add vertical takeoff and landing option

changelog.md

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 * **[Modding]** Support for Bandit's cloud presets mod (v15)
 * **[UX]** Reduce size of save-file by loading landmap data on the fly, which also implies no new campaign needs to be started to benefit from an updated landmap
 * **[New Game Wizard]** Ability to save an edited faction during new game creation
+* **[Options]** New option to make AI helicopters prefer vertical takeoff and landing
 
 ## Fixes
 * **[UI/UX]** A-10A flights can be edited again

game/missiongenerator/aircraft/aircraftbehavior.py

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from dcs.task import (
     OptNoReportWaypointPass,
     OptRadioUsageContact,
     OptRadioSilence,
+    OptVerticalTakeoffLanding,
     Tanker,
     RecoveryTanker,
     ActivateBeaconCommand,
@@ -114,6 +115,7 @@ class AircraftBehavior:
         mission_uses_gun: bool = True,
         rtb_on_bingo: bool = True,
         ai_unlimited_fuel: Optional[bool] = None,
+        ai_vertical_takoff_landing: Optional[bool] = None,
     ) -> None:
         group.points[0].tasks.clear()
         if ai_unlimited_fuel is None:
@@ -121,6 +123,11 @@ class AircraftBehavior:
                 flight.squadron.coalition.game.settings.ai_unlimited_fuel
             )
 
+        if ai_vertical_takoff_landing is None:
+            ai_vertical_takoff_landing = (
+                flight.squadron.coalition.game.settings.ai_vertical_takoff_landing
+            )
+
         # at IP, insert waypoint to orient aircraft in correct direction
         layout = flight.flight_plan.layout
         at_ip_or_combat = flight.state.is_at_ip or flight.state.in_combat
@@ -150,6 +157,9 @@ class AircraftBehavior:
         if rtb_winchester is not None:
             group.points[0].tasks.append(OptRTBOnOutOfAmmo(rtb_winchester))
 
+        if ai_vertical_takoff_landing and flight.is_helo:
+            group.points[0].tasks.append(OptVerticalTakeoffLanding(True))
+
         # Confiscate the bullets of AI missions that do not rely on the gun. There is no
         # "all but gun" RTB winchester option, so air to ground missions with mixed
         # weapon types will insist on using all of their bullets after running out of

game/settings/settings.py

@@ -332,6 +332,13 @@ class Settings:
         default=False,
         detail="AI will jettison their fuel tanks as soon as they're empty.",
     )
+    ai_vertical_takoff_landing: bool = boolean_option(
+        "AI helicopters use vertical takeoff and landing",
+        page=CAMPAIGN_DOCTRINE_PAGE,
+        section=GENERAL_SECTION,
+        default=False,
+        detail="AI will use vertical takeoff and landing instead of combat takeoff and landing.",
+    )
     max_plane_altitude_offset: int = bounded_int_option(
         "Maximum randomized altitude offset (x1000 ft) for airplanes.",
         page=CAMPAIGN_DOCTRINE_PAGE,

requirements.txt

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ pluggy==1.5.0
 pre-commit==3.7.1
 pydantic==2.7.4
 pydantic-settings==2.3.3
-pydcs @ git+https://github.com/dcs-retribution/pydcs@a5292f2d1803ba13dd83d6b024837d8eb44fd702
+pydcs @ git+https://github.com/dcs-retribution/pydcs@aa892f0da70586febfe8046bcd92cae4eae70964
 pyinstaller==5.13.2
 pyinstaller-hooks-contrib==2024.0
 pyparsing==3.1.2