Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

They were not designed to be invulnerable. Players would complain
They were not intended to be game-changing but they can be very useful in targeting arty and NLOS weapons


Movement attracts attention. Don't fly them over enemy lines and if possible start them about 3/4 the way to your front line at high altitude and don't move them unless you have to. Remember they can land just like helos and just like they can in RL so when things get hot drop behind the trees OO LOS

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

Not related to this threads topic but.........PTKM-1R top- attack antitank mine

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/russia-ex...-antitank-mine

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/wp-conten...1R-mine_02.jpg

The only "good" thing about this is it's not buried so it's not exactly a discrete mine being 20 inches tall and seems to be more of a "disabler" than a "destroyer"

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

I'm playing a generated campaign game as the USA in 2022 and I just noticed the drones under the scout helo group. So I have bought one for my next round of the campaign and will give a try, interested to see how long it lasts until ka-boom :D

Steves308

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

Use them conservatively and they will last. They get you eyes on targets even when near the back of your maps side over a wider area than a FO but try to avoid attracting attention. The US switchblades are in the 707 - Ranger Squad and 107 NLOS ATGM Team... They can be effective but they are deliberately not magic bullets

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

FWIW it *appears* that although the wheels may be from the T-90 the hull does indeed appear to be based on the Armata

SPA 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV, SPA 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV with radar, SPA 2S19M2 Msta-S and MLRS 9K515 Tonado-S top view.

https://i.redd.it/rfjhlvhquza51.jpg

The hull is longer than a T-90 but all side shots of that SP show 6 wheels with 6 indents per wheel

https://www.cybermodeler.com/armor/2...2s35_title.jpg

So the current Icon is correct for hull length though I need to adjust the turret position a bit

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

Well during this "lull" I got to thinking about what we use to tow the M777 series artillery? Well, it's not an APC since they sit too low to the ground, thus forming a "V" if you will beyond anything more than a trailer.

And if you've towed anything in your life then you know this "V" causes ground clearance, loading/unloading, side to side "swing" and most importantly makes the load unstable. You as close you can make it, NEED a "level plane" between the towing vehicle and the load.

These weapons (M777A2) were sent to the Ukraine with the support vehicles (Tow and ammo trucks.) used by the USA.

And between the USA/USMC they use three different trucks, 2 for the Army and one exclusively (With exception of FMTV for HIMARS) for Marines. Again, these trucks are what both these services use(ed) for many years now for towing artillery and of course by extension, general purpose.

So, from/for the USA ...
https://peoammo.army.mil/tas/Products/m777a2/
https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-i...vehicles-fmtv/
https://oshkoshdefense.com/vehicles/...vehicles/fmtv/
(The pictures I've seen show the 6x6 VERSION.)
https://oshkoshdefense.com/vehicles/.../fmtv/fmtv-a2/
(I haven't come across any pictures so far that they're being used for the purpose of this POST.)
http://www.military-today.com/trucks/m1083_mtv.htm
(In a combat environment they'll have the ARMORED cab and likely be equipped with a machine gun.

For the CORPS...
https://oshkoshdefense.com/vehicles/...vehicles/mtvr/
https://www.military-today.com/trucks/oshkosh_mtvr.htm
(I've seen/touched the Tractor version with armored cab, pretty impressive for a truck.)

Maybe it could possibly be a rainy-day thing!?!

And as Don pointed out ...
http://military-today.com/artillery/koalitsija_sv.htm
And uses components of the ...
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t90.htm

This next I believe is finishing up its evaluation testing.
http://www.military-today.com/artill...iya_sv_ksh.htm

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

Inching closer and closer...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...6c5d0beb25d9c9

Also, those HARPOONS are verified to be in country as of yesterday with the mobile launchers apparently as well from Denmark (With our permission.). They can be used against land targets as well. These WILL give the Russians something to think about and plan around in future sea operations.

I'm NOT advocating for these weapons (Or any type of cruise missiles.) for the game since there's no added value except for how expensive they are and you as the player would go broke quickly! That goes for tactical nukes as well, afterall this isn't "Tactics II" or "Sixth Fleet". Those threads are in here somewhere about a decade back or so.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

In this ever-changing situation sources are now confirming that 6 (Another 6 to follow.) French CAESER 6x6 (With "BONUS" rounds and 18 Polish KRABs (3 Ukrainian batteries.) are in the fight. One of the articles pointed out 100 artillery men have been in Poland for some time to get trained on them and their accompanied ammo resupply units (This is true for ALL foreign "donated" artillery. These SPA units are auto fed.)
https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and...edia-3109.html
https://www.rt.com/news/556304-polan...tzers-ukraine/
https://thenewsglory.com/poland-deli...rs-to-ukraine/
Now to the CAESAR first from an earlier discussion on shoot-n-scoot ...
"But for quick shoot-and-scoot fires, a CAESAR crew can begin firing 60 seconds after arriving on position and decamp within 40 seconds. That means a CAESAR unit can begin rolling away less than three minutes after deploying, well before a counterbattery riposte can land."
https://sofrep.com/news/french-firep...nt-to-ukraine/
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/05/...ne-in-ukraine/
https://news.yahoo.com/armed-forces-...121346214.html

Some are suggesting they have also received the Italian modified M109L.

This is not true at this time, however they will get them in the not-too-distant future. This is a unique version in that it doesn't have the existing 23 caliber barrel but was modified with a 39 caliber barrel instead.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...tillery-system
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product3729.html
https://www.blindbatnews.com/2022/03...d-beyond/87206

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

Well, POTUS has decided NOT to send HIMARS/or MRLS to the Ukraine for fears they'll be used to target units inside Russian territory. As announced today.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewals...h=3ff1413a3711
https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-seeks...143118661.html
https://forum.shrapnelgames.com/edit...tpost&p=852698
https://www.republicworld.com/world-...ticleshow.html

There are a couple of options they can send them with the shorter-range rockets and still accomplish the mission for the Ukraine. Next, we can send them M109A5/A6 which can do the same easily as well.

Why? because those options above and with the recently received SPA systems and those that "are on the way, have all one thing in common they'll for the most part out range anything in the field Russia is using.

Obviously, I'm NOT talking about the
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/smerch.htm
http://www.military-today.com/artill..._2t_smerch.htm

Which are known to be operating on the Russian border. There are other Russian units NOT YET FIEIDED that will have similar or slightly better ranges then the systems above.

The TORNADO-G has a new rocket in development that'll supposedly reach out to 90km-100km. These (AND THOSE ABOVE.) are ideal for where the battle is now focused on the Eastern part of Ukraine.

There is however a couple of quantifiers dealing with their rocket supply. At the rate they're using them their stocks are running low quickly. Also, if true, the munitions plant that made the rocket propellants was "mysteriously" blown up a couple of months back. The plant was located about 400 miles East of Moscow in the Ural Mountains.
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/tornado_g.htm

The supply issue is reported by U.S./UK and other Defense sources. The plant not so sure without more information.

To my last post the fastest known SPA system is the ARCHER with prep to fire in 30s interval between fires is at or less than 30s so it can fire 2 rounds and "shoot-n-scoot" in ~<2 minutes!
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/archer.htm
(It was one of my earliest submissions I believe in this thread before changing formats.)

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: SP and SPAA Developments
 

I've been playing with the RPAS drones lately. The fact that they are transportable with no cost comes in very handy. Getting an idea of how visible they are to enemy is ongoing, but the spotting function with the switchblades works like a charm.