Forum > Games Discussion
Armored Brigade II
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - American Vehicle Trailer
Wed, 2 October 2024
Hello Armored Brigade fans. Back in July we had the first ground vehicles trailer, featuring Soviet main battle tanks (MBT), armoured personnel carriers (APC), infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), and self propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG). This month we have a trailer on American ground vehicles and a short article to help you follow along.
Like last time, this is just a small snapshot of key vehicles that are featured in the United States arsenal in Armored Brigade II, stretching from the 1960’s to the late 1980’s.
M48 Patton
The M48 Patton is one of the first American main battle tanks, a true workhorse of the early Cold War.
The M48 Patton was introduced in 1952, just missing the Korean war due to the usual teething process that comes with developing and introducing a new vehicle. If any American tank could be considered a “break” with World War II designs, the M48 is a pretty decent place to draw the line. The bow machine gun, common in WWII tanks, has been deleted, reducing the crew requirement to four men. The vehicle also features a stereoscopic rangefinder and fire control system, significantly improving accuracy and reducing the time it takes to put accurate rounds downrange. The commander also has an armoured cupola that provides excellent visibility and protection while manning his 50 cal. The M48 is the main American MBT of the early Cold War.
Like the T54/T55 the M48 has similar problems, it is an early Cold War vehicle. It’s 90mm gun becomes anemic against more modern Soviet MBT’s like the T-72 or T-80. It’s cast steel hull is also very vulnerable to shaped charges from RPG’s and ATGM’s. Don’t forget that this is still a full-blooded tank. Even if it’s showing it’s age by the 1970’s, if it runs into BTR’s or BMP’s in the open, it will slaughter them. Old MBT’s are still a major hazard on the battlefield.
M60
The M60 is the primary U.S. MBT for the middle and late Cold War. Upgrade variants are in service all the way to the 1990's featuring laser rangefinders and thermal imaging.
The M60 is also – somewhat confusingly – often referred to as the Patton. The reason for this naming tradition is that the M46, M47, M48, and M60 all share a design legacy, with each successive vehicle iterating on the previous design. Technological and design advances were introduced very rapidly in the 1950’s and 60’s, prompting the need for these very rapid upgrades and design changes to counter new Soviet tanks. The M60 still has conventional steel armour, limiting her survivability against HEAT warheads.
That being said, her fire control system and rangefinder are very advanced for the 1960’s, her crew ergonomics are good for the period, and her tall profile allows her to fight very effectively from hull-down positions. The 105mm gun is also very effective against most Soviet tanks, although it will have some issues frontally penetrating T-72’s or T-80’s. The M60 also has a huge number of variants and upgrades such as the AOS, RISE/PASSIVE, A2 Starship, and A3. The A3 in particular is a deadly tank all the way to the end of the Cold War. As an upgraded M60 it features a laser rangefinder, improved fire control system, and upgraded armour package.
IPM1 Abrams
The Abrams is a massive qualitative leap from the M60. With composite armor and an advanced fire control system, she will usually get an accurate shot off before her Soviet counterparts.
The Abrams is a break with the Patton series, a completely new design that incorporates material improvements that make the vehicle leap ahead of anything that came before it. Compared to the M60 the Abrams is much faster, heavier, has a lower profile, and incorporates more electronic interfaces for crew use. The default Abrams still has a 105mm gun that may have issues getting through the front of modern Soviet MBT’s. That being said the fire control system is so good you are almost guaranteed the first hit, vastly improving the odds of a successful engagement. Composite armour also give the Abrams significant protection against both tank shells and HEAT warheads.
The IPM1 is one of the first design improvements over the original M1. The big difference is in the turret, the IPM1’s is longer, features a bustle rack, and has better armour protection. The IPM1 is one of the best tanks in the world circa 1984, but it still is a tank, an expensive commitment of resources that you don’t want to waste in foolish attacks. You don’t want to trade rounds with dug-in ATGM teams or drive your tanks into an urban environment without infantry support.
M551 Sheridan
The Sheridan is heavily armed for her weight and armor. A 152mm low velocity gun can fire both HEAT/HE shells and the Shillelagh ATGM.
The Sheridan has a bit of a controversial history. The big defining factor of the design was to make a tank that could be para-dropped, using a pallet to help cushion the fall. This requirement set weight and size limitations to the design (it needed to fit in the back of a transport aircraft). Rather than a long-barrelled high velocity gun, the army opted for a short 152mm low velocity cannon. This gun could fire shaped charge HEAT shells, high explosive rounds, and the Shillelagh ATGM.
This missile/gun hybrid system ran into serious issues, especially in regards to it’s caseless ammunition. The tank had very little armour and when hit, had a tendency to catastrophically explode. The gun breach was also temperamental and prone to venting toxic gasses back into the crew comparmtent. The army had fast-tracked the vehicle into service before ironing out many of these issues. While many of these problems were eventually fixed via upgrades and retrofitting, the army began to phase out the Sheridan in the late 1970’s after less than a decade in service. Finding a replacement proved a challenge however, and Sheridan’s eventually saw further service in Panama and Iraq as a part of the US Army.
With all that said, the Sheridan is still a useful vehicle. It’s a lightweight platform faster than an M60, and with the Shillelagh launcher she can knock out MBT’s at 2-3 kilometers. The 152mm gun, loaded with high explosive shells, can also wreck infantry. Low velocity guns can after all fit far more explosive filler into their shell.
M113 APC
Lightly armed and armored., the M113 is nevertheless highly regarded as a fast and reliable battle taxi.
The M113 is one of the most prolific armoured vehicles ever designed, with over 80,000 units produced as of 2008. Introduced in the early 1960’s, the M113 was innovative for featuring an aluminum hull and armour, leading to weight savings over traditional steel hull designs. Capable of reaching road speeds of over 60 km/h and carrying a large squad of infantrymen, the M113 is the quintessential “battle taxi”, delivering infantryman to the fight quickly.
The M113 is not designed to fight in the main line of battle. Her 50 calibre machine gun is better suited for self-defence than as an offensive weapon. The hull of the vehicle is only really proofed against shell fragments and rifle calibre weapons. For example, the BTR’s KPV 14.5mm machine gun can rip through the M113 without much issue.
Along with the immense mobility granted by this fast tracked vehicle, protection from small arms and shell fragments is still a huge plus. You can quickly maneuver your infantry through harassing fire into defensive positions. The speed the M113 gives you is an essential component to modern mechanized warfare. Infantry without the ability to maneuver are of extremely limited use on the Cold War battlefield.
M2 Bradley
Inspired by the Soviet development of the BMP, the Bradley is both heavily armed, and capable of carrying infantry. Her TOW launchers and autocannon give the Brad immense firepower, capable of smashing tanks and infantry alike.
Finally we get to the Bradley. Some of you may have seen a certain movie starring Kelsey Grammar about this vehicle. While a very funny film satirizing the foibles of the Pentagon’s procurement system, the Bradley was far from a poor vehicle as the film implied. It is still arguably one of the best IFV’s in existence. Introduced in the early 1980’s, the Bradley is armed with a 25mm bushmaster autocannon, two TOW launchers, and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. With a reasonable road speed of 60+ km/h she is a premier infantry fighting vehicle.
The 25mm autocannon has a dual feed, allowing it to use HE against infantry targets and AP against BMP’s, BTR’s, and even against the sides and rear of Soviet tanks. The TOW is the real killer against tanks however, and with a range of 3,750 meters it can really reach out and hurt Soviet armour. The Bradley is not very heavily armoured however. While capable of defeating lighter cannon fire in her frontal arc, she is not especially well protected against shaped charges or anything heavier than a 30mm auto cannon.
Like many American vehicles her optics, spotting, and ergonomics are far superior to her Soviet counterparts. Getting the first spot and first shot matters a lot in armoured warfare, and the Bradley’s tall profile, good ergonomics, and adequate optics make that a far better chance than their opponents in BMP’s.
Summary
American vehicles have some major advantages over their Soviet counterparts, namely in terms of spotting, ergonomics, and survivability. With careful placement and manoeuvring you can get the first accurate shot off, which is decisive in an armoured engagement. Even if the first shot doesn’t kill the enemy, it will rattle the crew and degrade their vehicle, forcing them to either respond with panicked and rushed fire, or try to seek cover. A plus either way for your side.
Look forward to Armored Brigade II's release November 15th on the Matrix Store.
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - Beta Out Now
Fri, 4 October 2024
Good news for all you Cold War wargame fans out there.
The Armored Brigade II Beta is now live. You can register here for a chance to get an early peak at the game. We are always happy to have feedback from the community, whether you are a veteran tester or a new wargaming fan looking to help us squash some bugs before launch.
Release schedule:
Armored Brigade II is scheduled to release November 15th, 2024 on the Matrix Games store.
Armored Brigade II's Steam release is planned for early 2025.
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - Developer AMA
StartedMon, 7 October 2024
The devs of Armored Brigade II are hosting a Reddit AMA. Post your questions and check back in as the devs reply. This AMA runs until October 14th, so get those questions in!
Be sure to ask us about our unit database. It includes vehicles like the M48...
... all the way to the Abrams!
Asid:
Armored Brigade II - November 19th Release Date
Thu Nov 07, 2024
Hello wargaming fans, we have some good news about Armored Brigade II. We can finally confirm Armored Brigade II will be out on the Matrix Store November 19th 2024.
Earlier this year during our Home of Wargamers event we reported November 15th as the release date. While we were initially aiming for the 15th (the six-year anniversary of the original Armored Brigade) we have decided to move the Matrix store release back a few days so we can launch on a Tuesday.
A Tuesday release also allows us to better support our players if they run into any problems.
Sorry to the fans that planned to play next weekend but you will need to wait a few days more to see our next great 3-D Cold War game in action.
In the meantime why not watch our Home of Wargamers video to get caught up on all the new features, visuals, and massive maps that are on the way?
Asid:
Dev Diary #7 - Air Assault
Fri, 15 November 2024
Greetings Commanders!
As promised in the last DevDiary, we are diving into a new and exciting layer of tactical depth in Armored Brigade II: air assault operations. According to modern U.S. Army doctrine, an air assault is ?... a vertical envelopment conducted to gain a positional advantage, envelop, or turn enemy forces that may or may not be in a position to oppose the operation.? However, the concept of vertical envelopment is far from new.
Over two hundred years ago, Napoleon considered attacking Britain by crossing the English Channel with 2,500 hot air balloons. During the Cold War, air assault operations finally became viable as helicopter technology advanced, and armies quickly recognized their tactical potential to insert troops and reposition units swiftly in otherwise inaccessible areas.
In various conflicts?from the thick jungles of Vietnam to the vast deserts of Algeria and the Middle East, and the rugged mountains of Afghanistan?terrain has often limited the manoeuvrability of ground forces. However, these challenges did not halt successful combat operations when commanders could leverage air assault and mobility capabilities. Adding helicopter-borne troop insertions to the game allows players to experience this vital aspect of modern warfare, bringing exciting possibilities to the digital battlefield.
The Realism and Complexity of Air Assault Operations
In military terms, preparing for an air assault mission is far from a spontaneous decision?it requires extensive logistical and tactical planning, often stretching over a 72-hour window. Troops must be prepared, routes and landing zones established, and aircraft readied. Except in rare cases, only units at the division or brigade level have the resources and coordination necessary to conduct effective air assault operations, and even then, only under specific conditions.
Helicopter-borne missions are complex, not only from a logistical perspective but also in terms of their vulnerability to anti-air defences. This is why air assault was never implemented in the original game; the extreme vulnerability and complexity of air operations do not align well with the dynamic nature of the battle generator. The last thing you want is for your troops to fly over a random Gepard or Shilka battery or landing on top of an enemy armoured battalion. As recently as two years ago, we have seen how little it takes for a contested air assault to go awry.
Because of these practical and realism-related constraints, air assault missions in Armored Brigade II are implemented as scripted events, making them available only in pre-designed scenarios. By taking this approach, we were able to maintain the realism that defines Armored Brigade while successfully introducing this new feature. It allows for a smooth integration of air assaults into the flow of battle, preserving the core tactical experience without overwhelming players with too many simultaneous tasks.
Air Assault in Action: What to Expect
In game terms, air assault units function similarly to off-map reinforcements. Instead of instantly appearing on the map, these units can be deployed when certain conditions are met. Scenario designers must purchase the necessary number of transport flights, assign them to the designated ground units, and specify the conditions for their appearance?determining the timing and landing locations as needed.
For example, this could be triggered by a timer or when a player actively chooses to deploy them. This ensures that air assaults retain their high-stakes nature, reflecting the coordination and complexity of actual military operations. Once deployed, transported units arrive in a carefully choreographed fashion. These reinforcements are designed to supplement your front-line troops, bolster defences, or even mount counterattacks as the tide of battle shifts..
Due to helicopter transport load restrictions, air assault forces typically consist of dedicated light infantry. However, certain armoured fighting vehicles, such as the Soviet BMD-1 or ASU-85, are compact enough to be transported by heavy-lift helicopters, enabling assault forces to combine air mobility with a degree of mechanised ground support. Helicopters themselves play a key role in air assault missions, and scenario designers will have plenty of options here: from the nimble UH-1D to the massive Mi-6, as well as newcomers like the Wessex, Chinook, and Sea Stallion.
The Future of Air Assault in Armored Brigade
As with many features in Armored Brigade II, this is just the beginning. The addition of air assault missions introduces a new level of tactical depth, allowing players to engage with the complexities of high-stakes, helicopter-borne operations. This feature also opens up exciting possibilities for future updates and scenarios. We are continuously refining our approach to ensure players experience the full scope of modern military tactics, and we look forward to building on this foundation with further enhancements to helicopter and air support operations.
We hope you will enjoy these new tactical options on November 19th when we release on the Matrix store, and we look forward to your feedback as you put them into action on the battlefield. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, happy commanding!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page