SUBSIM
Review
  Dangerous Waters
Hands-on Multiplayer Preview
by Neal Stevens, Bill Nichols, Tim Grab, Ramius, Smuook

Nov 25, 2004

Page 2


   

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Mission Time: 1020

Neal (Perry-class frigate): Right off the bat, I ordered up a zigzag course and put my CIWS (Phalanx gun) on AUTO to pick up any incoming missiles the 688(I) might send my way. Not knowing if the MP mission has the subs coming in a random placement box, I fire off a series of active pings (onmi-directional). I know this will give away my position, but if the game started one of the subs a mile ahead of us, I would want to know. Tim took the NE flank and Smuook came in from the west, laying a well-spaced string of sonobuoys.

 

Smuook (Orion plane): I started out about 50 miles to the west of the convoy. I quickly had datalink picked up the convoy, FFG, and Helo on my Nav map. I came inbound at max speed to get in the area. First thing is to get all my sensors operating... so I set my course and speed to the area, then turned on my radar, ESM, MAD, dropped the IRDS camera to be ready to identify contacts.

I set my acoustic alert frequencies for the 688 in the upper dials of the acoustic station. This is just to get ready... I wouldn't have any acoustic information until I dropped sonobuoys. I did drop a BT buoy to get the sound speed profile on the transit inbound so I can know where the layer is at. The subs will try to exploit this by hiding on the other side of it.

 

Tim (Seahawk Helo): Starting off between 600 and 700 feet at a modest 49 knots, I coordinated with Smuook as to which sectors of the convoy each of us would protect from the air. We decided that he would take the southern flank of the convoy and drop a field of buoys, and that I would fly out ahead, dropping my own buoy pattern. Smuook's buoy field was a 2-row string that intersected the convoy's base course, while mine was a somewhat more randomized field about 10nm off to the east.

 

Neal (Perry-class frigate): While the good guys were prepping the field for action, the Kilo and the rogue 688(I) were making some plans of their own.

 

Mission Time: 1050

Bill (688(I) sub): In command of USS Annapolis, my orders are to intercept a group of merchants before they can reach the Strait of Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean Sea. Intelligence is that they are being escorted by surface and air assets. Also in the vicinity is a friendly Kilo-class diesel sub.

In my patrol location west of Gibraltar, the first indications of the enemy convoy are multiple contacts to the North West on my TB-16 towed array. I come to periscope depth to take a quick look and ESM scan -- all is clear.

Heading deep, I launch an XBT to find the thermocline. My plan is to go beneath the layer and work my way North to intercept the convoy. The layer turns out to be at about 850 feet. I make my depth 1000 feet and commence TMA. Soon, I begin getting active sonar intercepts from one of the contacts. I designate him Master 1.

 

Ramius (Kilo sub): Started off to the SE of the convoy at 75m / 5 kts. Decided to go up to PD to have a listen. Gained contact with an AN/APS 137 almost straight away off to the NW - couldn't remember if Tim has picked a P3 or Helo at this time. About 5 minutes later i started getting active pings from the NNW, possibly from Neal in the frigate.

From EW, I could see the P3 was tracking nicely South. So I took a guess this was an AI P3 and not Tim. So now the question - "Where is he?" arose.

I decided to surface to try and increase my surface sensor ranges. Not sure if this is actually implemented but it does seem to work. i.e., the higher up the mast the further you can see out of the scope. Still nothing, so dived again and headed North, deep and fast (well fast for a SSK).

 

Neal (Perry-class frigate): Good thing for me, the Kilo surfaced. A definite no-no, my surface radar painted him and now I know where one of my adversaries lies. I promote my contact to the datalink so Tim and Smuook in the plane and helo can share the good news.

I shut off the sonar and order a major course change to close the distance between me and the Kilo. I figure my Perry-class frigate can handle one ol' rusty Russian sub. That leaves Bill in the 688(I) as an immediate and unknown threat. Hopefully he's not in the same area as the Kilo.

I'm bearing down on his position at almost 30 knots with my Nixie decoy streaming along behind me. I've got torpedoes, I've got missiles, and I've got a Phalanx close-in weapon support system. What could go wrong?

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