General

I am not well versed in helicopter ASW operations. I am interested in learning more about how to implement such things in H4.1. So, I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers. 1) During a Tactical Turn, are sonobuoys dropped before or after the helo moves? Although it is not usable for another Tac Turn, the location may be important if the helo and sub are moving in opposite directions. Every inch might count. 2) Are sonobuoys sensitive enough to classify targets? 3) I saw some good info in the HCE forum covering aircraft ASW ops, but I don't know if it's the same for helos. Does anyone know about standard search patterns for helos? With the limited numbe…

File Name: Indian Ocean Escort Scenario File Submitter: kmart494 File Submitted: 13 Nov 2015 File Category: Scenarios This is a blank scenario file for the Indian Ocean Escort scenario from Harpoon Naval Review 2003. The map and scenario file must be in the same SimPlot scenario folder (or sub folder). There are no starting units since their locations are determined by the referee or player. Click here to download this file

Last night I played a scenario where an Arleigh Burke DDG is attacked by SS-N-22 missiles fired from a Sovremenny DDG. The Sov had Helix AEW support but the Burke had no copter on board, and so detection of inbound missiles was limited to the SPY-1 radar. Here was the problem. After the 1st move phase of an Engagement Turn the Sunburns were just outside the radar horizon of 24 nm and are still undetected. In the 2nd move phase the missiles are 6.9 nm closer. But, since the ship had no prior detection of the missiles, the Burke cannot see or fire on them in the 2nd fire phase, right? If so, then the missiles move another 6.9 nm (1st move of next turn) but techn…

Hey everyone, just finishing off my collection of Naval Sitrep pdf e-zines. I was wondering if anyone knew where i could get hold of editions 1 to 14? They used to be on another site which closed and was never transferred. Wargames Vault doesn't have them. If anyone could tell me you'd make my year!

Harpoon: Captain's Edition - Hunter Killer (Hexsides & Hand Grenades blog)

I am still in the process of learning the rules for the paper edition. I recieved the introduction box set without the 2 player cards. Is this something I could gin up with a word program? Any and all advice, shortcuts et al is greatly appreciated!!!!!! Seth

Sorry guys, but, as I go along trying to play a scenario, I get a lot of doubts. One is this: SITUATION: A frigate launched a helicopter that has no radar. An enemy ship (small) is about 70 nm. distance. From altitude of 900 m. (low) helicopter (in optimal weather conditions) has a visual LOS (med alt vs. small ship) of 79 nm. Question 1: being the enemy ship in the visual LOS of Helo, is the mutual visual detection automatic, or we have to roll a die? Question 2: assuming that the helicopter has spotted the ship, is able to communicate the exact location to its mother ship, so that she can, for example, launch Harpoons? Or we need to wait until the ship has its own r…

I created a simple plotter (SimPlot) program that automates the process of moving units on a simple x,y coordinate system. The objective is to get myself to play H4 paper rules more often by eliminating the problems of graph paper or Neptune's Cat attacks for tabletop games. SimPlot will track time and motion of units. It will also provide range and bearing info to other units. Units can automatically follow other units that are selected as "targets." Unit movement tracks and times can be displayed in case you want to see where you have been. How about a few screenies? Well, the image came out smaller that I wanted, so I hope you can still read it. …

Hi boys, I have another question for you experts. My question is about the rules for launching missiles from a ship. The manual (i refer to H.3 annex 1990-91, but you can answer also referring th H.4 paper rules) says that the general procedure stipulates that a ship may engage: - As many targets as it has directors (so one target per director) - Weapons without directors, may engge only one target for the turn (Although they may fire Opinions more than one weapon per turn at the target (apart Aegis exception) - Unless otherwise Stated in the remarks, each weapon (except guns) may fire only one round (missile, torpedo) for tube (...) So, if I understand, for example, a s…

Models for those who aren't very crafty. I'm going to try to make their BMP-1; I'll let you know it goes.

Hi, boys, I have a question for you. Apart from the fact that I am referring to Harpoon 3 edition by GDW, Date Annex 1991, whose rules may be a little different from those of Harpoon 4, I would like to ask you a couple of explanations on aspects that I have not fully understood. 1) - How do you solve an attack with unguided bombs. I read in the manual that "to attack with aircraft cannon, unguided rockets and bombs, an aircraft must fly directly over the target at low altitude". And this is clear. "Unguided bombs may be dropped to medium altitude, subject to a modifier equal to the target's speed in knots (kts = eg 27 - 27%) or a minimum of -10%." So, first, if the p…

I have the boardgame Harpoon Data Annex 1991 by GDW. For many times, in the past, I tried to play it (alone), but, after a positive test of the scenario-tutorial (USA Kinkaids vs. 2 Libyan OSA II), I had to give up with more complex scenarios, because of the "monstrous" difficulties in managing the rules of the game ... Now I see in this forum, that there is a version of Harpoon 4 Paper Rules and by the relatives AARs it seems to me that the two versions are quite similar. So I ask: - Wherein lie the differences, only an update of the DATA ANNEX or even changes in the rules of the game (hopefully simpler ...!? but I don' think so...) - How do I update my version, of …

Been meaning to put this up:

Time to brush off the H4.1 rules and scrub some of the rust off the old brain cells... Dawn Patrol is fondly remembered as a simple scenario to play and learn, but I decided this was a bit too dated. Recasting it in the light of the whole shift into the Pacific and an existing/ongoing conflict, I call it Island Clash. (Yeah yeah, imaginative name...) I plan on running the setup a couple of different ways to see both how the situation might have ended differently and to re-familiarize myself with the rules. Please do advise if I manage to screw something up. Island Clash Setting On Jan 30, 2013, escalating tensions over the islands the Japanese call the S…

In the middle of the North Atlantic, a storm is blowing topside producing level 5 seas. A Russian Krivak steams at 15kts towards its rendezvous point. 10 miles ahead of her a Delta II nuclear submarine prowls, making sure the way is clear. At the same time, an Improved LA class submarine is heading towards them. Neither side is aware of the others approach. The engagement started with 30 miles separating the combatants. A combination of her poor passive range and the state of the sea meant the Krivak was essentially traveling blind. Besides, the Delta II was employed to do the detection work if any submarines were in their way. Like all good submariners are taught…

Ok, I'm transitioning to submarines for a while in order to account for some ASW operations. To that end I am using the first ASW Scenario in the quick start book and the subject matter sub is an upgraded German Type 206A SS. First question is regarding the Ship Turning Table which includes an entry of a "surfaced submarine" = standard rudder 400 yards 4kts decrease and hard rudder 300 yards and 6kts decrease. Where is the turning of submerged submarines discussed, did not see it in the rules. Second question is in regards to the DM2A3 533mm Torpedo. Annex F lists three separate ranges and their respective speeds. How/when/where/why are these ranges and spe…

Speed Change (3.3.2.1): Acceleration: (ATA*10%)*Maximum Speed = rate of acceleration. Deceleration: 20% of maximum speed at the start of a phase. Course Changing and Turning (3.3.3): If D-ATA = 0.5 a 90 degree change of course is allowed, all others can change 180 degrees. Altitudes and Altitude Changes (3.3.4): If accelerating 50% of maximum rate of climb (See Change of Altitude Table) If diving greater than 50%, aircraft can double acceleration rate and increase speed by 150% [Edit Dec 2008] There is an official rules change to 3.3.4 in Naval Sitrep #26, April 2004. Pre-calculated Range Reduction Modifiers 1/.3 = 3.3 1/.4 = 2.5 …

Hey everyone, Taking a second crack at getting into H4, and trying to get into the basic tutorial scenarios and can't get past filling out the darn Ship Ref. Sheet...this thing alone is taking me over an hour for one ship for the basic AAW scenario, how do y'all do it for a full CVBG and air wing?? Right now what's driving me crazy is figuring out how to fill in the Sfc guns and various sensor data. I'm trying to fill out an O.H. Perry, using the example provided in the rules to 'check' my answers, and for the life of me I don't get where they get the ranges and Ph's in the example from. How do they arrive at Surf Rng Close at 2.2, Far at 4.3 for the Mk75 when the …

Harpoon II arrived today spectacularly packed. I almost felt bad removing it from the acetate envelopes complete with stiff cardstock to keep things from bending. But was I ever glad I broke the seal! Harpoon II looks a lot like Harpoon 3 except I like the organization of Harpoon II better and its greater number of diagrams really impress me. There is a diagram showing a multi-game-turn ship turn instead of having to guess and divine if I move first, turn first, jump around three times,... As for the organization, the rules are categorized by their order in the turn whch I find very helpful. Perhaps more comments once I really have a good read of the ru…

I've heard there's going to be a new rules version coming out that will provide a common rule set for all the Admiralty Trilogy naval games. Is this true? If so, when is it likely to come out?