The P-3 now has five surface contacts. The F-4E is heading towards the P-3 and will then follow the ESM bearing.

 

EDIT: I did not check for ESM intercepts from the surface ships because I thought they were too far away. They are not. So, you have 3 more bearings. Please download the turn file again.

turn_1124_red.txt

turn_1124_red_intl.txt

Orders

 

Change course of formation to 180 and alter it in the following way, lined up from West to East (270 to 090)

 

Joshan - 1nm gap - Palang - 1nm gap - Gorz

 

Remarks

 

The two warships are separated by enough distance that they might not be able to easily support each other against a missile strike and I can target said strike more easily on one target. We need to get them to light off their radars or get a visual idea. If the Sovvie is at the front i.e S008, then the strike from behind strategy doesn't work and I will try to engage from c.45 degrees to their starboard instead. That way any Harpoons that shoot past their target will lock onto a merchant (cf. Atlantic Conveyor, 1982). If it is S009, then I will go from c.135 degrees instead.

 

I intend to launch my helicopter as soon as the lead ship closes with 70 nautical miles.

Edited December 31, 20169 yr by Silent Hunter UK

Would my edit in the first post change your orders?

SHUK, do you want me to risk my P3 by closing to make visual ID of the contacts (I'll need to get to 11nm in order to ID which are warships and which are merchants).

OR, are you prepared to risk your helicopter to do so, and I'll orbit the P3 keeping radar contact?

@kmart: Please continue with current orders for the formation.

 

@dylanjones: We don't need a visual ID; we just need one of the warships to light off a search radar and that will be enough. You can approach as close as 15nm and be out of the range of the Sovvie's SAMs. However, it might be a better idea for you to orbit and I'll launch my helicopter once I get closer.