CV32

From Defense Aerospace South African Gripen Makes Its Maiden Flight (Source: Gripen International; issued Nov. 14, 2005) The first South African dual seat Gripen took to the skies on its maiden flight in Sweden on Friday 11 November 2005. Painted in South African Air Force grey livery, the aircraft took off at 13.40 from Saab’s Flight Test Centre in Linköping, Sweden. The flight lasted 1 hr 10 min. South African test pilot Charl Coetzee and Saab test pilot Magnus Olsson were at the controls for the first flight of South Africa’s future multi-/swing-role fighter. During the flight, the test team were able to validate the basic flight control systems, engine, hydraulics and electrics. “The flight went better than expected and we were able to demonstrate some additional functionalities,” explained Charl Coetzee. “The maiden flight of South Africa’s first Gripen is an important milestone which has been achieved earlier than scheduled. This is indicative of the maturity of the Gripen design and the dedicated approach taken by joint Swedish-South African teams to keep the program on track for customer deliveries commencing in March 2008,” remarked Jerker Ahlqvist, Program Director, South Africa. This aircraft will now undergo a thorough inspection and systems computer interrogation before being prepared for subsequent flight tests commencing later this month. It will be transferred to South Africa in August 2006, where it will participate in a flight development program focused on the integration of South Africa’s customized avionics and weapons systems.

From Defense Aerospace New Torpedoes and Combat System for Collins Class Submarines (Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Nov. 14, 2005) Australia’s Collins-Class Submarines are undergoing a major capability boost with work about to start fitting out the first submarine with a new tactical combat system and upgraded state-of-the-art Heavyweight Torpedoes. Defence Minister Robert Hill said the design and installation of the Replacement Combat System and Heavyweight Torpedo System are on schedule and on cost. Senator Hill said the $857 million capability investment will significantly boost the combat effectiveness of the Collins Class making them the most capable diesel-electric submarines in the world today. Senator Hill said the first combat system has been delivered and is currently undergoing integration with Australian components and sensors at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. When complete the systems will be put through a rigorous testing program before going to sea in the first submarine. "The first submarine to be fitted out with the new systems will be HMAS Waller which is currently docked at Adelaide’s ASC facility," Senator Hill said. "HMAS Waller will be ready to start sea trials with the new capabilities in early 2007 after being fitted out with the new systems during the next 12 months. "Once the trials have been completed, HMAS Waller will be at the cutting edge of diesel-electric submarine technology." The combat system and the new Heavyweight Torpedo system are to be installed in all Australian submarines by 2010, resulting in a major capability boost to the Collins fleet. "The Australian Navy is working together with the United States Navy on the development of the new Heavyweight Torpedo program. "The first test firings of the new weapon in Australian waters occurred in September during a joint exercise involving a US Navy Submarine and an Australian Collins Class Submarine off the Western Australia coast. "The test firing was a significant milestone in the joint development program between the two Navies. "Cooperating with the US Navy means we have the opportunity to influence design and development of the systems and to participate in a continuous improvement program to deliver the latest technology advances for Australia’s submarine fleet. "Australia’s Submarine fleet is an important element of our National Maritime Strategy and a vital asset in the protection of Australia's strategic interests."

To recap our discussion on IRC for the benefit of those who weren't there, Tony says that two Prowlers are better than one, but three aren't better than two. Basically, with two Prowlers, their jamming systems work to mask each other.

Nice AAR, Herman. Thanks for trying my scenario. I think you're actually talking about the H-6 Badgers here, because the Beagles carry only iron bombs. Thanks again.

Hehe, a valiant attempt, but its not the story I'm looking for. Wahoo ! Er ... sorry ... got carried away.

Aarghh ... no, that's correct. Alright, you big brained smart-aleck's ... here's another: Circa 1980, you are a pilot with the PVO's 787 IAP. Suddenly, the klaxon rings, and the coded alarm call comes ... Jastreb ! What is happening ? (Hehe, I think I have you now, Mr. Page and Mr. Brin ... )

Grrrr ... Google proves my nemesis once again ... of course, the share price is nice. Here's another ... In August 2001, the captain of the Richard Laborde was elevated to a new command. What was his new ship ?

The next trivia question ... When was the first unmanned flight of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber ?

Well put, Akula. 100% accuracy would be impossible to achieve, in any event. We're not Lockheed Martin or Boeing (if, hypothetically speaking, their RCS testing facilities were in fact able to achieve 100% accuracy ... ). Tony makes a good point about loiter turn rate, one that I hadn't thought about much until now. Most of the reports of "sneak attacks" have involved their combat air patrol (CAP) aircraft being caught with their pants down. It may be that players will have to put more thought into setting up their patrols rather than simply sending their aircraft to a specific point on the map.

Alright, enough waiting. Here's the answer: The much maligned (but mostly misunderstood, IMHO) Stryker wheeled armored vehicle (previously known as the Interim Armored Vehicle) is named in honor of two American soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously). Pfc Stuart S. Stryker, who served with the 513th Parachute Infantry during WWII, led an attack near Wesel, Germany, that resulted in the capture of more than 200 of the enemy and the rescue of three American pilots. Spc Robert F. Stryker, who served with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, was decorated for saving the lives of his comrades near Loc Ninh. There, now don't you feel like you should have got that one ? Brad

I agree, Akula. I think the RCS model (thank you, Tony !) has added a new level to the sim and can really demand that you stay on your toes. The RCS ratings are not perfect by any means (I don't use a mathematical model or chart of known or "expected" radar cross section values down to the 0.0001 sq.m, for example), but they generally follow the H4.1 signature rules. If I am surprised by an aircraft that I thought I should have detected, then most times I like to chalk it up to the enemy's clever use of terrain to mask his approach. Terrain is not modeled in HCCE, but with a little imagination ... I think most players who are uncomfortable with being surprised this way have become too accustomed to the "old way" of playing Harpoon Classic. They need to start thinking "outside the box", because their foe most certainly will.

After some further research ... you shouldn't feel too terrible if an L-39 manages to put the hurt on you. Apparently, during the recent NATO Air Meet 2005 exercise in Orland, Norway, a Czech Air Force L-159 ALCA (a very similar aircraft, albeit somewhat more advanced) was able to target and "shoot down" an F-16 (Norwegian ?). I don't know if that speaks to the caliber of the aircraft, the skill of the Czech pilot or the failure of the Norwegian pilot, or a combination of all three, but at the very least, it tells you to never underestimate your opponent.

Ok, here's a hint since you seem to be stumped. The link is directly related to how soldiers get around (ie. travel) in Iraq.

Welcome, toorabid. Most all questions are good ones, this one included. The older battlesets (EC2000 and previous) are incompatible with the new player editable database. Therefore, afaik, one cannot create the Tu-22MP Backfire D and backwards import it into an EC2000 scenario. My best suggestion would be to create a whole new scenario (perhaps based on "Blockers" if that is what you want to do) in an EC2003 battleset.

I checked this out. Turns out the L-39 has the same RCS rating in the HCDB as do many other aircraft of its size and vintage. No obvious problems here.

From Navy Times Converted Ohio ready for sea trials By Christopher Munsey Times staff writer The guided-missile submarine Ohio, the first of four former Trident ballistic missile boats undergoing conversion to the new SSGN mission, is scheduled to start sea trials soon. Ohio recently finished a nuclear reactor refueling and conversion process at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington, said Kevin Sykes, a Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman. Four former Trident submarines, including Ohio, Georgia, Florida and Michigan, are being converted to SSGNs, at a total cost of approximately $4 billion. Instead of Trident nuclear-warhead tipped missiles, the new SSGNs will carry an arsenal of up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, and serve as special operations platforms. As part of the conversion, the battery of 24 Trident missile tubes were removed, freeing up space for cruise missile canisters and storage space. Officials have said an SSGN will be able to host as many as 66 SEALs or Special Operations forces, along with transporting a mini-submarine called the Advanced SEAL Delivery System, and a dry deck shelter with a SEAL Delivery Vehicle. Following sea trials and after completing testing and training, Ohio is expected to be available for deployment sometime in 2007, Sykes said. Conversion work is on schedule on Georgia, Florida and Michigan, with all three conversions complete by September 2007.

One reason (probably an atypical one) that comes to mind is anonymity. I might want to energize an air search radar that is the same as, or comparable to, a radar used by other (perhaps neutral) ship types. That way, I could maintain a degree of stealth and yet still collect useful air search information.

LGBs or JDAM would have been my choice. TLAM's are plenty accurate, most of the time, but they're also very valuable, very expensive and you need good intel to target them effectively. I would have reserved the TLAM's for a strike against a target inside enemy territory, and used the bombs against a target like Naha where my pilots can actually "eyeball" their aimpoints. Couldn't agree more. Oh, to have had a few "personal use" TLAM's available over the years.

Great AAR, though I must admit to shuddering a little at the thought of your choosing to paste Naha with forty ALCM's. I don't like to impose restrictions on players and their choice of tactics, but you do realize that it was an enemy "occupied" base adjacent to a civilian population, right ? Perhaps you have heard of "economy of force" ? Hehe, just razzing ya, Herman. Where would the community be without your AAR's ?

Interesting article, though unfortunately it doesn't tell us much about how the shootdown was actually achieved. My understanding is that the Serbs took advantage of known approach routes (due to NATO constraints); the media coverage of activity at Aviano airbase in Italy, and the presence in "spies" in Italy who passed timely reports of air activity. Using this information, the Serbs were able to calculate, more or less, when an Allied aircraft was enroute. This particular SA-3 battery wasn't previously known to Allied intel, and the F-117 passed close to this unknown danger. When the F-117 opened its bomb bay doors, it momentarily became visible to radar, enough for the Serbs to take a shot. They may have even guided the missile optically. A combination of bad counter-intel, bad luck and undoubtedly, more than a little Serb ingenuity.

As usual, great AAR, Herman. I've heard that you're pretty good at chess too. LOL. Brad

From DefenseNews Guessing Game: How Large Is China’s Defense Budget? By PETER HARMSEN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BEIJING While everyone knows China is a rising power, one can only guess at how strong its armed forces are, or how much it is spending to build its military might. The issue of the size of China’s defense budget re-emerged this week as U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited Beijing. He used every opportunity to voice concern over his host nation’s military expansion, which he said was sending “mixed signals” about China’s intentions. “Many countries … have questions about the pace and the scope of China’s military expansion,” he said at the Central Party School, speaking to future leaders of the Asian giant. Defense Minister Cao Guangchuan denied that China has understated its defense spending and insisted that raising the living standards of the country’s poor made it “impossible to massively increase” military expenditures. According to the official Chinese state budget, defense spending this year will rise by 12.6 percent to about $30 billion, maintaining the double digit expenditure seen over much of the last 15 years. But most analysts believe this is an understatement, as the budget does not include new arms purchases and weapons research and development. The Pentagon has provided one of the more bold estimates of China’s real spending on the military, saying in its annual report on China in July that it may be up to three times larger than officially admitted. That would make the People’s Liberation Army the best-funded force in Asia and No. 3 worldwide after the United States and Russia. The Pentagon report detailed China’s efforts to increase its ballistic missile strength and modernize its conventional forces with acquisitions abroad of everything from advanced fighter jets to computerized information systems. Few foreign observers dispute that China is camouflaging some of its defense spending — as do many other countries. “I really don’t think this, on a practical level, is very significant, I don’t think it’s very unusual,” said Paul Harris, an expert on China at Hong Kong’s Lingnan University. “Having said that, I do think it’s in China’s interest to be more transparent, because it has a mantra of rising peacefully to the benefit of everybody in the region, and if that’s the case, then why hide things?” China has repeatedly stressed any military buildup is for defensive purposes only, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan insisted Oct. 20 the United States has nothing to be concerned about. “As we have already said many times, China’s strengthening of its own defense ability is completely appropriate. There is nothing to be suspicious or worried about,” he told a briefing. Jon Sigurdson, a visiting research fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore, said China might not be disclosing important defense items out of a compulsion for secrecy. “Maybe it’s a question of how the budget is structured, rather than that they are trying to hide it,” he said. “Many of the national projects for microprocessors and other related technology have direct and very important significance for the military. But they’re basically structured as civilian programs which in principle they are.” For instance, in the Japanese military budget many research and development items are not included, he said. “You have a similar situation in many other countries. Not everything that’s directly or indirectly related to the defense sector is actually included in the official figures,” he said. The United States itself is not including every conceivable military item in its defense budget, according to Harris. “It’s a little bit rich of Donald Rumsfeld to come and lecture the Chinese when the Americans do this kind of thing all the time, especially with regards to the intelligence budget,” he said. “It’s only in recent years that we’ve even been given an overall figure for how much spending there is in the United States on intelligence, but we have no idea precisely where it goes.”

No takers ? C'mon, its not as difficult as it seems.

Been having a lot of rain lately, so here's three new HCCE scenarios for you to try ... Third Idea (Westpac battleset) Negative sentiments flowing from Japan's role in the Second World War continue to run deep in Asia, even six decades later. This remains especially true in China. Nevertheless Beijing tooks steps to rein in vehement anti-Japanese rallies in Spring 2005, ostensibly with the intention of protecting its own internal stability. And yet there was a deeper strategy at work. A newly revitalized relationship between Russia and the PRC, on both economic and defence levels, resulted in a joint plan to seize a commanding position in the Asian sphere of influence. The only obstacles ? Japan and its ally, the United States. LaGrange Six (EC2003 Battle in the Mediterranean) In this scenario, the ties and alliances between a host of European nations, old and new alike, have broken down. War has broken out once again between newly reformed states, failed states, and age old enemies. This time, the relationships evidenced by NATO, the EU and the like, have also crumbled. France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia have joined the battle on the side of Croatia, while the US, UK, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Ukraine have pledged to support Macedonia and the Former Yugoslavia. Peacekeeping in the region is no longer a viable option, and American and British forces are now being pulled out in an effort to avoid to impending quagmire ... My Love is Vengeance (EC2003 Battle in the Indian Ocean) The civil war in Iraq has spawned a multitude of terrorist organizations and networks, eclipsing the old enemy Al Qaeda and fostering new predilections among Middle Eastern states. Yemen has since turned its back on the USA, refusing to continue the pursuit and prosecution of suspected terrorists operating in its territory. There are now in fact strong indications that Yemen is harboring and propping up the terror networks. In a strange but somehow gratifying twist of fate, the USS Cole has returned to the scene of the crime perpetrated against her, this time to exact justice from the terrorists. Ah, what the heck, here's a couple more ... Crimean River (EC2003 Battle in the Mediterranean) Our support of the Ukraine in its border conflict with Russia has broken up most of the enemy offensive, except in the Crimea, where the war is bogging down. Intelligence indicates that many Russian units are no longer getting consistent support or orders from Moscow, and that some isolated groups of Russian forces are either surrendering or "melting away". There is, unfortunately, at least one exception. A rogue general in the Crimea has taken the opportunity to seize a nuclear powerplant. His intentions are unknown, but he and his compatriots are known to have ties to the criminal underworld in the Caucasus region. Our fear is that he may begin disassembly of the nuclear facility and sell weapons grade nuclear material to the highest bidder. The reactor and its support facilities must therefore be disabled or destroyed. Stage Fright, Part One (EC2003 Battle in the Indian Ocean) Chinese political influence over the path of the Asian Super Highway has threatened plans for the future expansion of Indian trade ties in Indochina. China has convinced Bangladesh and Myanmar that their economic interests would be better served by linking Chittagong with a trilateral road network with Myanmar and Kunming in China. While the Super Highway is being purpose built to advance multilateral commerce, China has been keen to extract military advantages. There is strong Indian opposition to the Chinese "meddling" in plans that they had already believed finalized. In reply, the PRC has followed up on its political pressures by convincing both Bangladesh and Myanmar to participate in high level "joint" military exercises on very short notice. Get all of them at HarpGamer's Harpoon Classic scenarios page here. And have fun.

A new version of the Harpoon Commander's Edition Database (HCDB-051011) is available. Get it at HarpGamer via the DB Share button. New additions include: L-159A ALCA - Czech Republic SSG Whiskey Long Bin (665) - Russia Enjoy.