Nuclear Option: Open Ocean SAMs
- Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- 7 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Pressure of a Long-Range Threat
If there is one thing Nuclear Option by Shockfront Studios needed, it was a new map with longer distances. While the chaos of a full scale, peer-to-peer, nuclear equipped conflict full of constant ground convoys and aircraft falling from the sky is fun, I personally wanted the ability to have somewhat slower paced, but more complex engagements. On March 24th, 2025, a second map was released with topography that favors beyond visual range engagements. Here, across the open ocean, the unrestricted threat of long-range surface-to-air missiles can truly be felt.
Second Map
Ignus Archipelago is the second map for Nuclear Option. The original map, now known as Heartland, is at roughly 80% land in the areas frequently used by players. In comparison, the archipelago is quite the opposite. Ocean occupies most of it, with few hills and mountain ranges across its islands. Ignus is also quite a large, with map dimensions of 164 x 82 kilometers.
All of this open ocean is ideal for naval based operations, while land based aircraft operations will frequently cover long distances in comparison to the shorter distance flights on the Homeland map which frequently center around large-scale battles between land forces. Gameplay is noticeably different between the two maps.
Purpose Built SAM Sites
During the initial research sessions of this map in the mission editor, my focus first fell onto the air bases and airports across the archipelago that players will use during every session. To my great surprise, four of the islands include purpose built surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites. They can be found on Ashwood, Broken Atoll, Cliffline and Harmony Sands.
Their design is based on real world configurations of semi-permanent / permanent SAM sites. While any anti-aircraft unit in Nuclear Option will fit, these seem to be purpose built for the longest range SAM in the game, the Stratolance R9. It is analog to real world long-range SAM site systems like David's Sling, HQ-9 or MIM-104 Patriot.
The SAM sites features dug outs or earth-barriers for mobile erector launchers, with a raised terrain pedestal for the search and track radar (HLT Radar Truck) in the middle of the installation. There are extra pads that can be used for whatever the mission editor decides, but incorporating a short-range air defense system of some type along with a Munitions Truck seems to be a good use. The Munitions Truck in particular is useful for both keeping the SAM site constantly supplied with missiles while giving players an incentive for hitting the munitions trick, potentially causing it to explode and splash damage the rest of the missile launchers or radar vehicle.
There are a few other areas in the islands that are austere, but compatible with medium and long-range SAM sites.
Area Denial
The long range of the Stratolance R9 is especially prevalent when deployed correctly in the Ignus Archipelago. I would even go as far as describing it as genuinely overwhelming for combat aircraft attempting to approach it without a game plan. So long as the HLT Radar Truck of the SAM site can detect and illuminate incoming targets, they will guide semi-active radar guided missiles from up to 50 kilometers away.
Depending on the aircraft and weapons players are using, even approaching the SAM site is a type of boss battle in itself. With Nuclear Option incorporating radar notch game mechanics and a visual reference in the player's Heads Up Displays suggesting which direction players should turn to defend against incoming missiles with optional use of self-protection jammers.
When approaching from long distance with no terrain to mask behind, players and non-player controlled units must frequently evade while trying to close distance. They will need to choose when to evade and when to press the attack directly into the incoming missiles to close a few more kilometers at a time before turning to evade missiles in the last seconds before impact. It could take a single, unsupported aircraft quite a while to close distance and successfully suppress the SAM site.
The Stratolance is also able to intercept weapons that are attempting to destroy it. Anti-radiation missiles, glide bombs and cruise missiles can be reliably intercepted at maximum range. Even friendly Stratolance missiles engaging enemy aircraft or ordinance can be counter-intercepted by hostile Stratolance SAM sites.
These purpose built surface-to-air missile complexes can be further hardened by surrounding them with short range air defenses (SHORAD) - as they would according to real world doctrine.
Tactics, Technology
The most obvious answer to overcoming such a sturdy surface-to-air missile site would be the use of an electronic warfare aircraft, like the EW-25 Medusa. While it can automatically triangulate the position of radars and share those positions via datalink, the electronic countermeasure pods are the most effective means to suppress SAM sites. However, these jammer pods have a generally effective maximum range around 40 kilometers. With the ECM pods using a capacitor that only lasts for a few minutes at a time, the EW-25 would need to press into the edge of the Stratolance engagement envelope while cycling its jammer pods off and on to suppress the SAM site. With the radar unable to guide missiles, the Medusa or other aircraft have a window to rapidly close distance and attack. While this purpose built technology is great for the EW-25, all other aircraft in the game must do things the hard way over the open ocean.
Saturation attacks from standoff range with air launched cruise missiles, anti-radiation missiles and/or glide bombs can be effective. Though, a large quantity of munitions is needed, as the Stratolance R9 will have ample time to intercept many of these weapons.
The go-to tactic is to rely on radar notching against volleys of missiles to close range with the SAM site and increase the likelihood weapons launched from aircraft reach the SAM site. Flying in at wave top altitude in an attempt to get beneath the azimuth of radar emitters is also possible depending on the topography of the landmass the SAM site is placed on, though players can still expect to notch incoming missile volleys until they are close enough to take advantage of a potential radar blind spot.
A mixture of these tactics and technology is the most effective way to suppress or destroy these purpose built SAM sites.
Skyward's Reception
The impact of these surface-to-air missile sites is substantial in the eyes of the Skyward Flight Media mission editor. Their impacts on gameplay are being further explored, as they are now key parts of two upcoming missions that already have working prototypes. One mission focused on naval rotary wing operations during a raid, and the other focused on long-range suppression of enemy air defense missions against an integrated air defense system.
Look forward to them!
About the Writer
Co-founder of Skyward Flight Media. After founding Electrosphere.info, the first English Ace Combat database, he has been involved in creating flight game-related websites, communities, and events since 2005. He explores past and present flight games and simulators with his extensive collection of game consoles and computers. Read Staff Profile.
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