Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Tue Apr 18, 2023 1:53 am**

Attached new scenario for your comments.

Scenario is focused on the 3rd MLR located on the Philippines, facing the Straits of Luzon.

Scenario assumes China just announcing a blockade on Taiwan, with a PLAN SAG heading to Taiwan's east coast to carry out a blockade of Hualien port.

Your mission is to degrade/destroy the SAG.

It is assumed that PLA forces will not fire the first shot.

The 3rd MLR has access to the EDCA sites, and some units are emplaced but with additional resources ready for your deployment.

This is a more freeform scenario than usual, where quite a number of USMC assets existing and planned for are made available, including some other USN/USAF assets. You will likely not need to use all of them, how to skin the cat is up to you.

There is heavy use of the cargo functionality, which you will need to deploy the Rogue Fires NSMs, as well as any reloads you think necessary. Best be familiar with the use of cargo functions.

Also, there seems to be an issue with automatically loading Rogue Fires onto CH-53Ks in a cargo transfer/delivery mission. Manually load it and the mission should be able to proceed.

Updated file...

Tighten the Straitjacket 2027 v1.6.zip: (244.56 KiB) Downloaded 62 times

Posted: **Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:33 am**

Hi, thanks for the scenario

I like the plot and there is some intrigue on what is the PLAN sending to the strait of Luzon at the start.

SPOILER ALERT.

I sent the LRUSVs and the already deployed Triton to investigate forward, while advanced to position the slower Constellation frigate and the Orca.

The Triton was able to fly above the PLAN formation at pleasure, and the enemy ships started to get identified.

The HIMARS are very strong, already learnt this in a scenario made by Kevinkins, and the submunitions of the PrSM Spiral 2 devastated and sunk the Nanchang at considerable distance.

However the Xuzhou and the Zibo defenses worked. But only the first time

Zibo was finally hit by bomblets and also sunk.

The rest of the Chinese Armada continued NE, in the meantime one of the LRUSV was hit by a YJ-18 fired by the Changsha and sunk.

They were near the south coast of Taiwan now, and a salvo of Hsiung Feng III was automatically launched, joined by the HIMARS, the defences were overwhelmed and she was hit 2 times, sunk.

Only the Xuzhou was left, but the slow Orca was already near, and was very effective, 3 torpedoes impacted Xuzhou, and the Constellation late to the party, hit with a RGM-184A NSM Block 1 missile, sunk.

The last hours of the scenario just tried to hunt the KJ-500A aircraft with the frigate, but could not track it.

As you can see I only used a part of all the stuff available, and understand that there are many ways to play this scenario; and am not familiar with the cargo operations, so did to try them, sorry.

I think the Chinese side is too passive and the American units too good (veterans).

Typos in the briefing: hostilites, Vincente, Horzizon.

Result: Major victory 900 points.

Code: Select all

SIDE: US
===========================================================
	
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x LRUSV


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
3x Mk48 Mod 7 ADCAP CBASS
24x PrSM Spiral 2 [275 x M74 Submunitions]
4x RGM-184A NSM Block 1

WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
6x Hero 120



SIDE: China
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Type 052D Luyang III [173 Changsha]
1x Type 052DL Luyang III [156 Zibo]
2x Type 054A Jiangkai II [530 Xuzhou]
1x Type 055 Nanchang [101 Nanchang, Zheng He]
6x Z-9D Haitun


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
1x China Towed Acoustic Decoy
80x Generic Flare Rocket [Single Spectral]
47x HHQ-9B
3x HQ-10 [FL-3000N]
10x HQ-16A [SA-17 Semi-Copy]
2x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy, Rocket Boosted Penetrator]
2x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy]

WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
1320x 130mm China H/PJ-38 HE
125x 30mm China H/PJ-12 [Type 730, 240 rnds]
50x 30mm China H/PJ-14 [Type 1130, 500 rnds]
140x 30mm China H/PJ-17 [20 rnds]
200x 76mm/60 China H/PJ-26 Frag Burst [2 rnds]
550x 76mm/60 China H/PJ-26 HE Burst [2 rnds]
9x China Towed Acoustic Decoy
184x China Type 87 ASW Rocket Salvo [6 rnds]
8x CY-3 ASROC [Yu-7]
846x Generic Chaff Rocket
352x Generic Flare Rocket [Single Spectral]
145x HHQ-9B
69x HQ-10 [FL-3000N]
54x HQ-16A [SA-17 Semi-Copy]
16x YJ-100 [CJ-10A Mod] ASCM
30x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy]
16x YJ-83 [C-802A, CSS-N-8 Saccade]
66x Yu-11
144x Yu-7



SIDE: Nature
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------

WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------



SIDE: Taiwan
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
16x Hsiung Feng III

WEAPONS/STORES LOST:

Posted: **Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:07 pm**

Hi Nikel,

Thanks for spending the time to try the scenario and posting your feedback.

I really appreciate it.

I think the pivotal weapon system is the HIMARS PrSM Spiral 2 rockets. Take those away and the NSMs are useless.

I think I will reduce the rounds of the PrSM Spiral 2 available, and also add some neutral traffic like fishing boats.

Fishing boats probably won't be heeding China's blockade anyway.

I also note your point on the passiveness of the Chinese side, it has to do with inadequate surveillance assets available for Chinese side to ID who is firing on it.

I have added some additional ISR assets to compensate.

Thanks once again, hope the edited scenario is a bit more balanced.

Tighten the Straitjacket 2027 v1.1.zip: (206.98 KiB) Downloaded 40 times

Posted: **Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:47 am**

Thanks to you, I learnt a pair of things playing your scenario

Ok, you fixed the typos.

And the other changes must be good because I was completely defeated

The Chinese side was indeed more active this time, and I will have to rethink how to win them.

Posted: **Sat Apr 22, 2023 10:24 am**

I have just finished a few play throughts. Easily one of my favorite scenarios in a while. New equipment and nicely used several of newer functions in Command. I am having issues getting the NSM Rouge launchers to re-arm from either the forward base or the ISO boxes. Is there a specific trick to this similar to the manual loading of the Rouge launchers on the helos?

Posted: **Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:02 pm**

There seems to be an issue rearming the Rogue Fires launcher automatically.

I could do it during testing by manually bringing the Rogue Fires launchers close to the Expeditionary Air Base and then manually clicking on each of the launcher, then right clicking and selecting 'manual rearm', then selecting the EAB as the source manually. It will not rearm if you select 'rearm automatically'.

Posted: **Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:04 pm**

Nikel wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:47 am Thanks to you, I learnt a pair of things playing your scenario

Ok, you fixed the typos.

And the other changes must be good because I was completely defeated

The Chinese side was indeed more active this time, and I will have to rethink how to win them.

Glad that you had more fun this time round, its thanks to your feedback

Posted: **Mon May 01, 2023 2:26 am**

Should be the final version, attached below.

Expanded and refined the scenario somewhat, hopefully for the better.

Tighten the Straitjacket 2027 v1.2.zip: (238 KiB) Downloaded 50 times

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2023 8:58 pm**

Really great scenario. Lost horribly. Will be returning to this again.

Key (Bad) move on my part was spreading my salvos out too much. I threw one good punch(bagged the 055) but should have planned it out to have more shooters in play for a larger salvo. I had some time to make some moves.

Really nice job. I'm enjoying this tremendously.

M

SIDE: US
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x MQ-8C Fire-X UCAV [Bell 407 Mod]
3x MH-60R Seahawk
1x LRUSV
2x Fleet Class CUSV [MCM Mission Module]
2x Mk18 Mod 2 Kingfish [Remus 600] UUV
1x LCS 2 Independence
1x FFG 62 Constellation

EXPENDITURES:
------------------
2x AN/SSQ-36 BT
5x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS
6x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
12x PrSM Spiral 2 [275 x M74 Submunitions]
7x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
32x GBU-53/B StormBreaker
16x RIM-66M-6 SM-2MR Blk IIIC
3x RUM-139C VLA [Mk54]
2x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
9x PrSM [500lb HE]
25x RIM-162E ESSM Blk II
15x RIM-116C RAM Blk II
2x 57mm/70 Bofors Mk3 GP Burst [4 rnds]
4x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
4x Mk234 Nulka
8x RGM-184A NSM Block 1

SIDE: China
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
3x Divine Eagle UAV
1x J-16 Flying Shark [Su-30MKK Copy]
3x Z-9D Haitun
1x Type 055 Nanchang [101 Nanchang, Zheng He]
1x KJ-500A Cub [GX9]

EXPENDITURES:
------------------
12x DF-10 GLCM
12x DF-15B [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-6 Mod-2]
2x DF-11A [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-7 Mod-2]
2x DF-11A [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-7 Mod-2] RV
1x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
12x DF-15B [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-6 Mod-2] RV
91x HHQ-9B
26x Generic Flare Rocket [Single Spectral]
36x HQ-16A [SA-17 Semi-Copy]
26x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy]
20x PL-12
21x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy, Rocket Boosted Penetrator]

SIDE: Nature
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------

EXPENDITURES:
------------------

SIDE: Taiwan
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Radar (AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws UEWR)
1x Sky Bow III [Tien Kung 3, Mobile]
1x Vehicle (Long Mountain, Mobile)
1x Vehicle (Long White 2, Mobile)

EXPENDITURES:
------------------
7x Sky Bow III
10x Sky Bow I
6x Sky Bow II
16x Hsiung Feng III

SIDE: Neutrals
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------

EXPENDITURES:
------------------

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2023 2:33 am**

Hi BDukes,

Thanks for the feedback and compliments!

I updated the scenario somewhat to include the XQ-58 with OECM and F-35Bs.

If you intend to have another go at it, do give this updated version a spin and see if it works.

I hope I didn't make the scenario too complicated.

Tighten the Straitjacket 2027 v1.5.zip: (244.26 KiB) Downloaded 31 times

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2023 2:09 pm**

I could only win v1.0. Defeated in 1.1, 1.2 and now 1.5

Is it me or they have unlimited missiles?

Seems unrealistic that land bases forces have such a limitation in the missiles and the sea forces no.

Which is the use in the scenario of the HIMARS PrSM 500 Ib HE being anti-land missiles?

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2023 2:11 am**

Yeah, the PLAN 055 and 052C/Ds do have a shitload of HHQ-9Bs…

I did not check the ‘unlimited ammo’ option for this scenario.

For scenario purposes, reflecting the austere basing of USMC sites, I decided to limit the available reloads of NSMs. Can’t imagine USMC forces having access to too many NSMs.

THe PLA air bases did get a good number of ammo though, since they are operating out of their home bases after all.

For the HIMARs, I initially placed the PrSM Spiral 2 500lb warheads but I found that they didn’t work against warships, they seemed to miss all the time or not deal damage even with very close misses.

So I changed them to cluster munition type Spiral 2s, but as u might recall I then reduced their numbers per salvo as they were really effective in game. Launch a load of them and game over for PLAN

I think the main determinant and advantage of the US side for this scenario is that US side has the initiative. Good positioning and good judgement of when to initiate the attack (the First Salvo) is crucial.

*Spoiler*

Under V1.5, the addition of J-20s really made it quite a bit more challenging in terms of maintaining freedom of maneuver/action after the bullets start flying. Even before the bullets fly, it is also harder to avoid detection.

I tried to play through 1.5 myself and only managed an Average rating. I managed to essentially sink the PLAN SAG except 1 052D which was heavily damaged, but in return lost both the LCS and FFG to YJ-18s. Those are some scary buggers, very difficult to deal with without E-2Ds and CEC.

Did I inadvertently make the scenario too challenging?

I think it is more realistic to include the J-20s patrolling the Strait, but I may have to reduce their numbers, or alternatively increase the number of F-35Bs available to the USMC to compensate.

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2023 2:52 pm**

More than 100 HHQ-9Bs I have seen

I was nor referring only to the USMC, but also the Taiwanese side, they become passive when depleted though they are also at home, no supplies?.

More PrSM Spiral 2 are missing, but understandable, the second munition is completely useless in this scenario, confronting aero-naval forces, not land.

The F-35Bs look to me completely "unstealthy", they are regularly shot down, though at least they fire their weapons before.

Another question, what to do with the Vipers helicopters? They are made of paper!

And finally the Chinese armada advances even though they sustain heavy losses, the simulation allows a chance of retreat or abort mission in this case?

Your scenario is frustrating and very addictive at the same time. Remembering arcade machines when I was a boy and you have to play more to master the game and kill the last monster

Congrats!

Posted: **Thu May 11, 2023 1:46 am**

Ah, the Taiwanese side. I actually put in the Taiwanese side and the PLARF for 2 purposes:

1. Provide some background to the scenario, after all, it is not the 3rd MLR vs the PLAN in isolation, things are happening around the area, some out of control of you as the commander of 3rd MLR.
2. They provide some variability to the scenario, with the Taiwanese SAM sometimes being able to provide cover for longer and denying the PLAN UAV’s ISR coverage over the straits, depending on how successful PLAN strikes on it are.

So the Taiwanese forces are mainly a sideshow, and not so consequential to this scenario. PLARF forces missile inventory are also deliberately limited - after all, even PLA missiles aren’t unlimited and they won’t expend them all on the first day.

For the F-35B, I thought they were reasonably stealthy, (I quite often switch sides in my testing to see the PLA perspective of things, and the 35Bs are quite stealthy. Just be careful of the anti-stealth radar on the DDGs) My recommendation? F-35B EMCON silence is golden. You can do really sneaky things with them, if you are careful enough.

Now for the Cobras? They are a lesson to the player. Don’t use AH-1Zs against PLAN SAGs, just like you won’t use a chainsaw to eat your food with. You might lose something.

Just because u can do something doesn’t mean you should do it.

“And finally the Chinese armada advances even though they sustain heavy losses, the simulation allows a chance of retreat or abort mission in this”

No, the political commissar in the SAG would report to Chairman Xi and the flotilla commander’s family will get an extended stay in Xinjiang. They must press on for the sake of national rejuvenation.

Speaking of which, I think I have an idea for balancing the scenario with some target drones for the USMC side. There are also interesting experiments going on in the USN’s UxS IBP 23 exercises… Wondering if some of what’s going on should feature in this scenario…

Update:

Ok, have decided that adding 8 target drones to the EAB should suffice for balancing. If used wisely they should be better than an additional 2 F-5Bs. Also noticed that there was an incorrect setting for the PLAN SAG which made their behavior... suboptimal. It should be better now.

Tighten the Straitjacket 2027 v1.6.zip: (244.56 KiB) Downloaded 57 times

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2023 12:08 pm**

Finally a triumph!

Still running v1.5 though.

Final score: 1100

Spoiler.

I think it was pure luck, this time the F-35Bs sacrificed themselves and distracted the armada flying near around them. For this reason I see less defensive chinese missiles launched, or so I think, there is a moment in the fight when you lose control.

Enough time for a concentrated fire coming from all my stuff, land, surface naval, sub and air. However my precious Constellation was lost in the counterattack, besides of course the F-35Bs.

Only two of the enemy ships survived and apparently damaged enough so that they could not defend or counterattack and then were finished off.

However there were still red Subs around and my assets were few to fight them, my only ASW was the MH-60R Seahawk from the Independence, and managed to hunt them in the last hours of the scenario, not 2 but finally 3!

The pesky J-16 were around trying to shot the helicopter down, so had to use some drones to distract them.

And before the end of the scenario message appears a missile was directed to my heroic helo!

Epic, thanks!

: TtS End.png (57.06 KiB) Viewed 2074 times

Medal of Honor for this helo crew.

: Seahawk.png (682.37 KiB) Viewed 2070 times

Code: Select all

SIDE: US
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
4x F-35B Lightning II
3x MV-22B Osprey
1x XQ-58 Valkyrie
1x MQ-4C Triton UAV [Global Hawk Mod]
3x MQ-9A Reaper Blk 5 UAV
1x Orca XLUUV
2x MH-60R Seahawk
1x FFG 62 Constellation


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
8x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
9x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Dual Spectral]
4x AN/ALE-70(V)/T-1687 Expendable Decoy
8x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
20x RGM-184A NSM Block 1
4x Mk48 Mod 7 ADCAP CBASS
31x RIM-162E ESSM Blk II
14x RIM-116C RAM Blk II
12x PrSM Spiral 2 [275 x M74 Submunitions]
6x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
8x Mk234 Nulka
2x 57mm/70 Bofors Mk3 GP Burst [4 rnds]
12x Hero 120
4x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
4x Mk50 Barracuda Mod 0 ALWT
1x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS



SIDE: China
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
3x Divine Eagle UAV
5x J-16 Flying Shark [Su-30MKK Copy]
6x Z-9D Haitun
1x Type 052DL Luyang III [156 Zibo]
1x Type 055 Nanchang [101 Nanchang, Zheng He]
1x Type 052D Luyang III [173 Changsha]
2x Type 054A Jiangkai II [530 Xuzhou]
3x Type 039C Yuan


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
12x DF-10 GLCM
8x DF-11A [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-7 Mod-2]
12x DF-15B [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-6 Mod-2]
8x DF-11A [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-7 Mod-2] RV
12x DF-15B [500kg HE Conventional, CSS-6 Mod-2] RV
10x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
12x PL-15
62x HHQ-9B
5x CY-3 ASROC [Yu-7]
3x PL-8C [Python 3]
6x PL-12
2x 30mm Gsh-30-1 Burst [30 rnds]
16x YJ-100 [CJ-10A Mod] ASCM
13x HQ-16A [SA-17 Semi-Copy]
16x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy]
3x Yu-7
16x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy, Rocket Boosted Penetrator]
4x HQ-10 [FL-3000N]
32x Generic Flare Rocket [Single Spectral]
7x 30mm China H/PJ-12 [Type 730, 240 rnds]
6x Generic Acoustic Decoy



SIDE: Nature
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------



SIDE: Taiwan
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Radar (AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws UEWR)
1x Vehicle (Long Mountain, Mobile)
2x Vehicle (Long White 2, Mobile)
2x Vehicle (CS/MPG-25 [Tien Kung 1, Mobile])
3x Sky Bow I [Tien Kung 1, Mobile]
4x Sky Bow II [Tien Kung 2, Mobile]


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
16x Sky Bow III
7x Sky Bow I
6x Sky Bow II
16x Hsiung Feng III



SIDE: Neutrals
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Commercial Fishing Boat [35m]


EXPENDITURES:
------------------

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2023 12:44 pm**

Good job Commander!

You have completed all your taskings well!

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2023 2:16 pm**

The Constellation is listed in the next scenario. I wonder how she resurrected

I suppose I will have to try v1.6, and win without losing her! Quite difficult being always the most punished by the red counterattack...

I forgot to post a typo also present in v1.6, both in the description and in the briefing.

"Intelligence suggests a PLAN SAG will pass the Luzon Straits on the way towards the the waters off East Taiwan to enforce the blockade of Hualien Port."

Posted: **Fri May 19, 2023 3:27 pm**

Difficult scenario, nice job!

Query - is there/should there be a "kamikaze" function for drones such as Chukar?

RAS

Posted: **Fri May 19, 2023 11:38 pm**

ryszardsh wrote: Fri May 19, 2023 3:27 pm Difficult scenario, nice job!

Query - is there/should there be a "kamikaze" function for drones such as Chukar?

RAS

Thanks!

For kamikaze Chukars or equivalents, that would require seekers and explosives mounted on them. I have not read reports of such conversions, and I think the Chukar's utility would be higher as dedicated decoys in this scenario anyway.

In any case, the Hero 120s on the LRUSVs are exactly that, though with shorter range.

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