kmart494

I will start a new topic per Tony's suggestion. If that doesn't work, then I will send the zipped folder to anyone that wants one.

I created a simple plotter (SimPlot) program that automates the process of moving units on a simple x,y coordinate system. The objective is to get myself to play H4 paper rules more often by eliminating the problems of graph paper or Neptune's Cat attacks for tabletop games. SimPlot will track time and motion of units. It will also provide range and bearing info to other units. Units can automatically follow other units that are selected as "targets." Unit movement tracks and times can be displayed in case you want to see where you have been. How about a few screenies? Well, the image came out smaller that I wanted, so I hope you can still read it. Selecting a unit will display additional information on the left side. The status bar buttons on the bottom will toggle other on-screen information. Never mind the grid lines for now because they are terrible. Both aircraft groups have detected each other and the F-18 group will now fire AIM-120 missiles. Once the OK button is pressed the missiles will appear on top of the F-18 icon and will not move until next turn. Now we got some action! I zoomed the map in so you can see how the missiles are tracking their targets. I don't have to figure out a new heading each time they move. Units can be added, modified, or removed as needed. Currently, the program supports aircraft, helicopters, missiles, surface ships, submarines, torpedoes, sonobuoys, and reference points. I don't have a place to upload the program, and there is no download section for H4 paper rule supporting files. The best I could do right now is to email a zipped folder to anyone that wants a copy.

Thanks for the reply. Here is a little twist on the above scenario. Let's say that the Burke has AEW support and the inbound missiles are detected before they reach the Burke's radar horizon. Does this mean that the Burke can fire on them as soon as they clear the radar horizon? I am assuming the SAMs must be directed by the launching ship, and thus the weapon directors must have a clear radar line of sight to the targets.

Last night I played a scenario where an Arleigh Burke DDG is attacked by SS-N-22 missiles fired from a Sovremenny DDG. The Sov had Helix AEW support but the Burke had no copter on board, and so detection of inbound missiles was limited to the SPY-1 radar. Here was the problem. After the 1st move phase of an Engagement Turn the Sunburns were just outside the radar horizon of 24 nm and are still undetected. In the 2nd move phase the missiles are 6.9 nm closer. But, since the ship had no prior detection of the missiles, the Burke cannot see or fire on them in the 2nd fire phase, right? If so, then the missiles move another 6.9 nm (1st move of next turn) but technically remain undetected until the detection phase. Now the missiles move another 6.9 nm closer(2nd move) and the burke can fire in defense (2nd fire phase). The missiles moved a little more than 20 nm during this event, leaving very little room to deal with them. Is my interpretation of the sequence of the Engagement Turn correct?

How about some non-fiction from which to create scenarios? I recommend Inside the Danger Zone, The US Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987 - 1988 by Harold Lee Wise.

I am interested in joining the game. I have been playing Harpoon on and off since version 3. I have 4.1 and am brushing up on the rules. Kevin