Mini AAR - Reds
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:24 pm
I finally had a chance to play Reds, the hypothetical 2005 scenario from Chains of War with the US intervening in a Soviet/PRC confrontation in the Russian Far East. Given command of the Reagan CSG, Powell Arsenal Ship task group, a trio of modern subs and supporting recce, bombing and tanker assets from Guam, all the tools you need are in plentiful supply. The main issues were coming to grip with the Chinese without triggering significant additional resistance from either North Korea or the USSR.
Steaming northwards, with SSNs ahead and on both flanks, the Powell group took point followed by the Reagan CSG at 16 kts. A forward ASW screen was established with ASW aircraft from the carrier. Standard coverage air taskings were a pair of Super Hornets on CAP, a Prowler jammer and a Hawkeye AEW overhead. A non-jamming Prowler was sent to the northeast as an Elint asset. EMCON was strict, with no active emissions for most of the first day.
Stage 1 was opening the door to the Chinese targets and limiting North Korean involvement. This was accomplished by TLAM strikes from the Powell SAG against all identified DPRK EW radars and SAM sites and several PLA EW radars. A small airstrike by Avenger stealth strike a/c from the Reagan against Yanji AB eliminated some PLAAF aircraft and also provided a clearer electronic OOB of the region. This was followed soon after by a SR-72A Aurora recce overflight that covered the entirety of the AO - though no optical recon was possible due to cloud cover.
With the DPRK efficiently sanitized, with all emitting radars destroyed and no sign of significant air activity being found, Stage 2 was launched. This was the systematic destruction of identified priority targets primarily using stealth aircraft such as the Avenger and B-2 Spirits from Guam. In areas with significant PLAAF fighter cover, sweeps of F-14Ds would precede strike aircraft which were loaded mainly with 2000lb JDAMs, both general purpose and penetration types, as well as stand-off JSOWs and HARMs. Follow ups were made with limited TLAM strikes from the Powell.
A 747 CMCA cruise missile carrier out of Guam delivered a massive raid of CALCMs against targets within and closely adjacent to the Russian border. Careful route planning and the ability for the launching a/c to match the speed of the missiles it was launching created a concentrated strike of devastating proportions.
Stage 3 initiated once it was established that the PLAAF was no longer a significant threat in the air and non-stealthy Hornets & Prowlers joined the attack to mop up the final targets, mostly those with modern air defenses.
Two PLAN surface action groups patrolling off Vladivostok were engaged early on with a series of HARM and JSOW attacks, which quickly eliminated them. However PLAN submarines remained a constant threat. The point SSN in the USN force, USS Seawolf, was instrumental in clearing the way, frequently detecting approaching subs and queuing ASW aircraft to hunt and destroy them. The only casualty came from a sub attack. USS Cheyenne, a LA-class SSN, encountered an Akula at close range and was fired on by it. Hampered by the wires of it's guided counter-attack, it managed to evade the first SS-N-16 stand-off weapon attack but a second, from an unidentified source, struck at about the same time the Akula was destroyed.
Crippled but with no significant flooding or fire, Cheyenne came to periscope depth and made south, well aware that another sub was in the area. SSN-21 was nearby and dispatched to escort Cheyenne to port. Dashing to support the stricken sub, Seawolf took up station and soon afterward picked up signs of a Sierra SSN off to the east. An SV-22D Osprey from the Reagan was launched, quickly isolating and killing the Russian sub.
I decided to call the game with 40 hrs still to go since nearly all nominated targets had been destroyed and a Major Victory had been achieved. It's an interesting scenario with lots of hypothetical assets available for use. Standouts include the A-12 Avenger, a stealthy carrier strike a/c that has a capacious internal weapons bay and range to spare. Avengers have significant self-protection capability as well from their stealthy design, keen passive sensors and AMRAAM carriage, removing the need for fighter escort in many cases. Another is the RGM-109Z Fasthawk, a Mach 4 ballistic precision land attack missile that allowed for fast reaction shots from the Powell as well as some degree of protection from SAM interception, though it slows in the terminal phase as it comes into the lower atmosphere. Lastly is the AIM-152A AAAM used by the Reagan's Tomcats. It's long range and the Tomcats' ability to carry 8 of them meant even a pair of fighters could clear an enemy CAP with little fear of counter fire.
SIDE: United States
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
136x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
2x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
24x GBU-24E/B Paveway III GPS/LGB [BLU-109A/B]
26x AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM P3I.2
48x AGM-88C HARM
48x AGM-154C JSOW [BROACH]
96x AN/SSQ-53D DIFAR
24x RGM-109Z Fasthawk LCMS
66x AN/SSQ-62C DICASS
29x AIM-152A AAAM [GD/W]
12x AGM-84K SLAMER-ATA
8x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5A(SW)
72x GBU-31(V)2/B JDAM [Mk84]
2x GEN-X [RT-1489/ALE] Active Expendable Decoy
1x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
8x AGM-154A JSOW [145 x BLU-97/B Dual Purpose]
1x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
2x RUM-139B VLA [Mk46 Mod 5A(SW)]
16x GBU-31(V)3/B JDAM [BLU-109/B]
1x Mk50 Barracuda Mod 0 ALWT
3x Mk48 Mod 5 ADCAP
72x AGM-86C Blk 0 CALCM [2000lb Blast/Frag]
40x GBU-31(V)4/B JDAM [BLU-109A/B]
4x ADC Mk3 Mod 0 Sonobuoy Countermeasure
4x ADC Mk4 Mod 0 Sonar Jammer
4x ADC Mk2 Mod 0 Torpedo Decoy
6x ADC Mk2 Mod 1 Torpedo Decoy
2x RGM-165A LASM [Land-Attack Standard Missile, SM-4]
32x GBU-31(V)1/B JDAM [Mk84]
SIDE: USSR
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x MiG-29 Fulcrum C
3x MiG-31 Foxhound
1x PLA-971M Akula II [Shchuka-B]
1x PLA-945 Sierra I [Barrakuda]
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
22x SA-10b Grumble [5V55RUD]
11x SA-17 Grizzly [9M317]
1x SA-12a Gladiator [9M83]
8x AA-10 Alamo A [R-27R, MR SARH]
10x AA-11 Archer [R-73]
5x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
6x AA-6 Acrid F [R-40TD1, IR]
8x AA-9 Amos [R-33, SARH]
1x SS-N-16 Stallion [RPK-7 Vodopei, UMGT-1 Torpedo]
1x SS-N-15 Starfish [RPK-6 Vodopad, UMGT-1 Torpedo]
2x MG-114 Berilly
5x Generic Acoustic Decoy
SIDE: PRC
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
3x Radar (China JY-8A Wall Rust)
3x Radar (China JY-11)
23x J-8D Finback B [J-8II]
18x J-7E Fishbed [MiG-21 Copy]
2x Structure (Tunnel Entrance)
13x Bridge (Two-lane 60 Tons)
2x Radar (China REL-1)
1x Radar (China YLC-4)
10x J-7IIH Fishbed [MiG-21 Copy]
9x Z-9C Dauphin 2
1x Type 051B Luhai [167 Shenzhen]
3x Type 051 Mod 4 Luda I [109 Kaifeng]
1x Type 052 Luhu [112 Harbin]
3x Type 053H3 Jiangwei II [564 Yichang]
1x Type 052 Luhu [113 Qingdao]
3x S 364 [PL-877M Kilo]
2x Type 091 Han
18x Ammo Shelter
17x J-7D Fishbed [MiG-21 Copy]
3x Vehicle (China H-200)
12x HQ-12 Twin Rail
24x J-8F Finback B [J-8II]
1x Building (Control Tower)
2x Bridge (Railroad, Single-lane)
19x Structure (Tall Crane)
81x Ammo Pad
1x Type 035B Ming
13x Bridge (Four-lane 150 Tons)
10x Building (Large)
3x Bridge (Railroad, Two-lane)
2x Radar (China HQ-64 Search)
7x Vehicle (China HQ-7 Search Radar [FM-80])
16x HQ-7 [FM-80, CSA-4]
4x Vehicle (China Type 902)
6x 35mm/90 Twin Type 90 [China Type 902 FC]
4x HQ-64 TEL [Aspide, LY-60]
2x Vehicle (China HQ-64 Illuminator)
1x Ammo Bunker (Surface)
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
67x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
7x PL-8A [Python 3]
37x Generic Flare Salvo [4x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
31x PL-12
75x HQ-7 Crotale [FM-80] Naval
170x 37mm/63 Twin Burst [20 rnds]
1x 1400 liter Drop Tank
2x 800 liter Drop Tank
19x 100mm/55 H/PJ-87 Twin HECVT Burst [2 rnds]
6x 100mm/55 H/PJ-87 HECVT
82x HQ-64 [Aspide, LY-60N]
8x Generic Acoustic Decoy
18x Generic Acoustic Decoy
54x HQ-12
2x PL-8B [Python 3]
1x 23mm Type 23-3 Burst [40 rnds]
158x 35mm/90 Twin Type-90 Burst [20 rnds, China Type 902 FC]
78x HQ-7 Crotale [FM-80, CSA-4]
SIDE: North Korea
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
2x Radar (Back Net [P-80])
3x Radar (Bar Lock A [P-37])
42x SA-2f Guideline Mod 1 Single Rail
21x SA-7a Grail [9K32 Strela-2] MANPADS
7x Vehicle (Fan Song F [RSNA-75M])
7x Vehicle (Spoon Rest C [P-12])
2x F-6A Farmer [MiG-19P Copy]
2x A/C Hardened Aircraft Shelter (1x Medium Aircraft)
2x Radar (Spoon Rest D [P-18])
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
5x 23mm Gsh-23 Burst [GP-9 Pod, 40 rnds]
9x 30mm Type 30-1 x 2 Burst [30 rnds]
Steaming northwards, with SSNs ahead and on both flanks, the Powell group took point followed by the Reagan CSG at 16 kts. A forward ASW screen was established with ASW aircraft from the carrier. Standard coverage air taskings were a pair of Super Hornets on CAP, a Prowler jammer and a Hawkeye AEW overhead. A non-jamming Prowler was sent to the northeast as an Elint asset. EMCON was strict, with no active emissions for most of the first day.
Stage 1 was opening the door to the Chinese targets and limiting North Korean involvement. This was accomplished by TLAM strikes from the Powell SAG against all identified DPRK EW radars and SAM sites and several PLA EW radars. A small airstrike by Avenger stealth strike a/c from the Reagan against Yanji AB eliminated some PLAAF aircraft and also provided a clearer electronic OOB of the region. This was followed soon after by a SR-72A Aurora recce overflight that covered the entirety of the AO - though no optical recon was possible due to cloud cover.
With the DPRK efficiently sanitized, with all emitting radars destroyed and no sign of significant air activity being found, Stage 2 was launched. This was the systematic destruction of identified priority targets primarily using stealth aircraft such as the Avenger and B-2 Spirits from Guam. In areas with significant PLAAF fighter cover, sweeps of F-14Ds would precede strike aircraft which were loaded mainly with 2000lb JDAMs, both general purpose and penetration types, as well as stand-off JSOWs and HARMs. Follow ups were made with limited TLAM strikes from the Powell.
A 747 CMCA cruise missile carrier out of Guam delivered a massive raid of CALCMs against targets within and closely adjacent to the Russian border. Careful route planning and the ability for the launching a/c to match the speed of the missiles it was launching created a concentrated strike of devastating proportions.
Stage 3 initiated once it was established that the PLAAF was no longer a significant threat in the air and non-stealthy Hornets & Prowlers joined the attack to mop up the final targets, mostly those with modern air defenses.
Two PLAN surface action groups patrolling off Vladivostok were engaged early on with a series of HARM and JSOW attacks, which quickly eliminated them. However PLAN submarines remained a constant threat. The point SSN in the USN force, USS Seawolf, was instrumental in clearing the way, frequently detecting approaching subs and queuing ASW aircraft to hunt and destroy them. The only casualty came from a sub attack. USS Cheyenne, a LA-class SSN, encountered an Akula at close range and was fired on by it. Hampered by the wires of it's guided counter-attack, it managed to evade the first SS-N-16 stand-off weapon attack but a second, from an unidentified source, struck at about the same time the Akula was destroyed.
Crippled but with no significant flooding or fire, Cheyenne came to periscope depth and made south, well aware that another sub was in the area. SSN-21 was nearby and dispatched to escort Cheyenne to port. Dashing to support the stricken sub, Seawolf took up station and soon afterward picked up signs of a Sierra SSN off to the east. An SV-22D Osprey from the Reagan was launched, quickly isolating and killing the Russian sub.
I decided to call the game with 40 hrs still to go since nearly all nominated targets had been destroyed and a Major Victory had been achieved. It's an interesting scenario with lots of hypothetical assets available for use. Standouts include the A-12 Avenger, a stealthy carrier strike a/c that has a capacious internal weapons bay and range to spare. Avengers have significant self-protection capability as well from their stealthy design, keen passive sensors and AMRAAM carriage, removing the need for fighter escort in many cases. Another is the RGM-109Z Fasthawk, a Mach 4 ballistic precision land attack missile that allowed for fast reaction shots from the Powell as well as some degree of protection from SAM interception, though it slows in the terminal phase as it comes into the lower atmosphere. Lastly is the AIM-152A AAAM used by the Reagan's Tomcats. It's long range and the Tomcats' ability to carry 8 of them meant even a pair of fighters could clear an enemy CAP with little fear of counter fire.
SIDE: United States
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
136x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
2x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
24x GBU-24E/B Paveway III GPS/LGB [BLU-109A/B]
26x AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM P3I.2
48x AGM-88C HARM
48x AGM-154C JSOW [BROACH]
96x AN/SSQ-53D DIFAR
24x RGM-109Z Fasthawk LCMS
66x AN/SSQ-62C DICASS
29x AIM-152A AAAM [GD/W]
12x AGM-84K SLAMER-ATA
8x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5A(SW)
72x GBU-31(V)2/B JDAM [Mk84]
2x GEN-X [RT-1489/ALE] Active Expendable Decoy
1x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
8x AGM-154A JSOW [145 x BLU-97/B Dual Purpose]
1x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
2x RUM-139B VLA [Mk46 Mod 5A(SW)]
16x GBU-31(V)3/B JDAM [BLU-109/B]
1x Mk50 Barracuda Mod 0 ALWT
3x Mk48 Mod 5 ADCAP
72x AGM-86C Blk 0 CALCM [2000lb Blast/Frag]
40x GBU-31(V)4/B JDAM [BLU-109A/B]
4x ADC Mk3 Mod 0 Sonobuoy Countermeasure
4x ADC Mk4 Mod 0 Sonar Jammer
4x ADC Mk2 Mod 0 Torpedo Decoy
6x ADC Mk2 Mod 1 Torpedo Decoy
2x RGM-165A LASM [Land-Attack Standard Missile, SM-4]
32x GBU-31(V)1/B JDAM [Mk84]
SIDE: USSR
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x MiG-29 Fulcrum C
3x MiG-31 Foxhound
1x PLA-971M Akula II [Shchuka-B]
1x PLA-945 Sierra I [Barrakuda]
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
22x SA-10b Grumble [5V55RUD]
11x SA-17 Grizzly [9M317]
1x SA-12a Gladiator [9M83]
8x AA-10 Alamo A [R-27R, MR SARH]
10x AA-11 Archer [R-73]
5x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
6x AA-6 Acrid F [R-40TD1, IR]
8x AA-9 Amos [R-33, SARH]
1x SS-N-16 Stallion [RPK-7 Vodopei, UMGT-1 Torpedo]
1x SS-N-15 Starfish [RPK-6 Vodopad, UMGT-1 Torpedo]
2x MG-114 Berilly
5x Generic Acoustic Decoy
SIDE: PRC
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
3x Radar (China JY-8A Wall Rust)
3x Radar (China JY-11)
23x J-8D Finback B [J-8II]
18x J-7E Fishbed [MiG-21 Copy]
2x Structure (Tunnel Entrance)
13x Bridge (Two-lane 60 Tons)
2x Radar (China REL-1)
1x Radar (China YLC-4)
10x J-7IIH Fishbed [MiG-21 Copy]
9x Z-9C Dauphin 2
1x Type 051B Luhai [167 Shenzhen]
3x Type 051 Mod 4 Luda I [109 Kaifeng]
1x Type 052 Luhu [112 Harbin]
3x Type 053H3 Jiangwei II [564 Yichang]
1x Type 052 Luhu [113 Qingdao]
3x S 364 [PL-877M Kilo]
2x Type 091 Han
18x Ammo Shelter
17x J-7D Fishbed [MiG-21 Copy]
3x Vehicle (China H-200)
12x HQ-12 Twin Rail
24x J-8F Finback B [J-8II]
1x Building (Control Tower)
2x Bridge (Railroad, Single-lane)
19x Structure (Tall Crane)
81x Ammo Pad
1x Type 035B Ming
13x Bridge (Four-lane 150 Tons)
10x Building (Large)
3x Bridge (Railroad, Two-lane)
2x Radar (China HQ-64 Search)
7x Vehicle (China HQ-7 Search Radar [FM-80])
16x HQ-7 [FM-80, CSA-4]
4x Vehicle (China Type 902)
6x 35mm/90 Twin Type 90 [China Type 902 FC]
4x HQ-64 TEL [Aspide, LY-60]
2x Vehicle (China HQ-64 Illuminator)
1x Ammo Bunker (Surface)
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
67x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
7x PL-8A [Python 3]
37x Generic Flare Salvo [4x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
31x PL-12
75x HQ-7 Crotale [FM-80] Naval
170x 37mm/63 Twin Burst [20 rnds]
1x 1400 liter Drop Tank
2x 800 liter Drop Tank
19x 100mm/55 H/PJ-87 Twin HECVT Burst [2 rnds]
6x 100mm/55 H/PJ-87 HECVT
82x HQ-64 [Aspide, LY-60N]
8x Generic Acoustic Decoy
18x Generic Acoustic Decoy
54x HQ-12
2x PL-8B [Python 3]
1x 23mm Type 23-3 Burst [40 rnds]
158x 35mm/90 Twin Type-90 Burst [20 rnds, China Type 902 FC]
78x HQ-7 Crotale [FM-80, CSA-4]
SIDE: North Korea
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
2x Radar (Back Net [P-80])
3x Radar (Bar Lock A [P-37])
42x SA-2f Guideline Mod 1 Single Rail
21x SA-7a Grail [9K32 Strela-2] MANPADS
7x Vehicle (Fan Song F [RSNA-75M])
7x Vehicle (Spoon Rest C [P-12])
2x F-6A Farmer [MiG-19P Copy]
2x A/C Hardened Aircraft Shelter (1x Medium Aircraft)
2x Radar (Spoon Rest D [P-18])
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
5x 23mm Gsh-23 Burst [GP-9 Pod, 40 rnds]
9x 30mm Type 30-1 x 2 Burst [30 rnds]