AAA Effectiveness

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AAA Effectiveness - 9/25/2015 11:20:46 PM

zclark

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I�m running a Vietnam era scenario and I�ve noticed my tactical aircraft are being decimated during low level attack runs on targets surrounded by medium to large caliber NVA AAA. I recognize AAA was the leading cause of most US aircraft losses during the war, but attrition levels of 20% or greater per strike group seems a bit high to me. What do all of you think of the CMANO AAA lethality? Realistic or a bit too overpowered?

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RE: AAA Effectiveness - 9/25/2015 11:28:22 PM

thewood1

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I am sure if someone digs around enough there are official reports on air losses compared to sorties. But being able to differentiate the milk runs from the real low-level bombing runs would be more difficult. There used to be a book that detailed every air loss in Vietnam. Not sure if someone on the board has it.

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RE: AAA Effectiveness - 9/25/2015 11:36:39 PM

thewood1

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If you want to dig through this report, I think its all there...

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/c016682.pdf

...a quick look shows that AAA made up over 50% of all losses to F-4 aircraft as an example. A-1s and other close-support aircraft had it even worse, most likely.

What is striking is how dangerous ground fire was, considering the big deal made about losses to SAMs and MiGs. Ground fire was a pretty big factor for ground strike missions.

< Message edited by thewood1 -- 9/26/2015 12:49:22 AM >

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RE: AAA Effectiveness - 9/25/2015 11:52:11 PM

zclark

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Outstanding find thewood1, thanks! I'll look through this for stats on losses by AAA per sorties flown to gauge things.

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RE: AAA Effectiveness - 9/26/2015 12:32:31 AM

thewood1

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It is directional only. There so many different variables involved that unless you can find some loss rates with reproducible parameters for Command, not sure you will ever get an answer.

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RE: AAA Effectiveness - 9/26/2015 12:47:46 AM

mikmykWS

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How you build a strike from escorts to flight path matters too. This game is largely about strike planning.

Mike

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RE: AAA Effectiveness - 9/26/2015 1:25:11 AM

SeaQueen

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Joined: 4/14/2007
From: Washington D.C.
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I can't comment on whether or not I think it's over-powerful or not. A lot of these sorts of things are subject to tremendous uncertainty.

In general, I've been pleased. Surprise seems to count for a lot in Command. The "one pass and haul ass" tactic is usually the best way to attack something. If I'm going to do the kinds of low and medium altitude attacks you're describing, I'd suggest doing it as fast as possible to limit the window of engagement opportunities for the enemy.

Also, there's a lot to be said for flying around the AAA. If at all possible avoid enemy defenses rather than flying through them. Ideally, the only thing you have to confront directly is the AAA protecting the target. The rest is usually avoidable.

quote:

ORIGINAL: zclark

I�m running a Vietnam era scenario and I�ve noticed my tactical aircraft are being decimated during low level attack runs on targets surrounded by medium to large caliber NVA AAA. I recognize AAA was the leading cause of most US aircraft losses during the war, but attrition levels of 20% or greater per strike group seems a bit high to me. What do all of you think of the CMANO AAA lethality? Realistic or a bit too overpowered?

(in reply to zclark)

Post #: 7