The topic is 'Basic ASW Tactics'
There is some reticence about revealing 'own techniques' both for competitive reasons and lets face it the understandable desire
of any current or future contributor to avoid the prospect of long possible nit-picking debates about some techniques.
Avoiding engagement is a legitimate technique.
Elsewhere Linton posed the question - ''What did Sonalysts leave out of the manual? Is it time for a basic/advanced technique manual
to be produced? '' This is a fundamental question vital to those who do not wish to enlist in Fleets. If potential contributors sit on their hands
the state of gameplay for this sector will enter a 'persistent vegitative state' !
Can we concentrate on the 'Basic' element raised by both posters ? Focusing on ASW, I would just like to throw into the pot some further considerations.
'Quick Missions' would not be my first choice with which to practise ASW given unrealistic unit mixes and separations.
The pressure is analagous to coming on watch in ATC Approach after a power failure ! Such missions are fine for stress testing your manual sonar techniques.
There are many excellent missions out there, both the above have some fine examples. In addition you may find some MP scenarios
designed around a two hour exposition provide just the right ballance for SP practice.
Mr G has tasked us with avoiding minutia but in so doing he misses the point. The allure, or hook if you prefer, of ASW is precisely that we
are searching for small clues from which to build a hypothesis about the reality of the world around us. The ultimate Detection challenge ?
Some 'Basic' ASW headings:-
1) Know the mission designer - Do they leave footprints in the form of red herrings and teasers. Fishing boats, Trafalgars around red AI etc..
2) Know your opponent (MP) Is he prone to take a sneak radar scan before WF ?
How does he prefer to 'setup' with his team-mate ? Modus operandi etc...
3) Study and have to hand the sonar profiles of your target/s and those units both military and civilian
with similar profiles.(lower freq. profs.generaly)
4) Prepare Check Lists egs 'Setup Procedure' TimmyG00 has an example.
5) Study the Topography - utilise delays in physical operations to familiarise yourself in Navs modes with any features which will assist you
or your opponent. Mark relevant depth changes, note seamounts, observe choke points and potential 'trap'locations etc....
6) Clear your baffles and dont be afraid to use a visual aid for stress moments when you need to be 100% sure you have cleared them.
I use a a CD cutout as shown in SVAK - it has saved my bacon many a time. (still does !)
7) Follow a manual sonar procedure making turns appropriate to the LwAmi or vanila SA baffle.
Now, as requested, we have to hold our horses as we are about to enter the realm of minutia !. Sadly that is where the real fun starts !
