Showcase: Icebreakers impressions
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:55 am
I've been playing the Icebreakers scenario, and I've got some feedback.
The new difficulty system was a surprise, so I selected "Medium" for my first playthrough.
Overall I enjoy the setup and forces arrayed, but I've noticed some blemishes.
First of all, there's no scoring thresholds set up. I got points from my many kills, but they didn't "matter" as there were no win/loss levels.
The Russians seemed to commence hostilities at a seemingly random time, when I saw some Hypersonics approaching my ships from over the Ice. My ships weren't close to the first Icebreaking corridor yet, though they were emitting offensive ECM. Not much indication that they were about to fire, perhaps intentional?
The rest of the Russian forces didn't immediately go hostile, so I made the decision to engage. I seemed to catch the Russians with their pants down, as it was a massacre. Once I started shooting, I executed the 'Widowmaker' Cyberattack.
Next, not being completely confident in being able to stop the Zircons, I unleashed all 12 of my Hypersonic missiles (which cannot target ships!) against the Russian air bases, specifically against the Runways/RG Taxiways to prevent or at least limit them taking off.
I defeated the Zircons with Jamming and a few missile hits. And my HS missiles struck home. I then engaged anything I could clearly see within range, and blasted everything I could reach, using an array of weapons. I took no losses, and after breaching the first Ice corridor, I called an end to it, as the Russians clearly have been smacked very hard without even scratching my paint. I even sank the Petyr Veliky with MM Tomahawks from the Oklahoma.
Some specific notes:
-The events may need some work as I only got a few of the "twitter" popups. I even got the "Petyr Veliky Sunk" one before I got the "combat may have started" one.
-Ship (Group) pathfinding through the Ice Corridor wasn't very good. Do I need to dissolve the groups and send each ship in individually? I did order them into a Column formation before going through, and it seems only the lead ship in the formation got through without seeming to have pathfinding issues.
-The available land-based missile battery at NAS Whidbey Island (as Cargo) isn't mentioned in the briefing at all, so I'm not briefed on what to do with it? I elected to send some of my C-17s down there to bring it up to Eielson AFB. I called the scenario before they could be deployed.
-I don't know intentional or not it may be, but it seems to me that there may not be enough tanker support given the number of combat aircraft and the distances involved. Maybe I'm not that skilled, but I was a little concerned that I may not have had enough tankers if things got harry, especially since I elected to reserve at least 2 of the C-130 tankers to supporting the rescue helicopters.
Overall I was surprised at how much rapid damage I did to the Russians. If this is "Medium" then "Easy" must be a complete pushover!
Losses & expenditures (Score of 1905; I have no explanation for all of the "lost" ordinance by the two NATO sides, as they took no hits that I'm aware of).
SIDE: Russia
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x BPK Udaloy I [Pr.1155 Fregat]
4x Ka-27M Helix A
2x MiG-29K Fulcrum D
15x MiG-31BM Foxhound
2x MiG-31K Foxhound
1x Radar (12A6 SOPKA-2)
3x Radar (Tall Rack [55Zh6UME Nebo UME])
1x RKR Petr Velikiy [Pr.1144.2M Orlan, Ex-Yuri Androvo]
2x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
9x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
2x SA-22 Greyhound [96K6 Pantsir-S1, KAMAZ-6560 8x8] TELAR
1x Searcher II [Forpost-R] UCAV
2x SSC-6 Sennight TELAR [3M24]
1x SSV Yug [Pr.862.1/2]
1x SSV Yury Ivanov [Pr.18280]
8x Tu-22M-3 Backfire C
1x Vehicle (Cheese Board [96L6])
1x Vehicle (Plank Shave)
1x VTR Boris Chilikin [Pr.1559V]
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
14x 30mm 2A38M Burst [50 rnds]
1x 30mm Twin Gatling Gsh-6-30K Burst [375 rnds]
2x AA-12 Adder B [R-77-1, RVV-SD]
4x AA-13 Arrow [R-37M, RVV-BD]
4x AK-100 100mm/70 Frag
2x AK-630M 30mm/65 Gatling Burst [400 rnds]
6x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
14x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
63x PK-10 Flare [SO-50]
264x RGB-15 [Refined Search, Passive Omni]
60x RGB-25 [Track, Passive Directional]
96x RGB-55A [Track, Active/Passive]
396x RGB-75 [Basic Search, Passive Omni]
6x SA-16 Gimlet [9M313]
8x SA-21b Growler [40N6]
15x SA-22 Greyhound [57E6]
4x SA-23a Gladiator [9M83M]
2x SA-27 Grizzly [9M317M]
2x SA-N-10 Gimlet [9M313]
8x SA-N-11a Grisom [9M311K]
20x SA-N-20a Gargoyle [48N6]
10x SA-N-9 Gauntlet [9M330-2 Kinzhal]
8x SS-N-33 [3M22 Zircon]
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
420x 12.7mm/50 Twin MG Burst [20 rnds]
860x 14.5mm MG Burst [20 rnds]
2x 1500 liter Drop Tank
96x 23mm Gsh-23M Twin Burst [100 rnds]
75x 23mm Gsh-6-23 [50 rnds]
16x 2500 liter Drop Tank
46x 30mm 2A38M Burst [50 rnds]
10x 30mm Gsh-30-1 Burst [30 rnds]
191x 30mm Twin Gatling Gsh-6-30K Burst [375 rnds]
4x AA-11 Archer [R-73]
54x AA-12 Adder B [R-77-1, RVV-SD]
56x AA-13 Arrow [R-37M, RVV-BD]
706x AK-100 100mm/70 Frag
920x AK-100 100mm/70 HE
140x AK-130 130mm/54 Twin Frag Burst [2 rnds]
110x AK-130 130mm/54 Twin HE Burst [2 rnds]
98x AK-630M 30mm/65 Gatling Burst [400 rnds]
96x APR-2 Orlan-M
2x APR-3M
16x AS-20 Kayak [Kh-35U Star]
2x AS-24 Killjoy [Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, 700kg HE Penetrator]
8x AS-4 Kitchen A Mod 3 [Kh-22N ASM]
6x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
914x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
20x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
928x Generic Flare Salvo [4x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
12x Paket-NK [M-15 Anti-Torpedo Torpedo]
20x Paket-NK [MTT ASW]
372x PK-10 Chaff [SR-50]
185x PK-10 Flare [SO-50]
120x PK-2 Chaff [TSP-47]
40x PK-2 Flare [TST-47]
288x PLAB-250 Depth Charge
10x RBU-1000 Salvo [6 rnds]
3x RBU-12000 Torpedo Decoy Salvo [UDAV-1, 10 rnds]
12x RBU-6000 Salvo [12 rnds]
36x RGB-16MK [Search, Passive Omni]
14x SA-22 Greyhound [57E6]
45x SA-N-10 Gimlet [9M313]
184x SA-N-11a Grisom [9M311K]
28x SA-N-20a Gargoyle [48N6]
48x SA-N-20b Gargoyle [48N6M]
182x SA-N-9 Gauntlet [9M330-2 Kinzhal]
8x SET-65M Enot-2 [NATO ET-80A[76]]
8x SS-N-14 Silex [85RU, Dual-Role, UMGT-1 Torpedo + 185kg Unitary]
40x SS-N-33 [3M22 Zircon]
SIDE: NATO
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
2x 57mm/70 Bofors Mk3 GP Burst [4 rnds]
16x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
3x AIM-9X-3 Sidewinder Blk II+
12x C-HGB
4x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
12x IR-CPS
30x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
16x Mk234 Nulka
4x Mk59 Mod 0 Floating Decoy
24x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
12x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
4x RGM-84G Harpoon ICR
8x RGM-84L Harpoon II
16x RIM-174A ERAM SM-6 Blk IA
32x RIM-174A ERAM SM-6 Dual I
1x RIM-66M-5 SM-2MR Blk IIIB
6x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
8x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
12x UGM-109J Tomahawk Blk Va MST
2x UGM-84D Harpoon IC
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
340x 12.7mm/50 MG Burst [10 rnds]
144x 12.7mm/72 GAU-19 Minigun Burst [100 rnds]
6x 120 USG Drop Tank
320x 127mm/62 Mk179 HE-ET [Mk41 HiFrag Body, Mk432 Fuse]
300x 127mm/62 Mk182 KE-ET [Cargo Body, Mk432 Fuse, Shotgun Shell]
90x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
16x 230 USG Drop Tank
228x 25mm/75 Bushmaster Mod 1 Burst [12 rnds]
28x 370 USG Drop Tank
640x 7.62mm MG Burst [20 rnds]
480x 7.62mm MG Burst [20 rnds]
8x AGM-114M Hellfire II
8x AGM-158C LRASM
4x AGM-84K SLAMER-ATA
12x AGM-88C HARM
40x AIM-120C AMRAAM P3I.1
16x AIM-9M Sidewinder
2x AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Pod [FLIR + TFR]
2x AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Pod [FLIR + LRMTS, 12k ft]
72x AN/ALE-50 [RT-1646/ALE]
6x AN/ALE-55 FOTD
14x AN/ALQ-184(V) DECM Pod
2x AN/SLQ-25A Nixie
400x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
272x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS
160x AN/SSQ-77B VLAD
1x Cargo [No Drop, 72 tons]
64x GBI [CE-II Blk 1, GMD]
4x GBU-24C/B Paveway III LGB [BLU-116/B]
336x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
106x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Dual Spectral]
200x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
120x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
24x Mk234 Nulka
36x Mk245 GIANT Flare
28x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5
58x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5A(S)
18x Mk50 Barracuda Mod 0 ALWT
10x Mk54 HAAWC Mod 0
32x Mk54 LHT Mod 0
28x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
28x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
64x RIM-161E SM-3 NTW Blk IIA
24x RIM-162A ESSM
8x RUM-139B VLA [Mk46 Mod 5A(SW)]
SIDE: Civilian
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
SIDE: Nature
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
SIDE: NATO (Icebreaking)
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
90x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
72x AN/ALE-50 [RT-1646/ALE]
216x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
180x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
SIDE: Survivors
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
The new difficulty system was a surprise, so I selected "Medium" for my first playthrough.
Overall I enjoy the setup and forces arrayed, but I've noticed some blemishes.
First of all, there's no scoring thresholds set up. I got points from my many kills, but they didn't "matter" as there were no win/loss levels.
The Russians seemed to commence hostilities at a seemingly random time, when I saw some Hypersonics approaching my ships from over the Ice. My ships weren't close to the first Icebreaking corridor yet, though they were emitting offensive ECM. Not much indication that they were about to fire, perhaps intentional?
The rest of the Russian forces didn't immediately go hostile, so I made the decision to engage. I seemed to catch the Russians with their pants down, as it was a massacre. Once I started shooting, I executed the 'Widowmaker' Cyberattack.
Next, not being completely confident in being able to stop the Zircons, I unleashed all 12 of my Hypersonic missiles (which cannot target ships!) against the Russian air bases, specifically against the Runways/RG Taxiways to prevent or at least limit them taking off.
I defeated the Zircons with Jamming and a few missile hits. And my HS missiles struck home. I then engaged anything I could clearly see within range, and blasted everything I could reach, using an array of weapons. I took no losses, and after breaching the first Ice corridor, I called an end to it, as the Russians clearly have been smacked very hard without even scratching my paint. I even sank the Petyr Veliky with MM Tomahawks from the Oklahoma.
Some specific notes:
-The events may need some work as I only got a few of the "twitter" popups. I even got the "Petyr Veliky Sunk" one before I got the "combat may have started" one.
-Ship (Group) pathfinding through the Ice Corridor wasn't very good. Do I need to dissolve the groups and send each ship in individually? I did order them into a Column formation before going through, and it seems only the lead ship in the formation got through without seeming to have pathfinding issues.
-The available land-based missile battery at NAS Whidbey Island (as Cargo) isn't mentioned in the briefing at all, so I'm not briefed on what to do with it? I elected to send some of my C-17s down there to bring it up to Eielson AFB. I called the scenario before they could be deployed.
-I don't know intentional or not it may be, but it seems to me that there may not be enough tanker support given the number of combat aircraft and the distances involved. Maybe I'm not that skilled, but I was a little concerned that I may not have had enough tankers if things got harry, especially since I elected to reserve at least 2 of the C-130 tankers to supporting the rescue helicopters.
Overall I was surprised at how much rapid damage I did to the Russians. If this is "Medium" then "Easy" must be a complete pushover!
Losses & expenditures (Score of 1905; I have no explanation for all of the "lost" ordinance by the two NATO sides, as they took no hits that I'm aware of).
SIDE: Russia
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x BPK Udaloy I [Pr.1155 Fregat]
4x Ka-27M Helix A
2x MiG-29K Fulcrum D
15x MiG-31BM Foxhound
2x MiG-31K Foxhound
1x Radar (12A6 SOPKA-2)
3x Radar (Tall Rack [55Zh6UME Nebo UME])
1x RKR Petr Velikiy [Pr.1144.2M Orlan, Ex-Yuri Androvo]
2x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
9x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
2x SA-22 Greyhound [96K6 Pantsir-S1, KAMAZ-6560 8x8] TELAR
1x Searcher II [Forpost-R] UCAV
2x SSC-6 Sennight TELAR [3M24]
1x SSV Yug [Pr.862.1/2]
1x SSV Yury Ivanov [Pr.18280]
8x Tu-22M-3 Backfire C
1x Vehicle (Cheese Board [96L6])
1x Vehicle (Plank Shave)
1x VTR Boris Chilikin [Pr.1559V]
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
14x 30mm 2A38M Burst [50 rnds]
1x 30mm Twin Gatling Gsh-6-30K Burst [375 rnds]
2x AA-12 Adder B [R-77-1, RVV-SD]
4x AA-13 Arrow [R-37M, RVV-BD]
4x AK-100 100mm/70 Frag
2x AK-630M 30mm/65 Gatling Burst [400 rnds]
6x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
14x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
63x PK-10 Flare [SO-50]
264x RGB-15 [Refined Search, Passive Omni]
60x RGB-25 [Track, Passive Directional]
96x RGB-55A [Track, Active/Passive]
396x RGB-75 [Basic Search, Passive Omni]
6x SA-16 Gimlet [9M313]
8x SA-21b Growler [40N6]
15x SA-22 Greyhound [57E6]
4x SA-23a Gladiator [9M83M]
2x SA-27 Grizzly [9M317M]
2x SA-N-10 Gimlet [9M313]
8x SA-N-11a Grisom [9M311K]
20x SA-N-20a Gargoyle [48N6]
10x SA-N-9 Gauntlet [9M330-2 Kinzhal]
8x SS-N-33 [3M22 Zircon]
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
420x 12.7mm/50 Twin MG Burst [20 rnds]
860x 14.5mm MG Burst [20 rnds]
2x 1500 liter Drop Tank
96x 23mm Gsh-23M Twin Burst [100 rnds]
75x 23mm Gsh-6-23 [50 rnds]
16x 2500 liter Drop Tank
46x 30mm 2A38M Burst [50 rnds]
10x 30mm Gsh-30-1 Burst [30 rnds]
191x 30mm Twin Gatling Gsh-6-30K Burst [375 rnds]
4x AA-11 Archer [R-73]
54x AA-12 Adder B [R-77-1, RVV-SD]
56x AA-13 Arrow [R-37M, RVV-BD]
706x AK-100 100mm/70 Frag
920x AK-100 100mm/70 HE
140x AK-130 130mm/54 Twin Frag Burst [2 rnds]
110x AK-130 130mm/54 Twin HE Burst [2 rnds]
98x AK-630M 30mm/65 Gatling Burst [400 rnds]
96x APR-2 Orlan-M
2x APR-3M
16x AS-20 Kayak [Kh-35U Star]
2x AS-24 Killjoy [Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, 700kg HE Penetrator]
8x AS-4 Kitchen A Mod 3 [Kh-22N ASM]
6x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
914x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
20x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
928x Generic Flare Salvo [4x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
12x Paket-NK [M-15 Anti-Torpedo Torpedo]
20x Paket-NK [MTT ASW]
372x PK-10 Chaff [SR-50]
185x PK-10 Flare [SO-50]
120x PK-2 Chaff [TSP-47]
40x PK-2 Flare [TST-47]
288x PLAB-250 Depth Charge
10x RBU-1000 Salvo [6 rnds]
3x RBU-12000 Torpedo Decoy Salvo [UDAV-1, 10 rnds]
12x RBU-6000 Salvo [12 rnds]
36x RGB-16MK [Search, Passive Omni]
14x SA-22 Greyhound [57E6]
45x SA-N-10 Gimlet [9M313]
184x SA-N-11a Grisom [9M311K]
28x SA-N-20a Gargoyle [48N6]
48x SA-N-20b Gargoyle [48N6M]
182x SA-N-9 Gauntlet [9M330-2 Kinzhal]
8x SET-65M Enot-2 [NATO ET-80A[76]]
8x SS-N-14 Silex [85RU, Dual-Role, UMGT-1 Torpedo + 185kg Unitary]
40x SS-N-33 [3M22 Zircon]
SIDE: NATO
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
2x 57mm/70 Bofors Mk3 GP Burst [4 rnds]
16x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
3x AIM-9X-3 Sidewinder Blk II+
12x C-HGB
4x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
12x IR-CPS
30x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
16x Mk234 Nulka
4x Mk59 Mod 0 Floating Decoy
24x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
12x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
4x RGM-84G Harpoon ICR
8x RGM-84L Harpoon II
16x RIM-174A ERAM SM-6 Blk IA
32x RIM-174A ERAM SM-6 Dual I
1x RIM-66M-5 SM-2MR Blk IIIB
6x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
8x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
12x UGM-109J Tomahawk Blk Va MST
2x UGM-84D Harpoon IC
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
340x 12.7mm/50 MG Burst [10 rnds]
144x 12.7mm/72 GAU-19 Minigun Burst [100 rnds]
6x 120 USG Drop Tank
320x 127mm/62 Mk179 HE-ET [Mk41 HiFrag Body, Mk432 Fuse]
300x 127mm/62 Mk182 KE-ET [Cargo Body, Mk432 Fuse, Shotgun Shell]
90x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
16x 230 USG Drop Tank
228x 25mm/75 Bushmaster Mod 1 Burst [12 rnds]
28x 370 USG Drop Tank
640x 7.62mm MG Burst [20 rnds]
480x 7.62mm MG Burst [20 rnds]
8x AGM-114M Hellfire II
8x AGM-158C LRASM
4x AGM-84K SLAMER-ATA
12x AGM-88C HARM
40x AIM-120C AMRAAM P3I.1
16x AIM-9M Sidewinder
2x AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Pod [FLIR + TFR]
2x AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Pod [FLIR + LRMTS, 12k ft]
72x AN/ALE-50 [RT-1646/ALE]
6x AN/ALE-55 FOTD
14x AN/ALQ-184(V) DECM Pod
2x AN/SLQ-25A Nixie
400x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
272x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS
160x AN/SSQ-77B VLAD
1x Cargo [No Drop, 72 tons]
64x GBI [CE-II Blk 1, GMD]
4x GBU-24C/B Paveway III LGB [BLU-116/B]
336x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
106x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Dual Spectral]
200x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
120x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
24x Mk234 Nulka
36x Mk245 GIANT Flare
28x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5
58x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5A(S)
18x Mk50 Barracuda Mod 0 ALWT
10x Mk54 HAAWC Mod 0
32x Mk54 LHT Mod 0
28x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
28x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
64x RIM-161E SM-3 NTW Blk IIA
24x RIM-162A ESSM
8x RUM-139B VLA [Mk46 Mod 5A(SW)]
SIDE: Civilian
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
SIDE: Nature
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
SIDE: NATO (Icebreaking)
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------
90x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
72x AN/ALE-50 [RT-1646/ALE]
216x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
180x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
SIDE: Survivors
===========================================================
LOSSES:
-------------------------------
DECOYS:
-------------------------------
EXPENDITURES:
------------------
WEAPONS/STORES LOST:
-----------------------------