MiG-29S
HE Bomber Plane
GUIDE > RTS > WGRD > UNIT
by
Pijove
Posted on May 17, 2021
Introduction
Compared to the other types of MiG-29, the MiG-29S (Fig.) is most similar to the MiG-29A in Wargame: Red Dragon. In this post, I will try not to duplicate writing, so I may brief over certain points. MiG-29A graphic is focused more on my approach to bomb strikes. MiG-29 ASF post has more depth on the stats in Wargame: Red Dragon.
When making an unspecialised deck, this is the amount of activation point required for each slot.
- LOG: 1/2/2/2/3
- INF: 1/2/2/2/3
- SUP: 1/2/2/2/3
- TANK: 1/2/2/2/3
- RECON: 1/2/2/2/3
- VEH: 1/2/2/2/3
- HELO: 1/2/2/3/3
- PLANE: 1/2/3/4/5
The plane tab is the most expensive. For 5 slots, it costs 15 activation points, while most of the tabs it is 10. Also, Planes come in low availability in comparison to ground units, and a maximum of 9 is deployable at one time.
Typical type selection priority:
- ASF; to contest air superiority, deter enemy airstrikes
- ATGM; To knock out high values units like extremely expensive tanks (eg. M1A2)
- SEAD: To suppress/destroy enemy RADAR air defence. Useful in supporting strike or as recon for artillery targets.
- HE Bomber: To harm groups of enemies, especially difficult infantry.
So from this list, HE Bomber is not a top priority in the deck. However, they are a very good tool to have, if used properly. For HE bombers to be effective they need support.
- Recon, to know what units are in the area. Especially AA.
- Exceptional Air optics nearby to detect enemy ASF early.
- ASF to protect them from enemy aircraft.
- SEAD to suppress RADAR AA.
Just a reminder setting your plane to specific hotkeys is very helpful, to coordinate strike easily.
Multi-Role or Bomber?
I compiled two graphics summarising the attributes of both specialised HE bombers (Fig.) and multirole and HE bombers (Fig.). Determining what is “good” is highly dependant on your strategy, game mode, income rate, map etc. Although IL-102 is the more popular choice, for most Russian decks. The MiG-29S suits my playstyle better. (The IL-102 is an extremely good unit!) For me, I like that the MiG-29S is fast (900km/h), high ECM (40%), small turn radius (300) and has “Very Good:300” air optics. This means I can retreat or cancel a strike if conditions are not optimal. (Also I like my strike planes to be of similar speed, to SEAD/ATGM). Note planes rearm at a specific rate. I think it is around 35 supplies per second (loose test). Repairs, fuel require supplies too. Why bother with a multi-role HE bomber?
- When ASF are sabre-rattling at each other, the multirole may attack helicopters. (Fig.)
- Fake Attack runs are more believable with a bomber, use this to trick or bait the enemy.
- If the enemy has very good air defence, they have nullified the bombers primary purpose.
- Can fly with ASF to provide some support if enemy aircraft get too close or need additional missiles. (Like trying to take down an A-10) (Fig.)
Warning! When flying many planes simultaneously make sure they are spaced appropriately or else [AoE] from missiles can decimate them. (Fig.)
Case studies:
I thought I would give some practical examples of the MiG-29S being a useful asset to my deck.
A) Ignorant steamroll attempt
At first glance, it seems like an ok attack (Fig.) (Top left). It has recon, infantry, tanks, and AA. Trying to counter this with tanks or helicopters will likely result in trading heavy losses. I fly my SEAD plane (Top right) to spot if they are rushing with RADAR AA. I spot 4x Gepard & 1x Otomatic, my SEAD destroy 2x Gepard and the Otomatic, before rearming. I use artillery (bottom left) to destroy and keep the two remaining Gepard suppressed, so my MiG-29S can strike without receiving much damage. Finally (bottom right) the stack of 4x Leopard 2A4’s is isolated hiding in the forest without AA. I order both MiG-29S to bomb there, resulting in the destruction of 2, with the other receiving heavy damage. The main mistakes the enemy made were: No ASF challenge my strike runs. Not turning off RADAR AA in presence of my SEAD plane.
B) Opening Land Grab
On this map (Fig. 8), there is madness to capture the middle ASAP. As you can see the enemy is prepared for a grind, with many shock & SF infantry. AA is trying to keep pace (Avenger AA out of the picture), however, it is too slow to prevent my bombing run. In that strike 6x commandos ’90 were destroyed, about ½ a card of infantry. The Main mistake the enemy made was not having ASF deter me long enough for the infantry to disperse away from their transports and that the ground AA was not close enough to cover.
C) Island Isolation
I was very happy when I saw this opportunity (Fig.). Firstly a blob of units wanting to land, which results in an extremely destructive strike. To mop up survivors I would move my recon until it spotted a unit, then I would disengage. Flaring where the enemy was. So when I do strike, it will be more accurate than memorising where I think they were. If I noticed a stray AA missile, I just shot artillery there. The main mistake the enemy made was not being mobile and not trying to remove my presence from the island. If had no units on it, I could not identify where to bomb. Essentially that one recon unit was the downfall of that force. If they keep moving to different locations my bombing would be ineffective. Maintaining air presence is difficult there as is very far from their spawn.
Hypothetical Units.
I like that in-game there are many F-16 variants. I would like more MiG-29 variants like SEAD or ATGM. I checked out some weapons the MiG-29 (Fig.) can be equipped with. Added weapons that are not currently used by MiG-29. Some of the weapons are actually used by different units.
- Rockets:
- 4 × S-8 (similar to S-13 on Mi-17?) (Fig.)
- 6 × S-25 (similar to Su-25 rockets used in-game?)
- Anti-radiation missiles:
- 2 × Kh-31P (similar to Chinese JH-7A’s SEAD missile)
- Air to Surface Missiles:
- 2 × Kh-29L/T/D (The Kh-29L is used by the Su-27M already)
- Anti-ship missiles:
- 2 × Kh-35U (like BAL?)
- Bombs:
- 2 × KAB-500KR TV-guided bombs
- 2 × KAB-500L laser-guided bombs (In-game would be like the Chinese Laser guided Q-5D [HE:15])
- 2 × KAB-500OD bombs
Hope you found some of this information, thanks for making it this far.
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