New scenario for testing: Operation Ardent Shield 2030

[Transient]

Hi All,

New relatively simple scenario for testing, looking forward to all your comments and ideas on how to improve it.

UPDATE: I have just updated the scenario with the latest version 1.5. I solved a major problem regarding the detectability of what is supposed to be a clandestine vessel. This should be the final version.

Scenario description:

The world's worst fear just materialised. Open conflict has erupted between the world's two superpowers over the South China Sea.

Singapore, as a neutral country but finding many of its fundamental interests in line with upholding the principles of UNCLOS and with keeping the US presence strong in the Pacific, has decided that it will allow US military assets to continue to refuel and resupply in the country, and for limited US military operations to be conducted from the country so long as no direct strikes on Chinese mainland territories are staged from Singapore.

Predictably, China conveyed its displeasure vehemently to the Singapore government. The Singapore government insisted that it was just following its principles in honoring previous agreements made with the US and it has not taken the side of any particular party in the US-China conflict. That reply was certainly not acceptable to the CCP, and the subsequent barrage of Chinese rhetoric against Singapore only grew in fervour. However, one recent statement from CCP of particular concern was an ominous threat of "extremely serious repercussions to Singapore's well being" ....

Editor notes: This scenario started off as a means to test the upcoming MRCV (Multi Role Combat Vessel) concept which is designed from the start to be a frigate/destroyer sized unmanned mothership combatant. As usual the scenario grew a bit as I fleshed it out. There are a number of extra platforms which are not necessary in this current iteration of the scenario, but I left them inside as I may consider adding extra missions to flesh out the scenario further, and those currently extraneous platforms may come in useful.

Briefing:

Commander, with the outbreak of US-China hostilities over the South China Sea and recent Chinese threats against Singapore's well being over our support for US military operations, our Government has decided to raise our military's preparedness against a possible punitive strike by the CCP against Singapore.

Our analysts concur with their US counterparts that should any strike by the PLA occur, their likely targets would be US facilities/assets in Singapore, or the oil bunkerage facilities in Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island. There is also a less likely possibility that Chinese sub-surface assets may target RSN vessels in addition to other USN assets entering or leaving Singapore.

US assets in Singapore of interest are the COMLOG WESTPAC/Task Force 73 HQ at Sembawang Shipyard, Changi Naval Base where 2 US Independence class vessels are currently docked, and a contingent of P-8s which are currently staging out of Changi Air Base West for ASW/ASuW operations in the Andaman Sea.

We do not expect that Chinese Ballistic Missiles will be utilised, considering the excess of US targets they will be dedicated to. Any direct attack will likely come in the form of cruise missile or other long range standoff munition. Possible offensive mining attempts against USN operations by the PRC cannot be discounted as well.

Your orders are as follows:

1. Ensure our aerial defensive posture is ready to handle a possible missile attack on the earlier mentioned assets. You may position your AEW orbits and fighter CAPs beyond the Natuna islands but be careful not to approach too close to the Spratly islands. There is no reason to antagonise the Chinese unnecessarily.

2. To carry out patrols to the North East and South East approaches of Singapore (within boundaries of reference points Naval Patrol Zone) and safeguard against possible sub-surface threats to shipping/naval assets.

Unless and until hostilities are initiated by the PRC, you are to maintain Weapons Tight status with respect to PRC assets. Proper identification of unknown contacts prior to prosecution is critical - there is likely to be other nations' assets operating in our area of operations. We shall actively defend US assets while their vessels are docked in our Naval Bases, and all other US assets located in Singapore. The US will be responsible for defence of their own assets once they leave our waters/airspace until you are informed otherwise.

[Nikel]

Welcome back and thank you for the new scenario.

Testing Fortress Singapore


A few days ago this article was visible. Hainan military build up.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in ... china-sea/

[Transient]

Thanks Nikel! Looking forward to your comments.

I'm thinking of including weather variations in an update of the scenario.

I left strike assets inside for a potential follow on mission in the scenario, but I cannot think of a RSAF strike on PLA assets as a remotely plausible course of action. Maybe a retaliatory strike against a PLAN SAG?

Any of you who have had a chance to test this, please also tell me if the scoring is too hard or easy....

Thanks again!

[Nikel]

SPOILER ALERT. DO NOT READ IF YOU PLAN TO PLAY THE SCENARIO.


I posted above some of the pics from the WP article in case you want to add Yulin base,... Interesting mix of tourism and military buildup in Hainan island. I can imagine X and some news sites if some missiles fall there in a future conflict...

I am surprised by the powerful forces Singapore has, considering it is only a city state. I may send you a pm if you want to add some more for that strike



Still not finished though, but stuck with the Venus USVs in a mission hunting the mines, should they not remove them with the K-STER-C torpedos? Probably my fault not familiar with mine hunting missions.

Some problems noticed is lack of points for the RO-RO vessel and the XLUUVs when they are sunk.

Who is managing the XLUUVs if the RO-RO vessel is sunk?

Is it possible to assault and capture this vessel instead of sinking it? Houthi style I mean

[Transient]

Hi Nikel,

Have checked the Venus MCMs, they work fine with the Ksters going after the mines quite well. Did you accidentally put them on mining mission instead of mine clearing mission?

For the RORO vessel and the XLUUVs, I have now awarded points for their destruction or otherwise. Your wish for taking over the RORO vessel has been granted. You even have the option to do it via the CCL.

As for the XLUUVs, they should be able to be controlled via satellite. Even with the loss of the RORO launch vessel, the only thing that would affect would be the XLUUVs' recovery. I think it may even be possible for them to be recovered at the Spratly Islands.

As far as a strike on Hainan goes, that would be an extreme stretch. In any case, the scenario's premise is that there is a conflict going on in the SCS, which makes a strike flight going through that conflict zone too implausible to contemplate.

However, I have added an IMO a far more plausible escort mission.

Operation Ardent Shield is now at v1.3, still need to test it out with a few more iterations and add a few more missions on the Chinese side. Will update the attachment file when ready, probably by end of the week.

[Nikel]

Thanks for the answers.

It was a mine clearing mission, but a stupid error on my side regarding reference points/area.

Once cleared I may continue with the scenario, still a day left


Regarding the strike on Hainan, I was not talking about a possibility in your scenario, even less by Singapore, but what would happen in a future real war if that happened, "USA attacks a tourism resort!" When it is a military base badly disguised.


Thanks for the future new version and for the vessel assaulting request, I will try for sure when you post it.

[Nikel]

SPOILER ALERT. DO NOT READ IF YOU PLAN TO PLAY THE SCENARIO.



Finished, major victory with 365 points

The second day was far more relaxed, I was expecting more barrages, but none come. Probably should have defended better the first day using the ACs in a better role, but was not sure which of them and was weapon was useful vs the missiles, so it was a trial and error action on my side.

Only detected and destroyed a second sub and another XLUUV with the mines that had deployed.

Do not know if the lack of action was my fault because did not explore enough or the scenario was designed this way. If this is the case I would suggest adding messages explaining what is going in with the war, coming from the news or the US side. Though probably you are already adding stuff and action.

Also there is no message at the end of the scenario except the usual one that you are going to be evaluated.

Regarding the Notional ship it is indeed very powerful, you used a Danish ship and modified it? Some name more martial should be applied to each ship

Several of the Venus USV were left in the water because the Notional mothership was far enough, do you know if the game allows you to recover them if you approach the ship?



Mines appear 2 times under expenditures and losses (without name), I suppose it is a bug.

AS OF: 18/08/2030 12:00:42

SIDE: Singapore
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x A/C Hangar (2x Large Aircraft)
2x F.50MPA


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
1x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
300x 76mm/62 Super Rapido HE Burst [2 rnds]
2x A.184 Black Shark
12x A.244S Mod 3
8x AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM P3I.2
107x AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM P3I.3
36x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
3x AIM-9X Sidewinder
3x AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Blk II
9x AN/SSQ-62B DICASS
15x Aster 15 PAAMS [GWS.45 Sea Viper]
4x Aster 30 Blk 1 NT
124x Aster 30 SAAM-FR/IT
2x Blue Spear
28x K-STER C [Killer Vehicle] ROV



SIDE: Neutrals
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------



SIDE: China
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
27x
1x Commercial RO/RO Vessel [18,000t DWT]
1x Type 039C Yuan
1x Type 093B Shang III
4x XLUUV


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
24x CH-SSC-13 Splinter [CJ-100, Conventional]
54x CH-SSC-9 [CJ-10]
63x CH-SSC-9 [CJ-10K]
2x Generic Acoustic Decoy
27x Mine [MR-80/C-6]



SIDE: US
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Building (Tall Building)
1x P-8A Poseidon


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
95x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
81x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS
88x AN/SSQ-77B VLAD

[Transient]

Just updated, with the updated v1.4 file replacing the original v1 of the scenario in the first post. I added quite a lot of action, which would make the 2nd day of the scenario much more exciting compared to the original scenario whereby you only had Awfully SLow Warfare missions left to do.

[Nikel]

Thanks for the new version, some early comments on v1.4


Some of the callsigns are repeated, not sure it is irrelevant or causes confusion in the game. Could identify:

3 Bells

2 Fazed

Malteser all doubled.


Sunk the RO RO ship before time, I see that you were prepared for this

Then continued with a save, this time it was the vessel who fired first to a Hermes 900 UAV, so the ship is armed now (not sure it was before), then I supposed that could sink it confidently, however the same message appeared when China is already Hostile.

I also see that the mines are not counted unless they are deployed first? No sure it is a bug.

Continued with the save this time deployed an Apache and a Caracal helos, but no message telling me how to proceed with the vessel and the helos.

Caracal destroyed with a missile impacting the cockpick!

Then came the message, but too late, when 2 ACs were already destroyed. Apparently is only displayed when the vessel has deployed the UUVs.

I understand the importance of deploying the UUVs for the scenario, however the vessel should not be allowed to fire until after this deployment?

[Transient]

Thanks for the comments Nikel!

I updated the scenario based on your comments, and solved the issue of the vessel being glaringly obvious right in the scenario beginning. For first time players, it should now be more interesting, with more realistic behaviour from the clandestine vessel.

[Nikel]

Thanks!

v1.5 tested. This is the result:

Average with -90 points.



SPOILER ALERT.



I was too aggressive in my air expeditions vs the PLAN, whose ships are impossible to sink, and losing too many aircrafts, specially the F-15s sacrificed for nothing

Also some ships losses vs subs and ASM, probably -90 points is a too generous result.

3x Gulfstream G550 AEW lost, at in the end of the scenario was blind or nearly.

Refueling was also a problem, there seemed to be too few for so many thirsty aircraft, also some F-15s lost this way to save the precious F-35s, some court martial is expected

Ignorance on loadouts on my side caused problems, I thought that my aircraft were porting anti-surface weapons to discover in the last moment that they are anti-land. Why so many anti-land when there are no land targets?



Regarding the missions:

Captured the vessel and took it to the naval base, I was expecting more info and points after an investigation, but nothing happened.

Lost the contact with the UUVs distracted with the battle, and only at the end of the scenario detected and sunk two of them, could not see any mine deployed by them this time.

Completed the Cody mission for the US marines, the final message was too sober considering the losses for the Singaporean forces to succeed in the mission, normal for the USMC?

Perhaps also missed, in the waiting times, some info on the war, or why the USN is not helping Singapore! Or where is the 7th Cavalry

AS OF: 18-Aug-30 12:00:18

SIDE: Singapore
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
2x A/C Hangar (2x Large Aircraft)
1x F 361 Iver Huitfeldt
5x F.50MPA
1x F.50UTA
22x F-15SG Eagle
4x F-16DJ Blk 52+ Falcon [Peace Carvin IV]
2x Generic RHIB [7m]
3x Gulfstream G550 AEW
1x Invincible [Type 218SG]
3x Oribiter 4 UAV [Nitzoz]
1x P 15 Independence [LMV]
1x ScanEagle UAV
2x Venus 16 USV [ASW]


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
2x 76mm/62 Super Rapido DART Burst [2 rnds, DART]
14x 76mm/62 Super Rapido HE Burst [2 rnds]
2x A.184 Black Shark
5x A.244S Mod 3
32x AGM-84D Harpoon IC
8x AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM P3I.2
182x AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM P3I.3
34x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
16x AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Blk II
1x AN/SSQ-53D DIFAR
16x AN/SSQ-62B DICASS
32x Aster 15 PAAMS [GWS.45 Sea Viper]
25x Aster 30 Blk 1 NT
117x Aster 30 SAAM-FR/IT
24x Blue Spear
12x CIRCE Torpedo Decoy
12x CIRCE Torpedo Jammer
7x GBU-54(V)1/B LJDAM [Mk82]
15x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
11x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
1x SEALAT CANTO 13-01 Torpedo Decoy [SEACLAD]
2x SEALIR 08-01 Flare [SEACLAD]
25x VL-MICA EM



SIDE: Neutrals
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------



SIDE: China
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
4x BZK-005BH Sky Eagle UAV
12x J-15 Flying Shark [Su-33 Copy]
12x J-16 Flying Shark [Su-30MKK Copy]
4x TB-001A Twin-Tailed Scorpion-A UCAV
1x Type 039C Yuan
1x Type 095 Sui
2x XLUUV
2x Y-9DZ Cub [GX12]
3x Z-20F


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
18x AKF-98A
4x CH-AA-10 Abaddon [PL-15]
12x CH-AA-12 Auger [PL-17]
21x CH-AA-7 Adze [PL-12]
24x CH-SSC-13 Splinter [CJ-100, Conventional]
54x CH-SSC-9 [CJ-10]
65x CH-SSC-9 [CJ-10K]
12x CSS-N-4 Sardine [YJ-82]
7x Generic Acoustic Decoy
113x Generic Active Directional Sonobuoy
33x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
217x Generic Passive Directional Sonobuoy
71x HHQ-9B
4x PL-8B [Python 3]
6x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy, Rocket Boosted Penetrator]
6x YJ-18 [3M54E Klub Copy]
4x Yu-10 [ADCAP MOD Copy]



SIDE: US
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Building (Tall Building)
1x P-8A Poseidon


EXPENDITURES:
------------------