Mobile artillery

Doug97 · Post by **Doug97** » 2005-08-12 17:13

Remember in BF42, there were many different types of self-propelled artillery? It was a really good idea, the way the arty was supposed to be able to shell targets identified by scouts. However, the actual implementation was so poor, hardly anyone ever used this feature.

Now EA has taken it out completely, rather than trying to fix it. Wouldn't it be better and more realistic if the artillery can move around? So that the enemy needs to locate it first before he can put it out of action. I imagine good artillery teams will fire, then relocate before the enemy artillery-locating radar (which could be an option for the commander screen) gets a fix on them.

It would be great if the Brits had the AS90 Braveheart, the Americans the Paladin etc.

I'm not sure what the best way of laying down fire would be; it would need careful consideration. Perhaps the Commander can target the map with an artillery request, which is automatically transmitted to the player inside the vehicle, then it will be their task to fire the weapon and put the rounds on target. The vehicle display will show the player on the map roughly where their rounds are hitting. I think reintroducing the scout assistance would be a good idea, but have it as an extra aid to accuracy (e.g. he can report 'up 2, fire for effect'), rather than being essential like in BF42.

See here for various modern artillery systems:

http://www.army-technology.com/projects ... ry_Systems

Eddie Baker · Post by **Eddie Baker** » 2005-08-12 17:19

http://realitymod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=742&start=0

TerribleOne · Post by **TerribleOne** » 2005-08-12 17:25

Id like to see Mortar's being implemented in the game either as an add on for an existing kit or another class.

Doug97 · Post by **Doug97** » 2005-08-12 17:37

TerribleOne wrote:Id like to see Mortar's being implemented in the game either as an add on for an existing kit or another class.

Yeah, that would be cool. Probably not get the same targetting aids as those in the self-propelled guns.

Or, you can have self-propelled mortars!:

TerribleOne · Post by **TerribleOne** » 2005-08-12 17:41

Well that would be cool but i was thinking about man portable ones. more vehicles could mes the BF up a bit much? wel have to wait and see

Doug97 · Post by **Doug97** » 2005-08-12 17:55

TerribleOne wrote:Well that would be cool but i was thinking about man portable ones. more vehicles could mes the BF up a bit much? wel have to wait and see

Yeah, I know. I guess if we get self-propelled arty we don't need the mortars to be self-propelled. But it would be best to have a mortar 'team', e.g. someone to carry the mortar, someone to carry the ammo and resupply him.

Eddie Baker · Post by **Eddie Baker** » 2005-08-12 17:59

Doug97 wrote:
TerribleOne wrote:Id like to see Mortar's being implemented in the game either as an add on for an existing kit or another class.
Yeah, that would be cool. Probably not get the same targetting aids as those in the self-propelled guns.

Or, you can have self-propelled mortars!:

We do wish to include stationary and self-propelled mortars for smaller scale maps and authenticity. For example, the Marines do not possess any self-propelled artillery, just the LAV-M self-propelled 81mm mortars. They may be getting the HIMARS in a few years, though.

With regards to stationary mortars, they may or may not be man-portable/deployable. The lightest mortar in US service (60mm M224) is operated by a crew of three and weighs close to 50 lbs. fully assembled (carried in three parts when travelling), not including rounds of ammunition and various levels of propellant charges needed to fire it. It is one-man portable and operable in its trigger-fired, handheld configuration, but has limited range because the power of charge that can be used is restricted. I suppose it could be possible for a mortar gunner class with a sidearm and the ability to deploy the M224/light mortar to be backed up by one or two teammates.

In UK service, the very lightweight 51mm platoon mortar (handheld; one-man operation) is being phased out in favor of the L17A1 (AG36) Underslung Grenade Launcher in each fire-team.

As for targeting aids, mortars rely on forward observers in the field and ballistic computers in the fire-direction center, just like artillery batteries. They are working on laser and GPS guided heavy mortar rounds to complement those in-service (laser) and in-development (GPS) for artillery pieces, but none have yet been fielded.

TerribleOne · Post by **TerribleOne** » 2005-08-12 17:59

it would be very cool. id rather have a mortar team then mobile artillery just beause of the diversity you have and the arty doesnt have.

Doug97 · Post by **Doug97** » 2005-08-12 18:25

TerribleOne wrote:it would be very cool. id rather have a mortar team then mobile artillery just beause of the diversity you have and the arty doesnt have.

Well I'd like to see both. Mobile artillery would be very important. What army ever uses artillery that can't be moved?! It's just asking to get taken out in short order by counterbattery fire.

CobraPhantom · Post by **CobraPhantom** » 2005-08-12 18:32

Anything is better than point and click arty

Pak · Post by **Pak** » 2005-08-12 18:39

Heck, even manned stationary artillery would be sweet. All these ideas are awesome.