Good afternoon,

 

While I am not a newbie when it comes to playing HUCE, I am not convinced that I am using the ships in my missions in the correct role.

 

Is there a book or something that some of the HUCE vets can recomend that explain what (as an example) what ship is a good anti-sub platform, while another is best used to perform in an anti-shipping role or which one should be best stationed in the formation to provide the best Anti-air defense role.

 

I know that some of the basic scenarios don't require this information, but I am wondering if my 'flaws" as Battle Group Commander are prohibiting myself from experiencing this wonderful simulation to the fullest.

 

Thanks for your help in advance.

Good afternoon,

While I am not a newbie when it comes to playing HUCE, I am not convinced that I am using the ships in my missions in the correct role. Is there a book or something that some of the HUCE vets can recomend that explain what (as an example) what ship is a good anti-sub platform, while another is best used to perform in an anti-shipping role or which one should be best stationed in the formation to provide the best Anti-air defense role. I know that some of the basic scenarios don't require this information, but I am wondering if my 'flaws" as Battle Group Commander are prohibiting myself from experiencing this wonderful simulation to the fullest. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

Excellent question! And not one that I had given much thought to, to be honest, in the sense of helping those unfamiliar with the nuances and terminology so germane to Harpoon.

 

Much of this kind of information is found in Annex Y (Ship Classification) of the Harpoon 4 paper rules, some of which I will repeat here for the sake of example.

 

But first the general rules ...

 

A - suffix to a ship class indicating and air cushion platform

G - suffix to a ship class indicating an area defense SAM armament (eg. DDG, denoting a guided missile destroyer)

G - suffix to a ship class indicating long range SSM armament

H - suffix indicating a hydrofoil platform

H - suffix indicating a major helicopter capability platform

N - suffix to a ship class designation indicating nuclear propulsion (eg. SSN, denoting a nuclear powered attack submarine)

W - prefix for all non-navy ships (eg. WPS for a US Coast Guard vessel)

 

The more common examples are ...

 

CV - Multi-purpose aircraft carrier

CVH - Helicopter carrier

CVN - Multi-purpose aircraft carrier (nuclear powered)

BB - Battleship

BCGN - Guided missile battle cruiser (nuclear powered; the Soviet/Russian Kirov class is the prime example)

CG - Guided missile cruiser

CGN - Guided missile cruiser (nuclear powered)

DD - Destroyer (typically with an anti-submarine role)

DDG - Guided missile destroyer

FF - Frigate

FFG - Guided missile frigate

FFL - Corvette (or light frigate)

SS - Submarine (conventionally powered)

SSBN - Ballistic missile submarine (nuclear powered)

SSGN - Guided missile submarine (nuclear powered)

SSN - Submarine (nuclear powered)

PB - Patrol boat (typically inshore)

PC - Coastal patrol craft

PG - Offshore patrol craft, with a gun armament

LCC - Amphibious command ship

LHA - Amphibious assault ship (general purpose)

LHD - Amphibious assault ship (multi-purpose)

LPD - Amphibious transport dock

LPH - Amphibious assault ship (helicopter)

LSD - Dock landing ship

LST - Tank landing ship

MHC - Coastal mine hunter (note that the HCDB groups all of the mine countermeasures ships under the general code 'MCM')

MSC - Coastal minesweeper

MSF - Offshore fleet minesweeper

MSI - Inshore minesweeper

LCAC - Landing craft, air cushion

LCM - Medium landing craft

LCU - Utility landing craft

AE - Ammunition ship

AFS - Combat stores ship

AO - Oiler

AOE - Fast combat support ship

AOR - Replenishment oiler

AGB - Icebreaker

AGOR - Oceanographic research ship

AGOS - Ocean surveillance ship

AGS - Surveying ship

AH - Hospital ship

AK - Cargo ship

ARS - Salvage ship

AS - Submarine tender

ASR - Submarine rescue ship

ATA - Ocean tug

ATF - Fleet ocean tug

 

There are many more miscellaneous and auxiliary examples, but these are the common ones.

Is there a good way to determine which ship would be in what positon in the battle group formation based on known position of the enemy?

 

I know for example that the CVN is at the center of the CBG, with the other ships placed X nm from that "center"..

 

I understand there are differing variables based on the enemy... so there isn't necessarily a stock anwser. But I am wondering if I am not placing my ships properly, to defeat/detect the various threats.

 

Thanks for the prompt and informative answer CV32.

Is there a good way to determine which ship would be in what positon in the battle group formation based on known position of the enemy? I know for example that the CVN is at the center of the CBG, with the other ships placed X nm from that "center". I understand there are differing variables based on the enemy... so there isn't necessarily a stock anwser. But I am wondering if I am not placing my ships properly, to defeat/detect the various threats. Thanks for the prompt and informative answer CV32.

 

Have you checked out the Tactics 101 series here?

Is there a good way to determine which ship would be in what positon in the battle group formation based on known position of the enemy? I know for example that the CVN is at the center of the CBG, with the other ships placed X nm from that "center". I understand there are differing variables based on the enemy... so there isn't necessarily a stock anwser. But I am wondering if I am not placing my ships properly, to defeat/detect the various threats. Thanks for the prompt and informative answer CV32.

 

Have you checked out the Tactics 101 series here?

 

Thank you, no I had not.

 

Doing so now!