Scenario Play Test: TCP 2 - A Clash of Four Carriers, 2027

[SunlitZelkova]

The Cold Planet #2: A Clash of Four Carriers

Date: June 1st, 2027 17:29:36 Zulu
Playable Sides: China
Duration: 3 Days

This is the second scenario in a series set in a world where the COVID-19 pandemic did not happen.

Following a brief conversation with President Xi via the Beijing-Washington hotline, President Pence has ordered American forces into combat to defend Taiwan. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide of Japan made a similar decision on the basis of "collective self-defence" shortly afterward.

China's two Type 003 carriers, the Guangdong and Henan, are tasked with finding and sinking the Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy CSGs. The PLAN flat tops are operating in separate groups in the Western Pacific, each escorted by a Type 055 and Type 052D destroyer, two Type 054A+ frigates, and a single SSN. Three more SSNs are operating independently in search of the enemy.

They will have support from over-the-horizon radars, China's space-based maritime surveillance network and four civilian underwater listening devices, but apart from H-6N bombers firing their air-launched anti-ship ballistic missiles from deep inside Chinese airspace and the PLARF's DF-21Ds and DF-26 ASBMs, they are on their own.

I would greatly appreciate comments and feedback!

A couple of notes-

1. The INI file has an error with a sensor pod for the MH-60R. I haven't fixed it yet.
2. I don't know if it is a bug with the aircraft or loadout, or deliberate, but the H-6Ns run out of fuel very quickly after taking off. You don't really have the option of launching them and having them loiter near base for a few hours.
3. Despite significantly reducing the amount of civilian traffic, it still is a little bit iffy performance wise. AU is 1700 or so (but will climb with sonobuoy deployment and engagements). It also has a number of satellites (about six on each side). Nonetheless, it ran decently for me with all layers turned off except borders, and almost all missions/emissions/plotted courses*/etc. not being displayed. You may need to do this depending on your computer.
4. Remember to pause the game before clicking "satellite pass predictions"!
5. The hypersonic missiles on the Block V Virginia class SSNs aren't available for the commercial version right now, so a Lua explosion is used instead.