Fleet Tactics Notes {FT}

Introduction
The purpose of this course will be to teach you how to use tactics in such a manner as to not only survive an engagement, but also to successfully minimize the amount of damage your ship sustains during the engagement. Most often officers confuse tactics with the use of strategies. For us to effectively teach the use of tactics we must first learn the differences between strategies and tactics. Strategy is the act of assembling an entire Fleet and then deploying it to a desired location where it will then be tactically deployed for maximum effect against an enemy force. Tactics on the other hand deal with the specific maneuvering or deployment of forces, once they reach the system or combat area, in such a manner as to achieve a desired end, aim, and or goal. Typically the Imperial Navy Fleet Commander will be responsible for handling the strategy used to deploy the Fleet to a desired location for combat. Once the Fleet has reached its strategic point however, it is then up to the Battlegroup Commanders and Ship Captains to ensure that the proper tactics are carried out with each Ship to ensure that they achieve the desired effect. This course will concentrate on the types of tactics and tactical formations that could be used once a force has been deployed to its assigned location.

In this course you will learn how to visually identify the tactics your enemy is using, and how to counter them with alternate formations, tactics and maneuvers. Due to the limits in size and scope of these courses, this will course will touch on the most infamous and common formations and tactics that have used in fleet combat.

Tactical Formations
In this section you'll learn that there are many ways to deploy a squadron of ships in such a manner so as to overwhelm your enemies. Ships almost always move in some sort of formation, yet there are many types of formations that can be used, so for the time being we'll concentrate our attention on the most basic and often used formations.

Line Formation :
This formation and principle is perhaps the oldest in known history. Ships simply line up in a single line formation and proceed to sweep across the battlefield while projecting a massive laser barrage at the enemy. Typically in this formation the enemy is hit hard and the overall effect is devastating. However, while there may seem considerable advantage to this formation, in principle it is equally flawed, as it tends to leave the formation open to attack from the flank. Therefore ships should only be deployed in this formation in the event that all indications demonstrate that the enemy will be contained within the fields of fire and are unlikely to attempt a flanking maneuver. Dividing a force in half, and then deploying them in this formation on either side of the enemy, offers an opportunity to divert the enemy fire and attention from one primary force, and it also provide parallel fields of fire against the enemy.

Chimney Formation:
This formation is typically used whenever the enemy is in a staggered and unleveled formation. It derived its name from the very nature in which the ships are deployed, in a tall single line stack. But in this case, instead of the fire being diverted upwards through the chimney, the chimney formation itself presents a considerable amount of firepower and devastation. This formation allows starships the ability to attack at all levels and prevent against possible flanking attacks. The one key advantage to this formation is that it allows for a sustained frontal attack, which is typically where the heavier weaponry on most advanced starships is located. The use of this formation with a group of ISD-II's or VSD-II's offers quite a considerable opportunity to effectively utilize their firing arcs. The sheer number of cannons and other assorted weaponry from such starships would be capable of sustaining serious damage and casualties on an enemy force of any size or strength. Typically this would be best utilized when an entire Battle Group is deployed to a specific combat mission. Probably the biggest advantage to this formation is that in the event of a possible flanking attack, every other ship has the capability to immediately change its heading to project additional firing arcs aft of their companion vessels from the port or starboard sides. In addition, this allows those same ships to also continue firing from the opposite side of the ship, maintaining its firing arcs on the original targets.

Block Formation:
This formation is also known as the "Wall of Battle" and is perhaps one of the most devastating. A typical formation in which ships are tightly stacked at multiple layers one ship wide in order to maximize both frontal and broadside firepower. A key advantage to this formation is that it prevents an enemy force from simply forcing their way through since even the largest gap in the formation still leaves the potential for a massive barrage of firepower from the remaining ships. A fleet moving forward in this formation will be capable of sustaining serious damage to an enemy of even equal strength. Typically this formation is utilized in circumstances in which the goal is to blockade an entire planet and prevent any transports or supply convoys from reaching the populace below. This formation is also highly effective against an opposing force attempting to utilize the Ackbar Slash tactic, which will be discussed later in this course.

Broad Formation:
Similar in nature to the Chimney formation, this formation allows for sustained firepower against an enemy force that is deployed at the same level of flight. A huge advantage to this formation is that it prevents an enemy force from attempting to circle and flank the fleet. However, if an enemy force were to slip in from directly behind the fleet, the potential of serious damage exists since most capital ships lack the ability to cover their six due to the cannon emplacements. A key focal point to keep in mind is that this formation does allow for the outer lying ships to break formation to go after fleeing ships or other targets, and do so without giving up the ability to provide sustained firepower from the sides. ISD's and VSD's have the tactical advantage in this formation since they have the highest number of weapons that can be utilized in a fore firing position. Most enemy ships will try to avoid going head-to-head with an ISD or VSD for this primary reason.

Tactics
Tactics come from years of combat experience and training. Officers can be trained on tactics, but it is the experience learned on the battlefield that ultimately provides the most useful lessons. However, in this course we will try to teach you some tactics that may help you survive to fight another day, possibly longer.

Ackbar Slash:
One of the most infamous tactics ever used in modern space combat. Although a traitor to the Empire, Rebel Admiral Ackbar's tactics are widely studied by Imperial Naval Officers, mostly due to the fact that in the past they have proven deadly and costly to Imperial forces. The Ackbar Slash is one of those tactics widely studied, and for this reason has been included in this course. The aim of the Ackbar Slash is to allow a force of weaker strength to blast their way through a superior force by placing your ships in a single line formation and pushing straight through the center of the enemy forces at top speed. It also greatly limits the enemy fleet the ability to fire at more than one target directly ahead of them, as well as providing them a limited field of fire. When this tactic is carried out, it tends to leave the opposing force confused and disorganized as they maneuver to attack and chase after the fleeing force. In addition, as your fleet passes through the heart of the enemy force, it leaves open a far greater opportunity for them to inflict damage upon their own friendly vessels. The first time Ackbar used this tactic it resulted in significant damage to the Imperial Fleet he was engaged against.

Blind Hit :
One of the oldest tactics around, it has been widely used since the first days of aerial combat. Here you position your fleet so that they are visually hidden or obscured by the brilliant light from a nearby sun or other bright source. In this tactic the enemy fleet may pick you up on sensors, but visually you are nearly invisible within the light or rays of the light source. During the temporary confusion of your enemy trying to locate your fleets actual position, you can then move in at top speed and inflict maximum damage on them as they attempt to maneuver their vessels into defensive positions. The chances of your enemy being able to mount an effective counter attack is extremely limited since they will have already sustained serious casualties and damage by the time they are able to regroup. If performed correctly this tactic can allow you to completely wipe out the opposing force in one single blow. This tactic is even more deadly when an INT is used in conjunction and can trap the enemy vessels, preventing them from fleeing before the trap is sprung. Another advantage to this tactic is that when used in conjunction with a sizeable starfighter force, their added speed and armament provide a spearhead with your attack, rapidly clearing out the enemy starfighters and smaller vessels in your path as they emerge from the confinement of the light source. I've personally used this tactic many times in combat. Nothing frustrates and confuses your opponent more than not being able to visually see you, no matter how much technology they may be surrounded by.

Exchange :
One of the most rudimentary tactical situations around, it's been widely used in countless ship engagements. Ships simply fly past one another and blast away, but that's basically putting a simplistic spin to the tactic. In truth, the ship with the most firepower and greatest accuracy will ultimately be the victor. Yet, the smallest maneuver in such a situation could also cause the possibility of being rammed, or even being accidentally fired upon by a friendly vessel. Ship Captains that find themselves engaged in such a tactic should be fully aware of what is around them, and have an alternate tactic already in mind as soon as the exchange of fire begins. The one ship within the Imperial Fleet that stands the highest chance of surviving an exchange of firepower in this manner is the ISD-II. Simply put, there isn't another capital ship in the entire galaxy capable of putting forth as extensive an amount of firepower through each firing arc as an ISD-II. Typically most New Republic cap ships will attempt to maneuver away from this tactic in order to avoid complete destruction or severe damage. This tactic is even more dangerous and practical when other Imperial cap ships join an ISD-II during the attack.

There are endless other tactics, but these are the most commonly used. It is the desire of the Imperial University to help teach new officers the basics through which they can then begin to develop their own tactics to ensure that the ships and crews survive any combat engagement. What tactics you develop and employ during your career may be added to this database at a later date to help provide more advanced training to future captains. Remember, without the fleets your planets and systems are left largely undefended and vulnerable to invasion.