Help me understand intercept mission

[insaneweasel]

I just played a game as Nobunaga against a super-disgusting runaway Germany (had infantry when I had longswordsmen, but I still caught up and won).

His bombers caused incredible problems until I got zeros for intercept missions.

This is all that I managed to glean:

-A plane set to intercept can intercept in its attack range.
-When intercepting, your plane doesn't take damage.
-Intercept missions never gain experience. (why not)
-The AI will keep attacking even though it means certain death for its bombers.
-When you intercept, your unit takes a lot less damage.

Is this correct?

 

[Randall Turner]

Yep.

Add to which, I've never seen the AI run fighter sweeps, though it might not anyway against your zeros.

I usually try to buff up my fighters to x2 intercept with ground attacks during "lulls".