Morrow Aviation Assets

[ArmySGT.]

So far outlined in the 3rd edition and modules the Project has available.

• Autogyro
• OH-6 Cayuse
• CH-47 Chinook
• C-130 Hercules

Any of these can be armed and perform a ground attack role. The Project doesn't appear to offer anything fixed wing with an air superiority role.

That is why I recommend the "light" and properly described defensive fighter for this role, the F-5 Freedom Fighter.

The role of protecting Morrow assets from Soviet air assets, and rogue units of the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican air forces. At the same time without appearing to challenge the legitimate air force of the U.S. government.

[ArmySGT.]

The next asset I would propose........

Aerostats.

These are lighter than air lift vehicles without a crew that remain tethered to a location.

Uses include

• high altitude antennas for greater broadcast and reception range.
• Radio relay for two ground stations over great or elevated terrain, such as mountainous terrain.
• Radar coverage for military and civil aircraft tracking.
• mobile radar coverage by changing the fixed location on a regular basis.
• Radar coverage during unusual weather or storm seasons such as hurricanes or tornadoes. (placed around the perimeter of a storm area or raised in the aftermath).
• long range and ultra long range video surveillance with multiple, all weather, pan/tilt/zoom cameras.
• Navigation beacons similar to the Loran system to guide emergency and relief aircraft.
• long duration air sampling platform for ionizing radiation and chemical warfare agents.

[stormlion1]

I see the Morrow Project having Cargo Planes and other aircraft like that, but I don't see them having any fighter aircraft. Too noticeable to go missing and the Project could depend on USAF or National Guard Aircraft to do any defending as there expected to wake up five years after a Nuclear Strike. There job is to help rebuild, not fight a war. So Cargo Planes and Helicopters. Lots of Helicopters, probably old Huey's as there were plenty made and were pretty rugged. They could serve as a gunship in a pinch but better for moving assets around to aid in the rebuilding project. Plus they don't need a runway like cargo planes.

[RandyT0001]

Maybe Spain's supplemental order of eight AV-8S Matadors in the 1980's were re-routed to the MP. This provide a flight of four at PB and the backup base.

[ArmySGT.]

I see the Morrow Project having Cargo Planes and other aircraft like that, but I don't see them having any fighter aircraft. Too noticeable to go missing and the Project could depend on USAF or National Guard Aircraft to do any defending as there expected to wake up five years after a Nuclear Strike. There job is to help rebuild, not fight a war. So Cargo Planes and Helicopters. Lots of Helicopters, probably old Huey's as there were plenty made and were pretty rugged. They could serve as a gunship in a pinch but better for moving assets around to aid in the rebuilding project. Plus they don't need a runway like cargo planes.

I am not envisioning the F-5s as seeking out to engage Soviet units but, as on hand to protect Morrow Assets solely. On flight of four that covers Prime Base for example. An asset that can be maintained on standby status indefinitely with several pilots qualified for that plane. In this way a round the clock alert could be maintained without exhausted pilots.

[stormlion1]

I am not envisioning the F-5s as seeking out to engage Soviet units but, as on hand to protect Morrow Assets solely. On flight of four that covers Prime Base for example. An asset that can be maintained on standby status indefinitely with several pilots qualified for that plane. In this way a round the clock alert could be maintained without exhausted pilots.

But isn't Prime Base's true defense its being a hidden asset Something a flight of fighters that will have to launch, if only for training give its location away At most I could see a flight of fighters (or maybe just two) hidden at a nearby airfield but I really doubt it. The Project would probably depend on other assets to protect Prime Base. Hidden SAM sites or MAR's Teams.

[ArmySGT.]

But isn't Prime Base's true defense its being a hidden asset Something a flight of fighters that will have to launch, if only for training give its location away At most I could see a flight of fighters (or maybe just two) hidden at a nearby airfield but I really doubt it. The Project would probably depend on other assets to protect Prime Base. Hidden SAM sites or MAR's Teams.

Prime is (was) hidden until activation. In P08 (Prime Base) the Base Commander built the village right at the mouth of the Canyon.

This precipitated the events that takes out the base staff and sets up for the faulty random numbers generator to wake Teams.

So I think, given that, The Project facilities are meant to be hidden until needed. Then at D+ 5 years the Project begins and a huge glowing "open for business" sign goes up over Prime, Regional Bases, and Depots.

That means the defensive nature of the Projects weapon systems (Anti tank but, no Tanks) means local defense of assets and refugees. This then means the need is to be active out to a minimum range, or plan on no assistance from a .mil asset actively engaged in the Soviet attack and invasion.

F-5s are short ranged and rely on a ground station to vector them to a target. Their armament is light and fuel capacity isn't great. The U.S. is fully aware of the capabilities (unless this is a fusion powered F-5!) and the radar profile is stored in the DoD computers for comparison.

Thus, a short ranged F-5 that launches only on command of a ground station and orbits an area no greater than 100 mile radius in a desolate area is going to make the DoD scratch their heads. The .gov remaining certainly would like to take control of or at minimum integrate those F-5s into an overall air defense plan if the project had happened at D + 5 years.

There isn't a .gov or .mil asset until one of the "New Presidencies" can be determined to be legitimate, if that ever happens.

[kato13]

FWIIW I also have a flight of 4 fighter aircraft at my prime. With maybe another 4 at backup prime.

I usually think about having a COIN capable aircraft like the OV-37. As it is developed from a trainer it would attract less attention.

The project built 4 as part of a testing program, but the project was abandoned and as far as the US govt is concerned they are sitting in a warehouse somewhere or were stripped for parts.

[ArmySGT.]

FWIIW I also have a flight of 4 fighter aircraft at my prime. With maybe another 4 at backup prime.

I usually think about having a COIN capable aircraft like the OV-37. As it is developed from a trainer it would attract less attention.

The project built 4 as part of a testing program, but the project was abandoned and as far as the US govt is concerned they are sitting in a warehouse somewhere or were stripped for parts.

I think of the AH-6 as the gunship platform for the Project providing ground support. The F-5 provides Air Superiority (not the best) but, can if necessary deliver air dropped bombs.

The AH-6 little bird or AH-6 Defender are cost effective and capable each with mast mounted sights. The Little bird can sport rockets or gun pods and the Defender two paired pods for up to four TOW II missiles.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/oh-6-pics.htm

[ArmySGT.]

[welsh]

I have to admit, I find the entire idea of air assets to be kind of odd. To have any technologically sophisticated aircraft would suggest a long supply chain and production chain necessary to sustain that aircraft.

That would necessitate fairly simple, rudimentary technologies at play. How long would it take until the parts broke down How much of service team do you need to keep the planes in the air

A ultra-light Ok. A very simple gyro-copter, fine. Ballooners, ok.

A Harrier Jumpjet An Apache gunship

More, I fear it breaks the entire post-apocalyptic vibe of the game. When I think of the post-apocalypse, I am thinking Fallout New Vegas, a Boy and his Dog, Mad Max and the diminishing fuel that exists. I can see Twilight 2000 with the problem of stills and items beginning to fall apart. But we are 150 years from nuclear war and most of the buildings that once existed have crumbled into ruin.

A simple World War 1 era, steampunkish type of air travel, I can see that, but sophisticated helicopter gunships don't seem to fit. I get that it might be cool, but is it logical in a world in which 20th century civilization is gone

[ArmySGT.]

I have to admit, I find the entire idea of air assets to be kind of odd. To have any technologically sophisticated aircraft would suggest a long supply chain and production chain necessary to sustain that aircraft.

That would necessitate fairly simple, rudimentary technologies at play. How long would it take until the parts broke down How much of service team do you need to keep the planes in the air

A ultra-light Ok. A very simple gyro-copter, fine. Ballooners, ok.

A Harrier Jumpjet An Apache gunship

More, I fear it breaks the entire post-apocalyptic vibe of the game. When I think of the post-apocalypse, I am thinking Fallout New Vegas, a Boy and his Dog, Mad Max and the diminishing fuel that exists. I can see Twilight 2000 with the problem of stills and items beginning to fall apart. But we are 150 years from nuclear war and most of the buildings that once existed have crumbled into ruin.

A simple World War 1 era, steampunkish type of air travel, I can see that, but sophisticated helicopter gunships don't seem to fit. I get that it might be cool, but is it logical in a world in which 20th century civilization is gone

The Morrow Project is teams of trained individuals cryogenically frozen and cached with vehicles and equipment. They expect to awaken 3-5 years after the war not 150. The Project would have come online with hundreds of personnel and many secret bases with prepositioned supplies and the industrial equipment to produce more. It is a quirk of fate necessary for the story line that makes it all unravel.

So, essentially for the 5th generation survivors your statement would be true for nearly all encounter groups but possibly two.

[ArmySGT.]

So, it would be just like the Scenarios in other modules to have a Team awaken with a vehicle that isn't quite up to the mission. Such as a helicopter gun ship when they need a five ton truck, or the V-150 APC when the threat is an M-60 main battle tank.

[mmartin798]

The other thing to consider is the rebuilding mission of the Project. We have to assume that vast amounts of infrastructure, thinking mainly bridges here, are gone. This makes moving reconstruction materials difficult by land, but not by air. CH-47 or even CH-53 for moving material, personnel and the like would make a lot of sense to the planners that expect to be doing this 5 to 10 years after the bombs fall.

[stormlion1]

If the Project had aircraft at Prime Base its a pretty good bet they would stockpile plenty of spare parts for them. Up to and including a few spare aircraft in storage and a Hanger Queen for spare parts. But to me I would believe UH-1 Iroquois Helicopters would be the main way for the Project to both defend itself and to move assets about. No need for landing fields, can carry troops or supplies and there would be plenty of helicopters available after Vietnam that could be bought, reconditioned, and stored with no one noticing. They were everywhere after the war. News Helicopters, transports, etc things like that. They would even be hidden as Morrow Industries helicopters until they get stored away. Maybe a few MH-6 Little Birds as well for transporting personnel and for fire support. The main thing is there small and can be easily cached away and don't really require a ton of space for a landing field and are probably better (I'm not sure really) on fuel than some fighters.