[1328.12] BMD troubles with SM-3 IA and SM-2MR Block IIIA

[KJohnston]

Hi all,

Running through a slight modified Brass Drum scenario for fun and I wanted to test BMD against the Khalij Fars ASBM. Now that's obviously easier said than done!

First were the SM-3 IIAs from the USS Benfold that made a 90 degree turn and headed off into oblivion when they came close to an intercept. No hits. Not even registered in the Message Log that they were fired or failed to intercept.

Next were the SM-2MR Block IIIAs from the Bush CSG, all of which went blind immediately after being fired with no guidance provided from ships. No Message Log info or any sort of engagement.

Then, SM-6s from the Bush CSG, which dealt a considerable amount of hits. No destroyed RVs but significant trajectory deflection with some RVs being hit 4+ times. But no destroyed RVs.

After the SM-6s came more SM-2s which received no guidance, petering out after flying to oblivion.

My question is... is this WAD? I feel like the SM-3 behavior needs a post in the tech support forum but I am perplexed by the behavior of SM-2MRs and SM-6, the former not receiving any guidance or illumination from shipboard sensors and the latter dealing hit after hit without a single RV destroyed.

I attached the save file for reference. Let me know if I should repost in tech support, but I don't want to clutter it with a pointless post if this is in fact working as intended, or if I've fluffed something up in the engagement to cause such issues.

[blu3s]

Thanks for the report

Logged 15441

[thewood1]

It looks like something changed recently in BMD. I have in the past rarely seen SM-2s firing at the BMs. Sometimes at the RVs, but almost never at BMs because they are too high. Now I am seeing SM-2s rippling off at BMs that are way too high, with anticipation that they will go below 100k ft eventually. The SM-2s never hit. But by missing, they are using up WRA slots that prevent any follow on missiles from being fired.

btw, I see the SM-2s also taking that right turn once they realize they can't intercept the BM on their current path. Again, the missiles that have no chance of hitting the BM use up WRA slots and prevent ship defense. Only after deleting the SM-2s will the ships start defending themselves again.

The only workaround for the whole process is limit SM-2s to not fire at BMs. I'm not even sure why they are firing of SM-2s. I find the SM-6s relatively effective on BMs and RVs.

edit: something has definitely changed since at least .11. The SM-6s that miss turn back and chase down the BMs and RVs. I'll write up another post with the issues showing in .12.

[thewood1]

List of issues seen in BMD for USN. Just start the scenario with god's eye on. You'll see an almost immediate launch of Iranian AShBMs. Issues that become apparent:

1) The weird quick change in direction as the SM-3s approach target BMs.
2) SM-6s that miss suddenly turn and chase down BMs and RVs
3) SM-2 Blk IIIs launching at BMs. I don't believe they have the inherent capability to intercept BMs. Not sure they have the capability and they didn't do this before Tiny. Only the IVs did.
4) ESSMs also launching against RVs. Again, not sure they have the capability and they didn't do this before Tiny.
5) Missiles that miss prevent follow on shots due to WRA. Once a missile is past its intended target with no other target, they need to be removed from WRA consideration.
6) RVs that miss will sit below the surface near thier target.

All of these together lead to unrealistic and abnormal BMD engagements. One thing I did like seeing is that SM-3s launched consistently against the detected BMs. This has been somewhat of a struggle to understand the engagement parameters of SM-3 engagements. Though they all miss now...every single one of them it seems.

edit: also noted that the SM-3 misses never show up in the weapon calculations. Only the hits do.

[DWReese]

This is still an issue. It has either not been addressed, or not completely fixed. The SM-3s can't hit anything. Perhaps something it missing?

[DWReese]

This is still an issue. It has either not been addressed, or not completely fixed. The SM-3s can't hit anything. Perhaps something it missing?

[blu3s]

In this scenario I'm able to hit several missiles with SM3

The issue regarding SM2 and SM6 engaging missiles out of their DLZ (i.e at higher altitude that they can hit a target) have been fixed.

[thewood1]

My scenario posted above shows SM-3s hitting MRBM AShBMs regularly now when within specific parameters with 1328.13.

[Dimitris]

Any feedback on this with B1328.14 ?

[thewood1]

Seems to be much more logical and straight forward in my scenario.

[DWReese]

I'll test it. I didn't see that it was one of the things that was supposed to be fixed.

Doug

[DWReese]

Any feedback on this with B1328.14 ?

There is no change. SM-3 (c-version and E-version) are fired at incoming missiles (in this case DF-21s) and fail. The SM-3s appeared to have been plotted slightly to the left of the track of the DF-21s. When the SM-3s get close enough you can see that they are indeed tracking left of the target. The SM-3s fly right by the DF-21s, just like last time. There is no End Game data. The SM-3 never engage.
They simply fly on the same path.

A second group of SM-3s are fired at the DF-21s. Again, all of the SN-3s do the exact same thing.

Bottom line, the SM-3 still isn't working correctly.

On another note, when in range, the SM-6s do fire and that works fine.