Mirzayev

This is the first in a series of scenarios designed to familiarize new Steel Beasts players with basic Offense and Defense tasks executed by a Tank Platoon. This series uses US Army Doctrine as a basis, and aims to present the Tank Platoon's role when operating as part of an Armor Company. This series also focuses on introducing concepts within the game to the player, while maintaining a low level of difficulty to reduce frustration during the learning process.
 
Movement to contact is an offensive task designed to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact. It creates favorable conditions for subsequent tactical actions. The platoon leader conducts a movement to contact when the enemy situation is vague or not specific enough to conduct an attack. Forces executing this task seek to make contact using the smallest friendly force possible. A movement to contact may result in a meeting engagement, which is a combat action occurring when a moving force engages an enemy at an unexpected time and place. Once making contact with an enemy force, the leader has five options: attack, defend, bypass, delay, or withdraw. (ATP 3-20.15, Tank Platoon)
 
This scenario has been designed to allow the practice of the following eight (8x) concepts:
 
      i. Conduct maneuver as a platoon.
      ii. Conduct a movement to contact as part of a tank company.
      iii. Conduct an attack by fire to destroy an inferior force.
      iv. Employ mortars to destroy an inferior force.
      v. React to enemy rotary wing assets as a platoon.
      vi. Conduct a reload as a platoon.
      vii. Break contact with a superior enemy force.
      viii. Conduct a hasty attack as part of a tank company.
 
This scenario is rated by the author as very easy, and will likely take approximately thirty (30x) minutes to complete.
 
This scenario heavily favors friendly forces to facilitate a learning environment where tactical mistakes do not mean instant death. AVEPS have been included as a method for identifying tactical errors made by the player(s) by sorting through events during the AAR.
 
Special thanks to ben, Apocalypse, and Rooks and Kings for testing and providing feedback.
 
 

This is the second in a series of scenarios designed to familiarize new Steel Beasts players with basic Offense and Defense tasks executed by a Tank Platoon. This series uses US Army Doctrine as a basis, and aims to present the Tank Platoon's role when operating as part of an Armor Company. This series also focuses on introducing concepts within the game to the player, while maintaining a low level of difficulty to reduce frustration during the learning process.
 
An attack is an offensive task that destroys or defeats enemy forces, seizes and secures terrain, or both. An attack differs from a movement to contact because enemy main body dispositions are at least partially known, allowing the leader to achieve greater synchronization. Attacks incorporate coordinated movement supported by direct and indirect fires. They may be hasty or deliberate, depending upon the time available for assessing the situation, planning, and preparing. The leader may decide to conduct an attack using only fires. (ATP 3-20.15, Tank Platoon)
 
This scenario has been designed to allow the practice of the following eight (8x) concepts:
 
      i. Conduct a forward passage of lines with a unit in contact.
      ii. Control direct fire through the use of fire control settings. 
      iii. Conduct movement and maneuver through restricted terrain.
      iv. Employment of smoke to deny enemy observation and fields of fire.
      v. Conducting an attack by fire.
      vi. Conducting an attack to seize an objective.
      vii. Attacking infantry in fortifications.
      viii. Anticipating and defeating an enemy counter-attack. 
 
This scenario is rated by the author as very easy, and will likely take approximately thirty-five (35x) minutes to complete.
 
This scenario heavily favors friendly forces to facilitate a learning environment where tactical mistakes do not mean instant death. AVEPS have been included as a method for identifying tactical errors made by the player(s) by sorting through events during the AAR.
 
Special thanks to ben, and Apocalypse for testing and providing feedback.
 
 

The Amari 12th Frontier Lancers defeats the Nyumban 11th BTG's spoiling attack to retain key lines of communication. 
 
Player Forces: 
 
Combat Elements:
Note: Each platoon is split into 2x sections for greater deployment flexibility.

1/A - 4x Tigr-M SpN w/ AT-14 Spriggan; 4x Recon Teams w/JIM-LR, Spike-SR, and UAV(M) Swingblade AT
2/A - 4x Centauro B1
3/A - 4x BTR-82A; 10x Infantry Teams w/ Spike-SR
1/B - 4x T-72B3
1/C - 2x Mi-17 w/ AT-2C; 2x Spike-LR Teams (direct support; flight time of 10 minutes to reach AO)
 
HQ Elements:

66/A - CO; 1x BMP-2 w/ UAV(R) Munin
65/A - XO; 1x BTR-82A w/ UAV(R) Munin
9/A - FO; 1x ACRV/MTLB-U w/ FO Team
MTR/A - 2x 2S23 Nona-SVK
HQ/A - 1x Ural-4320/Supply; 1x MT-LBU/Medic
 
Difficulty: Medium/Hard

Time to Complete: Approximately 60 minutes.
 
Special thanks to Apocalypse and ben for testing and feedback.
 
Please send comments, corrections, or suggestions to me at @Mirzayev.

A decisive engagement is when a unit is fully committed and cannot maneuver or extricate itself. The action must be fought to a conclusion and won or lost with the forces at hand. 
 
This scenario is set at the National Training Center and features a late 1990s US armor company team conducting a hasty defense against a Krasnovian tank battalion executing a spoiling attack. The equipment and ammunition used by both sides would have been seen as 'cutting edge' at the time. This scenario is designed to present a challenge to experienced players.
 
This scenario aims to be run as a tactical decision game that can be completed from planning to the AAR within 40 minutes. The recommended timeline for this format is below:
 
Planning - 10 minutes.

Execution - Approximately 20 minutes.
AAR - 10 minutes. 
 
Feedback on this scenario may be sent to the author at steelbeasts.com (Mirzayev) or via Discord (revenant_mz).
 
Special thanks to Nike-Ajax, ben, and Apocalypse for testing and feedback. 
 
 

US - Armored Brigade Combat Team Reconnaissance Troop
 
Combat strength: 
      14x M3A2 CFVs
      11x Scout Teams
      2x Javelin Teams
      1x FO Team
 
Organization:
      2x Scout Platoons consisting of:
         6x M3A2 CFVs with 4x Scout Teams and 2x Javelin Teams
      1x Mortar Platoon consisting of:
         2x M1064 Mortar Carriers
      1x Headquarters Platoon consisting of:
         2x M3A2 CFV (CO and FO)
         1x M577 (XO)
         1x M113A3 (1SG)
         1x M977 HEMTT (Supply)
     1x Medic M113A3 (Troop Medics)
     1x M88A1 (Combat Repair Team)
 
NOTES:
 * Current US Army MTOE uses the M2A3 BFV; the M3A2 was selected as a suitable substitution.
 * The FO's M3A2 CFV may be substituted for an M981 FISTV to trade firepower for optics. 
 * Ammunition quantities do not match the real world equivalent. This was a deliberate decision to emphasize fun over realism.
 * The XO actually uses an M1068; the M577 is suitable substitution.
 * Scout Teams have been equipped with the JIM-LR. 
 * The 2 and 3 element in each Recon Platoon have the Javelin Teams.
 
Recommended callsign template:
     US-generic
         
Made by Mirzayev.
 
To install unzip the file to the following default directory: C:\Users\<YOUR USERNAME>\Documents\eSim Games\Steel Beasts\My Unit Templates\Default
You may also create a folder named US under C:\Users\<YOUR USERNAME>\Documents\eSim Games\Steel Beasts\My Unit Templates and put the file there for better organization.

US - Armored Brigade Combat Team Tank Company
 
Combat strength: 
      14x M1A2 SEP
      1x M3A2 CFV
      1x FO Team
 
Organization:
      3x Tank Platoons consisting of:
         4x M1A2 SEPs
      1x Headquarters Platoon consisting of:
         2x M1A2 SEPs (CO and XO)
     1x M3A2 CFV w/ FO Team (FO)
         1x M113A3 (1SG)
         1x M977 HEMTT (Supply)
     1x Medic M113A3 (Troop Medics)
     1x M88A1 (Combat Repair Team)
 
NOTES:
 * The FO's M3A2 CFV may be substituted for an M981 FISTV to trade firepower for optics. 
 * Ammunition quantities do not match the real world equivalent. This was a deliberate decision to emphasize fun over realism.
 * US Tank Companies use the M88A2; the M88A1 is an appropriate substitution.
 
Recommended callsign template:
     US-generic
         
Made by Mirzayev.
 
To install unzip the file to the following default directory: C:\Users\<YOUR USERNAME>\Documents\eSim Games\Steel Beasts\My Unit Templates\Default
You may also create a folder named US under C:\Users\<YOUR USERNAME>\Documents\eSim Games\Steel Beasts\My Unit Templates and put the file there for better organization.

US - Armored Brigade Combat Team Cavalry Squadron
 
Combat strength: 
      14x M1A2 SEPs
      41x M3A2 CFVs
      4x M3A2 CFVs
      33x Scout Teams
      6x Javelin Teams
      4x FO Teams
 
Organization:

      1x Headquarters and Headquarters Troop consisting of:
         2x M3A2 CFVs (Squadron Commander and Operations Officer)
         *Squadron Staff and Squadron Aid Station (Not modeled)
 
      3x Reconnaissance Troops consisting of: 
         2x Scout Platoons consisting of:
            6x M3A2 CFVs with 4x Scout Teams and 2x Javelin Teams
         1x Mortar Platoon consisting of:
            2x M1064 Mortar Carriers
         1x Headquarters Platoon consisting of:
            2x M3A2 CFV (CO and FO)
            1x M577 (XO)
            1x M113A3 (1SG)
            1x M977 HEMTT (Supply)
        1x Medic M113A3 (Troop Medics)
        1x M88A1 (Combat Repair Team)
 
      1x Tank Troop consisting of:
         3x Tank Platoons consisting of:
            4x M1A2 SEPs
         1x Headquarters Platoon consisting of:
            2x M1A2 SEPs (CO and XO)
        1x M3A2 CFV w/ FO Team (FO)
            1x M113A3 (1SG)
            1x M977 HEMTT (Supply)
        1x Medic M113A3 (Troop Medics)
        1x M88A1 (Combat Repair Team)
 
      *1x Forward Support Company (Not modeled)
 
NOTES:
 * Current US Army MTOE uses the M2A3 BFV; the M3A2 was selected as a suitable substitution.
 * The FO's M3A2 CFV may be substituted for an M981 FISTV to trade firepower for optics. 
 * Ammunition quantities do not match the real world equivalent. This was a deliberate decision to emphasize fun over realism.
 * US Tank Companies use the M88A2; the M88A1 is an appropriate substitution.
 * Recon Troop XOs actually uses an M1068; the M577 is suitable substitution.
 * Scout Teams have been equipped with the JIM-LR. 
 * The 2 and 3 element in each Recon Platoon have the Javelin Teams.
 * The Squadron S3 is normally identified by "33" as his callsign; 65 is used to enable better fidelity at the Troop level. 
 * The Squadron Staff, Squadron Aid Station, and the Forward Support Company are not modeled in this template.
 
Recommended callsign template:
     US battalion 
        * change "HHC" to "HHT" to match current US Cavalry naming conventions. 
         
Made by Mirzayev.
 
To install unzip the file to the following default directory: C:\Users\<YOUR USERNAME>\Documents\eSim Games\Steel Beasts\My Unit Templates\Default
You may also create a folder named US under C:\Users\<YOUR USERNAME>\Documents\eSim Games\Steel Beasts\My Unit Templates and put the file there for better organization.

US - Armored Brigade Combat Team Mechanized Infantry Company
 
Combat strength: 
      14x M2A2 BFVs
      1x M3A2 CFV w/ FO Team
      6x Javelin Teams
      12x LMG Teams
      6x Rifle Teams
 
Organization:
      3x Mechanized Infantry Platoons consisting of:
         4x M2A2 BFVs with 2x Javelin Teams, 4x LMG Teams, and 2x Rifle Teams
      1x Headquarters Platoon consisting of:
         2x M2A2 BFV (CO and XO)
         1x M3A2 CFV (FSO)
         1x M113A3 (1SG)
         1x M977 HEMTT (Supply)
         1x Medic M113A3 (Company Medics)
         1x M88A1 (Combat Repair Team)
 
NOTES:
 * Current US Army MTOE uses the M2A3 BFV; the M2A2 and M3A2 was selected as a suitable substitution.
 * The FSO's M3A2 CFV may be substituted for an M981 FISTV to trade firepower for optics. 
 * Mechanized Infantry Platoons commonly have an FO attached; a JIM-LR was given to the PL to approximate this capability.
 * Rifle Teams, PLs, and PSGs are armed with AT4s and HE/SMK rifle grenades.
 * LMG Teams are armed with the MG4E to simulate the SAW.
 * The 1 and 4 element in each Platoon have the Javelin Teams. 
 * Mech Infantry Platoons have Squads intermixed between vehicles. As a result they normally operate organically until dismounting their troops. 
 * The CO and XO do not have dismounts; the default Rifle Teams have been removed to reflect this. 
 * Ammunition quantities do not match the real world equivalent. This was a deliberate decision to emphasize fun over realism.
 
Recommended callsign template:
     US-generic
         
Made by Mirzayev.
 

US - Armored Brigade Combat Team Combined Arms Battalion (CAB) Scout Platoon
 
Combat strength: 
      3x M3A2 CFVs
      5x JTLVs 
      5x LMG Teams
      3x Rifle Teams
 
Organization:
      1x HQ Section Consisting of:
      2x JTLVs with 2x LMG Teams
      3x Scout Sections consisting of:
         1x M3A2 CFV with 1x Rifle Team
         1x JTLV with 1x LMG Team

NOTES:
 * Current US Army MTOE uses the M2A3 BFV; the M3A2 was selected as a suitable substitution.
 * The VAMTAC ST5 has been selected as an appropriate proxy for the JTLV based on capabilities as modeled.
 * HQ Section JTLVs are armed with the Mk-19 AGL; Scout Sections have the M2HB with Specter 3.4x optic. 
 * LMG Teams are armed with M240s and JIM-LRs. JIM-LRs are an approximation of dismounting the LRAS3 system from the JTLV. 
 * As of version 4.250, there is no current method to model the LRAS3 or similar proxy in a vehicle mounted configuration while maintaining a mounted weapon system.
 * Rifle teams are equipped with AT4s; this is to give the Platoon an organic dismounted AT solution. They are NOT equipped with the JIM-LR to reflect actual LRAS3 quantities.
 * Ammunition quantities do not match the real world equivalent. This was a deliberate decision to emphasize fun over realism.
Recommended callsign template:
     US-generic
         
Made by Mirzayev.
 

US - Armored Brigade Combat Team Cavalry (CAV) Scout Platoon
 
Combat strength: 
      6x M3A2 CFVs
      4x Scout Teams
      2x Javelin Teams
 
Organization:
      2x Scout Sections consisting of:
         3x M3A2 CFVs with 2x Scout Teams and 1x Javelin Team
 
NOTES:
 * Current US Army MTOE uses the M2A3 BFV; the M3A2 was selected as a suitable substitution. 
 * Cavalry Scout Platoons are normally organized into 2x sections as depicted. An alternative is to organize into 3x sections of 2x CFVs each.
 * Scout Teams have been equipped with the JIM-LR. 
 * The 2 and 3 element have the Javelin Teams.
 * Ammunition quantities do not match the real world equivalent. This was a deliberate decision to emphasize fun over realism.
 
Recommended callsign template:
     US-generic
         
Made by Mirzayev.
 

Overview.
 
The purpose of these Fictional Threat Templates is to provide a capable, realistic OPFOR task organization that can be rapidly placed into new scenarios to assist with mission creation. These templates may be edited as appropriate to provide the correct level of challenge for the intended tactical problem. While these formations may have similar aspects to real world military formations, they are not intended to accurately and exactly replicate any specific country's past, or current task organizations. These organizations are built based on formations from the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE,) OPFOR force structure at US Army Combat Training Centers (CTCs,) and from the author's own imagination. 
 
Current Content:
 
Donovia - Mechanized Infantry Battalion Detachment (BDET) - Action Element (Tier 2)
 
The idea behind this fictional template is to depict a Russian-style modern Battalion-sized element that can be readily incorporated into scenarios to present a capable and realistic OPFOR. The Donovian Mechanized Infantry BDET (Tier 2) is based around a BMP-3 and T-90 formation that has been designated as the Action Element of it's higher HQ, a Brigade Tactical Group (BTG). This element is expected to accomplish the BTG's primary task and purpose, and therefor has been task organized with additional attachments to increase its combat power to provide a perceived overmatch versus BLUFOR. For a greater (though less realistic) challenge, see the Tier 1 variant of this formation. The equipment within this unit template enables it to fight effectively during conditions of limited visibility. 
 
 
Donovia - Mechanized Infantry Battalion Detachment (BDET) - Action Element (Tier 1)
 
The idea behind this fictional template is to depict a Russian-style modern Battalion-sized element that can be readily incorporated into scenarios to present a capable and realistic OPFOR. The Donovian Mechanized Infantry BDET (Tier 1) is based around a T-15 and T-14 formation that has been designated as the Action Element of it's higher HQ, a Brigade Tactical Group (BTG). This element is expected to accomplish the BTG's primary task and purpose, and therefor has been task organized with additional attachments to increase its combat power to provide a perceived overmatch versus BLUFOR. This element is equipped with APS, and has the "best of the best" equipment and ammunition that is currently offered by the Russian Federation. This element is provided to serve as a greater challenge; the Tier 2 variant of this unit template is much more likely to be fielded at the quantity depicted here. The equipment within this unit template enables it to fight effectively during conditions of limited visibility. 
 
 
Olvana - Heavy Combined Arms Battalion Detachment (BDET) - Action Element (Tier 2)
 
The idea behind this fictional template is to depict a Chinese-style modern Battalion-sized element that can be readily incorporated into scenarios to present a capable and realistic OPFOR. The Olvanan Heavy Combined Arms BDET (Tier 2) is based around a equal-parts BMP-3 and T-90 formation that has been designated as the Action Element of it's higher HQ, a Brigade Tactical Group (BTG). This element is expected to accomplish the BTG's primary task and purpose, and therefor has been task organized with additional attachments to increase its combat power to provide a perceived overmatch versus BLUFOR. Compared to a Donovian BDET, this formation lacks the overmatch in indirect fires, does not have attack aviation available, and trades the mobility of a Light Recon Platoon for an enlarged Heavy Recon Platoon. This formation is roughly based on the new Chinese-style task organization in a similar manner to an American Brigade Combat Team. The equipment within this unit template enables it to fight effectively during conditions of limited visibility. 
 
    
Planned Future Content:
 
1. A Tier 2 African-style Motorized Battalion, augmented with tanks, roughly based on Angolan Army formations from the mid 1980s. 
2. A Tier 2 South American Combined Arms Battalion meant to represent a more Western-influenced regional power. 
3. Insurgents, Paramilitary Forces, and Militias. 
4. Tier 3/4 variations of all of the above to provide more "historic" options for late-Cold War style scenarios.