diff --git a/include/prototypes.h b/include/prototypes.h
index 2b8631d7..ac112922 100644
--- a/include/prototypes.h
+++ b/include/prototypes.h
@@ -552,8 +552,7 @@ extern int pln_airbase_ok(struct plnstr *, int, int);
 extern int carrier_planes(struct shpstr *, int);
 extern void pln_sel(struct nstr_item *, struct emp_qelem *,
 		    struct sctstr *, int, int, int, int);
-extern int pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *, int, char, struct ichrstr *,
-		   int, int);
+extern void pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *, int, char, struct ichrstr *, int);
 extern int pln_mobcost(int, struct plnstr *, int);
 extern void pln_put(struct emp_qelem *);
 extern void pln_put1(struct plist *);
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/bomb.c b/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
index 59b19373..87c29d46 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@ int
 bomb(void)
 {
     char *p;
-    int mission_flags;
     coord tx, ty;
     coord ax, ay;
     int ap_to_target;
@@ -128,7 +127,6 @@ bomb(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    mission_flags = 0;
     pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
 	    2, wantflags, P_M | P_O);
     pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
@@ -136,18 +134,13 @@ bomb(void)
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
-    mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-    mission_flags |= P_H;	/* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&bomb_list, 2 * ap_to_target, mission,
-			    ip, 0, mission_flags);
+    pln_arm(&bomb_list, 2 * ap_to_target, mission, ip, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&esc_list, 2 * ap_to_target, mission,
-			    ip, P_F | P_ESC, mission_flags);
-    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay,
-		 flightpath, mission_flags, 0);
+    pln_arm(&esc_list, 2 * ap_to_target, mission, ip, P_F | P_ESC);
+    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay, flightpath, 0, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes got through fighter defenses\n");
     } else if (target.sct_type == SCT_SANCT) {
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/drop.c b/src/lib/commands/drop.c
index 7c8dcaf3..2c8806eb 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/drop.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/drop.c
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@
 int
 drop(void)
 {
-    int mission_flags;
     coord tx, ty;
     coord ax, ay;
     int ap_to_target;
@@ -97,7 +96,6 @@ drop(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    mission_flags = 0;
     pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
 	    2, wantflags, P_M | P_O);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
@@ -109,20 +107,15 @@ drop(void)
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
-    mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-    mission_flags |= P_H;	/* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-    mission_flags |= P_MINE;
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&bomb_list, 2 * ap_to_target,
-			    wantflags & P_MINE ? 'm' : 'd',
-			    ip, 0, mission_flags);
+    pln_arm(&bomb_list, 2 * ap_to_target,
+	    wantflags & P_MINE ? 'm' : 'd',
+	    ip, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&esc_list, 2 * ap_to_target, 'd',
-			    ip, P_ESC | P_F, mission_flags);
-    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay,
-		 flightpath, mission_flags, 0);
+    pln_arm(&esc_list, 2 * ap_to_target, 'd', ip, P_ESC | P_F);
+    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay, flightpath, 0, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes got through fighter defenses\n");
     } else {
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/fly.c b/src/lib/commands/fly.c
index e8713481..efc60696 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/fly.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/fly.c
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@
 int
 fly(void)
 {
-    int mission_flags;
     coord tx, ty;
     coord ax, ay;
     int ap_to_target;
@@ -95,7 +94,6 @@ fly(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    mission_flags = 0;
     pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
 	    1, wantflags, P_M | P_O);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
@@ -113,18 +111,14 @@ fly(void)
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
-    mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-    mission_flags |= P_H;	/* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&bomb_list, ap_to_target, 't',
-			    ip, 0, mission_flags);
+    pln_arm(&bomb_list, ap_to_target, 't', ip, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&esc_list, ap_to_target, 't',
-			    ip, P_ESC | P_F, mission_flags);
+    pln_arm(&esc_list, ap_to_target, 't', ip, P_ESC | P_F);
     ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay,
-		 flightpath, mission_flags, 0);
+		 flightpath, 0, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes got through fighter defenses\n");
     } else {
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/para.c b/src/lib/commands/para.c
index 0918eee6..8299f33a 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/para.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/para.c
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ static int paradrop(struct emp_qelem *list, coord x, coord y);
 int
 para(void)
 {
-    int mission_flags;
     coord tx, ty;
     coord ax, ay;
     int ap_to_target;
@@ -91,19 +90,13 @@ para(void)
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
-    mission_flags = 0;
-    mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-    mission_flags |= P_H;	/* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&bomb_list, 2 * ap_to_target, 'a',
-			    &ichr[I_MILIT], 0, mission_flags);
+    pln_arm(&bomb_list, 2 * ap_to_target, 'a', &ichr[I_MILIT], 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&esc_list, 2 * ap_to_target, 'a',
-			    &ichr[I_MILIT], P_ESC | P_F, mission_flags);
-    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay,
-		 flightpath, mission_flags, 0);
+    pln_arm(&esc_list, 2 * ap_to_target, 'a', &ichr[I_MILIT], P_ESC | P_F);
+    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay, flightpath, 0, 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes got through fighter defenses\n");
     } else {
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/reco.c b/src/lib/commands/reco.c
index 26c145c4..e60b0229 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/reco.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/reco.c
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
 int
 reco(void)
 {
-    int mission_flags;
     coord tx, ty;
     coord ax, ay;
     int ap_to_target;
@@ -72,7 +71,6 @@ reco(void)
     pr("target is %s\n", xyas(tx, ty, player->cnum));
     getsect(tx, ty, &target);
     cno = -1;
-    mission_flags = 0;
     if (pln_onewaymission(&target, &cno, &wantflags) < 0)
 	return RET_SYN;
     ap_to_target = strlen(flightpath);
@@ -99,23 +97,15 @@ reco(void)
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
-    mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-    mission_flags |= P_H;	/* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&bomb_list, ap_to_target, 'r',
-			    0, P_S | P_I, mission_flags);
+    pln_arm(&bomb_list, ap_to_target, 'r', 0, P_S | P_I);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    mission_flags = pln_arm(&esc_list, ap_to_target, 'r',
-			    0, P_F | P_ESC, mission_flags);
-    mission_flags |= PM_R;
-
-    if (*player->argp[0] == 's')
-	mission_flags |= PM_S;
-
-    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay,
-		 flightpath, mission_flags, 0);
+    pln_arm(&esc_list, ap_to_target, 'r', 0, P_F | P_ESC);
+    ac_encounter(&bomb_list, &esc_list, ax, ay, flightpath,
+		 *player->argp[0] == 's' ? PM_R | PM_S : PM_R,
+		 0);
     if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
 	pr("No planes got through fighter defenses\n");
     } else {
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/mission.c b/src/lib/subs/mission.c
index a2a178f5..e3d78f8c 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/mission.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/mission.c
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ static void build_mission_list_type(struct genlist *, coord, coord, int,
 static void divide(struct emp_qelem *, struct emp_qelem *, coord, coord);
 static int dosupport(struct genlist *, coord, coord, natid, natid);
 static int find_airport(struct emp_qelem *, coord, coord);
-static int mission_pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *, coord, coord, int,
-			   int, struct ichrstr *, int, int);
+static void mission_pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *, coord, coord, int,
+			    int, struct ichrstr *, int);
 static void mission_pln_sel(struct emp_qelem *, int, int, int);
 static int perform_mission(coord, coord, natid, struct emp_qelem *, int,
 			   char *, int);
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ perform_mission(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *list,
     struct sctstr sect;
     struct mchrstr *mcp;
     struct plchrstr *pcp;
-    int dam = 0, dam2, mission_flags;
+    int dam = 0, dam2;
     natid plane_owner = 0;
     int md, range, air_dam = 0;
     double hitchance, vrange;
@@ -609,18 +609,12 @@ perform_mission(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *list,
 	/* Split off the escorts at this base into e */
 	divide(&escorts, &e, air->x, air->y);
 
-	mission_flags = 0;
-	mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-	mission_flags |= P_H;	/* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-
-	mission_flags = mission_pln_arm(&b, air->x, air->y, 2 * md, 'p', 0,
-					0, mission_flags);
+	mission_pln_arm(&b, air->x, air->y, 2 * md, 'p', 0, 0);
 
 	if (QEMPTY(&b))
 	    continue;
 
-	mission_flags = mission_pln_arm(&e, air->x, air->y, 2 * md, 'p', 0,
-					P_F | P_ESC, mission_flags);
+	mission_pln_arm(&e, air->x, air->y, 2 * md, 'p', 0, P_F | P_ESC);
 
 	pp = BestAirPath(buf, air->x, air->y, x, y);
 	if (CANT_HAPPEN(!pp))
@@ -636,7 +630,7 @@ perform_mission(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *list,
 	       xyas(x, y, air->own));
 	}
 
-	ac_encounter(&b, &e, air->x, air->y, pp, mission_flags, 0);
+	ac_encounter(&b, &e, air->x, air->y, pp, 0, 0);
 
 	if (!QEMPTY(&b))
 	    air_dam +=
@@ -843,10 +837,9 @@ mission_pln_sel(struct emp_qelem *list, int wantflags, int nowantflags,
 /*
  * Arm only the planes at x,y
  */
-static int
+static void
 mission_pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, coord x, coord y, int dist,
-		int mission, struct ichrstr *ip, int flags,
-		int mission_flags)
+		int mission, struct ichrstr *ip, int flags)
 {
     struct emp_qelem *qp;
     struct emp_qelem *next;
@@ -869,28 +862,11 @@ mission_pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, coord x, coord y, int dist,
 	    free(qp);
 	    continue;
 	}
-	if (flags & (P_S | P_I)) {
-	    if (plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_S)
-		mission_flags |= P_S;
-	    if (plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_I)
-		mission_flags |= P_I;
-	}
-	if (!(plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_H))
-	    /* no stealth on this mission */
-	    mission_flags &= ~P_H;
-	if (!(plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_X))
-	    /* no stealth on this mission */
-	    mission_flags &= ~P_X;
-	if (!(plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_MINE)) {
-	    /* no asw on this mission */
-	    mission_flags &= ~P_MINE;
-	}
 
 	pp->pln_flags |= PLN_LAUNCHED;
 	pp->pln_mobil -= pln_mobcost(dist, pp, flags);
 	putplane(pp->pln_uid, pp);
     }
-    return mission_flags;
 }
 
 int
@@ -1146,7 +1122,7 @@ air_defense(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *bomb_list,
 	    struct emp_qelem *esc_list)
 {
     int dam = 0, cn;
-    int mission_flags, combat = 0, rel, dist, z;
+    int combat = 0, rel, dist, z;
     struct emp_qelem *qp, interceptors, airp, i, empty, *next;
     struct plist *plp;
     struct genlist *glp;
@@ -1256,10 +1232,6 @@ air_defense(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *bomb_list,
 	    /* Split off the interceptors at this base into i */
 	    divide(&interceptors, &i, air->x, air->y);
 
-	    mission_flags = 0;
-	    mission_flags |= P_X;	/* stealth (shhh) */
-	    /* gets turned off if not all choppers */
-	    mission_flags |= P_H;
 	    sam_intercept(bomb_list, &i, cn, victim, x, y, 0);
 	    sam_intercept(esc_list, &i, cn, victim, x, y, 1);
 
@@ -1273,9 +1245,7 @@ air_defense(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *bomb_list,
 		pln_put(&i);
 		continue;
 	    }
-	    mission_flags =
-		mission_pln_arm(&i, air->x, air->y, 2 * dist, 0, 0, P_F,
-				mission_flags);
+	    mission_pln_arm(&i, air->x, air->y, 2 * dist, 0, 0, P_F);
 
 	    /* Did we run out of interceptors? */
 	    if (QEMPTY(&i))
@@ -1306,8 +1276,7 @@ air_defense(coord x, coord y, natid victim, struct emp_qelem *bomb_list,
 
 	    /* Now, fly the planes to the sector */
 	    emp_initque(&empty);
-	    ac_encounter(&i, &empty, air->x, air->y,
-			 path, mission_flags, 1);
+	    ac_encounter(&i, &empty, air->x, air->y, path, 0, 1);
 
 	    /* If none made it, continue */
 	    if (QEMPTY(&i))
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
index cbbd5792..d839d1ae 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
@@ -562,9 +562,9 @@ pln_sel(struct nstr_item *ni, struct emp_qelem *list, struct sctstr *ap,
     }
 }
 
-int
+void
 pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, int dist, char mission, struct ichrstr *ip,
-	int flags, int mission_flags)
+	int flags)
 {
     struct emp_qelem *qp;
     struct emp_qelem *next;
@@ -582,29 +582,11 @@ pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, int dist, char mission, struct ichrstr *ip,
 	    free(qp);
 	    continue;
 	}
-	if (flags & (P_S | P_I)) {
-	    if (plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_S)
-		mission_flags |= P_S;
-	    if (plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_I)
-		mission_flags |= P_I;
-	}
-	if (!(plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_H))
-	    /* no stealth on this mission */
-	    mission_flags &= ~P_H;
-	if (!(plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_X))
-	    /* no stealth on this mission */
-	    mission_flags &= ~P_X;
-	if (!(plp->pcp->pl_flags & P_MINE)) {
-	    /* no asw on this mission */
-	    mission_flags &= ~P_MINE;
-	    /* FIXME no effect */
-	}
 	pp->pln_flags |= PLN_LAUNCHED;
 	pp->pln_mobil -= pln_mobcost(dist, pp, flags);
 	putplane(pp->pln_uid, pp);
 	pr("%s equipped\n", prplane(pp));
     }
-    return mission_flags;
 }
 
 static int