The road to v1.10: Steam Workshop

December 18, 2015 · Posted in Command · Comment

Command Build 757.12, which had been made available unofficially at the start of December, has now officially been released through MatrixGames and Steam. Barring any emergencies, this is probably the last update released as part of the post-v1.09/NI release support process (Command is still 50% off at MatrixGames until early January!). The development team’s focus is now the next major public update, designated v1.10. Let us take a look at the some of the major improvements that the new version will feature.

Steam Workshop Scenarios

With the release of v1.10 one important new feature is Steam Workshop integration, giving players a new avenue to share and discover scenarios!

One quick note we here at Warfare Sims would like to point out that the new Steam Workshop functionality will in no way supersede the existing scenario distribution channels (the community scenario pack and the matrix scenario forum). The wildly successful community scenario pack showcases the very best of the scenarios released to date and will continue to be released periodically with additional updates. In fact highly rated Steam Workshop scenarios will find their way into the community scenario pack.

Submitting a scenario to the Steam Workshop couldn’t be easier!

First, open Command via Steam. Then, open the scenario you would like to upload in ‘edit mode’. After that press the “Publish scenario to Steam Workshop” button near the bottom of the Editor menu.

Attach a special preview image, or use the screenshot of the action on the screen as the thumbnail for the scenario.

After that it’s as simple as pressing ‘Publish New Item’. Its sent off to Steam, and made available on the Steam Workshop immediately!

Now, to download this scenario you must subscribe to the scenario.

After hitting that ‘Subscribe’ button the next time you open Command via Steam the scenario will be downloaded to a special new folder in your Scenario directory.

The Steam Workshop allows scenario authors to be able to auto-update their scenarios, an author can make a change to a scenario and update the existing item on the Workshop and then this update will automatically be sent to all those who ‘subscribe’ to the item.

We look forward to taking a look at the scenarios you upload! The inclusion of Steam Workshop in v1.10 introduces a whole new way to share scenarios, in addition to the already existing channels of scenario distribution!

Tags: Steam Workshop, v1.10

The road to v1.10: Waypoints for cruise missiles

December 12, 2015 · Posted in Command, Uncategorized · Comment

Complex missile courses for fun and profit

Arguably one of the most visible changes in v1.10 is the new ability to plot complex routes with multiple waypoints for cruise missile attacks. While this was already possible for weapons under positive datalink control (e.g. heavy Russian “carrier killer” missiles like the SS-N-19), this is now possible also for completely autonomous weapons. Let’s see how this works.

(click for full size)

In this completely hypothetical example, the USS Ohio, loaded with Tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM) land-attack cruise missiles, is tasked to attack the air facilities at Latakia airbase in order to hamper Russian air operations from this important base. The airfield is protected by a battery of Pantsir-S1 short-range air-defence vehicles and, most importantly, a full S-400 long-range air-defence missile battery.

From the position that the Ohio is currently located, a direct missile attack would appear the most obvious course of action. However, we have already tried this on a previous test run and observed that the airfield’s location (placed on a ~40m elevated plateau overlooking the Syrian coast) offers a near-perfect field of view for the air-defence radars located at the base. The results against an attack coming directly from the sea were thus predictable:

Even with a large-scale missile strike, the majority of the TACTOMs were detected, engaged and destroyed by the S-400 battery well before crossing the coast. Leakers were then engaged successfully by the Pantsir-S1 systems. While some of the missiles did manage to impact their targets, this was more a result of simply overwhelming the airfield’s defences by sheer numbers (the S-400 battery ewas completely drained of weapons, and the Pantsir-S1 vehicles nearly so) rather than outwitting them.

So let’s see if we can execute a smarter, more efficient attack. We observe that the airbase, while having an excellent view to the west, is somewhat lodged between the coast and the so-called “Syrian Coastal Mountain Range“. This ridge could make an excellent radar mask for our TACTOMs if we can get them to attack the base from this direction rather than from the sea.

So let’s do exactly that:

Using the manual weapon allocation window, we assign a salvo of 4 TACTOMs to one of the airfield facilities. We select the salvo (blue outline) and click on the “Plot course” button under it. This temporarily hides the allocation window and allows us to plot the desired course:

In this case we set the missiles to cross the coast at Lebanon, skirt behind the mountain ridges on their way up north and pop up to attack the base at the last possible moment. Note that we do not have absolute freedom in plotting such courses: We are constrained both by the maximum range of the weapon and also the number of available waypoints to use. This is not a problem for TACTOM, but numerous anti-ship missiles have only a handful of waypoints available.

This is the result of the revised attack, from the Russian point of view:

The difference is quite dramatic. The 96L6 (Cheese Board) radar that supports the base defences detected the first TACTOMs at just 12.8nm, as they popped over the mountain ridge. Combined with the inevitable OODA delay, this gives the Russian SAMs very little time to react. If the TACTOM strike is as massive as before, the Russian repair crews at Latakia are going to have a very busy day…

Units under AI control are also able to utilize missile waypoints to their benefit. Although not currently able to “think” about radar/SAM coverage as in the above example, they nevertheless attempt to make off-axis attacks whenever possible (this obviously depends on how much weapon range they can spare) in order to hide their true bearing from their target. No longer does the bearing to a detected incoming missile provide an immediate clue to the attacker’s location:

The inclusion of missile waypoints in v1.10 introduces a whole new range of tactical options based on RL operations, and we are certain the players will find even more uses for them (complex TALD/MALD flight paths anyone?).

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WW3 epics, Biddle’s capers, Korean chaos and Blackbird shootdowns: Fifteen new Command scenarios available

December 7, 2015 · Posted in Command · Comment

Miguel Molina has posted a new revision of the community scenario pack, the compendium of Command scenarios crafted by the user community. The new release contains fifteen brand-new scenarios:

Biddle’s Team, 1982: Three weeks after the assassination of Anwar Sadat on October 6, 1981, Egypt has slipped into political chaos. A Soviet surface group is currently en route to offer support to the pro-Soviet faction now struggling for control. The United States, however, has recognized a pro-Western faction as the legitimate government of Egypt, and has no intention of allowing Egypt to turn into a Soviet puppet state.

Biddle’s Quandary, 1982: The Middle East has become increasingly unstable since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981. Egypt has avoided total collapse, but militant groups have been responsible for numerous acts of terrorism in the last several months. Evidence suggests that Syria and Libya have been sponsoring some of these terrorist groups. The US has moved some of its ships near Syria as a show of force, hoping the proximity of American military might will discourage further acts of terrorism. Egypt has sent one of its patrol boats into the area as well. Syria, however, has responded by threatening to attack any vessel that violates its territorial waters.

Biddle goes to Algeria, 1984: Tensions have increased between the United States and Algeria in the early 1980s. To increase presence in the region, a small force centered on the cruiser Biddle is tasked to patrol defensively off the Algerian coast, screened by RAF aircraft from Gibraltar.

Fall of Seoul, 1950: North Korean forces have crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea, in violation of UN agreements. This scenario covers the first three days of fighting for the US forces in the Korean war. Your tasks are as follows:
* Coordinate an evacuation by air and sea from Seoul to US bases in Japan.
* Establish air superiority over South Korea.
* Conduct tactical interdiction against communist advance south of the 38th parallel.

MINUSMA, 2015: The atrocities commited by the rebel groups in Mali’s north has taken a turn for the worse. The UN has authorized airstrikes to support the Malian goverment in its push to once again retake the north of the country. To support the UN’s mission in Mali, Sweden has deployed its fighter jets abroad for the first time since the Congo Crisis. You are to employ airstrikes to weaken the rebels ability to wage an effective fight towards the goverment and you are to provide reconnissance support for the Malian goverment if requested. Collateral damage or friendly losses will not be tolerated!

Norrland Defense, 1990: Defense of Norrland and its strategically important F 21 Luleå Airbase and Luleå Harbour from a pre-emptive Soviet strike in preparation for a full blown invasion.
Defend the Luleå airbase against Soviet assaults and engage the Soviet ships and submarines reported in the area.

Sandbox Scenario #1: Surface Encounter, 1991: In this adaptation of scenario “Surface Encounter” from the boardgame “Harpoon: Captain’s Edition”, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is escorting a Whidbey Island-class LSD in the Norwegian Sea and it happens to detect a Soviet Sovremenny-class destroyer with an Ivan Rogov-class landing ship. A skirmish ensues with both sides trying to sink the other’s escorted ships. The Soviets win a victory if they sink the LSD while the US wins if it can sink the Rogov.

To Kill A Mockingbird, 1979: This scenario pits the Soviet air defenses on the Kola Peninsula against the legendary SR-71 – and against the equally-legendary Soviet command chain bureaucracy! To win this mission, you must not only shoot down the dreaded Blackbird, but also do so only after receiving Moscow’s permission. Better yet, you will not know where and when exactly the secretive plane is coming – this mission is designed to be dynamic and will play differently each time. Sometimes you will have a good shot, while other times the Habu will elude you entirely.

USS Midway vs Cuba (The War That Never Was), 1989: When WW3 breaks out in the early 1990s, it spreads everywhere, quickly. One exception has been Cuba, issuing an open letter of neutrality to everyone. However, Cuba is now planning on entering the war. The Soviet Union has instructed them to enter the war just as the US is sending the first of their heavy divisions towards Europe. What if Cuba did enter the war at this percarious moment? All that the US has standing between an entire nation’s armed forces and the lifeline to Europe is the USS Midway, fitted with a scratch SAG and reserve F/A-18 squadrons. Can they hold the line?

Northern Fury 9.2 – Changing Of The Guard, 1994: The situation in the North Atlantic remains desperate. The rapid capture of North Norway and Iceland have allowed the Soviets to surge almost 100 submarines into the Atlantic. The USS Enterprise CVBG spent two difficult days blunting an attempt by the Red Banner Northern Fleet to interdict the sea lanes, she is now preparing to retire for re-supply and re-organization, as are the major Soviet surface units. The USS Eisenhower, after three days of hard fighting in the Mediterranean, has passed through the Pillars of Hercules and is heading north. She will join the USS Carl Vinson CVBG to strike at Soviet forces around Iceland in three days. As the NATO player you must safely withdraw the Enterprise CVBG and replace it with the Carl Vinson CVBG in a holding area south of Iceland. As the WP player you have multiple submarines and significant air assets at your disposal. Your task is to sink one or both US aircraft carriers.

Northern Fury 9.3 – Command At Sea, 1994: The USS Carl Vinson CVBG is moving up to relieve the Enterprise. The USS Eisenhower, after three days of hard fighting in the Mediterranean, has passed through the Pillars of Hercules and is heading north. She will join the USS Carl Vinson CVBG to strike at Soviet forces around Iceland in three days. As the NATO player you must maneuver and protect the USS Mount Whitney as it transports the Commander of the US 2nd Fleet (NATO’s CINCLANT) to a patrol area off the Azores. As the WP player you have multiple submarines and valuable intelligence indicating that a ‘High Value Target’ is arriving in your patrol area.

Northern Fury 9.4 – Cutting The Tether, 1994: This is a small but critical scenario in the battle to isolate Soviet forces on Iceland. Since taking the island of Jan Mayen in the first hours of the war, the desolate spot on the Greenland Sea has become a critical link in Iceland’s supply chain, a long and arduous tether back to the Kola Peninsula. Your job in this scenario is to cut that tether.

Northern Fury 9.5 – Here Comes The Cavalry, 1994: The US 2nd Fleet is now ready for its first counter-attack. The 1st phase has the USS Eisenhower and the USS Carl Vinson CVBGs strike at Soviet forces around Iceland. In order to neutralize the significant Soviet forces on Iceland, your task is to move north and establish local air superiority over the Keflavik peninsula as a precursor to a large USAF strike tomorrow night. You have 28 hours to destroy Soviet Air Defences over Iceland. Detailed SEAD and Strike tasks will be the Air Force’s job, but you need to clean the airspace to make that possible. You know that there are formidable air defences both on and over Iceland so this will not be an easy task.

Northern Fury 9.6 – Stab In The Dark, 1994: Your task is simple, as the Captain of the Canadian Submarine HMCS Onondaga, infiltrate Soviet ASW defences north of Reykjavik and insert a Special Forces team comprising of 4 Canadian JTF2 (Joint Task Force 2) and 4 British SBS (Special Boat Service) operatives. However you may find that in war – nothing is simple.

Northern Fury 10.1 – Poke in the Eye, 1994: 42 hours ago, your Special Forces team comprising of 4 Canadian JTF2 (Joint Task Force 2) and 4 British SBS (Special Boat Service) operatives arrived in Iceland. Now it’s time to earn your paycheck.

As always, the community scenario pack is available for download at the WarfareSims download section: http://www.warfaresims.com/?page_id=1876

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Northern Inferno is unleashed!

October 22, 2015 · Posted in Command, Northern Inferno · Comment

Now available on Matrix Games and Steam!

What is Northern Inferno?

The campaign scenarios

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The scenarios of Northern Inferno

October 20, 2015 · Posted in Command, Northern Inferno · Comment

As you probably know by now, Northern Inferno is coming this Thursday as part of the massive v1.09 update. The first DLC pack for Command, NI is also important as its standalone nature allows players to purchase and enjoy it regardless of whether they already own CMANO or not.

Let’s peruse the 15 scenarios that comprise this epic WW3 campaign. Each scenario can be played either as part of the campaign (in which case reaching a certain “pass score” is necessary in order to advance to the next scenario) or in standalone mode like all other CMANO scenarios.

Here is the list:

Opening Moves: Soviet submarines are rushing across the Norwegian Sea, heading for the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap, doorway to the Atlantic. NATO naval forces mobilize to stem the tide.

Goblin on the doorstep: Amidst the growing crisis, the British strategic nuclear submarine HMS Revenge is putting out to sea. Soviet strategic doctrine dictates targeting and destroying these invaluable assets as soon as possible during a crisis or war. It’s a long way out to the safety of deep water…

The Fast and the Furious: The war is spreading. A powerful Soviet amphibious force is heading towards northern Norway, screened by multiple squadrons of missile fast-attack craft. With the bulk of NATO’s Atlantic forces already committed elsewhere, what can Norway do to blunt the invasion?

Barents Sea Boomers: After absorbing punch after punch, NATO swings to the offensive by applying one of the key tenets of the 1980’s Maritime Strategy: Hunt down and attempt to sink the Soviet strategic submarines (SSBNs) inside their protective bastions.

Beware of the Badger: Norway has been invaded. The US and UK are rushing heavy amphibious forces to support the bulwark in the north. But the Soviet Naval Aviation’s missile-armed bombers roam over the Norwegian Sea. Will enough reinforcements reach Norway to matter?

The Grey Ghost from the East Coast: Taking a page out of the WW2 Kriegsmarine playbook, the Soviet Navy is sending its Sverdlov heavy cruisers down the Denmark strait, bypassing the battered Icelandic defences, in hopes of further straining NATO’s overburdened Atlantic screen. Standing in their way is a USN surface group centered around the Newport News, the US Navy’s last heavy-gun cruiser. Can the “Grey Ghost” and her cohorts crash the Sverdlov raiding party?

The Mighty O: Iceland has been heavily bombarded and then seized by Soviet forces. Soon, Soviet naval bombers will be able to operate from the polar island’s airbases, striking at will all over the Atlantic. For NATO, this is unacceptable – and the carrier Oriskany will spearhead the operation to shut Iceland down.

Damn The Torpedoes: A large, vital NATO convoy is approaching Europe with cargo and container ships as well as oil tankers. The Soviet Union has warned NATO that any further overseas reinforcement of Europe “will dramatically escalate the situation”. The Red Banner Fleet’s submarine force is gunning for the convoy en masse. How many will survive to reach the French coast?

Fox Two: The Soviet bomber force is down for maintenance and re-arming, preparing for a big raid, and NATO intel suggests that the British Isles, so far unscathed from the carnage in continental Europe, are on the top of the target list. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is withdrawing from Norway and consolidating to protect the UK mainland. What will be the price of protecting the Crown?

An Eye for an Eye: RAF bases have been hit with nuclear weapons. NATO does not want to escalate to all-out nuclear war, but Britain must respond in kind. The Ark Royal carrier group and its Buccaneer low-level strike aircraft will strike at the heart of Soviet Naval Aviation.

Fire and Brimstone: The Saratoga and JFK carrier groups are tied down off the coast of Norway, supporting a desperate NATO holding action against advancing Soviet armor. This makes them perfect targets for Soviet missile bombers. Tactical nuclear weapons release has been granted. The all-out “bombers vs. carriers” battle that both sides have been rehearsing for over 20 years is about to explode.

Hunter or Hunted: Both sides in the massive conflict are beginning to show signs of exhaustion. NATO carrier groups have been heavily damaged and forced to withdraw towards the GIUK gap, leaving subs and aircraft as the primary offensive assets. To bolster its own battered surface forces, the Soviet Navy is hurriedly commissioning and putting to sea the Kiev, its first real aircraft carrier. A trio of NATO nuclear submarines are hastily assembled to form the welcoming committee.

Deliverance: The Soviet occupation of Iceland has been a constant problem for NATO planners. Soviet forces on the island have been repeatedly harassed but never truly neutralized. NATO now feels confident enough to seriously attempt to seize control of the island back. Multiple carrier groups and support forces, including the amphibious-modified USS Iowa, are converging on Iceland. But the Soviets will not hand over their most important outpost without a fight.

Needle in a Hay Stack: BothSoviet and NATO strategic nuclear forces are being brought to a high state of readiness. The United States is now at DEFCON 2. Peace talks are at a stalemate after an attempted assassination on the US ambassador in Geneva. Unidentified submarines have been sighted off the coast of Nova Scotia. If Soviet submarines can roam in these waters, the US will be under constant threat of a sudden decapitation nuclear strike.

Fail Safe: Amidst a terrible nuclear crisis, multiple cells of SAC B-52 bombers, armed with nuclear weapons, are reaching their “point of no return” locations over the Artic circle. Soviet strategic forces and air defences alike are in the highest alert level. Fingers rest on nuclear triggers. Can global thermonuclear war be averted?

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