Thermal Imaging and Smoke Dischargers

[Suhiir]

Keep in mind the Soviet/Russians use smoke differently then NATO.

Soviet smoke dis-chargers laid their smoke further in front of the vehicle with the intent to temporarily mask movement. For the Soviets smoke was a offensive tool not a defensive one.

[lansoar]

Looking at it from another angle, can any Tank vets comment on TTS in different situations? The game basically portrays two. You can see thru smoke, you can't see thru smoke. Were there degrees of "seeing" (and thus targeting) for TTS in different settings and/or ranges?

Examples would be, thick smoke popped in near proximity to the AFV vs. distant. Is there any cumulative effect when distance and # of "hexes" filled with smoke between the targeted and the unit are considered?

Not referencing special smoke that might be designed to degrade vision devices. Just generic smoke.

[zovs66]

Originally Posted by lansoar

Looking at it from another angle, can any Tank vets comment on TTS in different situations? The game basically portrays two. You can see thru smoke, you can't see thru smoke. Were there degrees of "seeing" (and thus targeting) for TTS in different settings and/or ranges?

Examples would be, thick smoke popped in near proximity to the AFV vs. distant. Is there any cumulative effect when distance and # of "hexes" filled with smoke between the targeted and the unit are considered?

Not referencing special smoke that might be designed to degrade vision devices. Just generic smoke.

I think your misunderstanding a few things, TI or thermal imaging allows you (a gunner or TC in this case) to see through smoke, even chemical smoke, since it registers heat images in the sight. So we'd look for heat signatures from engines or bodies, they light up in the sight and you fire at that, smoke does not block it if using thermals.

[lansoar]

absolutely.

but whether Offensive or Defensive. Having units that can sit on ridges and X-ray smoke is a game changer of the highest order.

It makes for interesting wargaming. One of the aspects of SPMBT is the broad range of technology coverage due to the length of time. I recently played back to back two scenarios.....one in which the primary NATO defender was the US with 105mm equipped M1s vs. Soviet "A-Team" T-80 bn's. Second was a slightly later similar scenario only with 120mm M1's vs the same T-80s.

yikes.

On the issue of smoke.....regardless of how the Soviet side used it. TTS made it a non factor. I get that depending on era, INF and RECON units might not have the same benefit......but thats why I just wanted to start a discussion on the tech and what it can really do, outside the game.

a fascinating subject on a literal game changing tech.