CV32

Lockheed Inks Two More F-35 Contracts (DOD Buzz) Latest prices (LRIP 7): F-35A, $98 million per F-35B, $104 million F-35C, $116 million Engines are extra.

The problem with this, I think, is that the missiles were being used in a role other than what they were designed for, even if somewhat successful. In addition to the instances you mention, I am reminded of the occasion when a Canadian CF-18 pilot fired a AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile at an Iraqi patrol boat during Desert Storm. It missed, but still. Any radar guided weapon can potentially be used against a land based target. When shooting at a cluster of buildings along a shoreline, or in a relatively flat and featureless desert, the chances of getting a good enough radar return are probably pretty decent. So, questions arise. Do we make all radar guided weapons capable of land attack? Since we have only one pH value to work with (for surface targets), is it fair to make an antiship weapon equally capable of conducting attacks against ships and land targets? I am thinking no.

Certainly lots of chatter about Command's cost, and although I can see both sides of the debate, I do have to admit that I lean towards defence of a higher sticker price generally. The sheer amount of work that goes into these kinds of niche products - and the value they offer - is difficult to measure in any other way than to say they are 'exceptional'. But as wargamers we probably aren't the most objective of observers, are we?

One of the three helos, TCB-33 (c/n 3238), is preserved at the Turkish naval museum at Golcuk, reportedly as AB.204AS. You will also sometimes see AB.204ASW, but I don't have any info about an ASW role.

Got a source? The M1926V was a 15.75 inch (400mm) torpedo. I don't have any information about an ASW role for this helo in Turkish Navy service. If there is a source, please provide. Other issues remedied for the next iteration. Thanks.

Mass Shootings, Mental Health, Human Factors & Homeland Security (Defense Media Network)

India to Get Refitted Russian Ship in November – Official (RIA Novosti)

CAD$88 for the download. CAD$105 (including 'free' download) for the boxed version, shipping from 9 October.

We won't entertain much discussion here about our feelings about the developers, as that much is probably well known in the community and is better relegated to history, but the game itself looks pretty great. I guess more will become known shortly.

Well, it certainly goes to show that budgets do not necessarily matter.

South Korea Rejects Boeing’s F-15SE Fighter, Will Restart FX-III (The Diplomat, Flashpoints)

A new version of the Harpoon Commander's Edition (HCE) 'Cold War' Database (HCCW-130923) is now available. Get it in the Downloads section. New additions include: Aircraft: AB.204AS - Turkey AB.205A - Turkey C-47 Skytrain - Turkey C-47D Dakota - Greece C-130H Hercules - Greece C-212A Aviocar - Portugal Commando Mk 2A - Qatar Noratlas - Greece Noratlas - Portugal P-2E Neptune - Portugal SA.319B Alouette III - Portugal SA.330C Puma - Portugal SA.330S Super Puma - Portugal UH-1D - Greece UH-1H - Greece Installations: Beja BA11 - Portugal Lajes BA4 - Portugal Monte Real BA5 - Portugal Montijo BA6 - Portugal Ovar AM1 - Portugal Sintra BA1 - Portugal SS-1 Scunner Site - USSR SS-2 Sibling Site - USSR SS-5 Skean Silos - USSR SS-5 Skean Site - USSR SS-6 Sapwood Site - USSR SS-7 Saddler Silos - USSR SS-7 Saddler Site - USSR SS-8 Sasin Site - USSR SS-9 Scarp M1 Silos - USSR SS-9 Scarp M2 Silos - USSR SS-11 Sego M1 Silos - USSR SS-11 Sego M2 Silos - USSR SS-13 Savage M1 Silos - USSR SS-13 Savage M2 Silos - USSR Submarines: Bouan (XIC) SS - France Hajen SS - Sweden Ships/MLUs: Admirable FFL - Vietnam, South Attack PC - Indonesia Junk - Intl Komarov (1917) AGR - USSR LST-542 LST - Vietnam, North LST-542 LST - Vietnam, South MGM-5B Corporal Bty - USA PCE-827 PG - Vietnam, South PCER-848 PG - Vietnam, South Pham Ngu Lao FF - Vietnam, North Riga (50) FF - Indonesia Samadikun (1/73) FF - Indonesia Samadikun (2/74) FF - Indonesia Samadikun (3/74) FF - Indonesia Savage FF - Vietnam, North Savage FF - Vietnam, South Sorong AO - Indonesia Tran Quang Khai FF - Vietnam, South Enjoy.

An error from an experiment I was running. Thought I had fixed them, but there are much more than the Alize that need fixing. Thanks for finding it. Update: This issue should be fixed in the new version (HCCW-130923) uploaded today.

Lots of pics. Boeing's new tricked out Advanced Super Hornet (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog)

Operation Source: The British Midget Submarine Attack on the Tirpitz (Defense Media Network)

Navy Yard Shootings: Are We Seeking the Right Answers? (Defense Media Network)

An interesting and undoubtedly controversial article ... Reforming America's Overhyped Airpower (POGO)

This is what happens when you build several different versions of the same platform while watching the latest episode of Breaking Bad. Working on polishing up the HCDB for the next patch right now, but I will get to these and other issues in due course.

Remember Triton: Americas Pioneer Nuke Sub (War is Boring blog)

Glad to hear it. It was rather 'uneventful', otherwise.

Airpower Options for Syria: Assessing Objectives and Missions for Aerial Intervention (RAND Corporation, pdf)

What hides behind the mission of the Nikolai Filchenkov (Defense Update)

Thunderjet (Air and Space Magazine)

Russia Puts Submarine Trials on Hold After Bulava Failure (RIA Novosti)

China to Get Russian Su-35 Jets in 2014 (RIA Novosti)