CV32

Unless you're a scenario author.

** SPOILERS APPLY ** A few comments in a rudimentary sort of AAR: * While the automation of the refueling process is a big help (in this scenario you have to 'shuttle' land based air from Spain to the Canaries), there is some smoothing that needs to be done with the way Bingo fuel is calculated. I lost more than a few aircraft (including a precious KC-130H tanker) to a miscalculated Bingo. * Land based air cover for your SAG and PHIBGRU is a must. You will run out of AMRAAMs aboard ship for your sea borne Harriers and, well, AIM-9JULI sucks. * I-HAWK is a serious threat, but SA-3 is meh. Can't tell what is going on under the hood, but it seems to me that CMANO (like Harpoon) still makes shooting down attacking ARMs (like HARM) too easy. * Pop up threats such as sub launched UGM-84 Harpoons and massed SSM fire from fast attack craft are very dangerous. I really like how CMANO seems to model the real threat posed by sea skimmers, and the difficulties in detecting and defending against them. * I am NOT a fan of how submarine launched torpedo attack is modeled. Reducing the range of the sub's heavyweight torpedoes (presumably to reduce a target's escape zone) has a sort of theoretical sensibility to it, but it really defangs a submarine's power. As a sub you have to get very close (if you manage to escape detection) to shoot, and you will almost certainly be greeted by an instant counter-fire that isn't hampered by a reduced engagement range. * I am likewise NOT a fan of how easily submarines are detected and killed. Other than the UGM-84s mentioned earlier, enemy submarines did not pose much of a threat to me. And they should have. I was able to find and kill subs - even at close range - when they ought to have had the jump on me. * The ability to undock and launch amphibious landing craft is very nice. Though I see "land ships" is not something suffered only by Harpoon. * Laser guided munitions appear to be modeled very well. Plinking is fun. * Once the AI runs out of aircraft to throw at you, this scenario is pretty easy. (Sound familiar?) I think I would have made the amphibious landing part a little more challenging.

Japan mulls F-15MJ upgrade (Jane's)

Finished up with 'Major Victory' and 3 h 32 min to go. Putting the landing craft into the LZ does the trick, but they have to be there for at least a couple of hours, it seems.

We Just Hunted Down All of Russias Long-Range Bombers (War is Boring blog)

Chinese aircraft carrier expands capabilities (Flight Global)

Credible Chinese Undersea Nuclear Deterrent is Imminent (The Diplomat, Flashpoints blog)

Has anyone completed this one? And more particularly, the amphibious landing?

Related news Further delays for modernisation of Russian Air Force Tu-160 bombers (Jane's)

Targeting pod (Litening?) footage of an intercept by Colombian Kfirs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MawBkkbUyqs

For all of your Senkakus scenario needs. JGSDF Type 88 missile launchers deployed for exercise (Jane's)

This story is garnering wide attention among the defence news websites and blogs. http://38north.org/2013/11/lewis-schilling110513/ (38 North)

Top IRGC commander killed in Syria (The Hill)

Thanks, Enrique. All very helpful!

US Navy Employment Options for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) (RAND, pdf)

Employing Land-Based Anti-Ship Missiles in the Western Pacific (RAND, pdf)

Wait till you get to trying to defend a carrier battle group before the advent of the F-14/Phoenix combo. (And, as some would argue, after).

Saudi Arabia Eyes Buying German Submarines (DefenseNews)

Yep.

One of the most significant drawbacks to using 'in-formation' air patrols while playing Blue carrier groups, is that active radars will give away the position of your group. In doing so, you've given away to the Russkies - free of charge - one of the things they would otherwise have to work hard to achieve. Working from the Red side, you can now see one of the obstacles you need to overcome - locate the enemy. The carrier's BARCAP is another obstacle. The best way to beat them is by a combination of jamming and deception, and attack from multiple axes using these tools.

Added the loadout option to the existing F-6 entry. Got it, though the details seem to vary. Source(s)? Got, it but again details vary. Source on the 'Fishbed E' designation, for example? Acknowledged, but as the Su-7BMK.

Zumwalt launched into the night (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog)

This one was logged as a bug on the beta forum, said to be corrected in build 446. Yep. I brought it up on the Matrix forums. I haven't returned to the scenario yet.

Thanks for sharing, Ralf.

Come aboard USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), the newest aircraft carrier (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog) Lots of pics.