CV32

I expect they are Harpoons, but you're quite right about the Combattante IIb signature being off. You're also right about the closing speed of the Moskit. Something odd going on there. I think your reasoning for how to deal with the Harpoons and any additional Moskit shots is also valid. Do we want to have the Hormone B move toward Maykop, to put some distance between it and the approaching F-4 threat? (There doesn't seem to be any reason to recall it now.) Do you want Ladnyy to come toward 315T or stick with the merchies?

Vampire! Vampire!

Ladnyy's role at this point was to provide close defence to the merchants, not to add fire unless necessary. Are you thinking 8x SS-N-22 vs 3x targets won't be enough? It should be noted that this was always the case, as the SS-N-22 does not rely on any weapon directors.

I will get to those requests in the next iteration. The F-35 issue sounds like an error. Thanks for the reminder.

Ladnyy is increasing speed to 19 kt (this will likely be a short dash) and turning slightly to 275 deg. The intention is to avoid masking both SA-N-4b launchers to the direction of the threat, for close defence of the merchants, while still maintaining readiness for rapid SS-N-14d launch if necessary.

Acknowledged. I don't think we are settled on how exactly we are proceeding, but it is probably a matter of detail. Stand by.

Completely agree with the closing distance issue. My only concern with separation between us and the merchies is the danger of a returning F-4E, in which case that separation could potentially be exploited. If you turn to face the threat, the merchies turn as proposed, and I continue more or less on course but speed up somewhat, we can maintain some close defence for the merchies while creating a layered effect for our area defences. The SS-N-14d can be used for follow up shots, as necessary, as proposed.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Update: Pentagon Report Reveals ‘Well-Documented Deficiencies’ In Program (IBT)

Ladnyy shall immediately energize all radars. No illumination of specific targets as yet. Umpire: I have specs for the SS-N-14d Silex as range 2.7 nm (minimum) and 28 nm (maximum), speed 627 knots. Please confirm.

Thanks. Fixed. I am addressing the more prominent platforms as fast as my schedule will permit, but if anyone has specific requests - especially if they are using them in an upcoming scenario - by all means let me know.

Concur. This is their attack run. Considerations to add: 1. Moskit is devastating in all respects. 2. We need to avoid the possibility of multiple missiles homing on a single target. You might want to stagger your launches against S010 and S012 to be sure. 3. We could throw SS-N-14 (in ASUW mode) into the mix. Maybe even against S012, and follow up as necessary. (Use em or lose em comes into play.)

Now that the F-4 appears to have departed, did you want to launch the helo again? If so, I wouldn't move it too far from the convoy (except straight up!) in case we have to rapidly recover it due to an emergent threat. It might be nice to get some eyes over the horizon and improved low altitude detection.

Looks like our friend the helo is back. This time at much lower altitude, possibly an attack profile or just more testing our response. Why not play with him a bit? Keep Red guessing as to our detection/response capability and let him get much closer this time before warning him off.

How Might North Korea Test an ICBM? (38 North)

5.5 nm vs air targets.

I expect they see it as a disposable asset. In any case, I think your intended course of action is prudent. Something like AS.12 or AGM-65A Maverick would be the worst case scenario. Your 130mm AK-130 can dissuade him before then. I would continue to broadcast over open channels in the plainest possible language that their continued approach may be considered hostile. If nothing else, our own Adlaisky Stevensonsky can show the evidence at the UN, lol.

Pilots Say F-35 Carrier Launch Problem Is Safety Concern (Aviation Week)

It feels like a ploy. I would hesitate to toss an SA-N-7 in its direction until it closes to a distance that might actually pose a threat. (We might need all of those SA-N-7s soon enough.)

F-35 delayed — again — despite CEO's promise to Trump (Washington Examiner)

I should add that I think another confrontation with Iran in the Persian Gulf is probably inevitable. The way Iran has been behaving since the nuclear 'deal' was reached, is strongly indicative of its future intentions.

IRC is a great tool for running Harpoon paper. Its a shame it was never exploited as much as it might have been.

I hope it is an AB204 off a Babr (Sumner). It is a wasted asset, imho. The P-3F already has us under observation, and has superior endurance to anything the helo might offer.

A new version of the HCDB2 or Harpoon Commander's Edition Database 2 (HCDB2-170110) is now available. New additions include: Aircraft: F-15A/B Baz 81 - Israel F-15B Baz 83 - Israel F-15A/B Baz 85 - Israel F-15A/B Baz 95 - Israel F-15C/D Akef 82 - Israel F-15C Akef 85 - Israel F-15D Akef 83 - Israel F-15D Akef 85 - Israel F-15C Akef 88 - Israel F-15D Akef 88 - Israel F-15C/D Akef 95 - Israel F-15D Akef 00 - Israel F-15C Akef 04 - Israel F-15D Akef 04 - Israel F-15C Akef 09 - Israel F-15D Akef 09 - Israel F-15I Raam 99 - Israel F-15I Raam 02 - Israel F-15I Raam 05 - Israel F-15I Raam 07 - Israel F-15I Raam 09 - Israel F-15I Raam 12 - Israel F-15A Eagle 81 - USA F-15A Eagle 84 - USA F-15C Eagle 84 - USA F-15C Eagle 87 - USA F-15C Eagle 1/92 - USA F-15C Eagle 2/92 - USA F-15C Eagle 1/99 - USA F-15C Eagle 2/99 - USA F-15C Eagle 03 - USA F-15C1 Golden Eagle 01 - USA F-15C1 Golden Eagle 03 - USA F-15C2 Golden Eagle 03 - USA F-15C2 Golden Eagle 05 - USA F-15C Eagle 08 - USA F-15C1 Golden Eagle 08 - USA F-15C2 Golden Eagle 08 - USA F-15C3 Golden Eagle 10 - USA F-15C Eagle 16 - USA F-15C1 Golden Eagle 16 - USA F-15C2 Golden Eagle 16 - USA F-15C3 Golden Eagle 16 - USA F-15C Eagle 83 - Saudi Arabia F-15D Eagle 83 - Saudi Arabia F-15C Eagle 95 - Saudi Arabia F-15D Eagle 95 - Saudi Arabia F-15E Strike Eagle 90 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 91 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 92 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 95 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 99 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 01 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 03 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 08 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 13 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 16 - USA F-15E Strike Eagle 18 - USA F-15J Eagle 82 - Japan F-15DJ Eagle 82 - Japan F-15J Eagle 96 - Japan F-15DJ Eagle 96 - Japan F-15J Kai 08 - Japan F-15J Kai 17 - Japan F-15K Slam Eagle 07 - South Korea F-15K Slam Eagle 10 - South Korea F-15K Slam Eagle 17 - South Korea F-15S Eagle 96 - Saudi Arabia F-15S Eagle 04 - Saudi Arabia F-15SA Eagle 16 - Saudi Arabia F-15SG Eagle 10 - Singapore SH-60B Seahawk 84 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 91 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 93 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 94 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 97 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 02 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 05 - USA SH-60B Seahawk 10 - USA SH-60F Oceanhawk 90 - USA SH-60F Oceanhawk 91 - USA SH-60F Oceanhawk 97 - USA SH-60F Oceanhawk 05 - USA Enjoy.

I agree with the author's article that there must be a "better equilibrium point somewhere between rampant retrenchment and unbridled hegemonic primacy." The unknowns include how other potential foes (Iran, China, Russia, etc) react to an American effort to find that balancing point, and then what will be the counter-reaction. My own view of that is that thank goodness there are enough people in the USA with the will and the means to keep a "serious problem" from emerging.

The Case for Strategic Discipline During the Next Presidency (War on the Rocks) The lack of banter here - let alone debate - following the US election has been somewhat surprising to me. How about it? In the context of Harpoon relevant scenarios, do you think the world is a scarier place? Less scary?