CV32

A new version of the Harpoon Classic Commander's Edition (HCCE) Database (HCDB-061026) is now available. Get it at HarpGamer via the DB Share button. New additions (or overhauls of existing entries) include: Aircraft: CF-188A/B - Canada CH-47SD Chinook - Intl Chinook HC.2 - UK H-6H Badger - PRC KJ-200 (Y-8 AEW) - PRC KJ-2000 - PRC MH-47E Chinook - USA Q-5E/F Fantan - PRC Sea Harrier FRS.51U - India Ships/Mobile Land Units: Dokdo (LPX) LHD - ROK FARP - Intl M class (ex Doorman) FF - Belgium SBX-1 - USA Submarines: Kilo (636 Batch 2)(PRC) SS - PRC Enjoy.

Not really a new situation, but definitely a developing one and certainly good scenario fodder. The Cyclone PC's have found a new lease on life performing in the security role in the northern Persian Gulf. (Look for them in the next iteration of the HCDB).

From DefenseNews [That little ship some people love to hate is attracting attention again ... ] Posted 10/26/06 13:57 Lockheed’s LCS Draws International Interest By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS, LE BOURGET, France A steady stream of uniformed and civilian visitors from many countries stopped by the Lockheed Martin desk during Euronaval, the biannual European naval show here that showcases the latest in naval concepts and hardware. And while the American company touted its Aegis combat system and approaches to open architecture, the majority of visitors wanted to know about the flashiest thing on the Lockheed stand — the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). “There have been a lot of people coming by. Lots of excitement, lots of questions,” David Broadbent, general manager of the Lockheed Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2) group that’s handling development of the LCS, said on Oct. 26 after three days of showing off the concept. Officials from at least 20 countries have expressed interest in LCS, Broadbent said. “Countries want a multimission ship,” he said, noting that the modular concepts built into the design make it possible to fit the ship with vertical launch systems for missiles as well as the SPY-1F version of the Aegis system. In that configuration, Broadbent said, the 3,000-ton LCS is “ton for ton, the most powerful surface ship in the world.” One visitor was Rear Adm. D.A. Al-Wagdani, vice chief of the Saudi Arabian Navy. Al-Wagdani and the group of officers with him listened intently while Broadbent described the details of a small model of an Aegis LCS, after which the admiral spent some time driving the full-scale LCS bridge simulator that Lockheed also had on display. Al-Wagdani, like other international officers who spent time at the exhibit, declined to comment publicly on his reaction to the ship. But Saudi Arabia is seriously interested in acquiring an Aegis version of either Lockheed’s ship or the competing General Dynamics (GD) trimaran design. Both companies have prepared Aegis LCS designs, and sources have told DefenseNews.com that the Saudis are leaning toward the GD version of the Aegis LCS. General Dynamics did not set up a display at the Euronaval show, although Austal, the Australian parent company of Mobile, Ala.-based Austal USA, which is building GD’s LCS ships, did have a model of the GD LCS. Lockheed, though, prominently displayed a large poster of an Aegis-equipped LCS it is offering to Israel. The company is working on a $5 million U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command contract to develop design concepts for an Israeli version of LCS and is due to complete the study in December, Lockheed officials said. At least three alternative designs have been prepared for the Israelis, company officials said, with and without Aegis. The concepts for Israel also show two eight-cell vertical launch systems and a variety of guns, including one concept fitted with the Lockheed Martin/Oerlikon Contraves 35mm Millenium Gun.

From Defence Talk Bushehr Nuclear Plant Exempted In UN Sanctions Draft Agence France-Presse Oct 27, 2006 - 5:24:37 AM The Russian-built Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran is specifically exempted from nuclear and missile-related sanctions against Tehran proposed by three European powers, according to their draft resolution seen here Thursday. The draft, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, was crafted by envoys of Britain, France and Germany in consultations with the United States and presented to their Russian and Chinese colleagues late Tuesday. It calls on UN member states to "take necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale or transfer directly or indirectly from their territories or by their nationals ... of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs." The states are also asked to take steps to bar "the provision to Iran of technical assistance or training, financial assistance, investment brokering or other services and the transfer of financial resources or services related to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs." The text also provides for a freeze on assets related to Iran's nuclear and missile programs as well as travel bans on nuclear and weapons scientists involved in those programs. But in an apparent bid to mollify Moscow, the text specifically stresses that the proposed sanctions "shall not apply to supplies of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology, nor to the provision of technical assistance or training, financial assistance, investment, brokering or other services and the transfer of financial resources related to the construction Bushehr I, where these are being provided directly by the Russian federation." It also states that the travel bans "shall not apply where such travel, directly between Iran and the Russian Federation, is necessary for the construction of Bushehr I." Similarly, the assets freeze "shall not apply to funds, other financial assets or economic resources payable to the Russian Federation by Iran, related to the construction of Bushehr I," it noted. Last month, Russia and Iran officially agreed on a 12-month deadline for completing the controversial Bushehr project, despite earlier pressure from Tehran that the station be completed in half that time. Delays have plagued the project ever since the two countries entered into an initial agreement in 1995, with US officials pressing Russia to suspend the program. The Bushehr contract is worth about one billion dollars to Russia. Western powers suspect Iran is covertly trying to build nuclear weapons. But Tehran has repeatedly ignored UN Security Council demands that it halt uranium enrichment, a process which, if extended, can provide the raw material for a nuclear warhead. It insists that its nuclear program is peaceful and solely geared toward generating electricity.

From Defence Talk Sixth Hungarian Gripen Fighter Successfully Delivered Swedish Defence Materiel Administration Oct 27, 2006 - 4:37:00 AM One more Hungarian Gripen fighter, of the latest C version, landed at Kecskémet air base today. It was flown by a pilot from Swedish Air Force. The flight, which departed from FMV’s facility outside Linköping, lasted for about two hours. “Today’s delivery is yet another important milestone in the Gripen for Hungary program,” said Mats Hansson, program director for the Gripen for Hungary program within FMV. The remaining Gripen aircraft will be delivered to Hungary progressively until December 2007. Hungary is the third nation, after Sweden and the Czech Republic, to operate the fourth generation Gripen fighter. Hungary will receive the latest C and D versions of the Gripen aircraft. These aircraft are the latest C and D versions of the Gripen aircraft and are equipped with full color cockpit displays, a retractable air-to-air refueling probe and are fully NATO-interoperable. Since August 2006 the second group of Hungarian pilots has take part in the converse training which will qualify them as Gripen pilots. The five pilots are now half way trough the training and have started to fly the Gripen aircraft on their own. This second group will finish their training in Sweden by December 2006. After that they will go back to Hungary and continue their training on the Hungarian Air Force Gripen aircraft. That training will be conducted by the first group of Hungarian pilots, who are trained to be instructor pilots on the Gripen aircraft with support from two Swedish pilots. At the same time the second group of Hungarian technicians started their training at the Armed Forces technical school at Halmstad. The 19 technicians will end there theoretical training in Halmstad in December 2006. In January 2007 they will start their OJT (On the Job Training). OJT is the practical part of the training and will be conducted on the same type of Gripen aircraft as the Hungarian air force has. This part of the training will take place at the Swedish Air Force wing F 17 at Ronneby, at FMV test center in Linköping and at Kecskémet. All 19 technicians will have finished their training by the beginning of May 2007.

From Air Force Times [The beginning of the end for the "Wobbly Goblin" ... ] October 25, 2006 F-117 pilot school closes Staff report The F-117 Nighthawk pilot school has closed its canopy. The last class of F-117 pilots graduated from the school on Oct. 13, according to 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The closure of the formal training unit was the latest sign that the F-117 is being phased out at Holloman and will eventually be replaced by the F-22A Raptor. The school was overseen by the 7th Fighter Squadron, which will be deactivated in December. Once the 7th closes, a sister unit, the 8th Fighter Squadron, will handle many of remaining training requirements. Typically, pilots assigned to the F-117 already had flown at least one tour in a different jet fighter. The course to become an F-117 pilot included 11 flights in the stealth fighter, 85 hours in classrooms and 24 simulator sessions.

From DefenseNews Posted 10/25/06 13:23 Russian Missile Explodes After Test Launch By DMITRY SOLOVYOV, REUTERS, MOSCOW Russia’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, which military sources said was successfully tested on Oct. 25, actually fell into the sea several minutes into its flight, Russia’s navy said. The failed test comes after the latest series of mishaps at Russia’s navy, once the focus of national pride and symbol of its military might. Navy sources told local news agencies earlier on Oct. 25 that the Bulava missile had been launched from a nuclear submarine in the White Sea and flew nearly the length of the giant nation to the Kura military testing site in the Far East. "Several minutes after the launch the missile veered off its planned trajectory. Apparently, its self-destruction system was enacted and the rocket fell into the sea," a navy spokesman told Reuters. "A special commission, including Defence Ministry officials and Bulava designers, will conduct an investigation to find out what caused the failure." Local news agencies quoted navy officials earlier as saying the Bulava missile had been successfully launched at 1705 Moscow time (1305 GMT) from the nuclear submarine Dmitry Donskoy. "The test launch itself, made from a submerged position, went off without a hitch," the navy spokesman said. "The submarine’s crew coped with (this) task all right." Bulava’s previous launch last month was a failure -- the rocket fired from a submarine in the Pacific fell into the sea. Adding to the navy’s humiliation, a fire on a nuclear powered submarine killed two crew members the same month. Bulava is a flagship project intended to be an equivalent to the U.S. Trident, according to Russian media. Russia’s submarine fleet is the world’s second largest after the United States and is a key part in Russia’s defense shield. [Looks like Russia is still having plenty of problems with the SSBN component of their nuclear triad. Makes one wonder just how dangerous these SSBNs were during the Cold War .. of course, the true danger was always in the perception of a threat, rather than whether the threat was truly real, wasn't it ? ]

From DefenseNews Posted 10/24/06 10:08 Turk Air Force Opts for JSF Over Eurofighter By BURAK EGE BEKDIL, ANKARA, and UMIT ENGINSOY, WASHINGTON Turkey’s Air Force has selected the U.S.-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), now called the Lightning II, over Europe’s Eurofighter Typhoon for the NATO nation’s 15-year, $10 billion program to buy about 100 new-generation fighter aircraft, Turkish procurement and military officials said. Although the Air Force, as the user, is not the sole authority for a final decision, its position is dominant and backed by the powerful General Staff, analysts said. “Although this decision is not official yet, we can say that Turkey’s JSF move is almost final, after the Air Force has clarified its position,” said one defense analyst in Ankara. In the past few months, the selection process had been narrowed down to a choice between buying all JSFs and a mixed buy of the JSF and the Typhoon. But the Air Force, whose fighter fleet is exclusively of U.S. design and which follows a strong American tradition, has opted for an all-JSF solution, the officials said. Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and procurement chief Murad Bayar are due to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Gordon England, deputy defense secretary, and other top U.S. defense officials in Washington Oct. 30. They will then visit the Lockheed Martin JSF plant in Fort Worth, Texas, the officials said. The Turkish team and their U.S. counterparts are expected to discuss final details for the planned JSF deal. A formal announcement on the fighter selection is expected in December. The new-generation fighter program, Turkey’s largest defense procurement project, is designed to replace the Air Force’s aging F-16 and F-4E aircraft starting beginning in the mid-2010s.

From DefenseNews Posted 10/24/06 11:11 South Korean Defense Minister Offers To Quit By REUTERS, SEOUL The defense minister of South Korea, where tensions are running high over North Korea’s recent nuclear test, has offered to resign, a presidential spokesman said on Oct. 24. The presidential Blue House confirmed that Yoon Kwang-ung had tendered his resignation on Oct. 23 but declined to say why. It also declined comment on whether or when the resignation would be accepted. Yoon has only just returned from Washington where he held annual security talks last week with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The South Korean news agency Yonhap cited an unnamed Blue House source as saying that President Roh Moo-hyun had already been expected to carry out a reshuffle of foreign policy and security officials next week. Roh was set to name a successor to Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, the U.N. secretary general designate, around Nov. 1, Yonhap said. Song Min-soon, Roh’s top national security adviser, was strongly tipped to replace Ban, it added. Yoon, 64, retired from the South Korean navy with the rank of vice-admiral in 2004 and took the defence minister’s role.

From DefenseNews Posted 10/24/06 11:06 Iran Could Have Nuclear Bomb By 2015: Germany By REUTERS, BERLIN Iran is unlikely to be able to develop a nuclear bomb before 2015, the chief of Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency said on Oct. 24. His estimate falls within the 3-10 year range of forecasts given by most international experts. "It is difficult to give an exact estimate of the time," BND head Ernst Uhrlau told a security conference organized by the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "According to the current rate of enrichment, the Islamic Republic will not have sufficient amounts of highly enriched uranium with which to build atomic weapons before 2010. For a nuclear bomb we are looking at around 2015," said Uhrlau. Iran is OPEC’s second biggest oil exporter and denies accusations from the United States and other western nations that it wants to make nuclear weapons. Tehran is in a standoff with the international community over its program to develop nuclear technology which it says it needs to meet booming energy needs. Talks between Iran and the European Union to explore a compromise on enrichment to avoid U.N. sanctions have collapsed. Iran is hoping Russia and China, both major trade partners and Security Council veto holders, will prevent the United States from pushing through anything more than largely symbolic sanctions. Earlier this month the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to impose financial and weapons sanctions on North Korea after it conducted a nuclear test.

Great article, Pete. Thanks for digging it up. The media is reporting today that a second test does not appear to be in the cards, and furthermore, that Kim is "regretful" about conducting the initial nuclear test. The first story, yah, I can buy that. The second ? Ummm, no. Not unless the Chinese are really strong arming Pyongyang behind the scenes.

I can't say I follow baseball much, Pete, but I didn't think anyone was a Mets fan.

From Defence Talk Ukraine Illegally Sells Tanks to Georgia Mosnews October 19th, 2006, 05:22 Ukraine has been illegally selling arms to Georgia amid escalating tensions between the South Caucasus republic and Russia, Ukraine’s Communist party leader quoted by RIA Novosti said Tuesday. “Ukraine has already delivered 40 tanks to Georgia,” Petro Symonenko said. Symonenko said Kiev is facing the risk of having sanctions imposed on it by the international community for illegally supplying arms to warring sides. However Ukraine’s Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko asked Symonenko to fulfil his deputy’s duties instead of “going into hysterics”. “Ukraine, in particular [state arms trader] Ukrspetseksport, indeed sold 16 tanks to Georgia last year. This is open information. It is clear to everyone. The UN has never questioned Ukraine about this. By doing so, we have fulfilled our duties and breached not a single law. The Communists should calm down. They should better take care of passing the state budget for 2007 rather than making noise in the media,” he told Ukrainian Inter TV channel. Georgian President Saakashvili has pledged to restore Tbilisi’s control over the self-proclaimed republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. His defense minister has also said Georgian troops will celebrate New Year’s day in the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali. On October 13, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a Russian-sponsored draft resolution on Georgia urging the ex-Soviet country to refrain from provocative actions in Abkhazia, and calling for an extension of the Russian peacekeeping mission in the region until April 15, 2007. Russia retains a peacekeeping presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which gained de facto independence following bloody conflicts after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Georgia’s leadership, which is currently embroiled in a spying row with Russia, accuses the Kremlin of supporting the breakaway regions’ drive for full independence. Georgia’s relations with Russia went sour after President Mikheil Saakashvili came to power on the back of the “Rose Revolution” in 2003. Both the government and parliament have sought to remove Russian peacekeepers from conflict zones with two self-proclaimed republics, and to force the withdrawal of Russian troops from two Soviet-era bases that are due to close in 2008. Relations were further strained in September of this year after NATO ministers, meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, endorsed the so-called Intensified Dialogue with Georgia. Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the decision, saying closer ties between the alliance and the ex-Soviet nation could “seriously affect the political, military and economic interests of Russia and undermine the fragile status quo in the Caucasus.” The arrest in Georgia of four Russian army officers on espionage charges a week later sent relations to a new low, prompting Moscow to suspend transportation and postal links with its Caucasus neighbor and to expel hundreds of Georgian migrants, regardless of Georgia releasing the officers, RIA Novosti adds.

From Jane's Intelligence Digest North Korean test emboldens Iran North Korea's apparent nuclear weapons test appears to have strengthened Iran in its defiance of the international community and increased the likelihood of an Iranian-Israeli military confrontation. Iranian leaders have reaffirmed their intention to continue their own avowedly peaceful nuclear programme. They believe that Russia and China, despite differences in their respective bilateral relationships with Tehran and Pyongyang, will resist applying harsh sanctions against Iran. Even if, against expectations, the UN Security Council eventually adopts sanctions against Iran, they would most likely contain the same weak measures as the resolution against Pyongyang: verbal condemnations, limited sanctions and no endorsement of military action. This assessment will further discourage Tehran from negotiating a deal that would prevent it from developing a comprehensive nuclear fuel cycle, which could provide the foundation for a future nuclear weapons programme. Although the Israeli government continues to endorse multinational efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, the international community's failure to prevent North Korea from testing a nuclear weapon will prompt Israeli leaders to consider unilateral military action against Iran more seriously.

From DefenseNews U.S. To Reaffirm Nuclear Umbrella Protects South Korea By KRISTIN ROBERTS The United States will reaffirm its commitment to protect South Korea with nuclear weapons when the countries’ defense ministers meet on Oct. 20, a U.S. defense official said on Oct. 19. That follows North Korea’s missile test last week that drew global condemnation and sanctions from the United Nations. "What is important for us is to restate and reaffirm the nuclear umbrella and again we’re going to do it in exactly the same way that we’ve done it in years past," the American defense official said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said war planning for a response to any North Korean nuclear attack was not on the agenda for an Oct. 20 meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and South Korean Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung at the Pentagon. "We’re very comfortable where all of our planning is right now," the official said. "Our plans are in place. We have total agreement with our allies. So this is not an issue of concern." The meeting between Rumsfeld and Yoon was scheduled before North Korea’s recent weapons tests, including the nuclear test and a series of missile tests in July. The meeting is part of the 38th annual "Security Consultative Meeting." Those consultative sessions annually yield a communiqué in which the United States reaffirms its commitment to protect South Korea within the "nuclear umbrella." The U.S. defense official said this year’s communiqué would contain the same nuclear umbrella language as in previous statements. Last year’s communique stated: "Secretary Rumsfeld reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the security of the (Republic of Korea), and to the continued provision of a nuclear umbrella for the (Republic of Korea), consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty."

Don't forget this other potential "hot spot" ... From DefenseNews Russian Navy Violating Georgian Waters, Impeding Shipping: Minister By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, TBILISI A senior Georgian defense official accused the Russian navy Oct. 18 of violating Georgian territorial waters and impeding the arrival of Turkish trading ships to the ex-Soviet republic. Deputy Defense Minister Mamuka Kudava said ships from Russia’s Black Sea fleet had moved into Georgian waters under the pretext of naval exercises. ”Russian ships are occupying a very large territory. They are in Georgian territorial waters and are impeding the movement of ships from Turkey,” Kudava told AFP. He said the ships moved into Georgia’s Black Sea coastal waters about a week ago for an apparent military exercise but said Georgian officials were “not sure if the exercise has begun yet.” ”Georgia sees this move as a provocation and an integral part of the economic blockade” Russia launched against Georgia last month amid a spying row, Kudava said in televised remarks earlier. ”These exercises are hindering the entry of ships from Turkey into Georgia,” said Kudava. He did not specify the number of Russian vessels involved or precisely how they were hindering Turkish vessels. A spokesman for Russia’s navy contacted by AFP said the navy was not ready to comment but might respond later. The accusation by Georgia comes against the background of a full-blown diplomatic crisis in which Russia has imposed sweeping sanctions on this country strategically located in the southern Caucasus. The measures came after Georgia, which has angered Russia by moving closer to the west, last month arrested four Russian officers on charges of spying on Georgia’s military, releasing them five days later. Among the measures announced by Russia, the transport ministry said Georgian ships would be forbidden from entering Russia’s Black Sea ports and checks would be carried out on Georgian shipping. Russia has strongly opposed the pro-Western course taken by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and particular his stated desire to take his country into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

This was just too funny not to share ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MMAoOPa0Pg

Incidentally, today the media is reporting that detection of radioactive materials has confirmed that the DPRK went ahead and conducted an actual nuclear test. Whether a "successful" test or just a fizzle, it confirms something else. That the DPRK are eagerly trying to obtain nuclear capability, and will keep trying to perfect it. As I understand it, this is something that they've been dreaming of since they watched in amazement as Japan surrendered to the bomb in WWII. Interestingly, I've had the opportunity to discuss these current events with some South Korean clients of mine, and they say that the latest developments are simply the latest chapter of what has been going on for as long as they can remember. The DPRK attempts to extract concessions or gain advantages, without actually following through on any of its promises to keep its nose clean. They don't expect any sanctions to have any tangible productive effect (and for that matter, neither do I). And as for the Great Leader, they simply say, "Mr. Kim, he crazy."

HCDB-061014 Aircraft: ARH-70A Arapaho - USA CC-137 - Canada Cessna 172 - INTL MRH-90 - Australia RQ-1B Predator - USA RQ-4B Global Hawk Blk 20 - USA Ships/Mobile Land Units: Ahn Yong-Bok KDX-3 - ROK Canterbury MRV - New Zealand Hobart (AWD) DDG - Australia Jiangkai Mod Type 054A FFG - PRC Kongo (BMD) DDG - Japan Protector IPV - New Zealand Protector OPV - New Zealand SAM Spyder ADS-MR Bty - INTL SAM Spyder ADS-SR Bty - INTL Terra Nova FPSO - Canada Type 23 CUP - UK Installations: Baranovichi - Belarus

Finally, after a long hiatus, I've managed to find some time and willpower to get a new update done. A new version of the Harpoon Classic Commander's Edition (HCCE) Database (HCDB-061014) is now available. Get it at HarpGamer via the DB Share button. New additions (or overhauls of existing entries) include: Aircraft: ARH-70A Arapaho - USA CC-137 - Canada Cessna 172 - INTL MRH-90 - Australia RQ-1B Predator - USA RQ-4B Global Hawk Blk 20 - USA Ships/Mobile Land Units: Ahn Yong-Bok KDX-3 - ROK Canterbury MRV - New Zealand Hobart (AWD) DDG - Australia Jiangkai Mod Type 054A FFG - PRC Kongo (BMD) DDG - Japan Protector IPV - New Zealand Protector OPV - New Zealand SAM Spyder ADS-MR Bty - INTL SAM Spyder ADS-SR Bty - INTL Terra Nova FPSO - Canada Type 23 CUP - UK Installations: Baranovichi - Belarus Hope you enjoy it.

From Defence Talk US, China set for stand-off on NKorea AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE October 13th, 2006, 05:00 China and the United States looked set for a stand-off over North Korea after Beijing signalled it would take a softer line on sanctions against the North for testing an atom bomb. Just hours before more UN Security Council talks on a US draft resolution to tighten the screws on Pyongyang for its nuclear test, China said it wanted to resolve the crisis peacefully rather than aim for exacting revenge. "Punishment is not the goal," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. "As to what measures to take, I think the measures themselves are not punitive action." Liu's comments appeared to take an easier line than Beijing took earlier in the week, when it called the nuclear test a brazen act that defied the rest of the world and said it would support "punitive" measures against Pyongyang. In contrast, the United States had said it was "talking about really making it hurt" when it came to Council sanctions -- and the US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, acknowledged Wednesday that differences remained. "There are still areas of disagreement," Bolton said. He said he hoped the Council would take action by Friday, but lingering disputes on just how harshly to punish the North could delay any vote. China and Russia, both veto-holding Council members, usually oppose sanctions. North Korea said Wednesday it would regard any tough new sanctions from the Council as a "declaration of war," and China's spokesman underlined Beijing's wish not to push Pyongyang too far. Liu said it was "necessary to express" that the nuclear test could not be accepted but added that the international community also had to "maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." The Council was to meet later in the day on the US draft, which includes a tough requirement for the international inspection of cargo in and out of North Korea, as well as financial restrictions and other measures. Washington fears that the North, known to have supplied missiles to nations hostile to the United States, might make sensitive nuclear technology or other weaponry available to anti-US groups and governments. Japan has announced its own unilateral sanctions on Pyongyang, including a ban on all North Korean imports, which drew swift condemnation and a sharp warning from the communist regime Thursday if Tokyo put them into effect. "We will take strong countermeasures," Song Il-Ho, the North's ambassador in charge of normalizing relations with Tokyo, told Japan's Kyodo News. "The specific contents will become clear if you keep watching. We never speak empty words," he said. The new Japanese sanctions await final approval from the cabinet on Friday. North Korea said Wednesday that full-scale sanctions by the Security Council would be tantamount to a "declaration of war." Pyongyang says its nuclear weapons programme is needed to deter an attack by the United States, which lumped the North in with Iran and pre-war Iraq as an "axis of evil." It said Monday's test was an attempt to get the United States back to the bargaining table, an apparent call for one-to-one talks instead of the stalled six-nation negotiations on its nuclear ambitions. But US President George W. Bush, who is also trying to stop Islamic Iran from developing an atom bomb, ruled out direct talks with the North, one of the most impoverished and isolated nations in the world. The six-way talks -- between North and South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia -- led to a pledge last year that the North would abandon its weapons programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees. But Pyongyang abandoned that deal and boycotted further talks two months later after the United States slapped sanctions on a Macau bank that it said was laundering money for the North Korean regime. Those sanctions are generally believed to have had a serious impact on the finances of the hermit state, which has repeatedly insisted it would not return to the talks until they are lifted. Meanwhile South Korea, which says the world must take its position into account when the international community takes action on the North, said it wanted a firm US commitment of nuclear protection in security talks next week. Before those annual talks, South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun was heading to Beijing for a summit Friday with Chinese President Hu Jintao. There are around 29,500 US troops alongside around 650,000 South Korean forces in the South, who face off against 1.2 million North Korean soldiers across one of the most heavily militarised borders in the world. Pyongyang on Thursday again claimed that the United States was making plans along with Seoul for an invasion.

From Defense Aerospace In the Wake of the Ancient Greeks: Sea Trials in the Mediterranean (Source: Kockums AB; issued Oct. 12, 2006) HMS Helsingborg has been undergoing sea trials in the Mediterranean over a period of approximately four weeks, to test her performance in these southern and warmer waters. During transit down the English Channel, the French Coastguard command centre in Brest amusingly confirmed the effectiveness of the vessel’s stealth technology. The Centre admitted having problems spotting the vessel, although she’d raised a mast equipped with radar reflectors to make her more visible! In an interview given to the Finnish daily newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad, Commander Olof Stark described what happened: “As we passed down the English Channel, the Coastguard issued the following warning: ‘Swedish naval vessel passing through Dover Strait - undetectable by radar’.”

IIRC, the version in question was the Tigre G (TRS 2105 or 2106), which H4.1 rates as having ranges of 54/47/35/15/4 nm. So, all in all, a pretty miserable AEW platform.

Sorry, Pete, I didn't see this post earlier. I'm quite sure your conclusions are correct. There are probably pics of Hornets available which show the position of the pods.

Sure, if your scenario is entirely hypothetical. The Schmel (NATO "Squash Dome") radar married to an Il-76 airframe is your standard A-50 Mainstay. Iran does not have any of these. The Baghdad 1 used a Tigre ground based surveillance radar mounted upside down in a radome placed where the rear loading doors used to be. The improved Adnan 1 moved the radar into the traditional rotodome position.