Lethality of SAMs

[PanzerBob]

IIRC Reports I've read over the years from pilots, fixed and non-fixed wing,(Mudmovers in particular) in modern hot zones, AAA is their biggest fear. (Even the unguided stuff as it has nothing to jam or give it away.) Transport pilots fear everything. All based on the armour and CM their craft carry plus it's size and nibblness. A good pilot with capable craft obviously has much better odds underfire. Missions as well are planned to avoid anti-air defences as well.

As far as damage taken some A10's have taken some what looks to be major damage and completed their missions.
We must remember as combat aircraft they can take some punishment, it's their nature.

IMHO

[mr_clark]

I think after the last couple of changes with EW etc SAM and AAA is very well modeled in game. I play mainly modern games (2000s) and I now "love" that an incoming SU-25 strike doesn't get killed by the loads of MANPADS the AI buys...

And I don't think area SAMs are ineffective. Especially the modern russian/soviet systems like SA-10 or SA-11 are quite good at blowing up some nasty A-10 or F-16 coming in to haras a peacefull tank company...

[PanzerBob]

Yes an airstrike against an hitech enemy without SEAD assistance is a surefire way to make expensive smoking holes in the ground.

[Wdll]

So I guess I am the only one that finds SEAD more or less useless. (in game that is). Yes it could help, but if you manage to locate the source of your problems, a cluster bomb looks better to me.

[Suhiir]

What I like about SEAD strikes is they they will usually locate any radar guided stuff automatically. And about 35% of the time take it out. If not at least I know where to drop some arty.
I find spotter drones very useful for locating the MANPAD hordes the AI usually buys. Have then run the map edge or a "V" pattern from behind your lines toward the front then back behind your lines.

[PanzerBob]

Well like real-time Wild Weasel Missions only pay off if the enemy cooperates and flashes up his systems. It does well to check what his AD choices are. Some rather fancy stuff is only IR guided and SEAD is a waste of funds there. Of course the EN may only buy AAA and IR stuff. Now mind you if you get his AD assets to engage a RPV let's say, then yes an artillery strike is in order, like mentioned. If you have a SEAD and no HOT targets, they still are excellent follow-ups to your arty mission. I still find though if you want to bring in an A10 strike against a foe that has any radar guided systems a SEAD mission increases your chances for success. My other thought is if you have access to MRLS is to plaster all known and likely LOCs timed to rain down before your airstrike, it works as well, but like real-time NOT always.

Last opinion, major BUFF strike mopped up with A10's not much action but the game usually ends at turn 3 or 4. LOL and not too realistic either.

Look Mummy there's an airplane in the sky

[Lampshade111]

On my own OOB I increased the damage of the FIM-92 Stinger to 8 or so it has a bit more of a punch. The Stinger has a heavier explosive charge than the Strela and Ilga series anyway.

Oddly on the Russian OOB the SA-16 does 8 HE damage while their other MANPADs including the SA-18 only do 2 or 3.

[DRG]

Lampshade111 said:
Oddly on the Russian OOB the SA-16 does 8 HE damage while their other MANPADs including the SA-18 only do 2 or 3.

Really?? that is odd ...maybe you best go back and have another look and tell me what weapon you're looking at because the "SA-16" in the master game has an HEK of 2 not 8

Don

[Urban]

An air defense system is like "Russian pupets" :

AA gun are use as close defense point for bigger sam unit (area sam). This weapons are really deadly for aircraft, even the mighty A10, SU25 could not really fly with big holes in the wings. On the other hand you need a really good LOS and enough time for aiming even with radar.

Shoulder sam's are not really powerful, of course a direct hit is devastating. They are used as 'mosquitos" for incoming aircraft, disturbing the pilot, force him to make evasive maneuvers (and miss the target) or worst climbing and become a prey for AA guns and area SAMs. It's a unpredictable danger for aircraft.

[Wdll]

I don't know, the stingers in Afghanistan used to bite a lot on soviet aircraft.

I always thought that manpads were good mainly against helicopters, but there have been several cases where they hit other targets too. (I am not talking about the game)