When WOULDN'T you choose Surge operations?

[Kaida]

Whenever I have the option, I always choose Surge operations for their higher sortie frequency. What's the point of ever changing to Sustained?

[AttorneyAtWar]

Sustained is used during low intensity conflicts usually. Aircraft turn-around during something like counter-insurgency operations doesn't need to be as common. This helps reduce maintenance costs and mechanical failures due to overuse of an aircaft.

[Kaida]

Originally posted by AttorneyAtWar:

Sustained is used during low intensity conflicts usually. Aircraft turn-around during something like counter-insurgency operations doesn't need to be as common. This helps reduce maintenance costs and mechanical failures due to overuse of an aircaft.

Are mechanical failures really simulated? I've seen sometitmes that, especially on a ship, a gun will malfunction, but it doesn't really change anything in terms of your attack.

[Dimitris]

With surge ops, the aircraft have to stand-down after the initial hyperactivity. This is often undesirable (e.g. if you want to maintain a steady rotating patrol).

[Kaida]

Originally posted by Dimitris:

With surge ops, the aircraft have to stand-down after the initial hyperactivity. This is often undesirable (e.g. if you want to maintain a steady rotating patrol).

Oh! Okay! So with lower frequency comes faster sortie downtimes, allowing for steady activity at a more constant rate

[strykerpsg]

I think a good analogy would be comparing a car on a track versus one on a street. The track car can stop, refuel, top some oil off or even change a tire, if needed. The intent is minimal downtime to get done the fastest time possible. However, in the end, a very thorough tear down of the components will need to be done. A street car can run every day but only needs the occasional gas, oil or tire change. However, it's components will not need a major overhaul for many years on.

[spike2071]

I found this page to be an absolute wealth of information. It details the difference between surge and sustained ops, the rationale for it, and real life statistics to back it up.

http://www.warfaresims.com/?page_id=3262