Fuel
Aircraft only — and you never run dry mid-air.
WHO BURNS FUEL
Fuel only applies to aircraft and helicopters — ground vehicles and ships aren't part of this system at all. It only drains while actually flying.
| ACTIVITY | BURN RATE |
|---|---|
| IDLE AT BASE | None |
| PATROL / CRUISE / FLYING HOME | Steady, moderate |
| CLIMB / SPRINT TO INTERCEPT / STRIKE / BOMB | Fastest |
THE AUTOMATIC CUTOFF
There's no mid-air "ran dry" failure. The game continuously calculates the fuel needed to reach the nearest friendly base at cruising speed, adds a ~10% safety margin, and automatically aborts the mission and turns for home the instant remaining fuel hits that point — the cutoff can't be overridden once it triggers.