For bases that have large center formation zones (60 miles across is common), the aircraft assigned to the center zone will almost always cluster at the northern edge of the zone. So unless there are patrols set in the formation's southern zones, the best approach to attack the base is from dead straight south.

 

Typically, I fire a pretty large volley of ARM missile at the base and the SAMs around it, and I try to NEVER fire at the planes in the formation around the base. Firing the ARMs will draw the missile fire of the defending fighters as well as the SAMs, and if the volley is big enough and/or the number of defenders is small enough, you might entirely clean them out of their long range AAMs. To me, that's usually an even higher priority than knocking out the ground radars, unless I'm going in with iron bombs or very short range stuff like Paveways.

 

The worst thing in most cases is shooting at the formation's planes. If you shoot at them, they will split off from the base, and the base will launch more patrols to replace them. Not only that, the planes will of course be taking off from your primary target, and their full stock of AAMs will be perfectly positioned to shoot down the greatest number of your incoming planes or missiles. If you restrict your missile firing to ground targets, there's a pretty good chance the base will not split off the CAP and replace it with new fighters. The ones already in the air will just continue to loiter around with empty or depleted missile racks.

 

The other benefit of the formation planes clustering at the northern edge of the zone is that if you fire cruise missiles from the south, often the AEW plane to the north doesn't pick them up at all and the base radar picks them up when it's too late.

I do go after the AEW plane if I can, therefore I actually prefer if it patrols the South perimeter.

 

My strike template is:

Enemy base is, say, to the NW, I plan to attack it from S.

 

About an hour before ground strike send fighters from the E, as many waves as available, engage the base CAP BVR if I have AAM range advantage but no dogfight, draw as many fighters away as possible. The goal is that the CAP sent to intercept will be sitting on the ground at the time of the strike. Even if they don't chase until bingo they will still be E of the base and the ingress.

 

Then go after the AEW right before my strike group enters radar detection range.

If there is a handy flight of F-14s around the choice is obvious, tag the Mainstay with a Phoenix.

Next best thing is an F-111F (or Mig25 playing red), the LR Guided loadout comes with Sidewinders and plenty of range. Refuel if I can and send pair of Varks on burner after the AEW. Unless they are right in the way, Fulcrums, Flankers can't keep up. Of course, we don't do this if there are Foxbats at home.

 

Now the lights are off, send in the strike team, knock off the base's radar if possible (have ARMs)

so the heavy legged boys can do their job unmolested.

GBU-15 is a favorite but it has 4nm range only, not good if SAMs are active.

 

If all works well even a heavily defended base is leveled in one strike, so no chipping away at the intercepting fighters one by one, that's for sissies.

I'm surprised you would pick an F-111 over, say, an F-16 or F-18. Sure they're not as fast, but depending on their missile load they might have anywhere from 50 to a hundred miles less to travel.

 

As far as weapon choices go, there's lots of ground ordnance I never or hardly ever use at all. I understand that it's a good thing that the database is reasonably comprehensive, but sometimes I wonder if there's any practical point. The SLAM does as much damage as the Harpoon with the same accuracy, but from twice the range. The JAASM adds another 50% or so to the SLAM's damage, and increases the range by an even greater percentage. When all these are options, there's really almost no choice involved unless choosing to deliberately handicap yourself.

 

There are a few scenarios with B52s that can be armed with those thousand plus mile land attack missile, Even though they're not nukes, a half dozen b52s can destroy a base in one mission, often as fast as they can take off, fire, land and relaod. Makes the game almost boring unless you park them and forget them And if I do that, I kinda feel like I'm cheating myself.

 

You don't win wars by giving the other guy a break.

I will definitely go after an AEW plane if it's loitering on an independent patrol and not part of a base formation. Usually (not always -- I wonder how the AI decides this) firing at any planes in the formation will cut one or more of the fighter patrols, and again put freshly armed and fueled patrols right over the primary target. So if you're attacking from the south, even if the fighters are patrolling the north quadrants, attacking the AEW gives you new enemies right in the center, closer than they would otherwise be.

I'm surprised you would pick an F-111 over, say, an F-16 or F-18. Sure they're not as fast, but depending on their missile load they might have anywhere from 50 to a hundred miles less to travel.

 

This is because I'm not interested in engaging the base's fighter patrols (no chipping away ), I should just need one missile for the AEW. I go in low or vlow, try to aim at the AEW in a "slot" between the patrols, close to the range of probable radar detection, 130nm-ish for an A50 vs F-111F and make an afterburning dash from there.

An F-16 would need to fight it's way in and then out too, that's chippin' for me. I'm here assuming a reasonable patrol formation on the AI side, e.g. the AEW is not outside or on the edge of the CAP.

Also I'm on the classic battlesets, an F-16 can maximum have AMRAAM, 40nm, that's only 30nm plus.

What more, the F-16 (F-18) lacks the speed to disengage, it would either be a suicide mission (I'm not interested) or would need more fighters to cover the egress (chippin').

 

I will definitely go after an AEW plane if it's loitering on an independent patrol and not part of a base formation.

 

The "beauty" in this is that this works even when the AI does not make a mistakes, actually might even work against a human opponent. E.g. the properly set up base patrols go blind (against low or vlow attack) right before the strike comes in, from the peaceful South.

 

Usually (not always -- I wonder how the AI decides this) firing at any planes in the formation will cut one or more of the fighter patrols, and again put freshly armed and fueled patrols right over the primary target. So if you're attacking from the south, even if the fighters are patrolling the north quadrants, attacking the AEW gives you new enemies right in the center, closer than they would otherwise be.

 

No, I should draw away the intercepting fighters by egressing the F-111 to the West or East, start with escape speed low enough so that the interceptors give chase and leave them in the dust when they are off center. This is why it is key to have speed advantage and plenty of range, preferably a tanker too on the egress route just outside of the threat zone.

 

As far as weapon choices go, there's lots of ground ordnance I never or hardly ever use at all. I understand that it's a good thing that the database is reasonably comprehensive, but sometimes I wonder if there's any practical point. The SLAM does as much damage as the Harpoon with the same accuracy, but from twice the range. The JAASM adds another 50% or so to the SLAM's damage, and increases the range by an even greater percentage. When all these are options, there's really almost no choice involved unless choosing to deliberately handicap yourself.

 

There are a few scenarios with B52s that can be armed with those thousand plus mile land attack missile, Even though they're not nukes, a half dozen b52s can destroy a base in one mission, often as fast as they can take off, fire, land and relaod. Makes the game almost boring unless you park them and forget them And if I do that, I kinda feel like I'm cheating myself.

 

You don't win wars by giving the other guy a break.

 

Yes, of course, it is a personal preference how we find enjoyment in the game and there is much of that whichever way we play.

Harpoon was designed as a battlefield level strategic simulator, stress simulator, so as close to reality as possible, hence the blessed depth and accuracy of the DB.

 

After I exploited the weaknesses of the AI and the lack of logistics model for the first 1000 times I become interested in tactics and ordnances that would be forced on a real commander by crude reality. So, sometimes, I deliberately handicap myself or develop tactics not strictly necessary to defeat the AI, much the same as you do with the B52 ALCMs. Those are not always available to a field commander.

 

More on this from Brad:

http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?/topic/12731-advanced-rules-for-hce-play/

and for the interested the Logistics Pipe Dream:

http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?/topic/2176-replenishment-at-sea/

I do love the ALCMs and Harpoon equipped B-52s but even I sometimes limit myself to 5 or 10 times the actual inventory . Love my 110nm Phoenix!

For bases that have large center formation zones (60 miles across is common), the aircraft assigned to the center zone will almost always cluster at the northern edge of the zone. So unless there are patrols set in the formation's southern zones, the best approach to attack the base is from dead straight south.

It would be fairly atypical to have aircraft assigned to the center (or main body) zone of an airfield's formation.

 

Otherwise, attacking an enemy airfield from a direction other than where its defenders are located is fairly elementary stuff.

Yes, of course, it is a personal preference how we find enjoyment in the game and there is much of that whichever way we play. Harpoon was designed as a battlefield level strategic simulator, stress simulator, so as close to reality as possible, hence the blessed depth and accuracy of the DB.

 

After I exploited the weaknesses of the AI and the lack of logistics model for the first 1000 times I become interested in tactics and ordnances that would be forced on a real commander by crude reality. So, sometimes, I deliberately handicap myself or develop tactics not strictly necessary to defeat the AI, much the same as you do with the B52 ALCMs. Those are not always available to a field commander.

Sounds like our play is very much alike, Grumble.

Sounds like our play is very much alike, Grumble.

 

. I guess this is where most long time 'pooners converge.

 

And I hope to see the GE catch up one day...

I sometimes try to go after AEW's at 'shift-change' where one aircraft is leaving station to land, and another is arriving on station. It takes patience, timing and luck to be at the right place at the right time. The benefits are two for the price of one, and maybe confusing the AI enough that no more AEW's are launched, even if they are available.

I sometimes try to go after AEW's at 'shift-change' where one aircraft is leaving station to land, and another is arriving on station. It takes patience, timing and luck to be at the right place at the right time. The benefits are two for the price of one, and maybe confusing the AI enough that no more AEW's are launched, even if they are available.

Yep, another good tactic in the toolbox.