Greetings Commanders!
As promised in the last DevDiary, we are diving into a new and exciting layer of tactical depth in Armored Brigade II: air assault operations. According to modern U.S. Army doctrine, an air assault is “... a vertical envelopment conducted to gain a positional advantage, envelop, or turn enemy forces that may or may not be in a position to oppose the operation.” However, the concept of vertical envelopment is far from new.
Over two hundred years ago, Napoleon considered attacking Britain by crossing the English Channel with 2,500 hot air balloons. During the Cold War, air assault operations finally became viable as helicopter technology advanced, and armies quickly recognized their tactical potential to insert troops and reposition units swiftly in otherwise inaccessible areas.
In various conflicts—from the thick jungles of Vietnam to the vast deserts of Algeria and the Middle East, and the rugged mountains of Afghanistan—terrain has often limited the manoeuvrability of ground forces. However, these challenges did not halt successful combat operations when commanders could leverage air assault and mobility capabilities. Adding helicopter-borne troop insertions to the game allows players to experience this vital aspect of modern warfare, bringing exciting possibilities to the digital battlefield.
The Realism and Complexity of Air Assault Operations
In military terms, preparing for an air assault mission is far from a spontaneous decision—it requires extensive logistical and tactical planning, often stretching over a 72-hour window. Troops must be prepared, routes and landing zones established, and aircraft readied. Except in rare cases, only units at the division or brigade level have the resources and coordination necessary to conduct effective air assault operations, and even then, only under specific conditions.
Helicopter-borne missions are complex, not only from a logistical perspective but also in terms of their vulnerability to anti-air defences. This is why air assault was never implemented in the original game; the extreme vulnerability and complexity of air operations do not align well with the dynamic nature of the battle generator. The last thing you want is for your troops to fly over a random Gepard or Shilka battery or landing on top of an enemy armoured battalion. As recently as two years ago, we have seen how little it takes for a contested air assault to go awry.
Because of these practical and realism-related constraints, air assault missions in Armored Brigade II are implemented as scripted events, making them available only in pre-designed scenarios. By taking this approach, we were able to maintain the realism that defines Armored Brigade while successfully introducing this new feature. It allows for a smooth integration of air assaults into the flow of battle, preserving the core tactical experience without overwhelming players with too many simultaneous tasks.
Air Assault in Action: What to Expect
In game terms, air assault units function similarly to off-map reinforcements. Instead of instantly appearing on the map, these units can be deployed when certain conditions are met. Scenario designers must purchase the necessary number of transport flights, assign them to the designated ground units, and specify the conditions for their appearance—determining the timing and landing locations as needed.
For example, this could be triggered by a timer or when a player actively chooses to deploy them. This ensures that air assaults retain their high-stakes nature, reflecting the coordination and complexity of actual military operations. Once deployed, transported units arrive in a carefully choreographed fashion. These reinforcements are designed to supplement your front-line troops, bolster defences, or even mount counterattacks as the tide of battle shifts..
Due to helicopter transport load restrictions, air assault forces typically consist of dedicated light infantry. However, certain armoured fighting vehicles, such as the Soviet BMD-1 or ASU-85, are compact enough to be transported by heavy-lift helicopters, enabling assault forces to combine air mobility with a degree of mechanised ground support. Helicopters themselves play a key role in air assault missions, and scenario designers will have plenty of options here: from the nimble UH-1D to the massive Mi-6, as well as newcomers like the Wessex, Chinook, and Sea Stallion.
The Future of Air Assault in Armored Brigade
As with many features in Armored Brigade II, this is just the beginning. The addition of air assault missions introduces a new level of tactical depth, allowing players to engage with the complexities of high-stakes, helicopter-borne operations. This feature also opens up exciting possibilities for future updates and scenarios. We are continuously refining our approach to ensure players experience the full scope of modern military tactics, and we look forward to building on this foundation with further enhancements to helicopter and air support operations.
We hope you will enjoy these new tactical options when Armored Brigade II releases on Steam early 2025, and we look forward to your feedback as you put them into action on the battlefield. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, happy commanding!