KungPao
Posts: 333
Joined: 4/25/2016
From: Red China
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I did some test to see how the escort A/C will react to SHORAD threat. The purpose is to check if the AI can automatically carry out SEAD/strike mission against non-emission threats in escort role. I have some finding through a dozen test. So while I got to admit that my observations could be unobjective, I hope they can help other players’ gameplay and scenario designers.
There are four scenarios in the attachment
First one is a hypothetical war between NATO and Russia over Ukraine. NATO (USAF) F-16 bomb a Russian pontoon bridge on Dnieper river. A 4 ship strike package carries LGB , other 12 F-16 with different smart weapons assign to escort mission. The pontoon bridge is protected by Tunguska, SA-13, SA-16 SPSAM and one unit of AAA
Second one: This time everyone carries dumb bombs and cluster bombs
In third one the escort aircraft armed with B-57 tactical nukes
Fourth one is Russian Su-25s attack a Ukraine/Nato target. The escort A/C armed with different types of weapon from Kh-25L, AT-16 to 57mm rocket.
Here are my observations,
1, The escort F-16 with AGM-65, JDAM, CBU-105, GBU-24 LGB(MK84) will initiate an attack automatically. But those with GBU-12 LGB(MK82) and HYDRA 70mm rockets cannot, these A/C just sit behind do nothing even the automatic evasion is turn off . My guess it the weapon range is the factor here, GBU-12 has 4nm max range, HYDRA 70mm has 5.9nm. This is just my guess , 6nm weapon range is a requirement that will make the A/C fit into a SEAD escort role. This can be partially proven in the Russian Su-25 strike mission testing
2, Regarding the pervious observation, there is one exception , F-16 armed with AGM-88 + GBU-12 LGB combination will auto attack SHORAD threat with GBU-12 LGB.
3, For some reason , American F-16 in escort role with dumb bombs and cluster bomb will not attack SHORAD.
4, in Russian Su-25 mission, escort A/C with Kh-25 and Kh-29 will automatically attack SHORAD, both of these ammunition have max range at 6nm. AT-16 (5nm max range) and KAB series LGB (4nm) will not. But Su-25 with dumb bombs, rockets and cluster bombs will auto attack SHORAD threats.
5, I remember someone complaint that the SEAD patrol and SEAD escort mission will not attack SPSAM. I guess that is because SPSAM is very hard to ID. SPSAM is very annoying when it is In a “?” mark, but it will be attacked after successfully ID (I put some inf recon team next to the SPSAM to ID it). Also the escort A/C would prefer attack SAM site first, then AAA. SPSAM seems to be the lowest priority on the list.
6, Bad news, F-16 with B-57 will not react to SHORAD threat. Next time I should let escort A/C armed with AGM-86B or a Tzar bomba
:)
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< Message edited by KungPao -- 9/2/2020 3:37:45 AM >
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Escort (SEAD) A/C vs SHORAD - 
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