Naval Campaign dynamics

[tn_prvteye]

I'm working on a '80s Cold War campaign set in the open ocean.  Basically just a US Carrier Group vs. The Kiev, Escort ships, and a couple of Off-Map Soviet bases with Bombers and Escort Fighers.  I'm re-reading DEFCON One, and it's got me in a Naval kinda mood.     How would the roles work in this scenario?  Each side launches Naval Search missions till the other is found?  Then Naval Attack missions start?  What if Intelligence=0 for the Carrier Force?  Will they never be found? There was a thread about this when SF2NA first came out, but I can't find it.

 

I've also added a Mainstay for the Soviets, but so far during my tests it hasn't shown up, while the USN E-2 AWACS has.

 

Anyone else worked on this kind of Modern Naval-Only Campaign?

[+JonathanRL]

If you have Intelligence zero, then yes - Naval Search will be launched until the other group is found. If the Naval Search is successful or if other units find the task force, then Intelligence will go up. About 60-80 is needed to launch an attack. Starting with zero for both sides makes a longer and more tense campaign with less action in the beginning, and is the way I recommend.

Is your mainstay using an Off-Map Soviet Base? An AWACs aircraft used to provide AEW to a task force needs to be deployed from the Carrier in question. This can be done safely with the mainstay as you will never see it on the deck of the Kiev, nor will you ever see it take off or land. It will just be in the air at all times.

[fallenphoenix1986]

Was wondering a few things about this myself, does intel count if its the player that spots the fleet?

 

Craig

[+JonathanRL]

Yes, it does. Any unit (including player) that spots the fleet or part of it - Naval Search or not - counts.

Edited June 14, 2014 by JonathanRL

[fallenphoenix1986]

Thought that might be it, doing my first f-14 campign in over a year and its been going rather well since i picked up the russian fleet on my rwr

 

Craig

[tn_prvteye]

Thanks, JonathanRL, I assigned the Mainstay to the Kiev Group and it showed up.

[macelena]

The intelligence level is an absolute game changer in naval operations. I went through a full Northern Sabre campaign with the good old "underdog", the F-4N, without having to face cruise missile attacks because i shot down every soviet recce in the area in CAPs. I just blinded them out. I doubt i could have defended the CVBG from a cruise missile attack with a Phantom.