Beowulf wrote:It's quite apparent that you paid no attention to the One Week War. You talk about Shepistani nukes, and how F-106Hs are just cannon fodder. Shepistan had no nukes (except the one that the tested, which fizzled). F-106Hs pack one of the most powerful fighter radars in the new world, and have datalink capability, so they can pass tracks to other aircraft. They are capable of reaching speeds equal to that of the MiG-31 (high M2+), and maintaining that speed. They are as capable of performing the mini-AWACS roles as a MiG-31. There's a reason why they were so deadly in the One Week War. They also aren't old frames. Assuming they were bought at the end of the production run from Shepistan, they would have been built in the mid-90s. They aren't going to fall out of the sky from airframe fatigue.
Shep was bullshiting a lot, and you're repeating it. I was rationalizing his behaviour ex-post facto. Apparently he didn't care. Well, let's clear some things then, give me a yes or no:
1) No PESA or AESA radars were fitted on the F-106 of any modification, or contemplated. The contemplated radars to be fit there were capable of tracking one target at a time. The reliable detection of 50-100m square RCS was projected at ~200 km, which means that a fighter would be detected somewhere around 100 km if everything is cool. At this time, the MiG would already have detected any approaching F-106s with it's PESA radar that picks up 15 m square targets from ~180 km, and prepare it's R-77 for launch.
2) MiG-31 has a PESA and can track multiple targets. Which is an extreme advantage especially as no dogfights are likely to occur, since nothing here can hold back the MiGs or tie them in close combat.
3) The maximum safe speed of the F-106 is Mach 2.5 and on trials it can reach Mach 2.8, while the MiG-31 can go up to Mach 3 (did so on trials), but recommended maximum safe cruise is Mach 2.8. The difference in speed is ~500 kph, or to put it into perspective, the MiG-31 is 20% faster even at it's safe maximum cruise. At Mach 3.0 it would be 30% faster, and we know it can reach this speed if it wants to break off from a pursuer.
4) The F-106 can carry twice less missiles than the MiG. In fact, it's number of hardpoints is severely limited.
5) The F-106s ceiling is 3000 m lower than that of the MiG-31.
If all of that is correct, I can't see how this craft is competitive without a huge number of ground radars and dense SAM environment. None are present, and the attackers are simply breaking through.
Beowulf wrote:Baerne did not and still does not have any mention of medium ADA vehicles in his OOB.
He did mention the medium ADA. But you're apparently too cool on Shep's horse
Beowulf wrote:The planes sortied from 6 airfields.
Why Baerne has only two AFBs, but tiny Costa, a third world shithole, somehow has 6 capable runways? Breaking safety procedures would result in frame losses when lifting up 100+ craft in a rash - especially considering the "experience" of the Costa "aces".
Beowulf wrote:Hedgehog mortars are considered to be marginal against heavy torpedoes.
Really? By whom? By his Huand Di-ness? That's not enough. Explain to me how a heavyweight torpedo would evade a salvo from RBU-12000 Udav-1M. This is not a World War II system. It's estimated chances of hit against a single torpedo are 0,9 for non-evading (straight going) and 0,76 for an evading or advanced homing torpedo within
one salvo. It utilizes two types of shells from an automatic 10-barrel mortar which also has fully automated fire control. If a torpedo is detected, the RBU will first set up several "floating barriers" of various types. Reactive decoys will try to lure the torpedo away by creating false sonar targets. Barrier mines will set up a floating minefield on the way of the torpedo. These are set up in a single salvo (2 decoys + 8 mines in the minefield). In case both these barrier attempts have failed, a third regime is switched on automatically and the barrels simply fire depth explosive shells against the torpedo to destroy it. The barrel caliber is 300 mm, and range is from 3000 m to 100 m from ship hull, depth of hit - up to 600 m. Reaction time from detection is 15 seconds, and launch tempo is 4 per second. Reloading is automatic. Ammo - 40 shells, meaning 4 salvos. Technically the system would clear it's shells even before either torpedo approaches enough to hit it, which increases the chances of a hit.
The correct behaviour would be first sending a torpedo to empty the RBU-12000 arsenal in attempts to destroy this torpedo, and then follow it up with a second torpedo. However, you didn't do so, and thus it's a single salvo, all targets will be noted and either destroyed or evaded.
Beowulf wrote:Timing is critical, and if it's wire guided at that point, then the controller can move it out of the path of the mortar bombs.
If it's wire guided, sure he can try (although how the hell would he know the bombs are launched?) - but the sub is deader than the dodo since it's very close to the battlegroup. You're saying the submarine crew willingly embarked on a suicide?
Beowulf wrote:Sure, mercenary Raptors could be used, but they'd take a while to get to Baerne. They're not in the picture for this first attack.
Sure.
