missile warning?"
    Radar locked, suggest evasive"
    Give me fuel status"
    Respond with immersive pilot chatter:
    Copy, Lead. Holding formation."
    Bandit approaching 5 o’clock low."
    You’re bingo on fuel, better RTB."
    Tactical suggestions based on your loadout and enemy position.
    Optional personality: calm, tactical, or Top Gun-style chatter.
    How it could work:
  • External plugin/app or built-in overlay connects to a ChatGPT-based assistant.
  • Activated with a code from in-game or profile settings.
  • Only provides info/immersion, does not play the game for the player.
    Balance and Safety:
    Purely for immersion and QOL — no unfair advantages.
    AI cannot fly, shoot, or track for you.
    Chat log fully visible and recorded.
    Can be disabled at any time.
    Why it’s awesome:
  • Gives solo players the feeling of not flying alone.
  • Encourages tactical awareness and realistic play.
  • Enhances immersion and creates cinematic moments.
  • Fits perfectly with modern 4th–5th gen aircraft cockpits.

I don’t think you want A.I wingmen.

The current capabilities of Warthunder leads to 2 scenarios:

Dolphins flying far faster than their airframe can realistically manage (if you want to see it for yourself), mission editor and pick something like cl-13 sabre as enemy aircraft and observe their behaviour. These planes can be very difficult to catch for their peer-aircraft and even harder to shoot down - their dolphin-like flying (bobbing up and down) can even dodge early IR missiles like 9B/9E (Community Bug Reporting System). And even after being hit, they continue flying with grievous injuries unhampered (this can lead to hilarious bugs as seen here: (Community Bug Reporting System) I’ve killed the same plane multiple times because it refused to crash and just kept burning.

They also often engage in “warp speed”: Community Bug Reporting System

Alternatively outcome, this video by itself shall speak a thousand words:


(not my recording) (this occurs super frequently and is the cause of yet another bug Community Bug Reporting System)

A.I as it is currently implemented is sufficient (but not adequate) for WW2 propeller bombers flying pre-programmed paths without significant evasive action relying only on gunners to defend themselves. Even this can break (dover strait in air sim often results in bombers getting stuck in a forever-loop like seagulls near Britain, never retreating and presenting free kills and intercepts). There’s a few low-tier fighters that the A.I can genuinely handle, but even they’re awfully impotent (you can observe these in SBEC br 2.0-5.7 on Sicily) and often crash on their own. They also follow a different aerodynamic/damage model than player aircraft (flying straight with a whole wing missing, not even listing or slipping.)