Matrix Games Forums

In an effort to better understand carrier operations, Gunner98 suggested I try out this scenario, so here goes.

My Orders

Some thoughts on the enemy - not much detail to go on...

A more in depth look at my tasks

A look at my forces

The Ronald Reagan can hold a lot of planes on her deck...

Okay, now I see the difference

Hay Mike

I opened up the scenario last week. One of the important bits with CV ops is ammo. I think the Gipper (CVN-76) has way more munitions than it would normally have and an extra squadron of hornets. That's fine for this scenario as long as you don't get used to it.

For info this site is great for pin pointing what a CVW should look like: http://www.gonavy.jp/CVf.html

A typical wing for 2004 is in the clip. Tomcats and Super-hornets were only in service together for a short overlap period. The typical wing had 4x VF/VFA Sqns = 48 fast movers. The physical space on the carrier is accurately modeled I think but more than about 80 AC make flight operations slow down, which I think is also modeled.

Ammo stocks on a CV are also limited, making the AOE critical. But for this scenario where you're learning about CV ops having all the ammo on board is fine.

Enjoy

B

Bart,

Thanks for the info and the link. Very interesting stuff. Also, thanks for suggesting I give this one a try!

Have a good day,

Mike

Here is a look at some of my thoughts as I get ready to create the different missions

Mike

One thing you may want to consider - your Prowlers. Not only are they a powerful jamming platform but they are great EW sensors as well. Some factors I try and consider when using them:

-Their EW ability is great for direction and if at 90* to the AWACS can help localize the target - may not be an issue in this scenario
-The most potent A2A missile the bad guy has is probably the AA-10 ALAMO which is (mostly) SARH so very vulnerable to jamming.
-The best way to protect your ships is not allow them to be found, hide them in an electronic haze.

On the subject of enemy missiles, although the AA-10 SARH is relatively easy to defeat (although it's better than an AIM-7), the AA-8 is not. As a short range IR missile the AA-8 is as good or better than an AIM-9 with an off-bore-site capability (helmet mounted site able to shoot at 90* to the AC). Be careful when you get into knife fighting range. Oh and there are IR and an ARH versions of the AA-10 but I don't know if they are in this scenario.

B

Bart,

Thanks for this. Makes sense to keep the carrier group hidden and I will try to achieve that!

Here is a look at the two Soviet missiles

And the Fulcrum - they both also carry the AA-10 and AA-11 which is also a nasty opponent. I mixed up the AA-8 and 11 earlier

Your best tactic is to force the firing AC to lose lock on his AA-10 by engaging it with an AMRAAM and forcing it to evade. Once your out of AMRAAMs go home and let others do the fighting. Avoid the short range fight wherever you can.

Bart,

Thanks for the advice. I will attempt to follow it. As an army guy, I find it so interesting all the different calculations that air and naval planners have to go through. The planning process can be the same, but the details are so very different. It is really making me think...

Here is a look at what I think is a 90 degree approach.

Here is a look at my naval tasks.

A closer look at the Russian air defences. I need to figure out which of these units are rebels.

Learnt something new - which often happens as I play this - while plotting the movement of the San Jaun

Here is how I'm going to assign my air resources.

A look at the different missions

It did not take long to find the enemy - maybe?