CV32

From Air Force Magazine, June 2010 In 1966, Israel got its hands on a MiG-21, with major benefits for itself and the US Air Force. Click the link for more ...

Seems to be about the right size.

Though I suppose potentially possible, I think it would be awkward to put a gun module where the Harpoons and ESSMs are currently housed on the Absalon.

Well, to be fair to the Danish, the Absalon class does incorporate the 'Stanflex' concept generally, although not quite as flexibly as the smaller vessels (which I am guessing you are referring to).

From RIA Novosti 11:36 02/06/2010 Algeria and Libya are ready to buy Russian Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense systems, deputy head of the Russian Military-Technical Cooperation Service Vyacheslav Dzirkaln said on Wednesday. [CV32: This is the SA-22 'Greyhound' in NATO parlance]. "The new system has shown high efficiency. Algeria and Libya have shown interest. Syria has already bought these systems in the past," Dzirkaln said, adding that other potential customers were likely to appear. Earlier in March the Russian press said Algeria was planning to buy 40 Pantsir-S1s for $500 million. Several Russian papers also reported that Russia had signed a $734-million contract with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2000 on purchasing 50 Pantsir-S1s. Dzirkaln confirmed the reports and said Russia would finish delivering the Pantsir-S1's to the UAE this year. Pantsir-S1 is a short-to-medium range combined surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery system manufactured by the Tula-based Instrument Making Design Bureau (KPB). It is designed to protect point and area targets and carries up to 12 two-stage solid-fuel surface-to-air missiles in sealed ready-to-launch containers. The system also has two dual 30 mm automatic cannons that can engage targets at a range of up to 4 km. ABU DHABI, June 2 (RIA Novosti)

Lots of defense contract news out of Russia today ... From RIA Novosti 10:24 02/06/2010 Russia will supply Su-30 Flanker fighters and Yak-130 Mitten trainer/light attack jets to Algeria in 2011, the deputy head of the Russian Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation, Vyacheslav Dzirkalin, said. "The delivery of Su-30s and Yak-130s [to Algeria] is due to begin next year, this is no military secret," Dzirkalin said. Earlier in April, the head of Russian Technologies state Corporation, Sergei Chemezov, in an interview with the Novaya Gazeta weekly said Russia would ship to Algeria "a party of modern Russian fighters" at a price of about $1 billion. Dzirkalin did not specify the number of aircraft to be delivered to Algeria. Speaking about Russian-Algerian Navy partnership, Dzirkalin said that "636 series diesel submarines are being repaired and modernized, but the Algerian side has not stated anything on the purchase of the new subs." The 636 Kilo diesel-electric submarine is a more advanced version of a 877 Paltus sub. The Chinese Navy has two Russian Kilo submarines built at one of the leading submarine shipbuilding companies, Admiralty Shipyards in St.Petersburg. ABU DHABI, June 2 (RIA Novosti)

From RIA Novosti 03:50 02/06/2010 Russia will transfer its Nerpa nuclear-powered attack submarine for a 10 year-lease to India in the autumn, the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has said. "The training of the crew has been concluded, most of the tests have been carried out — everything is almost at the finish line," Mikhail Dmitriyev told journalists in New Delhi after a meeting of the Russian-Indian high-level supervisory committee on military and technical cooperation on Tuesday. He said India would receive the K-152 Nerpa submarine in October or November 2010. The lease follows an agreement inked between New Delhi and Moscow in January 2004, with India funding part of the Nerpa's construction at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur shipyard in the Russian Far East with an initial $650 million. The Nerpa, the Akula-II class nuclear submarine, was scheduled to be inducted in the Indian Navy as INS Chakra by mid-2008 but technical problems delayed the process. After that, just as it began its sea trials in November 2008, 20 sailors and technical workers were killed on it due to a toxic gas leak when the automatic fire extinguishing system malfunctioned. After repairs, which cost an estimated 1.9 billion rubles ($65 million), the Nerpa is now fully operational. Akula II class vessels are considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines. Dmitriyev also expressed hope that Russia and India would sign a contract on the joint development of a new fifth-generation fighter within the next three months. The sides earlier agreed to develop both a single-seat and a two-seat versions of the aircraft, which would be most likely based on Russia's T-50 prototype fifth-generation fighter, by 2016. Russia has been developing its fifth-generation fighter since the 1990s. The T-50 aircraft was designed by the Sukhoi design bureau and built at a plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in Russia's Far East. Russian officials have already hailed the fighter as "a unique warplane" that combines the capabilities of an air superiority fighter and attack aircraft. NEW DELHI, June 2 (RIA Novosti)

A new version of the HCDA database, the Harpoon Commander's Edition (HCE) 'Americas' Database (HCDA-100602), is now available. It is available in the Downloads section of this website. New additions (or overhauls of existing entries) include: Aircraft: AH-2 Sabre - Brazil Fokker 60MPA - Peru Ships: Almirante Montt AOR - Chile Scarlet Ibis (FP30) PG - Trinidad & Tobago Enjoy!

The Iowa had 2x Mk 13 directors, forward and aft. I believe this means (though I could be wrong) you can engage only two targets at a time if you are using gun fire control (i.e. you're not in local control) to spot your shell splashes. In Command at Sea, you get a positive modifier for multiple barrels firing simultaneously, but I am not sure if the same is true in Harpoon4. (Haven't seen too many gun battles, sad to say).

2F/A(3)3 means 3x mounts with 3x barrels each, these mounts (or turrets) being arranged 2x forward and 1x aft. As seen in this rather popular photo: Correct. The shipboard weapon firing arcs (as dictated by H4 rules) can be found on page 2-3. Mk 7 is the designation of the weapon itself. The Mk 13 is the associated fire control radar. Mine says "2P&PB/PQ/2S&SB/SQ (2)6 Mk28 5 in/38//4 Mk25" where PQ means 'port quarter' and SQ means 'starboard quarter', again a reference to the mount's firing arc. Instead of 'R', I have '2', which in this case refers to the fact that the mount has two barrels. (Ordinarily, when you see 'R' it is a reference to a rotary barrel gun (e.g. a Gatling gun)). Not unless it also has the appropriate arc listed in the mount description. This is simply a reference to the Mk 143 Armored Box Launcher. If you look at the photo above, these are the eight rectangular shaped launchers that you can see amidships. They almost look like standard shipping containers.

Absalon class - the true LCS?

Thanks, Rene, that makes sense. Its good to have folks around who are knowledgeable about marine engines and propellers!

These already appear in the HCDB, but I will revamp the existing entry and add an entry that recognises the refit/overhaul performed on three of the ships in the late 1990s.

Zinc oxide? Would the propellers be galvanized?

From DefenseNews China Refuses To Sanction N. Korea Over Cheonan By JUN KWANWOO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 30 May 2010 12:26 SEOGWIPO, South Korea - China resisted pressure on May 30 from South Korea and Japan to censure North Korea publicly for the sinking of a warship, calling only for regional tensions over the incident to be defused. Host President Lee Myung-Bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama teamed up at the two-day summit to nudge China's Premier Wen Jiabao to declare Pyongyang responsible for the March sinking of the South Korean corvette. But Wen gave no sign that China is ready to back U.N. Security Council action against its ally over the sinking, which cost 46 lives. "The urgent task now is to defuse the impact of the Cheonan incident, change the tense situation and avoid clashes," Wen told a joint news conference on the southern resort island of Jeju. "China will actively communicate with relevant parties and lead the situation to help promote peace and stability in the region, which fits our common and long-term interests best." South Korea announced reprisals including a trade cut-off after international investigators reported May 20 that a North Korean submarine fired a heavy torpedo to sink the Cheonan. The North denies involvement and has responded to the reprisals with threats of war, fueling regional tensions. In Pyongyang on May 30, some 100,000 North Koreans held a rally accusing Seoul of heightening cross-border tensions over the sinking, according to the North's state broadcasting network monitored by Yonhap news agency. The rally was led by slogans denouncing President Lee as a traitor, it said. Wen, whose country is the North's economic lifeline, has been cautious since arriving in South Korea on May 28. At a meeting with Lee that day he said Beijing would, before determining its position, review the results of the international investigation into the Cheonan's sinking but would not protect whoever was responsible. Lee said in Jeju that he expected "wise co-operation" from neighboring countries in handling the disaster. According to his senior spokesman Lee Dong-Kwan, Lee also told the summit: "We are not afraid of war, but we do not want war either. We have no intention to go to war." Hatoyama, whose government on May 28 announced new sanctions against the North, said the three leaders agreed that "this is a serious issue related to peace and stability in Northeast Asia". South Korea, at least in public, appeared fairly satisfied with the outcome of the Jeju summit. "The inclusion of those remarks on the Cheonan in the joint press announcement in itself has significance," Lee's spokesman said. But Paik Haksoon, of the Sejong Institute think-tank, said Wen's comments "indicate that China is still questioning the authenticity and authority of the investigation." "There would be no point in taking this issue to the U.N. Security Council without securing support from China in advance," Paik said. Numerous countries have condemned the North for the sinking, one of the worst military attacks on the South since the 1950-53 war. The North says Seoul faked evidence to incite tensions and boost its support before local elections this week. South Korea, the United States and Japan need the support of veto-wielding member China to sanction - or, at least, to censure - the North at the Security Council. The South's reprisals include preparations to resume cross-border loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts. The North has threatened to shell the loudspeakers if the broadcasts go ahead. The North has cut all ties with the South, scrapped pacts aimed at averting accidental flare-ups along their disputed sea border and vowed to attack any intruding ships. It has threatened to shut down a jointly run industrial park at Kaesong, the last reconciliation project still operating. The South plans to send a letter to the chairman of the UN Security Council this week, an unidentified official told Yonhap news agency. Japan's Hatoyama had promised to fully support Seoul when the case is referred to the council, his spokesman told AFP. Hatoyama had also stated clearly that the resumption of six-party nuclear talks is unthinkable until the North offers a clear apology for attacking the Cheonan, South Korean officials said.

Excellent. You know where to find potential opponents.

27. On the forecastle of the Halifax class frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH 333), looking aft, with a view of the 57mm Bofors Mk 2 mount and the HDMS Absalon on her starboard side 28. Starboard aft view of the Absalon, including the closed up stern ramp and 'flex deck' entry point 29. From the flight deck of Absalon, with a view of the Bremen (Type 122) class frigate FGS Karlsruhe (F212) and the Rohn (Type 704A) class oiler FGS Spessart (A1442). 30. Bremen (Type 122) class frigate Karlsruhe with Rohn (Type 704A) class oiler Spessart tied up on her port side 31. Starboard side, bridge view of the Karlsruhe 32. Starboard bow view of the Karlsruhe, including the Mk 29 NATO Seasparrow launcher and the 76mm/62 Compact gun mount 33. Starboard amidships view of Karlsruhe, including the two quad Mk 141 Harpoon launchers and the starboard 27mm MLG27 cannon mount 34. Starboard side of Karlsruhe, looking aft 35. Starboard aft view of Karlsruhe, visible are her two 21 cell Mk 49 RAM launchers 36. Closer view of the starboard aft RAM launcher 37. Closer view of the TRS-3D radar that replaced the DW.08 38. One member of SNMG-1 was apparently feeling anti-social, the US Navy Perry frigate USS Boone (FFG-28)

20. Forward view from the bridge 21. A closer look of that rather mean looking forward 35mm Millennium gun mount 22. Port side, above and behind the bridge, with a 0.50 cal MG under wraps 23. View of the SPS-49A(V)5 radar aboard HMCS Toronto, as seen from the bridge deck of Absalon 24. Forward CEROS 200 fire control directors aboard the Absalon. These appear to be the 'Stealth' version of CEROS 200 but were lacking their covers for the optics 25. Forward gun armament of the Absalon, including the 127mm/54 Mk 45 Mod 4 and the forward 35mm Millennium, as seen from the bow of HMCS Toronto 26. Port side, bridge view of the Absalon; she is quite a bit taller than Toronto. Also visible is her SMART-S Mk 2 radar atop the main mast.

On Saturday I was busy acting as a range safety officer for our club's 'black rifle' shoot, and did not get down to see the NATO ships in port, but as it turns out, Sunday was a much better day for weather and I found time to get aboard the HDMS Absalon as I had hoped. Pics follow as promised ... 1. Starboard bow view of the Absalon class command and support vessel HDMS Absalon (L16) 2. Female sailor of the Royal Danish Navy with a M/96 carbine (a version of the Canadian Diemaco C8A2) ... in short, girls with guns, this is promising 3. Waiting to get aboard, with a view of the starboard side RHIB deployment point, and high above it, a 0.50 cal (12.7mm) MG under wraps 4. On the flight deck, looking forward, with a view of the aft 35mm Millennium gun mount 5. Another view of the flight deck, from the starboard aft corner .. its quite large 6. Entering the hangar through the port side, looking forward 7. Super Lynx Mk.90B (unit S-170), stowed inside the hangar on the starboard side 8. Forward view of the Super Lynx Mk.90B 9. A closer look at the 0.50 cal (12.7mm) M3M heavy MG aboard the Super Lynx Mk.90B 10. Another view of the helo as we move forward ... 11. A view of the two quad Mk 141 launchers for eight RGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and the Dual Pack (DP-48) variant of the Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS for six RIM-162C Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) 12. A closer look at the Harpoon Block II launchers 13. My daughter and nephew serving as size comparison for a view of the port side Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS 14. Mk 141 and Mk 56/Mk 48 modules, starboard side 15. A view of the port side Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS aboard Absalon and the starboard side Mk 48 VLS aboard the Canadian Navy Halifax class frigate HMCS Toronto, both of which now carry RIM-162C ESSM 16. An overall view of the modular weapons area aboard Absalon; a total of 8 Harpoon Block II and 12 ESSMs onboard at this time 17. My daughter standing beside the ship's bell and Lindo Yard nameplate, immediately behind the bridge of Absalon 18. A view of the spacious bridge, looking to port 19. They asked for clearance to shoot a Harpoon, but sadly it was not granted

Thanks, I'll look into it.

The latest updates appear here at HarpGamer firstly, in the HCE Beta Testing forum. They are later incorporated into patches available for download from Matrix Games. There have been no beta updates or patches that have added 'logistics' in the sense of refueling ships, rearming ships at sea or in port, etc.

They are being substituted by RIM-116 RAM (in the CIWS or inner layer missile system role) and RIM-162 ESSM. The main difference is range and firepower. RAM can engage more targets much further away. (ESSM further still.) By the time an incoming missile closes to Phalanx range, you're already in danger of getting hit by fragments. The situation worsens when you add supersonic antiship missiles to the mix.

Lots of good suggestions there, JMS. I will keep them in mind for the next release. Thanks!

HCDB-100528 Ships/MLUs: Abraham Lincoln (1989) CVN - USA America (1980) CV - USA Bush (2009) CVN - USA Carl Vinson (1983) CVN - USA Carl Vinson (1989) CVN - USA Carl Vinson (2009) CVN - USA Constellation (1984) CV - USA Constellation (1993) CV - USA Coral Sea (1981) CV - USA Eisenhower (1987) CVN - USA Eisenhower (1997) CVN - USA Eisenhower (2005) CVN - USA Enterprise (1981) CVN - USA Enterprise (2004) CVN - USA Forrestal (1977) CV - USA Forrestal (1985) CV - USA Harry S. Truman (1998) CVN - USA Independence (1977) CV - USA Independence (1988) CV - USA John C. Stennis (1995) CVN - USA John C. Stennis (2005) CVN - USA John F. Kennedy (1985) CV - USA Kitty Hawk (1980) CV - USA Kitty Hawk (1991) CV - USA Kitty Hawk (2002) CV - USA Midway (1981) CV - USA Midway (1986) CV - USA Nimitz (1984) CVN - USA Nimitz (2001) CVN - USA Ranger (1978) CV - USA Ranger (1985) CV - USA Ronald Reagan (2003) CVN - USA Roosevelt (1986) CVN - USA Roosevelt (2013) CVN - USA SAM Pechora-2M Bty - Intl Saratoga (1977) CV - USA Saratoga (1983) CV - USA Saratoga (1990) CV - USA Washington (1992) CVN - USA Washington (2007) CVN - USA Submarines: Yono (IS 120) SS - North Korea

A new version of the official Harpoon Commander's Edition (HCE) Database (HCDB-100528) is now available. Get the new DB in the Downloads section. New additions (or overhauls of existing entries) include: Ships/MLUs: Abraham Lincoln (1989) CVN - USA America (1980) CV - USA Bush (2009) CVN - USA Carl Vinson (1983) CVN - USA Carl Vinson (1989) CVN - USA Carl Vinson (2009) CVN - USA Constellation (1984) CV - USA Constellation (1993) CV - USA Coral Sea (1981) CV - USA Eisenhower (1987) CVN - USA Eisenhower (1997) CVN - USA Eisenhower (2005) CVN - USA Enterprise (1981) CVN - USA Enterprise (2004) CVN - USA Forrestal (1977) CV - USA Forrestal (1985) CV - USA Harry S. Truman (1998) CVN - USA Independence (1977) CV - USA Independence (1988) CV - USA John C. Stennis (1995) CVN - USA John C. Stennis (2005) CVN - USA John F. Kennedy (1985) CV - USA Kitty Hawk (1980) CV - USA Kitty Hawk (1991) CV - USA Kitty Hawk (2002) CV - USA Midway (1981) CV - USA Midway (1986) CV - USA Nimitz (1984) CVN - USA Nimitz (2001) CVN - USA Ranger (1978) CV - USA Ranger (1985) CV - USA Ronald Reagan (2003) CVN - USA Roosevelt (1986) CVN - USA Roosevelt (2013) CVN - USA SAM Pechora-2M Bty - Intl Saratoga (1977) CV - USA Saratoga (1983) CV - USA Saratoga (1990) CV - USA Washington (1992) CVN - USA Washington (2007) CVN - USA Submarines: Yono (IS 120) SS - North Korea Enjoy.