Hello again folks! Today I'll be testing out the usefulness of the various BLUFOR launchers available to us in game. We'll start out with the standard available anti-tank launchers and move on from there. For the purposes of these tests I have a group of russian armed forces infantry set up in a 50m spread at 5m intervals, a BTR-70, a BMP-2, a T-34, T-55, T-70 and T-90. As well as this if there are multiple versions of a launcher, I will be testing all of the available versions (Ammo and author, not colour scheme) and all will be used with optics if available (SMAW and MAAWS particularly). I will not be testing the RPG-7, RPG-26 or any of the anti air launchers (the stinger is fairly simple, point, lock, shoot. If they flare, repeat process as very few vehicles will be functional after a stinger missile lands)
All rounds will be fired from a distance of approximately 100m, launcher permitting. Shots will be on the rear armour of vehicles, and on a direct impact to the first infantryman in the group.
All tests will be run 10 times for maximum accuracy of results, and I will only be testing damaging rounds. I will also not be testing size and weight, as these are easy enough to spot from a quick glance at the arsenal. See what suits you best.
Etiquette
This is possibly THE most important part of using launchers. As always, follow your standard rules of engagement (Ask your TL or SL if you're unsure of these) and pick only targets that are within your effective range (ranging capabilities of the launcher). Once you have your target selected, designate it to people in the area using local chat to make sure they know what you're looking at and can potentially offer assistance, or prepare for the dismounting crew of the vehicle. This is especially important if the vehicle is close as it will allow your team members to get into an appropriate position of cover to protect them from the blast when your rocket impacts.
Once your launcher is ready, loaded and ranged - make sure your backblast is clear. Have a look behind you to see if anyone is there, and call "Clear backblast!" in local to make sure everybody knows to keep away. Before firing, make sure to call out again - either "Firing", "Rifle!" or something to that effect will normally do the job. Backblast can be fatal - so making sure everyone is clear is your top priority, above engaging the target.
Make sure to carry an appropriate launcher for what you are doing. For standard infantry, the M72A7 should suffice. LAT will want the AT4, MAT the SMAW or MAAWS, and HAT the Javelin.
So, let's get on with the tests.
M72A7 LAW
The effectiveness of this launcher is often contested. As a very light, portable and disposable anti-tank launcher they are often an invaluable part of any infantry squad. Can also be outfitted with a laser, for some reason.
Infantry: Upon testing, the launcher was quite effective against infantry. Killing all within 25m of the blast and causing shrapnel injuries to all outside, some shrapnel even landing close to me.
BTR-70: At 100m, one round was enough to destroy the vehicle on 10/10 tests from different angles on direct impact.
BMP-2: The same results, however the BMP was still able to move and fire for a short while after impact before it started to cook off (thick black smoke as it did so)
T-55: No effect from one shot. However, the M72 was enough to destroy a T-34 in one shot on 10/10 tests.
M136/AT4 - Range 400m
RHS
HEAT
Infantry: Killed only the target of the impact, no injury to other targets
Vehicles: Effective in one round to every vehicle excluding the T-90, which although damaged was still very much operational.
HEDP
Infantry: Very similar effects to the M72A7 round. Killed all infantry within 25m and caused shrapnel wounds to all other infantry, with some shrapnel landing on my position though none impacting me.
Vehicles: Hell, this thing is an M72 in a different package. Effective in one round on all vehicles up to and including a T-34, with no effect on more heavily armoured targets.
HP
Infantry: Same as HEAT. Killed only the impact target with no further injuries.
Vehicles: On 10/10 tests this destroyed every vehicle, including the T-90 in one round. Even able to destroy a T-90 from a glancing blow to the front armour. For the RHS version of the launcher, I'm calling this my "writer's choice". A fantastic launcher to carry.
SMAW - Range 500m
RHS
HEAA
For this test I will NOT be testing the NE rounds.
Infantry: Killed all infantry within 25m, wounds out to 50m were minor.
Vehicles: Effective on all vehicles from all angles. Definitely my "writer's choice" for the SMAW
HEDP
Infantry: Killed all infantry within 30m, knocked out and eventually killed out to 50m.
Vehicles: Effective on vehicles up to and including the T34, no damage any higher than this.
M3 MAAWS - Range 900m
RHS
HEAT
Infantry: Killed all within 25m, no injuries to others
Vehicles: Simply put this launcher is terrifying. Able to destroy everything except the T-90 on even the worst of glancing blows, with the T-90 surviving these with severe damage inflicted. Nothing stands up to the MAAWS HEAT rounds which makes them my writer's choice for this launcher
HEDP
Infantry: Killed all within 25m, injuries out to 50m.
Vehicles: Destroyed everything up to the T-55 in one round, able to damage tracks of a T-72. A nice middle of the road round.
HE
These rounds are particularly nasty due to their ability to be set up for an airburst. Using the scroll wheel, you can set up a distance after which the round will detonate, drastically improving it's effectiveness against infantry.
Infantry: Immediately killed all within 50m. Placed more to check and there were minor injuries out to 100m.
Vehicles: Able to destroy everything up to and including the BMP-2 in one round. No damage to other vehicles.
JAVELIN - Range Approx 2000m
RHS
Infantry: Killed within 5m of blast, no further injuries.
Vehicles: Destroyed everything, including the T-90 even up to 2km away. The top attack ability of these launchers makes them very, very deadly.
Summary
M72: If you have the carry weight available, there is almost no excuse to not carry one of these. Perhaps not the most effective launcher on earth, but in a bind it will most definitely be better than grenades or nothing at all.
AT4: Light and flexible. Top choice for an LAT who's hoping to put the hurt down on anything but the heaviest armour.
SMAW: Unfortunately living in the shadow of the MAAWS. A fantastic launcher in it's own right, but just not flexible or deadly enough to compete.
MAAWS: Medium weight, high effectiveness. Able to deal with just about every target in it's range. This is my writer's choice launcher and the epitome of MAT.
JAVELIN: Long range, deadly but very bulky. Top and only choice for HAT. My recommendation is the RHS version due to it's extra effectiveness against infantry.
Like last time, I will be adding more to this over time and adjusting what is written to better reflect the point I was trying to get across.
Curiosity question - did you try shooting at the top-side of tanks? Often, AI tanks expose super squishy roof armour by climbing up hills in front of you.
I cooked a T-34/85 with a MAAWS HE into the top-side of the engine block at the rear.
Event Date: Thursday, 27 April 2017
Event Time: 1600 UTC (see what time that is for you!)
Description: A training session for our newest of players to be introduced to the fundamentals of AWE gameplay.
Topics to be covered will all be accompanied by at least some hands-on practical parts. This session will include:
AN/PRC-152 personal radio use
How to do a radio check
cTab basics
Medical basics - bandages and common drugs
Brief rundown of roles in a fireteam
Basics of buddy teams
Getting to know the AT4 at the range
Of course there's always time for questions, so if anything is unclear, feel free to ask!
---
Our training sessions have finally returned after an unexpected hiatus. We used the time to refine the contents and methods of each session, so thanks to everyone who attended our impromptu training the other week. And special thanks to those who submitted their input on how to improve!
We hope to see you around and stay tuned for future rotations.
As the CSAT Supreme Commander I can confirm that the ninja trees are being paid by us to disrupt your air traffic, deal with it! >:] (just kidding)
I've got an i7 6700k, 16gb ram, run it on an SSD and have the 64bit, draw distance set to max, however for objects in air it is set to 5 or 6km I believe and this still happens to me occasionally.
And here I thought that the most deaths are caused by lack of situational awareness and improper risk management (-:
Vegetation pop in has some known solutions. Do you need help with that?
What is your object draw distance set to? What is your terrain detail set to? Are you running 64bit executable? How much RAM do you have or/and do you run Arma from SSD?
Just got my hands on these puppies... (rudder / anti-torque pedals under the desk)
You'll catch me on EU1 or EU2, in one of two states:
Flying like a sensible person in the advanced flight model; or
Flying like an epileptic bat in the standard flight model
Apologies to anybody with OCD for the cables.
PC specs:
CPU - AMD FX4350 [email protected], [email protected] (had to get watercooling for this :P)
Mobo - old piece of crap (updating this soon, for one with an Intel socket)
RAM - 32GB DDR4 HyperX Fury
GPU - GTX 1070 6GB (with core & memory OC'ed via aftermarket software)
A 250GB SSD, 3TB main HDD and of course all the Razer fanboy accessories...
Just got my hands on these puppies... (rudder / anti-torque pedals under the desk)
You'll catch me on EU1 or EU2, in one of two states:
Flying like a sensible person in the advanced flight model; or
Flying like an epileptic bat in the standard flight model
Apologies to anybody with OCD for the cables.
PC specs:
CPU - AMD FX4350 [email protected], [email protected] (had to get watercooling for this :P)
Mobo - old piece of crap (updating this soon, for one with an Intel socket)
RAM - 32GB DDR4 HyperX Fury
GPU - GTX 1070 6GB (with core & memory OC'ed via aftermarket software)
A 250GB SSD, 3TB main HDD and of course all the Razer fanboy accessories...
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