mixing technology force in Dirtside

6 posts ยท Jun 11 2004 to Jun 18 2004

From: Glenn M Wilson <triphibious@j...>

Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:35:34 -0500

Subject: mixing technology force in Dirtside

On the gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu list (Hi guys and Beth!)  there has been
discussion on how mixed technology Battalions have advantages over 'pure'
one-weapon type forces.

In response to the posting I have skimmed up a small force reflecting a
possible mix (don't have access to the floppy with the Great Bear
Confederation forces on it I would normally suggest.) It's high tech
rather then my usual low to medium tech efforts but here it goes -

Fusion powered GRAV or FGEV vehicles

4 vehicles to a platoon, 3 Platoons to a Company, 3 Companies to a Battalion:

Light Mechanized Reconnaissance Company
Recon Platoon: Size  2; one FT, GMS/L, PDS/Sup, Superior  ECM
Scout Platoon: Size 1; one FT, a second APSW, Superior ECM
LAT(R) Platoon: Size 2; MDC-2, GMS/H, Superior ECM

Mechanized Infantry Company
MICV Platoon: Size 3; FT x 2, GMS/L, PDS/Enhanced, LAD, Enhanced ECM
APC Platoon: Size 3; FT x 2, MDC-1, PDS/Basic, LAD, Superior ECM
Assault Rocket Support Platoon: Size 4; SLAM-5, PDS/Enhanced, LAD,
Enhanced ECM

Armored Company
LAFV Platoon: Size 3, MDC-3, PDS/Superior, LAD, Enhanced ECM
AFV Platoons: Size 3, MDC-4, PDS/Enhanced, Superior ECM
AFV Platoons: Size 3, MDC-4, PDS/Enhanced, Superior ECM

Company HQ unit (3 of them - one per Company)
HQ: Size 3, HQ modules (8 cap points), PDS/Superior, LAD, second APSW
(since HQ module is not a weapon), Superior ECM
ADS: Size 3, ADS/Enhanced, Enhanced CM
Mortar section: 2 x Mortar carrier: Size 2, spare Ammo counter, BAsic ECM

Battalion Assets:

Assault Gun Platoon:
Size 4; DFFG-5, PDS/Enhanced, LAD, Superior ECM

Battalion HQ Command: HQ; same as Company HQ vehicle
Guard Tank; Size 4, MDC-5, PDS/Enhanced, LAD
VTOL (A): Size 2; HEL-3 (Fixed for 6 cap points) and GMS/H
ADS: SIze 4; ADS/Superior
HAPC: Size 4; FT x 3, PDS/Superior, LAD, GMS/L, Enhanced ECM

attached Aero:
2 x Strike AC: Size 2; HEL-3 and DFO x 1

Attached Arty:

3 x SPG: Size 4; Medium Artillery, Extra Ammo load x 2, Superior ECM
CBR Unit: Size 4; CBR Radar, PDS/Superior, LAD, Superior ECM

Gracias,

From: John Atkinson <johnmatkinson@y...>

Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 06:19:48 -0700 (PDT)

Subject: Re: mixing technology force in Dirtside

> --- warbeads@juno.com wrote:

> Light Mechanized Reconnaissance Company

Not bad at all. I might argue with details, but a solid organization. This
organization is somewhat reminiscent of a WWII German Recon BN, with a mix of
companies of varying capabilities. Very flexible, but very complex to use. For
a regular line battalion I would drop the recon coy down to a platoon and add
a second armor or infantry coy.

> Mechanized Infantry Company

This one is a little wierd. First, you really need three maneuver elements,
plus a weapons platoon. Second, having 2 different APC designs in a single
company would really confuse me.

> Armored Company

OK, pretty solid tank company.

> Company HQ unit (3 of them - one per Company)

ADS with ECM? Why? When the sensors are active in air defense mode, the ECM is
nullified. I also really prefer to have 2 elements in a section like that.
Better coverage.

> Battalion HQ Command:

What's the HAPC for? And why not just having 2 of the regular sized APCs? Same
comment as above re: ADS. And the VTOL needs a wingman too.

> 3 x SPG: Size 4; Medium Artillery, Extra Ammo load x

I don't think that's enough artillery, but YMMV.

From: Glenn M Wilson <triphibious@j...>

Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 05:16:02 -0500

Subject: Re: mixing technology force in Dirtside

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 20:33:38 -0700 (PDT) John Atkinson
> <johnmatkinson@yahoo.com> writes:
<snip>
> Are the SLAM tanks that useful? I took one look at

In role as support of the infantry units, they can be used to hit
MICVs/APCs at 36" or less during run in to assault thus reducing
harassing light guns/GMS-L weaponry.  But most useful is at 12" or less
as the infantry prepares to bail out and move to assault is that ability to
pick a spot (APSWs, key points in the position) and put * 1 chit per weapon
class * on units you want destroyed or suppressed or at least morale effected
prior to assault. As effective as Artillery? No. An Adjunct? Yes. One set of 3
or 4 per force fielded is adequate if you are
 attacking a defender/fixed position.  That is where mixed units (3 APCs
plus an attached SLAM-5 assault vehicle) would be useful; Side effects
are that firing at vehicles supporting dismounted infantry within 1 or 2
inches is the possibility of hitting the vehicle and the infantry (Rarely
you get the satisfaction of hitting the APC and the disembarked GMS/L
crew. One reason to support Infantry, APSW, or GMS/L dismounts from 2
Inches away in fixed positions is reducing effectiveness of SLAM fire against
your position.)

That said, I prefer them on VTOL/dedicated strike AERO.  A GMS/H (for
anti-armor role  out to 48 inches in a VTOL or AERO (or replaced by a
DFO
in AERO Possibly) paired with a SLAM-3 [fixed = 6 capacity] in a VTOL or
AERO for multi-role fire make a nice size class 2 strike unit.

Of course the occasional HEL-3 (60 inch harassment of vehicular units -
nice if the dice are hot, 36 inch harassment of infantry - you might get
lucky and take out the APSW, GMS/L or PA unit) fixed plus GMS/H or DFO
in an AERO is useful in disrupting the psyche of some commanders too. Or in
a class size 4 AERO (double all that weaponry - 2 x HEL-3 fixed and a
GMS-H and a DFO for example) you get a unit that distracts or
mis-focuses
some commanders nicely too. Or a VTOL with HEL-3 Fixed and a (SLAM-3 or
GMS-H) can be used in the same way too.  Not lots of them but a pair is
useful.

Just a small piece of the puzzle.

Of course in dense terrain (Hills, Jungle with tracks/trails, etc.) they
can be useful at harassing those expensive MDC armed AFVs too.

Gracias,

From: Glenn M Wilson <triphibious@j...>

Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 05:17:19 -0500

Subject: Re: mixing technology force in Dirtside

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 13:39:34 +1000 "Robertson, Brendan"
> <Brendan.Robertson@dva.gov.au> writes:
Thanks, I had forgot that.

From: Glenn M Wilson <triphibious@j...>

Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 17:21:00 -0500

Subject: Re: mixing technology force in Dirtside

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 11:53:01 -0700 (PDT) John Atkinson
> <johnmatkinson@yahoo.com> writes:
<sniP>
> I really do think that this view of Russian troops

Hush, you're upsetting the Austrian "turtles"! LOL!

Gracias,

From: Glenn M Wilson <triphibious@j...>

Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 20:14:22 -0500

Subject: Re: mixing technology force in Dirtside

Everyone is good compared to Neapolitan troops. Neapolitan is not even
very good ice cream.  Breyer's Vanilla-Chocolate-Strawberry (notice that
they don't call it Neapolitan) being the only exception I know of!

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 17:19:21 -0700 "Katrina Brown" <mwbrown@sonic.net>
writes:
> Austrians are good, especially when compared to Spanish or Neapolitan