[Gargamel]

Initial test with the Seahorse running at 20 kts for 30 minutes (should produce just shy of a 125 pt penalty) have been showing results pretty damn close to the epxected result. (123, 124, 124 in the three trials I ran, the error could just be user reaction time to scenario starting up, and the inaccuracy of the clock (1 minute resolution)).

So Even if the contact bonus is not as big as described, as noted unless it is less than 50 pts per minute, the relative value of it does not change. So assuming about 12 pings per minute to maintain contact, here is the priority of your mission objectives:

1) Maintaining a safe distance from other surface vessels
2) Establishing and maintaining HF contact
3) Establishing and maintaining IR/EO/Radar Contact with regard to MF Stealth
4) Establishing and maintaining MF contact, without regard to MF stealth
5) Fuel efficiency

Let me explain 3 & 4. The bonuses for MF, IR, EO, or Radar contact do not seem to stack like the HF one does. So, if the SSK surfaces in front of you, you have contact with it with a sensor other than MF, so you can turn off MF. But if it is submerged, MF is the only sensor (other than HF) that can pick it up, so you have to turn it on.