Bug Fixes & Additions

Air Defender Changelog - Version 0.4.5.7 - January 2026

This update represents a significant overhaul of core systems since version 0.3.6.3. We have focused on deepening the simulation mechanics, refining the user interface, restructuring the Critical Tension gameplay, and improving overall stability.

User Interface Redesign

A comprehensive UI update has been applied to improve readability, usability, and consistency across all resolutions from 1080p to 4K.Panel System Overhaul

• Active Operations Panel: Now a dedicated standalone panel showing all active sorties with real-time status updates. Includes jump-to-aircraft buttons, sortie filtering, and integration with the COMMS system.

• COMMS Panel: Radio channel buttons have moved to a dedicated right-side panel that shares space with ASMA. Click any sortie to focus on that channel's communications.

• Panel Responsiveness: All panels now scale properly based on screen resolution. Text, buttons, and spacing adapt from 1080p to 4K without becoming too large or too small.

• Panel Exclusivity: Opening certain panels now automatically closes overlapping panels for a cleaner view.

Visual Improvements

• Consistent Styling: All panels share a unified design language with standardised typography, zebra striping for row readability, and consistent button sizes.

• Scrollbar Redesign: Clean, flat scrollbar design with dark track and light thumb for better visibility.

• RemovedTab StylingRemoved distracting borders from info boxes and tabs, using subtle background highlighting instead.
• AddedClose ButtonsAdded CLOSE buttons to all panel headers for quick dismissal.

High-Density Tracking

• Ident Bar Improvements: The Ident Bar and Track List remain legible and usable even when tracking 100+ contacts.

• Ident Filtering: Track List and Active Ops now have clickable ident badges (I/K/E) to filter by identification status.

• Emergency Highlighting: Emergency squawks (7500/7600/7700) and PAN/MAYDAY calls are now visually highlighted in red/amber in Track List and Active Operations.

• Emergency Sorting: Emergency tracks automatically sort to the top of the Track List.

New Features

• CALL ATC Buttons: Track List and Flight Plans panels now have CALL ATC buttons to quickly query the relevant controller via ASMA.

• Squawk Ident Triangles: When jumping to a track, visual triangles highlight the target for easy identification.

• Sortie Numbers on Datablocks: Track datablocks now show sortie numbers for friendly and tasked target tracks.

• Ctrl+Ident Shortcuts: Use Ctrl+A/U/X/S/H to quickly set track identification.

• Delete Declutter: Press Delete to hide all tracks (so it only shows RADAR contacts) except selected/hooked tracks.

• Backspace Focus: Press Backspace to remove all trackblocks except the selected track.

Airfield Panel Improvements

• ICAO Codes: Airfield panels now display ICAO codes (e.g., "EGXC (RAF CONINGSBY)").

• Proper Scaling: Buttons and text properly scale on 4K displays.

• AdjustedClick DetectionImproved click detection so clicking airfield names reliably opens the panel.

New Asset: Nimrod R1 (SIGINT)

The Nimrod R1 has been added as a fully simulated intelligence platform, expanding your strategic options for airspace monitoring.

• Full Flight Simulation: The Nimrod follows complete flight logic, including taxi, takeoff sequencing, cruise climb, instrument approaches, and proper landing procedures.

• Persistent Tracking: SIGINT tracks are maintained accurately throughout all flight phases.

• 500nm EW Coverage: Provides emitter detection over a wide area to enhance your situational awareness.

• Redeployment: Redeploy Nimrods to forward airbases to adjust your surveillance coverage as the threat evolves.

• AddedFleet Size3 aircraft are available at RAF Waddington to support sustained operations.

• Callsigns: SIGINT aircraft use the GADGET callsign series (GADGET01, GADGET02, etc.).

Communications & Audio

The radio and voice procedure systems have been tightened to ensure accurate, reliable feedback during high-tempo operations.

Sortie-Based Communications

• Sortie Channels: COMMS channels now correctly bind to specific sorties, ensuring you are always listening to the relevant traffic.

• ASMA Filtering: ASMA can now filter messages by sortie, syncing with COMMS channel selection.

• Sortie Labels: ASMA headers, Active Ops, and panel labels now use consistent sortie labelling (01, 02, AW01, TK01, etc.).

Voice Procedure Improvements

• Channel Separation: Controller calls no longer bleed into unmonitored frequencies.

• Civilian Intercepts: Proper voice procedures are now implemented for civilian suspect intercepts (intentions questioning, compliance confirmation).

• Spoofer Intercepts: Distinct voice procedures for spoofer intercepts including outside-FIR and inside-FIR sequences.

• Combat Intercepts: Full hostile engagement voice sequence with proper escalation.

• Duplicate Prevention: Radio calls no longer duplicate when multiple pairs are in the same sortie (4-ship formations).

QRA Communications

• Launch Persistence: QRA launch communications now persist correctly through spawn delays, ensuring the full scramble sequence is audible.

• Pending Launches: Active Operations now shows pending QRA launches with countdown timers before aircraft appear.

• Channel Stability: COMMS channels stay alive during takeoff even when there's lag in contact registration.

Core Systems & Simulation Improvements

Significant work has gone into the stability and logic of the underlying simulation.

Save/Load Stability

Major improvements to save/load reliability:

• FixedInterceptor CallsignsFixed issues where interceptors would receive civilian-style callsigns after loading.

• Paired Sorties: Interceptor pairs now stay together in the same sortie/channel after load.

• Asset Persistence: AWACS, tankers, and other assets no longer disappear after loading or exiting training missions.

• CAP Patrols: CAP interceptors now resume patrol patterns correctly after loading instead of stalling.

• Raid Contacts: Critical raid aircraft persist correctly through save/load cycles.

• Track Identification: Track ident status is preserved correctly (hostiles no longer revert to pending).

Traffic & AI Logic

• IFR Approaches: Arrival sequencing has been smoothed out to prevent unnecessary holding on final approach.

• Edinburgh Fix: Edinburgh (EGPH) arrival holds now clear properly instead of circling indefinitely.

• VFR Landings: Solved issues where VFR traffic would stall at low altitude instead of completing the landing roll.

• Airspace Closures: Inbound civilian traffic now correctly diverts or turns back when airspace is closed at Critical tension.

• Airspace Reopening: Civilian airspace reopens automatically when all enemy threats are cleared, with a prominent notification.

• Mode 3 Codes: International IFR flights now keep correct ORCAM transit Mode 3 codes across the UK.

Friendly Fire Prevention

• Improved Protection: Enhanced safeguards to prevent accidental engagement of friendly aircraft.

Intercept Improvements

• Show of Force Compliance: Enemy aircraft respond to interceptor presence with realistic compliance behaviour.

• Pair Separation: Interceptor pairs now maintain proper line-abreast separation so both aircraft are always visible.

Asset Behaviour

• AWACS L11 Coverage: AWACS L11 datalink now correctly uses each ground station's actual coverage radius.

• FixedAWACS RTBFixed AWACS getting stuck in the circuit during RTB - they now complete landings properly.

• Tanker Redeploy: Redeployed tankers now take off and climb properly instead of jumping to cruise altitude.

• Destroyed Airfield Handling: Assets now divert to surviving airfields when their home base is destroyed.

• AddedSingle-Ship TaskingID/ENG tasking can now launch a single interceptor when only one is available.

Training Mission Fixes

Several training missions have received targeted fixes to ensure they work correctly:Bear Hunt

• Complete Voice Sequence: The mission now plays the full intercept voice sequence.

• Refuel Flow: After the bomber complies and exits UK airspace, QRA interceptors correctly proceed to the tanker for refuelling.

• RTB After Refuel: After refuelling, interceptors RTB instead of resuming the escort mission.

• Duplicate Audio Fix: Suppressed duplicate "now complying" voice lines.

Tunnel Vision

• Full Voice Procedure: The mission now runs the full interceptor voice procedure before weapons release.

• FixedEngagement FixFixed interceptors circling instead of properly engaging targets.

Needle in a Haystack

• Proper Completion: Mission now requires QRA Launch and Positive Identification (PosID) after user identification.

• FixedPosID RecognitionFixed issue where the spoofer ID wasn't recognised for mission completion.

Assets Training

• AddedBackground TrafficThe Assets training mission now includes normal civilian traffic for added realism.

Keyboard Shortcuts

New and improved keyboard shortcuts for faster operation:

Quality of Life

• Cancel Task Buttons: Assets and Airfield panels now have Cancel Task buttons to abort pending selections.

• Full Aircraft Names: Assets panel now shows full aircraft type names (e.g., "Tornado F3" instead of "Torn").

• ASMA Starts Unfiltered: ASMA console now starts showing all messages by default.

• Refuel Status: Active Ops refuel status and ASMA messages now name the specific tanker being used.

• Redeploy Status: Redeploying aircraft now show "Redeploying -> Base" with distance in Active Operations.

• AddedGive Feedback ButtonAdded a Give Feedback button next to Discord on the front page for easier community input.

• Endless Mode: Once all inbound enemy aircraft have been destroyed and victory is achieved, you're given the option to play in Endless mode.

• AddedWindowed BorderlessAdded new borderless option for better windows management.

Offshore Helicopter Operations (New)

Realistic North Sea oil rig helicopter traffic has been added:

• CAA-Based Traffic Volumes: Offshore helicopter traffic now reflects real-world volumes.

• Operating Hours: Offshore helicopters operate between 6am and 8pm, matching real-world schedules.

• Realistic Routing: Helicopters now fly to any oil rig within their operational range.

Combat Simulation Improvements

• Improved Interceptor Behaviour: Interceptors now behave more realistically during combat, including proper weapon employment and target tracking.

• Airspace Closure Logic: Airspace closures are now triggered by confirmed threats rather than tension level alone.

Other Bug Fixes

Save/Load Fixes

• Panel Styling: Panel buttons now keep their standard styling after loading a saved game.

Traffic Fixes

• Heathrow Arrivals: Arrival holds at Heathrow are now distributed more realistically when congested.

Gameplay Fixes

• Shadow Mission Popups: Shadow mission decision popups now appear at the correct time.

• QRA Launch Warning: A warning sound now plays when QRA launch is blocked.

• FixedInterceptor RTBFixed interceptors freezing mid-air during return to base.
• FixedDuplicate Radio CallsFixed duplicate radio communications during intercepts.

Full changelog from version 0.3.6.3 to 0.4.5.7