Era

[geoff]

Hi

I'm wondering, in real life, whether exposive reactive armor such as on the soviet tanks can be "set-off" by machine gun or cannon fire, and therefore whether it is a vaild tactic to engage a tank with machine gun or cannon fire before engaging with a "proper" AT weapon.

And if so, is this modeled in Win SMBT? I see in the game guide that ERA can be used up by repeated AP and HEAT hits, but cannon fire or maching gun fire isn't mentoned.

Secondly, how easily can used ERA slabs be replaced? Again, a real life question - I know this would be outside the game scale of Win SPMBT.

Geoff

[scorpio_rocks]

My understanding is that the outer plate of the era block has to be penetrated for the era to "go off" and this is probably impervious to small arms fire (not sure about heavier MGs). Cannon fire if AP or HEAT will set it off and is modelled in game I believe.

This is especially true of systems such as NERA and NxRA (no explosives).

The individual "cells" are bolted on, so I assume fairly easy to fit (may be a whole different ball game removing the remains of one that has been "set off").

[Mobhack]

It is modelled, but is such an insignificant tactic as to be rather worthless.

- you, as the firer, don't get told if an ERA block is removed (the owner could find out by examining his unit data, and looking at every face to see if any are lower than "book")

- Each unit hit has potentially 8 faces + top -> 9. That's any follow-on shots attempting to hit any potentially reduced face has that many chances, modified for direction of incoming fire.

- Shooting at something tends to draw return fires. That can be fatal, especially for light armour like APC and armoured cars.

- Not every non-penetrating hit will remove an ERA block.

- The weapon must be big enough to remove a block - I think 30mm+, but more effective with say 76mm+.

So it would really only be a desperation tactic.

Any ERA removal would be a side bonus - the fire itself could add suppression and possibly break tracks if lucky esp. with larger warhead size. That is more noticeable and effective than simply trying to remove the ERA coating.

[geoff]

OK, thanks for the info.

[Imp]

Having said the above especially if several are in the same or adjacent hexes it is worthwhile firing a couple of rounds of HMG or GL fire to cause suppression.
Its why I buy APCs/IFVs before tanks, if they have auto cannons & open up when the tank moves into view the suppression can save your tank if it misses.
Nothing to do with stripping ERA mind but I suppose this will help though you might like to read this.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=44363