Red players can discuss which two Iranian warships you would like for this scenario.

 

Ex-US Allen M. Sumner FRAM II (up to 2)

Ex-UK Battle (1)

Saam Vosper Mk5 (up to 2)

Combattante IIB (up to 2)

 

The ships will start south of Bandar Bushehr.

 

The aircraft available will be 1x P-3 Orion and 4x F-4E. You will have a limited supply of airborne smart weapons. For now lets say 4x AGM-65A Maverick missiles. You can use as many dumb bombs (Mk82 or Mk84) as the aircraft can carry. Also, they can be equipped with an ECM pod, TISEO, and air-to-air missiles. The P-3 will not be armed.

 

Due to the fluctuating demands of the Iran-Iraq War, it's possible that another 4x F-4D may become available.

 

The aircraft will be based at the Shiraz Airbase.

I'll load the Phantoms with six Mk83 slicks, 2 AIM7Fs, and an ALQ-101 1st Gen jammer pod.

 

This is going to be something of a suicide mission for my DEF-ATA 3/1 Phantoms going up against a Sov with its SAM system and auto 130mm. So can I recommend that we launch a coordinated attack once we find the Soviets with the P3.

 

I assume that they won't be able to engage us until we shoot at them (or possibly get too close to them). So lets make it an overwhelming attack with SSMs and the Phantoms coming in at the same time on the same axis. Hopefully we'll overload their defensive capabilities and get a few hits that way. I can orbit my Phantoms over the Iranian warships until we're ready to strike and then match velocity with the SSMs launched from the ships (assuming you're going to choose at least one Combattante with Harpoons, if not both).

 

I'll send my Phantoms in at Low, dropping to Vlow once I get 15nm out. The Harpoons will be coming in at Vlow. The Soviets will have the minimum time to engage all of that.

 

I can't think of a better way of doing it - but open to ideas.

Dylan, let me double check if Iran has Snake-Eye bombs. I think so, but I am going by a Data Annex that is in Sitrep #48, and I believe it to be accurate. Also, please be aware that each aircraft can only control one maverick at a time.

Don't want Mavericks. 2nm max range is useless and they have tiny warhead that won't do any good.

 

Want Mk83 free-fall bombs that do 40pts damage each.

Ok. I added Mavericks because they are a precision weapon, so they can target things like weapon mounts or sensors.

Our goal is to sink the merchant ships and hopefully take out a warship as well. We therefore need as many Harpoons as possible to ensure success.

 

As a result, I am proposing that we take a FRAM II and two Combattante IIBs, which will give us eight Harpoons, some dual-capable SM1s and also the most capable SAM platform available to us; I do not trust Sea Cats as far as I can throw them. A Sunburn missile hitting any of us will basically be enough to sink that ship in one hit.

 

As for the plan, I would agree with waiting near the target - but don't get into firing range - until the warships are in position. Then I intend to fire all eight Harpoons in one go, two on each merchant and two on the Krivak I. This only has close in SAM defences and we will hopefully be able to overwhelm it. If we can put that ship between us and the Sovvie, then so much the better. Harpoons are Inertial guided with active terminal radars, so as soon as we have launched, we try to get out of there as fast as possible. That said, we need a formation that will maximise our air defence coverage.

 

How do you want to split command? Me with ships, you with planes?

I was planning on giving you only two warships total. Can you guys make an effective attack with two ships and 4 fighters?

I thought we had another red player - so one captain for each vessel and me with the planes?

 

Frankly, this is a pretty unbalanced scenario with the inclusion of the Sov. The Pr.956 is basically a super-warship in the 1980s! Great anti-surface warfare and anti-air warfare capabilities.

 

I'd have been happier with only two Iranian vessels if the Russkis had a Udaloy or another Krivak instead of the Sov. But we'll just have to rely on luck and cunning.

 

My Phantoms have no chance if they have to fly through the Sov's SAM umbrella without distractions. So that is why I'd prefer to line up alongside the Harpoons and force the Russians to choose what to engage. If we're lucky a few will get through.

 

If we're only allowed two warships I'd recommend two Combattante so we get maximum Harpoon. (sadly, the boats are likely to have short, exciting lives once they open fire)

I'd personally argue for two FRAM IIs as they have more weaponry overall and better air defence capabilities. If we can got the Sovvie to exhaust its SS-N-22s, we can turn this into a gun fight.

Yes, I thought of that too - but you'd be mad to enter a gun fight against a Sov with its two 130mm auto turrets.

 

If you could cripple the Sov though then you could use the two Sumners to destroy the rest of the Russian force at your leisure with their five inch guns.

 

Nice details of the Iranian Sumners here:

https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/the-shahs-sumners/

You guys have made an excellent point about the Sov. The objective of this scenario is to have fun. So, if you feel outgunned, then I will let you have 3 ships.

Sorry guys I didn't get any more emails and didn't realize the scenario had started.

 

What's left and what do you need me to do?

We need to decide what ships we are taking, divide up the command and draw up an overall strategy.

 

Thanks for letting us have three ships. In that case, I would suggest a FRAM II and two Combattantes.

Also, we have a helicopter, I believe. With two AS.12s.

That sounds good to me. You guys take what you want and I will take what's left.