So, seeing some of the cities in Star Citizen has got me thinking, will we ever go to war in these areas?
Dense urban terrain fucking sucks, we all have seen this in the recent wars focused in Western-Asia and North Africa. My question is, with Star Citizen being so broad a project and already having plans for large cities, will we ever fight in them? Not even against other players, but say the Vanduul attack a city, can we defend it?
Obviously there are tactical challenges to be met in such an environment, a possible lack of reliable radar, maneuverability for air and ground vehicles, and air support may have issues in general with such a crowded environment, particularly if CIG involved a damage mechanics for buildings. Because as we all know, friendly fire is not very friendly.
First off I would like to point out that the Nova may very well be the best possible vehicle for urban environments. Not only does it provide an armored platform capable of AA and long range AG fire, but it is shielded to protect it from ambush tactics common in such environments. Why do I not think the Cyclone is a good option? As evidenced in our modern combat in urban environments, lightly armored vehicles can suffer critical damage in ambush attacks and with it's AA focused on missiles, which would not operate well in cluttered streets and a size one weapon on the gunner version it is not effective for this kind of combat. The only exception is possibly the RN, to assist both gunships over the combat zone as well as those on the ground with identifying enemy targets and providing live mapping of the city.
The ships I would choose to provide support are similarly choose for a lack of reliance on weapons that require locking capabilities and are maneuverable enough to track targets moving through cover in a city. Let's assume that the objective is not to level the city but to conduct a sustained campaign to hold the city or take the city from the enemy, preferably intact. (note: I am not including the Redeemer as it awaits rework, but I would assume it is going to be decent in urban ops due to it's focus as a gunship and small unit transport)
1. The Hornet series, particularly the Super Hornet and the F7C-R Hornet Tracker. Why these two? The Super Hornet is a damn brawler, able to soak up fights and loiter in combat for a sustained period, it also brings a turret to bear adding both extra firepower and increased AA capabilities, hopefully making sure the ground forces are not kept pinned by hostile aircraft or rooftop attackers. The Tracker, while not as capable with weapons, provides a way to keep communications and tactical mapping systems operational in a potentially electronically hostile environment. This is critical for clearing areas and properly watching the distribution of hostiles in a city. Because fuck it, might as well strap a TOC to the back of a fighter.
2. The Hercules Starlifter, both the M2 and A2 variants. Mobility of forces is paramount in urban warfare, as you need to respond quickly to enemy forces in a rapidly changing environment. The A2 is, in my opinion, a better choice, as it allows you to pack vehicular assets and still provides the capability of a gunship. This allows either an initial insertion point to be softened before the ground assets are deployed, or for a QRF to be put on standby in-case friendly forces need assistance in an area of the city unreachable by assets already on scene.
3. The Aurora. Has enough room for the units beer and dip stash. Enough said.
This is particularly made because I am super super bored and literally spent the last 4 days writing a paper on megacity combat and potential issues arising from a lack of current doctrine regarding it... so... yeah... and because I drink the day after 4th of July because Murica.
Dense urban terrain fucking sucks, we all have seen this in the recent wars focused in Western-Asia and North Africa. My question is, with Star Citizen being so broad a project and already having plans for large cities, will we ever fight in them? Not even against other players, but say the Vanduul attack a city, can we defend it?
Obviously there are tactical challenges to be met in such an environment, a possible lack of reliable radar, maneuverability for air and ground vehicles, and air support may have issues in general with such a crowded environment, particularly if CIG involved a damage mechanics for buildings. Because as we all know, friendly fire is not very friendly.
First off I would like to point out that the Nova may very well be the best possible vehicle for urban environments. Not only does it provide an armored platform capable of AA and long range AG fire, but it is shielded to protect it from ambush tactics common in such environments. Why do I not think the Cyclone is a good option? As evidenced in our modern combat in urban environments, lightly armored vehicles can suffer critical damage in ambush attacks and with it's AA focused on missiles, which would not operate well in cluttered streets and a size one weapon on the gunner version it is not effective for this kind of combat. The only exception is possibly the RN, to assist both gunships over the combat zone as well as those on the ground with identifying enemy targets and providing live mapping of the city.
The ships I would choose to provide support are similarly choose for a lack of reliance on weapons that require locking capabilities and are maneuverable enough to track targets moving through cover in a city. Let's assume that the objective is not to level the city but to conduct a sustained campaign to hold the city or take the city from the enemy, preferably intact. (note: I am not including the Redeemer as it awaits rework, but I would assume it is going to be decent in urban ops due to it's focus as a gunship and small unit transport)
1. The Hornet series, particularly the Super Hornet and the F7C-R Hornet Tracker. Why these two? The Super Hornet is a damn brawler, able to soak up fights and loiter in combat for a sustained period, it also brings a turret to bear adding both extra firepower and increased AA capabilities, hopefully making sure the ground forces are not kept pinned by hostile aircraft or rooftop attackers. The Tracker, while not as capable with weapons, provides a way to keep communications and tactical mapping systems operational in a potentially electronically hostile environment. This is critical for clearing areas and properly watching the distribution of hostiles in a city. Because fuck it, might as well strap a TOC to the back of a fighter.
2. The Hercules Starlifter, both the M2 and A2 variants. Mobility of forces is paramount in urban warfare, as you need to respond quickly to enemy forces in a rapidly changing environment. The A2 is, in my opinion, a better choice, as it allows you to pack vehicular assets and still provides the capability of a gunship. This allows either an initial insertion point to be softened before the ground assets are deployed, or for a QRF to be put on standby in-case friendly forces need assistance in an area of the city unreachable by assets already on scene.
3. The Aurora. Has enough room for the units beer and dip stash. Enough said.
This is particularly made because I am super super bored and literally spent the last 4 days writing a paper on megacity combat and potential issues arising from a lack of current doctrine regarding it... so... yeah... and because I drink the day after 4th of July because Murica.
