Current Events

HarpGamer encourages its members to share relevant news items and articles that they have found elsewhere on the Internet, particularly if they provide useful fodder for scenario and/or database building. When posting content, be sure to include the source of the material and provide the link. Often, following the link will provide not only further information on the specific topic, but also a wealth of other useful and interesting material. In all cases, be sure you are compliant with the applicable intellectual property and copyright laws. Thanks for sharing.

From Lockheed Martin's own Code One magazine: F-16 Design Origins F-16 Evolution

From Aviation Week Fleets Turn to Small Ships for New Conflicts Jun 30, 2009 By Paul McLeary During a speech at the U.S. Naval War College in April, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates cited the value of developing a viable force of small warships that are better suited to face current threats in the littorals than vessels designed for blue-water operations. “You don’t necessarily need a billion-dollar ship to chase down a bunch of teenaged pirates,” he told a group of Navy officers. “The size of the ship in such cases is less important than having Navy Seals on board. To carry out the missions we may face in the future—whether dealing with non-state actors at…

A useful tool for all of you current and prospective scenario writers ... "This report is Flight International’s annual compilation of the aircraft inventories of the world’s air forces (and other military services). Presented in the form of tables, the report provides for each country a list of military aircraft types in service, broken down by the number of active, stored and on-order aircraft. Some country entries are illustrated by photographs. While very handy as a quick-reference guide, the report provides little information other than aircraft numbers, and so must be used in conjunction with other sources to provide a comprehensive overview." World air forc…

Yes, I know its Carlo Kopp ... read it anyway, its good for you. Surviving the Modern IADS

From Naval Open Source Intelligence Here's some rather nice video of a rescent certification test by my friends at BEA Systems. It shows their new laser-guided rocket taking on an APC and hardened structure. Enjoy!

From Naval Open Source Intelligence SAAB does a great job of marketing their wares. Check out the new promo for the RBS-15. Enjoy!

Here (in PDF): 2009 USAF Almanac USAF Aces and Heroes USAF Aces USAF Bases and Installations Worldwide USAF Weapons Lots of useful facts and figures.

From Associated Press (via Yahoo) [excerpt]

Contracts Highlight Growing Role of Video Game Training (National Defense, February 2013 issue)

As consequence of many chats with some analyst friends, I think is a good idea to start a tread with publications explicity devoted to Cold War Two, this can be one of many, David Cenciotti (The Aviationist) compilation of recent aerial incidents (You can open it with Sumatra, and some other readers): http://bit.ly/1LF9XOf

Six Rules for Wargaming: The Lessons of Millennium Challenge ‘02 (War on the Rocks)

An early 1980's BBC documentary about the Royal Navy's Submarine Command Course otherwise known as 'Perisher'. Part 1 of 6 parts.

Where would you prefer articles/information about Indian Ocean (READ: India) air/naval issues be posted? Middle East/Africa and Pacific Rim do not seem entirely appropriate to cover the Indian Navy, Chinese encroachment, the flow of oil to both of these entities, Pakistan vs India, Sri Lanka vs itself, etc. Could/Should there be another folder option? Thanks

Russian forces have entered this breakaway territory of Georgia. This looks like turning into a war. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, including a Georgian friend of mine.

From Ares We Got Hosed, Osama, We Got Hosed! Posted by Bill Sweetman at 5/12/2009 5:00 AM CDT "We can sink a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) at 100 meters," remarks a representative of a joint program between Raytheon's marine radar unit and Unifire, Sweden-based specialist in firefighting equipment. At the IMDEX maritime defense show in Singapore earlier today, Unifire and Raytheon unveiled their joint approach to non-lethal defense against typical pirate attacks. The keys are that large ships often already carry water cannon for firefighting and that they are not regarded as weapons - which demand special training and may cause a ship to be restricted in using …

The Evolution of the Modern Carrier Air Wing (CIMSEC)

Next Years Wars - From Sochi to Sudan, 10 conflicts that will threaten global stability in 2014. (Foreign Policy)

From the December 2009 issue of Air Force Magazine A Specter Haunts the Carrier, by Rebecca Grant (PDF)

Interesting subject matter, for sure ... Lethal autonomous systems: The ethics of programming robots for war