AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI was another strength in Flanker 1.0 and Flanker 1.5. Many argued that its AI was the best ever in a flight simulation for that time, and I would agree that it was one of the best ever. Upon entering into a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagement, the enemy AI in Flanker 1.5 would interrogate your intentions, airspeed, directions and weapons and use those factors to engage you. The AI is even more complex in Flanker 2.0, taking those same principles and going a step further.

Options Screen

Network Screen

Crafty

It won't always make the same moves based on what you are doing with your aircraft. For example, the AI won't always follow your Su-27 into a vertical fight. Maybe the F-15C you're dogfighting has low energy. That would put it at a disadvantage to fight you in the vertical, so it won't. The AI now evaluates its own energy in relation to what your plane is doing. If it can trade altitude for speed (or vise versa) and move in on you, it will. It is aggressive!

Cobra!

F-15C going down!

Even veteran pilots have favorite moves; I can think of a few of my own when flying and dogfighting. The AI is no different. It will fight you the best way it can with regard to the capabilities of the aircraft the AI is flying. Don't expect a F-16C to be sloppy and slow to enter a horizontal fight. The F-16 has excellent turning capability. You will need to be at the top of your game to beat an expert F-16 pilot in your Su-27. Of course, the AI can be set at a level to your comfort - Rookie AI is a good place for beginning pilots to start getting into Flanker.