Currently once the furball ends, if you try to run back to base, a jet will chase and dive on you at mach 1.5+ , completely avoiding the AA, and then gunning you down while immobile. Why arent there capable SPAA like pantsir or flarakrad’s which will actually prevent this behaviour?
Even with those spaa, it would still act the same. They need to rework the ai so that it can react quicker.
BIggest issue with the airbase defense is that they’re Veak 40s (no HE-VT) and AMX-30 Roland (no elevation and awful SAM flight model) SAM launchers tasked with defense.
AMX-30 Roland is basically the worst in class SAM, and Veak 40 used to be quite strong but is now significantly worse after HE-VT ammo was removed.
If we are to get improvements to airbase AAA and SAMs, I’d suggest changing the short range gun system to something like Gepard 1A2 firing APDS-F (APDS that fragments like a hollow point bullet on aircraft) and the medium range SAM should be something like SA-6 or MIM-23 Hawk/ I-Hawk.
Couple that with a proper guidance system and correctly tuned PID controllers, and people will not want to attack the airbase. But that’s very unlikely to ever happen, so the best we can hope for is to replace AMX-30 Roland with M113 ADATS, and replace the Veak 40 with Ozelot or M247.
God I wish gaijin gave the Gepard 1A2 FAPDS as its AA shell instead of their stupid “it would be too strong” answer even tho itd have similar pen to the LAV-AD…
Yeah, as it stands there’s not much to do when it boils down to those situations. Better to just crash and deny them the kill, or land and J out of it’s possible.
Since Gaijin wants to halfass it, then there’s not much else for players to do but to either halfass it themselves or resort to spiteful measures.
Balancing airfield AA needs some convoluted solution so it’s fair for both sides (no airfield camping and no strafing without consequence). Something like adding way more potent and longer range AA but having it deactivate if there’s an active allied player around them.
Also adding proper long-range SAM sites could incentivize players to take them out with A2G ordnance or finally giving an excuse to add ARMs to the game. Don’t want airfield campers? Take out the air defences. Don’t want to get strafed while landing? Intercept the weasels.
Doesn’t help that currently it feels very inconsistent. One match I can fly right over it in a straight line without being hit and the next a VEAK will instantly snipe me from max range.
I believe we need better AA but not massively.
I see going back to the base a risk. You’re leaving the battlefield to re-arm with your tail between your legs and are giving the possibility to be shot down while doing so.
I wouldnt want it to be like the lower tiers where people have immunity from the enemy just because of some guns. If someone is rtb, you dont have any choice but wait for them but at top tier you can chase them down and punish them.
You cant tell me you dont have fun strafing someone on the AF.
getting strafed in some cases sucks too