BnZ,
Would you accept a compromise? Instead of AI pilots in formation, employ a "new" function of the "Pickup Missions" planner. Setup formations, waypoints, and target objectives (example: AMB {ammo bunker} 0, 1 and 2; Field 86 ).
Your formation (of 3 online pilots in the above example) will take off and fly to the designated field. A score for each pilot will be given (either in perk points, system message or achievement announcement) upon successfully landing ........ {snip}
This was in a discussion from BnZ, about use of AI as wingmen like with bombers available for fighters as well.
I don't agree with allowing fighters drones in the MA, but if you follow, my suggested objective is to
give rewards to players for utilizing the Mission Planner, based on task assignment and achievement. With some tweaking, adding fighter sweeps could be coaded with task assignment being,
damage aircraft that originated from a certain field.