How to use the Soviet MT-LBu 1V14?

[rocketman]

The description in the manual states that it is used as a "battery command and forward observer variant equipped with extra communication and observation equipment". How does that work in the context of the game. Does it have to have a FO as a passanger or can the FO be right next to it to benefit from the equipment? I wish the manual would elaborate a bit (that goes for the other modern titles too) on how and what this kind of equipment does and how I as a player best can benefit from it.

[domfluff]

I haven't tested the vehicle in CW (aside from noticing that it's currently bugged when unbuttoned in a pretty funny way), but vehicles like the Bradley FIST in CMSF have the effect of reducing call-in times - an FO might have a 4 minute call in, but the same FO in a FIST might have a a 2 minute call-in, artillery type and soft factors depending.

Having access to a radio has a similar effect in general terms, so it's probably similar here - if you're planning to test this, what I'd suggest testing (and what I'd expect to see) is that the FO has the same effect on call-in times if they're physically in the vehicle, or if they're in the same action spot.

[Der Zeitgeist]

27 minutes ago, domfluff said:

I haven't tested the vehicle in CW (aside from noticing that it's currently bugged when unbuttoned in a pretty funny way), but vehicles like the Bradley FIST in CMSF have the effect of reducing call-in times - an FO might have a 4 minute call in, but the same FO in a FIST might have a a 2 minute call-in, artillery type and soft factors depending.

Having access to a radio has a similar effect in general terms, so it's probably similar here - if you're planning to test this, what I'd suggest testing (and what I'd expect to see) is that the FO has the same effect on call-in times if they're physically in the vehicle, or if they're in the same action spot.

It doesn't work like in CMSF though. The FO team riding as a passenger in the MT-LBu doesn't actually use the optics of the vehicle, and it doesn't get the same contacts the vehicle spots with its optics.

[Redwolf]

In CW the vehicle cannot spot on its own and a FO riding in it gets no benefit.

[domfluff]

Yup. Doing some quick tests. An FO with off-map mortars only gets the benefit of the radio, and nothing more (this typically seems to shave a minute off, with Regular factors) - there doesn't seem to be a difference in sitting in the artillery observation vehicle over a BMP or Zil-131.

[rocketman]

Ok then, seems like little use of it then

Problem with having the FO on for a ride is that the vehicle is more likely to have to expose itself to enemy vehicles which will likely kill the FO. Better stay outside then. @domfluffhow is it bugged when unbuttoned - I haven't seen that (yet).

[domfluff]

 

(Has been reported) This one might just be this scenario though, since I can't make it happen outside of this.

[IICptMillerII]

2 minutes ago, domfluff said:

 

(Has been reported) This one might just be this scenario though, since I can't make it happen outside of this.

Which scenario?

 

[domfluff]

Hunter or Prey (I sent you the save file for this one).

[IICptMillerII]

Just now, domfluff said:

Hunter or Prey (I sent you the save file for this one).

Ok, thanks! The save was included with the bug report. I'll make a note that it appears to only happen in Hunter or Prey. Thanks!

[domfluff]

 At least with the above testing. It could probably do with some more poking.

[SpitfireXI]

54 minutes ago, Der Zeitgeist said:

It doesn't work like in CMSF though. The FO team riding as a passenger in the MT-LBu doesn't actually use the optics of the vehicle, and it doesn't get the same contacts the vehicle spots with its optics.

So there is benefit to having a FO in a FIST but not an FO in the MT-LBu?

[Redwolf]

23 minutes ago, SpitfireXI said:

So there is benefit to having a FO in a FIST but not an FO in the MT-LBu?

Can't test that since I can't find the Bradley Fist in the game.

[IICptMillerII]

3 hours ago, Redwolf said:

Can't test that since I can't find the Bradley Fist in the game.

The BFIST wasn’t around till the 90s. And the FIST-V (modified M901) didn’t show up until the late 80s. 

[Stagler]

Im sure in CMBS you can use the vehicle itself to call fires. In CW it cant do that, which is a bug?

[domfluff]

Doing a couple more tests of the unbuttoning - still haven't seen it outside of that scenario, but the unbuttoning is a bit weird. The driver tends to jerk up in his seat before bobbing back down. Essentially, I think something's a bit screwy with this one.

Edited May 5, 2021 by domfluff

[chuckdyke]

1 hour ago, Stagler said:

which is a bug?

Something like a 30-year advancement in technology? Nowadays every kid on the block has a cell phone. Maybe every trooper has comparable technology inside his or her helmet. 

[Combatintman]

2 hours ago, Stagler said:

Im sure in CMBS you can use the vehicle itself to call fires. In CW it cant do that, which is a bug?

I think it most definitely is - the vehicle is a dedicated observation post vehicle and should be employable as such.

[Haiduk]

On 5/4/2021 at 10:39 PM, rocketman said:

The description in the manual states that it is used as a "battery command and forward observer variant equipped with extra communication and observation equipment". How does that work in the context of the game. Does it have to have a FO as a passanger or can the FO be right next to it to benefit from the equipment? I wish the manual would elaborate a bit (that goes for the other modern titles too) on how and what this kind of equipment does and how I as a player best can benefit from it.

In real life 1V14 equipped with laser range finder, viewfinder, night vision device (allows to spot up to 1200 m in conditions - stars+1/3 of moon) - all this equipment mounted in the turret, stereo-rangefinder, artllery compass. Almost all this equipmnet can be moved outside 1V14 hull and set up nearby. Usually 1V14 has own position near the command post of battalion commander, to which this battery is attached, so 1V14 in this case should locate in 2-2,5 km from forward positions of battalion and maintain proper observation of battlefield. This names "main observation post" (MOP). Important remark - in real life 1V14 was "zero point" for artillery. For more precise own position coordinates determination it had to use own gyroscope during 40 min after deployment. Or to use more simplified device, but in this case coordinates error was much significant. 

In defense 1V14 crew mostly worked outside vehicle and dug special trenches for own work near it. If need battery commander could to establish one or two other observation posts - "forward observation post" (FOP) and "side observation post" (SOP). Usually forward observation post was composed from battery's command platton leader (only officer could be a spotter) and two soldiers-artilery recons, which just operated with optical devices and radio. In the game such FOP represented like "spotter team" in BMP/BTR task forces or in "specialist teams". This post have mostly only binocular and artillery compass, sometime stereo-range finder and operates in forward lines of infantry, transmitting target's data to 1V14 via wire phone or radio. After this battery commander processed its and transmitted to 1V15 vehicle of senior battery officer (off-map), there this data processed again and transmitted to the main gun, relatively which other guns made adjustments. 

SOP could be esteblished from other personnel of battery's command platoon, but usually it was PRP-3 tracked vehicle from artillery battalion, which could be attached to motor-rifle battalion too if this battelion operated on some important direction. PRP-3 isn't represente yet in base game, but can appear in the module.

[Stagler]

11 hours ago, Combatintman said:

I think it most definitely is - the vehicle is a dedicated observation post vehicle and should be employable as such.

Okay, yeah it wasnt just me being daft.

How do i report this as a bug then?

[Halmbarte]

I’ve been able to use them and the crew dismounted to call fire. 
 

The vehicle has all the armor of a yellow bus so exposing it to fire is a good way to lose a FO team and those are rare enough already. I typically use the vehicle for mobility and run it up using covered routes to get closer to a good position for observing. Dismount the crew to sneak into position to call or adjust fires. 
 

H
 

 

[Redwolf]

53 minutes ago, Halmbarte said:

I’ve been able to use them and the crew dismounted to call fire. 
 

The vehicle has all the armor of a yellow bus so exposing it to fire is a good way to lose a FO team and those are rare enough already. I typically use the vehicle for mobility and run it up using covered routes to get closer to a good position for observing. Dismount the crew to sneak into position to call or adjust fires. 

I just tested again who can reach the batteries:

- the vehicle with its crew sitting in it can not

- an observer team inside the vehicle can

- the dismounted crew can (although inside the vehicle it could not)

[rocketman]

11 hours ago, Redwolf said:

I just tested again who can reach the batteries:

- the vehicle with its crew sitting in it can not

- an observer team inside the vehicle can

- the dismounted crew can (although inside the vehicle it could not)

Good to know, but still does feel not quite right that they can't do it from inside the vehicle.

[Halmbarte]

Crew in the vehicle is running artillery strikes in the 2nd Soviet training mission. 

 

H

[Haiduk]

I'v found if you purchase 1V14 as single vehicle it can't call artillery. You can buy spotter team for it and spotter team will call arty inside or outside vehicle, but vehicle itself will not.

But if you purcase 1V14 in composition of battalion task force it will call arty even w/o spotting team inside. 

In real there will be normal situation, when 1V14 havn't call artiilery itself. This is just transport and radio communicator between spotting team and guns position. Spotting team finds the target and just send some data to radio operator inside 1V14. But, of course with losing of 1V14 they have to lost opportunity to call fire.  

PS. With destroyed 1V14 spotter team keeps opportunity to call fire. This is already a bug.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Haiduk