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This is a noob question. I played Sea of Fire, 1982 scenario. Not complex only a handful of units. Argentine air attacking British surface vessels. The Argentine Super Etendard has the Exocet. To effectively launch the Etendard must approach within range of the vessels SAMs. In this scenario there are some islands. I approached at min altitude over the islands and was able to launch the Exocets. One hit but both Etendards lost to SAMs.

What is the attack doctrine in a case like this? If it wasn't for the islands I don't think the attacking AC would have gotten with in Exocet launch range. Would it have been better to approach from high altitude so the AC had more maneuver room to evade SAMs?

I'm not schooled in this art so just thought I'd see what real world approach would be.

For the Etendards, approach at min altitude over the water, check "RTB Winchester" to "Off" under the "Unit Doctrine/EMCON" setting if it's not already. Fire the Exocets as soon as you're in range, and then turn around and head back while still at low altitude. One otherwise very successful run cost me an Etendard because they rose up and were blasted by a missile.

After the Exocet strike, have the A-4s approach at low altitude over the islands. They're the ones that need every last edge because they don't have standoff weapons.

Hi Brad,

I think you've got it - if your weapons don't out range what your shooting at - being down on the deck minimizes your exposure time to the enemy radars - essentially you're using the curvature of the each to mask your approach with the added benefit of hopefully getting lost in the ground clutter... Personally - I like to stay down low until just within weapons range - pop up - launch my weapons - then quickly drop down once again and lose myself at low level... Going fast on your approach and egress also miniimizes that time... If you have aircraft capable of offensive jamming they may I prove your odds too... Terrain masking comes into play using the islands and while I believe it's modeled - I really haven't evaluated it in great detail...

Anyway - welcome aboard and good hunting...

Regards,
Scott

Attack low..... Attack on multiple axis..... With time on target being approximately the same.....

ORIGINAL: magi

Attack low..... Attack on multiple axis..... With time on target being approximately the same.....

What options does the game offer there for strike coordination? I saw the delay option, but it's not really centered on time on target.

I think you just manually have to tweak it according to setting waypoints and looking at the waypoint/navigation information box.

This is for an Alpha strike.....
If I can...... I like to try to attack from three different axis or more…I establish rally points for each strike group approximately equal distance to the target...... For each group I launch my escorts jammers and sead assets first.. with the heavy strikers behind.... Once they are away and have a little lead time I launch my tomahawk missile's if I plan to use them or if I have them… when the tomahawks reach a point in space time somewhat equal to my strikers.... I ordered them to advance to the target prosecution areas... If I have decoys…tald/mald.. I launch them ahead of the group.....
The whole simulator is about time space management of assets towards prosecution of a mission in a dynamic environment.... it really is all management......
I design my strikes in a way that my aircraft have some loiter time...... Because it really sucks when my aircraft RTB before they launch their weapons....

What options does the game offer there for strike coordination? I saw the delay option, but it's not really centered on time on target.

IMHO, TOT is exactly what the "delay option" is for.

ORIGINAL: Rudd

What options does the game offer there for strike coordination? I saw the delay option, but it's not really centered on time on target.

IMHO, TOT is exactly what the "delay option" is for.

I must say... I have never used the strike planer..... Didn't know they had a TOT option... I'll have to check it out..... I always enjoyed directing my strikes... unless there is to much going on....

ORIGINAL: magi
I must say... I have never used the strike planer..... Didn't know they had a TOT option... I'll have to check it out..... I always enjoyed directing my strikes... unless there is to much going on....

There is no "TOT option" in the mission planner - yet. You need to calculate the actual timings but the mission delay option certainly allows you to execute TOT from any number of sorties/missions provided your willing to do the math.

-C