Long story in short. WW III broke out, Soviets captured Iceland in a surprised attack. GUIK breached. USS Baltimore is the only NATO force in the area that can disrupt Soviets’ plan. Carrying 10 Harpoon and 12 MK48 Mod 4, she has two objectives: 1st , With Iceland captured, Soviets will send their submarines to explore this breakthrough. We are expecting dozen SSNs, SSGNs, SSs and SSGs on the way to North Atlantic. Baltimore will sink as many of submarine as she can find. 2nd , Baltimore has the honor to intercept a supply convey that is on the way to Iceland.
Threat analysis:
1, Soviets has the Air superior in the whole region, we should expect ASW A/C pose a high-level threat to USS Baltimore
2, While the Soviets submarines are in transit mode, some of the newer model like Victor III will conduct search & destroy mission. Some of the old generation submarine could use their active sonar to clear the way.
3, The supply convoy could consist of new generation DDG and ASW Helo.
At the beginning of the scenario, I ordered Baltimore transit to her battle station at Flank speed/Max depth. Occasionally slow down , searching for contact. At 12:00, Baltimore got into the battle position.
Zulu 13:09, Baltimore’s TA picked up first contact, another narrow band contact show up on TA at 1338. These two noisy contacts were quickly identified as Alfa class SSN. Although a reading on speed is not available, I estimated that they are at max speed by checking the location changes rate. It is possible these two are in a hurry to get into central Atlantic. So, I ordered Baltimore go above the layer, try to ambush these two Alfa at the same time.
However, I lost the signal from the second Alfa contact Sierra 19, so I decided to deal with Sierra 18 first then 2nd Alfa later.
Around 14:05, Baltimore fired two Torp at first Alfa contact Sierra 18. Torp impacted the Alfa at 14:09. Sent it to the bottom of Atlantic ocean (N74 13'27" E4 14'45"). Baltimore increased the speed to 15kts , to intercept the 2nd Alfa.
But the Sierra 19 had a lucky day, two MK48s run out of fuel 300m behind Sierra 19.
Well, with the sound of explosion from first Alfa and escape of the second Alfa, I guess Soviets know there is an SSN here. Time to move, 15kts, max depth.
It turns out to be a good decision, Soviets MPAs saturated the area with active sonobuoys.
