]> git.mxchange.org Git - flightgear.git/blobdiff - src/AIModel/AIBallistic.cxx
Make sure that takeoff distance calculations are done in the correct frame of referen...
[flightgear.git] / src / AIModel / AIBallistic.cxx
index 3e8c994f86d7ab7493b54a7394ceb6bb34ff1173..5e3b155095f1dc3147a81dbdbd2d80c7570387c3 100644 (file)
 #  include <config.h>
 #endif
 
-#include <simgear/math/point3d.hxx>
 #include <simgear/math/sg_random.h>
 #include <simgear/math/sg_geodesy.hxx>
+#include <simgear/scene/model/modellib.hxx>
 
 #include <Scenery/scenery.hxx>
 
 #include "AIBallistic.hxx"
 
+#include <Main/util.hxx>
+
+using namespace simgear;
+
 const double FGAIBallistic::slugs_to_kgs = 14.5939029372;
 const double FGAIBallistic::slugs_to_lbs = 32.1740485564;
 
-FGAIBallistic::FGAIBallistic() :
-    FGAIBase(otBallistic),
-    _elevation(0),
+FGAIBallistic::FGAIBallistic(object_type ot) :
+    FGAIBase(ot),
+    _height(0.0),
+    _ht_agl_ft(0.0),
+    _azimuth(0.0),
+    _elevation(0.0),
+    _rotation(0.0),
+    _formate_to_ac(false),
     _aero_stabilised(false),
     _drag_area(0.007),
     _life_timer(0.0),
-_gravity(32.1740485564),
+    _gravity(32.1740485564),
     _buoyancy(0),
+    _wind(true),
+    _mass(0),
     _random(false),
-    _ht_agl_ft(0),
     _load_resistance(0),
     _solid(false),
+    _force_stabilised(false),
+    _slave_to_ac(false),
+    _slave_load_to_ac(false),
+    _contents_lb(0),
     _report_collision(false),
     _report_impact(false),
-_wind(true),
+    _external_force(false),
     _impact_report_node(fgGetNode("/ai/models/model-impact", true)),
-    _external_force(false)
+    _old_height(0)
 
 {
     no_roll = false;
@@ -77,8 +91,9 @@ void FGAIBallistic::readFromScenario(SGPropertyNode* scFileNode) {
     setWind(scFileNode->getBoolValue("wind", false));
     setRoll(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("roll", 0.0));
     setCd(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("cd", 0.029));
-    setMass(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("mass", 0.007));
-    setStabilisation(scFileNode->getBoolValue("aero_stabilized", false));
+    //setMass(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("mass", 0.007));
+    setWeight(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("weight", 0.25));
+    setStabilisation(scFileNode->getBoolValue("aero-stabilized", false));
     setNoRoll(scFileNode->getBoolValue("no-roll", false));
     setRandom(scFileNode->getBoolValue("random", false));
     setImpact(scFileNode->getBoolValue("impact", false));
@@ -89,15 +104,30 @@ void FGAIBallistic::readFromScenario(SGPropertyNode* scFileNode) {
     setSubID(scFileNode->getIntValue("SubID", 0));
     setExternalForce(scFileNode->getBoolValue("external-force", false));
     setForcePath(scFileNode->getStringValue("force-path", ""));
-    setForceStabilisation(scFileNode->getBoolValue("force_stabilized", false));
-    setXOffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("x-offset", 0.0));
-    setYOffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("y-offset", 0.0));
-    setZOffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("z-offset", 0.0));
+    setForceStabilisation(scFileNode->getBoolValue("force-stabilized", false));
+    setXoffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("x-offset", 0.0));
+    setYoffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("y-offset", 0.0));
+    setZoffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("z-offset", 0.0));
+    setPitchoffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("pitch-offset", 0.0));
+    setRolloffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("roll-offset", 0.0));
+    setYawoffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("yaw-offset", 0.0));
+    setGroundOffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("ground-offset", 0.0));
+    setLoadOffset(scFileNode->getDoubleValue("load-offset", 0.0));
+    setSlaved(scFileNode->getBoolValue("slaved", false));
+    setSlavedLoad(scFileNode->getBoolValue("slaved-load", false));
+    setContentsNode(scFileNode->getStringValue("contents"));
+    setRandom(scFileNode->getBoolValue("random", false));
 }
 
 bool FGAIBallistic::init(bool search_in_AI_path) {
     FGAIBase::init(search_in_AI_path);
 
+    _impact_reported = false;
+    _collision_reported = false;
+    invisible = false;
+
+    _elapsed_time += (sg_random() * 100);
+
     props->setStringValue("material/name", "");
     props->setStringValue("name", _name.c_str());
     props->setStringValue("submodels/path", _submodel.c_str());
@@ -115,31 +145,123 @@ bool FGAIBallistic::init(bool search_in_AI_path) {
 
 void FGAIBallistic::bind() {
     //    FGAIBase::bind();
+
     props->tie("sim/time/elapsed-sec",
         SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,double>(*this,
         &FGAIBallistic::_getTime));
+    props->tie("mass-slug",
+        SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,double>(*this,
+        &FGAIBallistic::getMass));
     props->tie("material/load-resistance",
                 SGRawValuePointer<double>(&_load_resistance));
     props->tie("material/solid",
                 SGRawValuePointer<bool>(&_solid));
     props->tie("altitude-agl-ft",
                 SGRawValuePointer<double>(&_ht_agl_ft));
+    props->tie("controls/slave-to-ac",
+        SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,bool>
+        (*this, &FGAIBallistic::getSlaved, &FGAIBallistic::setSlaved));
+    props->tie("controls/invisible",
+        SGRawValuePointer<bool>(&invisible));
+
+    if(_external_force){
+        props->tie("controls/force_stabilized",
+            SGRawValuePointer<bool>(&_force_stabilised));
+        props->tie("position/global-x", 
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBase,double>(*this, &FGAIBase::_getCartPosX, 0));
+        props->tie("position/global-y",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBase,double>(*this, &FGAIBase::_getCartPosY, 0));
+        props->tie("position/global-z",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBase,double>(*this, &FGAIBase::_getCartPosZ, 0));
+        props->tie("velocities/vertical-speed-fps",
+            SGRawValuePointer<double>(&vs));
+        props->tie("velocities/true-airspeed-kt",
+            SGRawValuePointer<double>(&speed));
+        props->tie("velocities/horizontal-speed-fps",
+            SGRawValuePointer<double>(&hs));
+        props->tie("position/altitude-ft",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBase,double>(*this, &FGAIBase::_getAltitude, &FGAIBase::_setAltitude));
+        props->tie("position/latitude-deg", 
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBase,double>(*this, &FGAIBase::_getLatitude, &FGAIBase::_setLatitude));
+        props->tie("position/longitude-deg",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBase,double>(*this, &FGAIBase::_getLongitude, &FGAIBase::_setLongitude));
+        props->tie("orientation/hdg-deg",
+            SGRawValuePointer<double>(&hdg));
+        props->tie("orientation/pitch-deg",
+            SGRawValuePointer<double>(&pitch));
+        props->tie("orientation/roll-deg",
+            SGRawValuePointer<double>(&roll));
+        props->tie("controls/slave-load-to-ac",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,bool>
+            (*this, &FGAIBallistic::getSlavedLoad, &FGAIBallistic::setSlavedLoad));
+        props->tie("position/load-offset",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,double>
+            (*this, &FGAIBallistic::getLoadOffset, &FGAIBallistic::setLoadOffset));
+        props->tie("load/distance-to-hitch-ft",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,double>
+            (*this, &FGAIBallistic::getDistanceLoadToHitch));
+        props->tie("load/elevation-to-hitch-deg",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,double>
+            (*this, &FGAIBallistic::getElevLoadToHitch));
+        props->tie("load/bearing-to-hitch-deg",
+            SGRawValueMethods<FGAIBallistic,double>
+            (*this, &FGAIBallistic::getBearingLoadToHitch));
+    }
+
 }
 
 void FGAIBallistic::unbind() {
     //    FGAIBase::unbind();
+
     props->untie("sim/time/elapsed-sec");
+    props->untie("mass-slug");
     props->untie("material/load-resistance");
     props->untie("material/solid");
     props->untie("altitude-agl-ft");
+    props->untie("controls/slave-to-ac");
+    props->untie("controls/invisible");
+
+    if(_external_force){
+        props->untie("position/global-y");
+        props->untie("position/global-x");
+        props->untie("position/global-z");
+        props->untie("velocities/vertical-speed-fps");
+        props->untie("velocities/true-airspeed-kt");
+        props->untie("velocities/horizontal-speed-fps");
+        props->untie("position/altitude-ft");
+        props->untie("position/latitude-deg");
+        props->untie("position/longitude-deg");
+        props->untie("position/ht-agl-ft");
+        props->untie("orientation/hdg-deg");
+        props->untie("orientation/pitch-deg");
+        props->untie("orientation/roll-deg");
+        props->untie("controls/force_stabilized");
+        props->untie("position/load-offset");
+        props->untie("load/distance-to-hitch-ft");
+        props->untie("load/elevation-to-hitch-deg");
+        props->untie("load/bearing-to-hitch-deg");
+    }
 }
 
 void FGAIBallistic::update(double dt) {
     FGAIBase::update(dt);
+    _setUserPos();
+
+    if (_slave_to_ac){
+        slaveToAC(dt);
+        Transform();
+        setHitchVelocity(dt);
+    } else if (_formate_to_ac){
+        formateToAC(dt);
+        Transform();
+        setHitchVelocity(dt);
+    } else if (!invisible){
     Run(dt);
     Transform();
 }
 
+}
+
 void FGAIBallistic::setAzimuth(double az) {
     hdg = _azimuth = az;
 }
@@ -149,7 +271,7 @@ void FGAIBallistic::setElevation(double el) {
 }
 
 void FGAIBallistic::setRoll(double rl) {
-    _rotation = rl;
+    roll = _rotation = rl;
 }
 
 void FGAIBallistic::setStabilisation(bool val) {
@@ -196,6 +318,9 @@ void FGAIBallistic::setMass(double m) {
     _mass = m;
 }
 
+void FGAIBallistic::setWeight(double w) {
+    _weight_lb = w;
+}
 void FGAIBallistic::setRandom(bool r) {
     _random = r;
 }
@@ -230,25 +355,65 @@ void FGAIBallistic::setFuseRange(double f) {
     _fuse_range = f;
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setXOffset(double x) {
-    _x_offset = x;
+void FGAIBallistic::setSubID(int i) {
+    _subID = i;
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setYOffset(double y) {
-    _y_offset = y;
+void FGAIBallistic::setSubmodel(const string& s) {
+    _submodel = s;
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setZOffset(double z) {
-    _z_offset = z;
+void FGAIBallistic::setGroundOffset(double g) {
+    _ground_offset = g;
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setSubID(int i) {
-    _subID = i;
-    //cout << "sub id " << _subID << " name " << _name << endl;
+void FGAIBallistic::setLoadOffset(double l) {
+    _load_offset = l;
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setSubmodel(const string& s) {
-    _submodel = s;
+double FGAIBallistic::getLoadOffset() const {
+    return _load_offset;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setSlaved(bool s) {
+    _slave_to_ac = s;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setFormate(bool f) {
+    _formate_to_ac = f;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setContentsNode(const string& path) {
+    if (!path.empty()) {
+        _contents_node = fgGetNode(path.c_str(), true);
+    }
+}
+
+bool FGAIBallistic::getSlaved() const {
+    return _slave_to_ac;
+}  
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getMass() const {
+    return _mass;
+}
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getContents() {
+    if(_contents_node) 
+        _contents_lb = _contents_node->getChild("level-lbs",0,1)->getDoubleValue();
+    return _contents_lb;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setContents(double c) {
+    if(_contents_node) 
+        _contents_lb = _contents_node->getChild("level-gal_us",0,1)->setDoubleValue(c);
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setSlavedLoad(bool l) {
+    _slave_load_to_ac = l;
+}
+
+bool FGAIBallistic::getSlavedLoad() const {
+    return _slave_load_to_ac;
 }
 
 void FGAIBallistic::setForcePath(const string& p) {
@@ -263,8 +428,8 @@ void FGAIBallistic::setForcePath(const string& p) {
 
 bool FGAIBallistic::getHtAGL(){
 
-    if (globals->get_scenery()->get_elevation_m(pos.getLatitudeDeg(), pos.getLongitudeDeg(),
-        10000.0, _elevation_m, &_material)){
+    if (getGroundElevationM(SGGeod::fromGeodM(pos, 10000),
+                            _elevation_m, &_material)) {
             _ht_agl_ft = pos.getElevationFt() - _elevation_m * SG_METER_TO_FEET;
             if (_material) {
                 const vector<string>& names = _material->get_names();
@@ -298,30 +463,85 @@ double FGAIBallistic::getRecip(double az){
     }
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setPitch(double e, double dt, double coeff){
+void FGAIBallistic::setPch(double e, double dt, double coeff){
     double c = dt / (coeff + dt);
     pitch = (e * c) + (pitch * (1 - c));
 }
 
-void FGAIBallistic::setHdg(double dt, double coeff){
+void FGAIBallistic::setBnk(double r, double dt, double coeff){
+    double c = dt / (coeff + dt);
+    roll = (r * c) + (roll * (1 - c));
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setHt(double h, double dt, double coeff){
+    double c = dt / (coeff + dt);
+    _height = (h * c) + (_height * (1 - c));
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setHdg(double az, double dt, double coeff){
     double recip = getRecip(hdg);
     double c = dt / (coeff + dt);
     //we need to ensure that we turn the short way to the new hdg
-    if (_azimuth < recip && _azimuth < hdg && hdg > 180) {
-        hdg = ((_azimuth + 360) * c) + (hdg * (1 - c));
-    } else if (_azimuth > recip && _azimuth > hdg && hdg <= 180){
-        hdg = ((_azimuth - 360) * c) + (hdg * (1 - c));
+    if (az < recip && az < hdg && hdg > 180) {
+        hdg = ((az + 360) * c) + (hdg * (1 - c));
+    } else if (az > recip && az > hdg && hdg <= 180){
+        hdg = ((az - 360) * c) + (hdg * (1 - c));
     } else {
-        hdg = (_azimuth * c) + (hdg * (1 - c));
+        hdg = (az * c) + (hdg * (1 - c));
     }
+    }
+
+double  FGAIBallistic::getTgtXOffset() const {
+    return _tgt_x_offset;
+}
+
+double  FGAIBallistic::getTgtYOffset() const {
+    return _tgt_y_offset;
+} 
+
+double  FGAIBallistic::getTgtZOffset() const {
+    return _tgt_z_offset;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setTgtXOffset(double x){
+    _tgt_x_offset = x;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setTgtYOffset(double y){
+    _tgt_y_offset = y;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setTgtZOffset(double z){
+    _tgt_z_offset = z;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::slaveToAC(double dt){
+
+    setHitchPos();
+    pos.setLatitudeDeg(hitchpos.getLatitudeDeg());
+    pos.setLongitudeDeg(hitchpos.getLongitudeDeg());
+    pos.setElevationFt(hitchpos.getElevationFt());
+    setHeading(manager->get_user_heading());
+    setPitch(manager->get_user_pitch() + _pitch_offset);
+    setBank(manager->get_user_roll() + _roll_offset);
+    setSpeed(manager->get_user_speed());
+    //update the mass (slugs)
+    _mass = (_weight_lb + getContents()) / slugs_to_lbs;
+
+    /*cout <<"_mass "<<_mass <<" " << getContents() 
+    <<" " << getContents() / slugs_to_lbs << endl;*/
 }
 
 void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
     _life_timer += dt;
 
+    // if life = -1 the object does not die
     if (_life_timer > life && life != -1)
         setDie(true);
 
+    //set the contents in the appropriate tank or other property in the parent to zero
+    setContents(0);
+
     //randomise Cd by +- 5%
     if (_random)
         _Cd = _Cd * 0.95 + (0.05 * sg_random());
@@ -337,7 +557,7 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
     else
         Cdm = 0.2965 * pow(Mach, -1.1506) + _Cd;
 
-    //cout << " Mach , " << Mach << " , Cdm , " << Cdm << " ballistic speed kts //"<< speed <<  endl;
+    //cout << "Mach " << Mach << " Cdm " << Cdm << "// ballistic speed kts "<< speed <<  endl;
 
     // drag = Cd * 0.5 * rho * speed * speed * drag_area;
     // rho is adjusted for altitude in void FGAIBase::update,
@@ -351,7 +571,7 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
         speed = 0.0;
 
     double speed_fps = speed * SG_KT_TO_FPS;
-    double hs;
+    //double hs;
 
     // calculate vertical and horizontal speed components
     if (speed == 0.0) {
@@ -381,7 +601,7 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
     //calculate velocity due to external force
     double force_speed_north_deg_sec = 0;
     double force_speed_east_deg_sec = 0;
-    double vs_force_fps = 0;
+//    double vs_force_fps = 0;
     double hs_force_fps = 0;
     double v_force_acc_fpss = 0;
     double force_speed_north_fps = 0;
@@ -412,10 +632,15 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
         if (getHtAGL()){
             double deadzone = 0.1;
 
-            if ( _ht_agl_ft <= (0 + _z_offset + deadzone) && _solid){
+            if (_ht_agl_ft <= (0 + _ground_offset + deadzone) && _solid){
                 normal_force_lbs = (_mass * slugs_to_lbs) - v_force_lbs;
-                pos.setElevationFt((_elevation_m * SG_METER_TO_FEET) + _z_offset);
-                vs = 0;
+
+                if ( normal_force_lbs < 0 )
+                    normal_force_lbs = 0;
+
+                pos.setElevationFt(0 + _ground_offset);
+                if (vs < 0) 
+                    vs = -vs * 0.5;
 
                 // calculate friction
                 // we assume a static Coefficient of Friction (mu) of 0.62 (wood on concrete)
@@ -423,11 +648,12 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
 
                 static_friction_force_lbs = mu * normal_force_lbs * _frictionFactor;
 
-                //adjust horizontal force
-                if (h_force_lbs <= static_friction_force_lbs && hs <= 0.1)
+                //adjust horizontal force. We assume that a speed of <= 5 fps is static 
+                if (h_force_lbs <= static_friction_force_lbs && hs <= 5){
                     h_force_lbs = hs = 0;
-                else 
-                    dynamic_friction_force_lbs = (static_friction_force_lbs * 0.75);
+                    speed_north_fps = speed_east_fps = 0;
+                } else
+                    dynamic_friction_force_lbs = (static_friction_force_lbs * 0.95);
 
                 //ignore wind when on the ground for now
                 //TODO fix this
@@ -452,8 +678,8 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
         force_speed_north_fps   = cos(force_azimuth_deg * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS) * hs_force_fps;
         force_speed_east_fps    = sin(force_azimuth_deg * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS) * hs_force_fps;
 
-        double friction_force_speed_north_fps = cos(getRecip(hdg) * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS) * friction_force_fps;
-        double friction_force_speed_east_fps  = sin(getRecip(hdg) * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS) * friction_force_fps;
+        friction_force_speed_north_fps = cos(getRecip(hdg) * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS) * friction_force_fps;
+        friction_force_speed_east_fps  = sin(getRecip(hdg) * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS) * friction_force_fps;
 
         // convert horizontal speed (fps) to degrees per second
         force_speed_north_deg_sec = force_speed_north_fps / ft_per_deg_lat;
@@ -467,14 +693,6 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
     double wind_speed_from_north_deg_sec = _wind_from_north / ft_per_deg_lat;
     double wind_speed_from_east_deg_sec  = _wind_from_east / ft_per_deg_lon;
 
-    // set new position
-    pos.setLatitudeDeg( pos.getLatitudeDeg()
-        + (speed_north_deg_sec - wind_speed_from_north_deg_sec 
-        + force_speed_north_deg_sec + friction_force_speed_north_deg_sec) * dt );
-    pos.setLongitudeDeg( pos.getLongitudeDeg()
-        + (speed_east_deg_sec - wind_speed_from_east_deg_sec 
-        + force_speed_east_deg_sec + friction_force_speed_east_deg_sec) * dt );
-
     //recombine the horizontal velocity components
     hs = sqrt(((speed_north_fps + force_speed_north_fps + friction_force_speed_north_fps) 
         * (speed_north_fps + force_speed_north_fps + friction_force_speed_north_fps))
@@ -490,10 +708,32 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
     if (vs <= 0.00001 && vs >= -0.00001)
         vs = 0;
 
-    // adjust altitude (feet) and set new elevation
-    altitude_ft = pos.getElevationFt();
-    altitude_ft += vs * dt;
-    pos.setElevationFt(altitude_ft);
+    // set new position
+    if(_slave_load_to_ac) {
+        setHitchPos();
+        pos.setLatitudeDeg(hitchpos.getLatitudeDeg());
+        pos.setLongitudeDeg(hitchpos.getLongitudeDeg());
+        pos.setElevationFt(hitchpos.getElevationFt());
+
+        if (getHtAGL()){
+            double deadzone = 0.1;
+
+            if (_ht_agl_ft <= (0 + _ground_offset + deadzone) && _solid){
+                pos.setElevationFt(0 + _ground_offset);
+            } else {
+                pos.setElevationFt(hitchpos.getElevationFt() + _load_offset);
+            }
+
+        }
+    } else {
+        pos.setLatitudeDeg( pos.getLatitudeDeg()
+            + (speed_north_deg_sec - wind_speed_from_north_deg_sec 
+            + force_speed_north_deg_sec + friction_force_speed_north_deg_sec) * dt );
+        pos.setLongitudeDeg( pos.getLongitudeDeg()
+            + (speed_east_deg_sec - wind_speed_from_east_deg_sec 
+            + force_speed_east_deg_sec + friction_force_speed_east_deg_sec) * dt );
+        pos.setElevationFt(pos.getElevationFt() + vs * dt);
+    }
 
     // recalculate total speed
     if ( vs == 0 && hs == 0)
@@ -503,8 +743,9 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
 
     // recalculate elevation and azimuth (velocity vectors)
     _elevation = atan2( vs, hs ) * SG_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES;
-    _azimuth =  atan2((speed_east_fps + force_speed_east_fps), 
-        (speed_north_fps + force_speed_north_fps)) * SG_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES;
+    _azimuth =  atan2((speed_east_fps + force_speed_east_fps + friction_force_speed_east_fps), 
+        (speed_north_fps + force_speed_north_fps + friction_force_speed_north_fps))
+        * SG_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES;
 
     // rationalise azimuth
     if (_azimuth < 0)
@@ -514,21 +755,23 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
         const double coeff = 0.9;
 
         // we assume a symetrical MI about the pitch and yaw axis
-        setPitch(_elevation, dt, coeff);
-        setHdg(dt, coeff);
-
+        setPch(_elevation, dt, coeff);
+        setHdg(_azimuth, dt, coeff);
     } else if (_force_stabilised) { // we simulate rotational moment of inertia by using a filter
         const double coeff = 0.9;
         double ratio = h_force_lbs/(_mass * slugs_to_lbs);
 
+        if (ratio >  1) ratio =  1;
+        if (ratio < -1) ratio = -1;
+
         double force_pitch = acos(ratio) * SG_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES;
 
         if (force_pitch <= force_elevation_deg)
             force_pitch = force_elevation_deg;
 
         // we assume a symetrical MI about the pitch and yaw axis
-        setPitch(force_pitch,dt, coeff);
-        setHdg(dt, coeff);
+        setPch(force_pitch,dt, coeff);
+        setHdg(_azimuth, dt, coeff);
     }
 
     //do impacts and collisions
@@ -539,7 +782,7 @@ void FGAIBallistic::Run(double dt) {
         handle_collision();
 
     // set destruction flag if altitude less than sea level -1000
-    if (altitude_ft < -1000.0)
+    if (altitude_ft < -1000.0 && life != -1)
         setDie(true);
 
 }  // end Run
@@ -559,8 +802,9 @@ void FGAIBallistic::handle_impact() {
         report_impact(_elevation_m);
         _impact_reported = true;
 
-        // kill the AIObject if there is no subsubmodel
-        if (_subID == 0)
+        if (life == -1){
+            invisible = true;
+        } else if (_subID == 0)  // kill the AIObject if there is no subsubmodel
             setDie(true);
     }
 }
@@ -604,5 +848,222 @@ void FGAIBallistic::report_impact(double elevation, const FGAIBase *object)
     _impact_report_node->setStringValue(props->getPath());
 }
 
-// end AIBallistic
+SGVec3d FGAIBallistic::getCartUserPos() const {
+    SGVec3d cartUserPos = SGVec3d::fromGeod(userpos);
+    return cartUserPos;
+}
+
+SGVec3d FGAIBallistic::getCartHitchPos() const{
+
+    // convert geodetic positions to geocentered
+    SGVec3d cartuserPos = getCartUserPos();
+    SGVec3d cartPos = getCartPos();
+
+    // Transform to the right coordinate frame, configuration is done in
+    // the x-forward, y-right, z-up coordinates (feet), computation
+    // in the simulation usual body x-forward, y-right, z-down coordinates
+    // (meters) )
+    SGVec3d _off(_x_offset * SG_FEET_TO_METER,
+        _y_offset * SG_FEET_TO_METER,
+        -_z_offset * SG_FEET_TO_METER);
+
+    // Transform the user position to the horizontal local coordinate system.
+    SGQuatd hlTrans = SGQuatd::fromLonLat(userpos);
+
+    // and postrotate the orientation of the user model wrt the horizontal
+    // local frame
+    hlTrans *= SGQuatd::fromYawPitchRollDeg(
+        manager->get_user_heading(),
+        manager->get_user_pitch(),
+        manager->get_user_roll());
+
+    // The offset converted to the usual body fixed coordinate system
+    // rotated to the earth-fixed coordinates axis
+    SGVec3d off = hlTrans.backTransform(_off);
+
+    // Add the position offset of the user model to get the geocentered position
+    SGVec3d offsetPos = cartuserPos + off;
+
+    return offsetPos;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setHitchPos(){
+    // convert the hitch geocentered position to geodetic
+    SGVec3d carthitchPos = getCartHitchPos();
+
+    SGGeodesy::SGCartToGeod(carthitchPos, hitchpos);
+}
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getDistanceLoadToHitch() const {
+    //calculate the distance load to hitch 
+    SGVec3d carthitchPos = getCartHitchPos();
+    SGVec3d cartPos = getCartPos();
+
+    SGVec3d diff = carthitchPos - cartPos;
+    double distance = norm(diff);
+    return distance * SG_METER_TO_FEET;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setHitchVelocity(double dt) {
+    //calculate the distance from the previous hitch position
+    SGVec3d carthitchPos = getCartHitchPos();
+    SGVec3d diff = carthitchPos - _oldcarthitchPos;
+
+    double distance = norm(diff);
+
+    //calculate speed knots
+    speed = (distance/dt) * SG_MPS_TO_KT;
+
+    //now calulate the angle between the old and current hitch positions (degrees)
+    double angle = 0;
+    double daltM = hitchpos.getElevationM() - oldhitchpos.getElevationM();
+
+    if (fabs(distance) < SGLimits<float>::min()) {
+        angle = 0;
+    } else {
+        double sAngle = daltM/distance;
+        sAngle = SGMiscd::min(1, SGMiscd::max(-1, sAngle));
+        angle = SGMiscd::rad2deg(asin(sAngle));
+    }
+
+    _elevation = angle;
+
+    //calculate the bearing of the new hitch position from the old
+    double az1, az2, dist;
+
+    geo_inverse_wgs_84(oldhitchpos, hitchpos, &az1, &az2, &dist);
+
+    _azimuth = az1;
+
+    // and finally store the new values
+    _oldcarthitchPos = carthitchPos;
+    oldhitchpos = hitchpos;
+}
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getElevLoadToHitch() const {
+    // now the angle, positive angles are upwards
+    double distance = getDistanceLoadToHitch() * SG_FEET_TO_METER;
+    double angle = 0;
+    double daltM = hitchpos.getElevationM() - pos.getElevationM();
+
+    if (fabs(distance) < SGLimits<float>::min()) {
+        angle = 0;
+    } else {
+        double sAngle = daltM/distance;
+        sAngle = SGMiscd::min(1, SGMiscd::max(-1, sAngle));
+        angle = SGMiscd::rad2deg(asin(sAngle));
+    }
+
+    return angle;
+}
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getBearingLoadToHitch() const {
+    //calculate the bearing and range of the second pos from the first
+    double az1, az2, distance;
+
+    geo_inverse_wgs_84(pos, hitchpos, &az1, &az2, &distance);
 
+    return az1;
+}
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getRelBrgHitchToUser() const {
+    //calculate the relative bearing 
+    double az1, az2, distance;
+
+    geo_inverse_wgs_84(hitchpos, userpos, &az1, &az2, &distance);
+
+    double rel_brg = az1 - hdg;
+
+    if (rel_brg > 180)
+        rel_brg -= 360;
+
+    return rel_brg;
+}
+
+double FGAIBallistic::getElevHitchToUser() const {
+
+    //calculate the distance from the user position
+    SGVec3d carthitchPos = getCartHitchPos();
+    SGVec3d cartuserPos = getCartUserPos();
+
+    SGVec3d diff = cartuserPos - carthitchPos;
+
+    double distance = norm(diff);
+    double angle = 0;
+
+    double daltM = userpos.getElevationM() - hitchpos.getElevationM();
+
+    // now the angle, positive angles are upwards
+    if (fabs(distance) < SGLimits<float>::min()) {
+        angle = 0;
+    } else {
+        double sAngle = daltM/distance;
+        sAngle = SGMiscd::min(1, SGMiscd::max(-1, sAngle));
+        angle = SGMiscd::rad2deg(asin(sAngle));
+    }
+
+    return angle;
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::setTgtOffsets(double dt, double coeff){
+    double c = dt / (coeff + dt);
+
+    _x_offset = (_tgt_x_offset * c) + (_x_offset * (1 - c));
+    _y_offset = (_tgt_y_offset * c) + (_y_offset * (1 - c));
+    _z_offset = (_tgt_z_offset * c) + (_z_offset * (1 - c));
+}
+
+void FGAIBallistic::formateToAC(double dt){
+
+    setTgtOffsets(dt, 25);
+    setHitchPos();
+    setHitchVelocity(dt);
+
+    // elapsed time has a random initialisation so that each 
+    // wingman moves differently
+    _elapsed_time += dt;
+
+    // we derive a sine based factor to give us smoothly 
+    // varying error between -1 and 1
+    double factor  = sin(SGMiscd::deg2rad(_elapsed_time * 10));
+    double r_angle = 5 * factor;
+    double p_angle = 2.5 * factor;
+    double h_angle = 5 * factor;
+    double h_feet  = 3 * factor;
+
+    pos.setLatitudeDeg(hitchpos.getLatitudeDeg());
+    pos.setLongitudeDeg(hitchpos.getLongitudeDeg());
+
+    if (getHtAGL()){
+
+        if(_ht_agl_ft <= 10) {
+            _height = userpos.getElevationFt();
+        } else if (_ht_agl_ft > 10 && _ht_agl_ft <= 150 ) {
+            setHt(userpos.getElevationFt(), dt, 1.0);
+        } else if (_ht_agl_ft > 150 && _ht_agl_ft <= 250) {
+            setHt(hitchpos.getElevationFt()+ h_feet, dt, 0.75);
+        } else
+            setHt(hitchpos.getElevationFt()+ h_feet, dt, 0.5);
+
+        pos.setElevationFt(_height);
+    }
+
+    // these calculations are unreliable at slow speeds
+    if(speed >= 10) {
+        setHdg(_azimuth + h_angle, dt, 0.9);
+        setPch(_elevation + p_angle + _pitch_offset, dt, 0.9);
+
+        if (roll <= 115 && roll >= -115)
+            setBnk(manager->get_user_roll() + r_angle + _roll_offset, dt, 0.5);
+        else
+            roll = manager->get_user_roll() + r_angle + _roll_offset;
+
+    } else {
+        setHdg(manager->get_user_heading(), dt, 0.9);
+        setPch(manager->get_user_pitch() + _pitch_offset, dt, 0.9);
+        setBnk(manager->get_user_roll() + _roll_offset, dt, 0.9);
+    }
+
+    setSpeed(speed);
+}
+// end AIBallistic