May 2, 200619 yr The two merchantmen and a tanker left at dawn under an escort of Grayback gunboats to link up with the LCS “Task Group” (is that the right term for a three ship sub-grouping) 10nm outside of the port of Freeport. The USN LCS’ will escort these vessels to the port of Coupville. The LCS’ are equipped as follows: LCS 1: F(12)1 Mk48 VLS w/24 ESSM//1 Mk91, F(21)1 Mk31 w/21 RIM-116A RAM, P/S (1)2 12.7mm, A®1 Mk15 Phalanx Block 1B 20mm/76, ACommand and Control Module (Cooperative Engagement Capability), A Helicopter Platform fitted with RAST w/3 RQ-8 Firescout VTUAV. LCS 2: F(1)1 Bofors Mk3 57mm/70//F GFCS, F(21)1 Mk31 w/21 RIM-116A RAM, P/S (1)2 12.7mm, A(4)2 Mk141 w/4 Harpoon, A 1 AN/WLD-1 Remote Mine Hunting System and 1 AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle, A Helicopter Platform fitted with RAST w/3 RQ-8 Firescout VTUAV.. LCS 3: F(12)1 Mk48 VLS w/24 ESSM//1 Mk91, F(21)1 Mk31 w/21 RIM-116A RAM, P/S(1)2 12.7mm, A(4)2 Mk141 w/4 Harpoon, A(3)2 Mk32 w/3 Mk46 or Mk54 torpedoes, AQS-22 Sonar, and space for 40 sonarbuoys. The Task Group has conducted an uneventful movement to the its current position 10nm and on a bearing of 209 degrees from Port Known. The Task Groups current heading and speed is 090 degrees at 10kts. RQ-8 #1 is on a 45 degree bearing from the task group at a distance of 30nm. RQ-8 #2 is on a 135 degree bearing at a distance of 30nm. RQ-8 #2 has made a VISID of a Redrock Tarantul III. The Tarantul III is on a 158 degree bearing from the Task Group at a distance of about 26nm. The Redrock vessel did not display any hostile intent so it was not attacked. The activity of this vessel will be monitored. Unknown to BluFor, there is a Kilo sitting on the bottom just NNE of Middle Island. It’s MGK-400 Rubicon sonar operating passively failed to detect either the stealthy LCS or the "rumblin-stumblin-fumblin" civilian ships. The distance is just under 40nm so the Kilo may have to get off it's duff and begin to stalk the group. Also unknown to BluFor, just beyond the Radar Line of Sight, there is a Natya I minelayer escorted by a Tarantul III. The Natya is prepping to sow a mine barrier. Contact should occur over the next couple of tactical turns.
May 3, 200619 yr Author Two more Intermediate Turns last night got us to a point of being just within range so that the 3rd Generation ESM on the Tarantul III should be able to detect the LCS's active radar. With that I would assume that the minelaying operation would cease as the Natya I tries to get out of Dodge, with the Tarantul III providing cover. Also, the Kilo has gotten itself out of the mud and is now prowling. Finally, the EL/M-2226 Coastal Surveillance Radar has been retro-fitted to be in the Redrock ports of Panstrike and Briarton, so we will see if the Exocet-equipped Super Puma may have its presence felt. The map scale has played the devil with me as I have grown accustom to 1”=1nm whereas this map is roughly .5”=10nm. Hopefully I can transition over to two pieces of 8.5x11 graph paper taped together for the upcoming engagements at 1"=1nm. Should have a couple of undisturbed RW hours tonight so things may get hot. For that we shall see.
May 4, 200619 yr Author 1400 Plotting Phase: US: Direct RQ-8 #1 to transit south 20nm. This corrects the fact that RQ-8 is patrolling the airspace over friendly land. RQ-8 #2 Hold. Task Group (TG) continue (090 10kts). Redrock: Kilo (passive) moves toward the channel where enemy activity is expected. Mine Group continues mine emplacement operations. Super Puma lift to 125m (Low Altitude) energize radar, if medium to large targets detected, engage with Exocet missiles. Move Phase: US: RQ-8 #1: 180 degrees, 100kts, moves 5nm. RQ-8 #2: Hold on station. TG: 090 degrees, 10kts, moves 0.5nm. Redrock: Kilo SS: 322 degrees, 5kts, moves 0.25nm. Mine Group: continues. Super Puma: 000 degrees, 0kts, Low Alt. Planned Fire: None Detection: TG’s TRS-3D-16 detects two small targets on a bearing of 101 degrees and 16nm. One of the target ship’s 3rd Generation ESM detects the TRS-3D-16 on a bearing of 281 degrees. SS still too distant to make an effective passive detection. Super Puma employs its Agrion15 and detects the Task Group and including its Medium and Large components. The TG’s 3rd Generation ESM detects the Agrion15 on a bearing of 170 degrees. Reaction fire Phase: None. Engagement Turns declared. 1400.5 2nd Fire Phase: None. 1400.5 2nd Air Attack Resolution: None. 1401.0 1st Movement:: TG moved a full 3minutes of movement, 0.5nm. RQ-8 #1 moved 3minutes worth of movement, 5nm. SS moved 3minutes worth, 0.25nm. Mine Group securing from mine ops. 1401.0 1st Fire Phase: Super Puma fires 1x AM.39 Exocet on a heading of 350 with an enabling point (EP) at 20nm. 1401.0 1st Air Attack Resolution: None. 1401.0 Detection: No new detections. 1401.5 2nd Movement: Excocet #1 moves 2.6nm on a heading of 350 degrees. 1401.5 2nd Fire Phase: Super Puma fires Exocet #2 on a heading of 350 degrees and with an EP of 20nm. 2nd Air Atk Res: None. To Be Continued.
May 4, 200619 yr Author Vampires inbound, although the Task Group has not had a chance to detect it yet. 1402.0 1st Move: Vampire 1 moves 2.6nm (total 5.2nm, 19.8nm from TG), V2 moves 2.6nm (total 2.6nm, 22.4nm from TG) 1402.0 1st Fire: None. 1402.0 1st AA Res: None. 1402.0 Detection: RQ-8 #2 3rd Generation ESM fails to detect Super Puma. Tarantul III’s Kivatch3 energizes but fails to detect the TG. TG TRS-3D-16 cannot detect vampires due to RLOS of 14nm vs. Vsmall. 1402.5 2nd Move: V1 moves 2.6nm (total 7.8nm, 17.2nm from TG), V2 moves 2.6nm (total 5.2nm, 19.8nm from TG) 1402.5 2nd Fire: None. 1402.5 2nd AA Res: None. 1403.0 1st Move: V1 2.6nm (total 10.4nm, 14.6nm from TG), V2 2.6nm (total 7.8nm, 17.2nm from TG) 1403.0 1st Fire: None. 1403.0 1st AA Res: None. 1403.0 Detection: RQ-8 #2 detects Agrion15 on a bearing of 243 degrees. Tarantul II with Kivatch3 fails to detect TG again. 1403.5 2nd Fire: None. 1403.5 2nd AA Res: None. 1404.0 1st Move: V1 2.6nm (total 15.6nm, 9.4 away from the TG), V2 2.6nm (total 13.0nm, 12.0nm from the TG). 1404.0 1st Fire: None. 1404.0 First AA Res: None. 1404.0 Detection: ? *Just realized that LCS TRS-3D-16 should be degraded, due to 4.2.3.2 Ship Air Search Radar, to 5% max range since, for among other things, we are in the littorals and these Exocets are sea skimmer capable so the should be flying Vlow. More to follow tonight.
May 5, 200619 yr Author 1404.0 Detection: Tarantul III successfully attempts detection of TG with Kivatch3. Detects 2 Medium and one Large ship. LCS’ TRS-3D-16 AS max range of 68 * 5% = 3.4nm due to the Vlow flight profile of the two exocets. 1404.5 2nd Move: V1 2.6nm (18.2nm total, 6.8nm from tgt), V2 2.6nm (15.6nm total, 9.4nm from tgt). 1404.5 2nd Fire: LCS 2 fires 2x RGM-84B Harpoon IB at hostile contacts, bearing 101 degrees with EP 5nm. 1404.5 2nd AA Res: None. 1405.0 1st Move: V1 2.6nm (20.8nm total, 4.2nm from tgt), V2 2.6nm (18.2nm total, 6.8nm from tgt). Harpoon 2.3nm (2.3nm total, 13.7nm from tgt). 1405.0 1st Fire: None. 1405.0 1st AA Res: None. 1405.0 Detection: V1 has reached its enabling point. It’s 3rd Generation I/TARH seeker activated with an acquisition cone of 45 degrees and 15nm. (see NSR #26 April 2004, page 28). 1-16 Tanker, 17-24 Merchant #1, 25-32 Merchant #2, 33 LCS1, 34 LCS2, 35 LCS3. D100 = 0,6 = Tanker locked on. 1405.5 2nd Move: V1 2.6nm (23.4nm total, 1.8nm from tanker target), V2 2.6nm (20.8nm total, 4.2nm from target). Harpoons 2.3nm (4.6nm total, 11.4 from target). 1405.5 2nd fire: None. 1405.5 2nd AA Res: None. 1406.0 1st Move: V1 2.6nm reaches tanker target. V2 2.6nm (23.4 total, 1.8 from tgt). Harpoons 2.3nm (6.9nm total EP, 9.1nm from target). 1406.0 1st Fire: None. 1406 1st AA Res: V1 pH .85. D100 = 98 a miss. Equipment malfunction. 1406.0 Detection: V2 D100 = 33, Locks onto LCS1. 1406.5 2nd Move: V2 (23.4nm total, 2.7nm from LCS target). Harpoon 2.3nm (6.9nm total, 13.7nm from target). Need to acquire Harpoon target! 1406.5 2nd Fire: None. 1406.5 2nd AA Res: None. 1407.0 1st Move: V2 2.6nmreaches LCS1. 1407.0 1st Fire: CIWS close .85 - .15 TM = 70, D100 = 72 miss. A valiant Gunners Mate with 12.7mm misses horribly. 1407.0 1st AA Res: LCS1 stealthy, 3rd Generation J&D vs 3rd Generation missile, pH 0.29. D100=26. 33DP vs LCS1. Computes to 4 critical hits, which are rolled 2 Weapons Mounts, 1 Sensor and 1 Fire. Doesn't look good for the home team as LCS1 carried the C2 Suite. Shipboard radar reduction due to VLow flight greatly restrained the LCS' ability to detect/defend themselves and the civilian ships. The Exocet targeting the tanker simply missed through no help by the LCS. The other exocet didn't miss! More to follow:
May 7, 200619 yr Author Revision coming soon as the TRS-3D-16 is only reduced 50%, so against a Vsmall target, 14nm to 7nm due to 4.2.5.2 Land Mass Effects. Might or might not help out the tanker, should definitely help the LCS.
May 9, 200619 yr Author The Land Mass Effect should effect the exocet engagement as it has been explained to me that at a range of 25nm, the land mass is below the horizon or radar horizon - I'm still trying to get my arms around that. I played a bit last evening, but the Super Puma exocet launch was delayed 1 Tactical Turn based on some terrible detection rolls by the Puma crew (yeah, blame them). Right now there is an exocet in the launched but has not yet pulled away from the airframe. The mine laying group has been indentified as two small contacts and the TG has ventored an RQ-8 to visually identify it since there has been no hostile intent displayed. The Kilo SS is still plodding along, too far away to influence anything. There is a Houdoung hanging out in the vic of the Super Puma, near the central Redrock port. I find that, as in most things, when I get tired, I start making silly mistakes so it was better to pack it up for another day.
May 9, 200619 yr The other things that occurred to me, Pete, were: (1) Any chance of detecting the Exocet by the RQ-8 ? Is it anywhere near the bearing ? (2) Effect of chaff and/or decoys launched by the LCS. For the most part, these are factored into the engagement by PK and such, but I think there are some additional rules which might come into play here. (Offhand, is LCS getting the Nulka decoy ?)
May 9, 200619 yr Author Brad, RQ-8 #2 is 8.5nm from the Super Puma and 4.1 states that a 3rd Generation FLIR can detect a missile at 10nm (the whole thing seems odd to me as its range is greater for a missile than a small boat), and will be confirming. What additional rules are you referring to? Nulka? The Houdong hanging out at the port was detected by RQ-8 but did not act hostile so it is plotted and having an eye kept on it. The Tarantul III and Natya I "Mine Group" have been detected, but only on radar and are simply two small radar contacts plotting along at 5kts, who by happenstance are sowing mines. RQ-8 #1 is vectoring in for a VISID
May 10, 200619 yr Brad, RQ-8 #2 is 8.5nm from the Super Puma and 4.1 states that a 3rd Generation FLIR can detect a missile at 10nm (the whole thing seems odd to me as its range is greater for a missile than a small boat), and will be confirming.I expect the missile might be easier to spot on IR because of the exhaust plume. What additional rules are you referring to? Maybe 6.7.4 ? Also, I wonder if the RQ-8 might be equipped with blip enhance ? (see 6.7.2) Nulka? OK, doesn't look it will be Nulka. (Though I'm not sure why, perhaps size limitations). Rather, the Terma Soft Kill Weapon System (SKWS).
May 10, 200619 yr Author Brad, Thanks for all of the links last night. It does look like the Soft Kill Weapon System (SKWS) vice the Mk-53 NULKA Decoy Launching System (DLS) on LCS. Like you mentioned probably due to size given the list of classes it is slated to be installed on CG, DD, DDG, LSD-41, LPD-17, etc. I do not believe that it was addressed specifically on the data card but probably already has been accounted for in the 3rd Generation Jammers and Decoys. Re: FLIR and sighting of missiles, after I thought about it some more, I'm leaning toward yes now as well. Re: RQ-8 with Blip Enhancer. I wonder if it does and will see if Paul can answer, however, it may not be because the LCS is also equipped to handle the MH-60R. I'll double check Annex B later to see if the MH-60R has Blip Enhancer capability. Good catches, thanks.
May 11, 200619 yr Author 4.1 Annex B lists that the MH-60R should have a Blip Enhancer. I would venture to guess that since the LCS Aviation Module can support MH-60R's as well as RQ-8's that there must be some things that each of these platforms bring to the table mutually exclusive of the other.
May 11, 200619 yr There certainly is. The MH-60R's flexibilty lies in its underwater warfare role and the capabilities that are intrinsic to being a manned platform. Much of the discussion about the Fire Scout's mission payload refers to its EO/IR sensors and laser rangefinder/designator, so although the payload is apparently modular, having this sensor package would probably work to the exclusion of an electronic warfare package (including blip enhance). Wild guesstimate on my part.
May 11, 200619 yr Author Much of the discussion about the Fire Scout's mission payload refers to its EO/IR sensors and laser rangefinder/designator, so although the payload is apparently modular, having this sensor package would probably work to the exclusion of an electronic warfare package (including blip enhance). Wild guesstimate on my part. Agreed. Free night tonight so should be able to complete the exocet strike on the convoy and develop the situation with the mine laying group. Who knows about the SS, I need to work on my H4 SS usage vs Sonar Capabilities. I seem to remember diesel subs moving at greater than 5kts to get into position to engage convoys. Albeit the gear has changed on both sides of the ball, German's did that all the time in the 40's didn't they. Note to self find a book title on US Submarine campaign versus Japan.
Create an account or sign in to comment