broncepulido

Great phrase!:

No news, but interesting to keep track on F-35 weapons integration (remember, at the current IOC F-35A and F-35B Block 2B/3i are only armed with AIM-120C, GBU-31/32 JDAM, and E/GBU-12. Gun capability and AIM-9X will be added in 2017 (or gun in F-35B in 2019?), B61-12 nuke in F-35A in 2018, AIM-120D in 2019, SDB near 2022, and so on): http://aviationweek.com/awin/f-35-weapons-tests-2014-focus-amraam http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/f-35-cant-carry-its-most-versatile-weapon-until-at-leas-1688616599

Too many explanations again?: http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-reason-why-americas-f-35-would-crush-chinas-j-20-stealth-17315

Great Work! (Fourteen years!).

F-35B rejected or postposed by Singapore: http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/enough-air-power-singapore-drops-the-f-35-stealth-fighter/

Heritage Foundation evaluation of F-35A by F-35A pilots: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-f-35-worth-every-penny-heritage-foundation-2016-8 Complete evaluation in Scribb at the article end (14 pages). Of interest, between other points, the page 9 manoeuvrability table.

F-35A at last operational on 2 August 2016: http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/885496/air-force-declares-the-f-35a-combat-ready.aspx

EADS CASA C295MPA/MSA/VIMAR Persuader (request motivated by an Air International article of August 2016, detailing sensors and performances about the Portuguese planes): - RWR (unespecified type). - MHAWS (unespecified type). - Chaff/Flare (unespecified type). - Radar ELTA EL/M-2022M (underfuselage): 200 nm range. AS/SS (Syntetic Aperture capable). - Radar Terma SLAR 9000 (fuselage sides): 25 nm range. SS. Not ever present or not in all planes, perhaps introduced from 2013. http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1026611 - Wescam MX-15 EO/IR (undernose). - Northrop Grumman AN/APN-241 weather radar (nose). - Maximum speed: 311 knots. - Cruise speed: 260 knots. - Payload: 4000 Kg. - Range with 3000 Kg. payload: 2500 nm. - Ferry range: 2900 nm. - Ceiling: 30000 ft/9100 m. - Takeoff run: 670 m. - Landing run: 320 m. - 7650 liters internal fuel. - Portugal: Five C-295MPA Persuader aircrafts operated by Portugal. Esquadron 502 "Elefantes" at Montijo (two deployed in Lajes, Azores. Sometimes deployments to Bamako (Mali), Malaga (Spain), Sicily or Greece). Seven others are C-295M transports. Transports delivered first from 10 October 2008, each one with a month and a half interval, C-295MPA delivered later, probably from September 2009. - Chile: Three operated by Chile, with unespecified ASW equipment in two of them (C295MPA/ASW), equipped also with MAD and ASW weapons, probably in six underwing stations. First one delivered in April 2010. - Oman: 4xC-295M transports and 4xC-295MPA Persuader, all delivered 2013-March 2016. - Some other 21 countries employ the basic C-295M transport (including Spain (13+8) from December 2000, almost all in-flight refuelling capable), detailed here: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/CASA_C-295#Operadores https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Aviones_C-295

The Russian helicopter shoot-down yesterday in Syria was a Mi-8AMTSh/Mi-171Sh Terminator, RF-95585, one of most avanced Russian transport and assault types, in service from December 2010 or February 2014 (I was very intrigued this morning by this same photo in the newspaper, showing an unidentified (at least for me) metallic electro-optic ball below the tail boom, now at home with a little research is clear). The "ball" was not present at December 2015 in the same helicopter: http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/1-august-ruaf-mi8amtsh-212--rf95585-december-2015--/comments http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-01/russia-says-five-crew-killed-as-helicopter-shot-down-in-syria#media-1

Historically, the next month 5xA-10 Warthog and 3xHH-60G were deployed in Clark AFB from 19 to 28 April 2016, and 4xEA-18G Growler from 15 June 2016: http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/740671/pacaf-a-10s-hh-60s-fly-first-air-contingent-missions-in-philippines.aspx(1 aircraft more of each type added later, apparently). http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2016/07/04/navy-growlers-replace--10s-pavehawks-philippine-rotation/86480124/ Air Forces Monthly, August 2016 issue.

More as complement of the http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?/topic/23387-requests-for-the-hcdb-official-database-of-hce/?p=50686post than as request, relative to High New Y-8/Y-9 series of transports and specialized aircrafts, the recently presented AG600 is a close derivative of Y-9, with the same wingspan (40 m.) and same engines (4xWJ-6, derivative of the old Soviet AI-20). 60 planes to be delivered the next 15 years. Cruise speed estimated in 500 Km/h and range in 4500 Km in some videos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaanxi_Y-9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVIC_TA-600 Roll-out video: General characteristics video: Old speculative profile of AG600: http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1252

Some sources: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/june/24/140624-hms-montrose-russian-warship http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/10922700/Royal-Navy-investigates-mystery-Russian-warship-in-Baltic.html

File Name: HMS Montrose high tension at BALTOPS 2016, June 2016. Historical Scenario/Alternate History Scenario. File Submitter: broncepulido File Submitted: 24 Jul 2016 File Category: GIUK HMS Montrose at BALTOPS 2016, June 2016. Historical Scenario/Alternate History Scenario. A Harpoon Commander's Edition introductory scenario for the EC2003 Battle for the GIUK GAP Battleset and the HCDB-150928 1980-2015 era Platform Database or the HCDB2-170401 New Standard 1980-2025 Database. This scenario is designed with advanced Scenario Editor and to be run with HCE 2015.008+ or later. Image: The new Baltic Sea Fleet Russian corvette Soobrazitelnyy with the Russian Navy Saint Andrew's Cross flag on 30 June 2012 in Saint Petersburg. Photo credit Vitaly Repin, took from Wikipedia Commons. This scenario is designed to be played from the Blue/NATO side or from the Red/Russian side. To avoid spoilers you should play a few times first the Blue side, and only later play the Red side. The scenario is based in current historical events, mainly a sideshow of the NATO's BALTOPS 2016 drills, in particular the close encounter between the British frigate HMS Montrose and the Russian corvette (Russian designation) Soobrazitelnyy. This scenario depicts a derivative and open-fire limited confrontation, but is very improbable the political motivation in either side capable to generate an open and all-out war. Is basically an introductory scenario, inspired by the (continuous) current events. After the full of naval, military and security incidents year of 2014 the World was beginning the so-called Second Cold War. Mostly as result of President of Russia Vladimir Putin (ex-KGB lieutenant colonel) actions, provoking in succession the Crimea, Ukraine, Donetsk, Baltic States, October 2014 Swedish submarine incursion, G-20 Brisbane meeting naval crisis, November 2014 Faslane submarine incident, frigate Yaroslav Mudryy February "Channel Dash", April 2015 Finnish submarine incursion (for many observers causing the pre-mobilization of Finland reserve forces), Russian intervention in Syria from 30 September 2015, violation by Russian military helicopters of the Finnish and Georgian borders on 10 December 2015, March 2016 detection by the French of a Russian submarine near Bay of Biscay, violation by Russian military helicopters of the Polish border on 18 April 2016, the confuse Russian submarine B-265 Krasnodar incident with Polish warships (and the consecutive Putin sack of Russian Baltic Fleet numerous commanders) and with constant and multiple overflies with military warplanes entangled in potential incidents with commercial and military flights in Europe. That without counting in other unrelated naval incidents, just as the Iranian seizure of the Maersk Tigris in 28 April 2015 (and neither counting in landlocked actions, as the counter-Daesh operations in Middle East). And all those incidents without counting more towards Far East with China as a less perceived and growing problem, and his own generated incidents. China was building structures with military capabilities, including from 2012 more relevant structures, as the 3000+ meters long (Very Large Airport in Harpoon parameters) runway in Fiery Cross Reef (now finished, at March 2016), and more important, building artificial reefs and islands above previous simple shoals for claiming territory. At last in an undetermined date late April 2015 China claims as territorial waters the 12 nautical miles circling his "new" islands. As the US official doctrine is Freedom of Navigation (FON) worldwide on international waters (same in Baltic and Black Seas), and as in this case with fears about a decision not to send naval vessels into the zone would inadvertently help the Chinese build their own case for sovereignty in the area, some air and surface elements of US Navy begin to orbit near the Chinese claims, but not crossing the 12 nm line. Between the first incidents were a VP-45 Pelicans' P-8A Poseidon in surveillance mission carrying a CNN TV team inside, warned by the Chinese to no flight 12 nm near of Fiery Cross Reef on 20 May 2015, and the trailing for some hours of the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) by the Chinese frigate Yuncheng (571) on 11 May 2015. Late, from 26 October 2015, USS Lassen (DDG-82) implement the Freedom of Navigation (FON) near the Chinese occupied Subi and Mischief Reefs in the Spratlys, and a clash of destroyers was possible, but avoided with the humble and shy behaviour of the US side, transiting without radars illuminating or the helicopter flying, the 1 to 8 March 2016 sailing of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group on the contested area, and the sailing of the cruiser USS Chancellorsville between Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef on late March 2016, when was persistently trailed by Chinese frigate Yueyang (575) and the action was limited to an exchange of weather pleasantries. In this Alternate History case, the confuse identification between the British and Russian warships conducts to an open fire case. Enrique Mas, 24 July 2016. Click here to download this file

Meteor at last in service first time, in the Swedish Air Force from 11 July 2016 (in Brazilian Portuguese): http://www.aereo.jor.br/2016/07/11/missil-meteor-da-mbda-entra-em-servico-no-gripen-da-forca-aerea-sueca/

China and Russia don't agree with it ... http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/08/asia/north-korea-thaad-missile-deploy/

At last, RAF F-35B in RIAT 2016: For comparision, F-22A:

Very probably this submarine incident actually happened but colliding with a Polish patrol ship, and was the ultimate cause of this massive leadership cull in Russia's Baltic Fleet, as stated in the article: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2016/07/01/massive-leadership-cull-russias-baltic-sea-fleet/86595472/

Some relevant notes in the scenario: US side: - All the US submarines were almost 100% sure equipped with long-range chin-mounted 48-elements medium-frequency BQR-2 passive sonar (first one was the ill-fated USS Cochino (SS-345), with a semiconformal Balkongerat directly took of U-3008 "Elektroboote" in 1949, BQR-2 was a direct derivative), one of the two passive sonar sets capable to accomplish the pretended mission (the other was the bigger 58-elements low-frequency/medium-frequency BQR-4, installed only in specialized and relatively rare submarine hunter-killer submarines, both new built and conversions). - The USN probably disposed the GUPPYes in this operation forming a barrier as described in "Cold War Submarines" (Polmar and Moore, 2004), page 19: "three to five SSKs per 100 miles could be expected to detect practically all of the transiting submarines". The barrier concrete placement between Greenland and Iceland is only an informed guess, it perhaps was placed somewhere between Iceland and UK. - As stated in "US Submarines since 1945" (Friedman, 1994), page 30, and other sources, hints and graphic and operational evidence, at last all the US operational GUPPYes were fitted with the useful BQR-2: "Guppy IIAs were all fitted with BQR-2 passive sonars, BQS-2 (or equivalent) active sonars in deck domes, as in the Tangs. All Guppies were later so fitted" . - As consequence of this and similar researches (GUPPY IIA were in service from 1952, probably a good date for wide installation of BQR-2 in other GUPPYes and Fleet Snorkels is 1954), all the submarines in this operation should be equipped with BQR-2, BQR-3 and 2xBQS-2 (or BQR-2 and BQS-4 from 1955, date of introduction of BQS-4, replacing BQS-2, and deleting BQR-3). - Mk37 mod 0 ASW torpedo was in service from 1957, is clear they should be in provision in these submarines for a submarine hunter-killer mission. - As consequence of the aforementioned points, the submarines employed are represented by: 1.- USS Grenadier (SS-525), USS Amberjack (SS-522) and USS Grampus (SS-523), all Tench/GUPPY II conversions, by Argentine Santa Fe/GUPPY II (submarine entry 6342), with BQR-2 and Mk37 Mod 0-1. Historical speeds: submerged 16.5-17.5 knots, surfaced 18 knots. 1.- USS Atule (SS-403), Balao/GUPPY IA conversion, is represented by Turkish Dumlupinar/GUPPY IA (submarine entry 6344), with BQR-2 and Mk37 Mod 0-1. Historical speeds: submerged 15 knots, surfaced 17.3-18 knots. - Active sonar differences are almost irrelevant for gameplay effects. - Sidenote for comparison: Fleet Snorkel conversion speed (austere and a lot slower): submerged 10 knots, surfaced 18,5 knots. - The PatRons deployed for the exercise at NAS Keflavik were the resident VP-11 Proud Pegasus, and the in secret visitors VP-7 Black Falcons and VP-5 Mad Foxes. - All were provided with PV2 Neptune variants. VP-11 was equipped with P2V-7/P-2H, and VP-7 and VP-5 with PV2-5F/P-2E. Both variants were devoid of without Julie/Jezebel processor. - In consequence, both types are represented in this scenario by Argentine P-2E Neptune (employed in Argentina 1958-1971), a DataBase entry identical to the ASW aircrafts deployed in NAS Keflavik for the exercise. Soviet side: - The boat historically detected and forced to surface by USS Grenadier was probably B-78 or B-79, both Zulu V/Project 611VA conversions; others were in maintenance, conversion or other fleets in May 1959. - Is not clear if were equipped with ASW torpedoes or anti-ship homing torpedoes, but SET-53 was introduced in 1958 and SAET-50M in 1955. - Zulu V/Project 611AV historical speeds: submerged 12,5, surfaced 16,5. - SS-1A Scud/R-11FM/8A611FM was actually an operational testing missile; never equipped with nuclear warheads (I think read that in an old Russian source).

Some sources: The original history, an interview to Captain Ted Davis: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=45746 Generic: http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08525.htm http://russianships.info/eng/submarines/project_611.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VP-5#Atlantic_theater http://www.vpnavy.org/vp7_aircraft.html http://www.vpnavy.com/vp11_aircraft.html http://www.deepstorm.ru/DeepStorm.files/45-92/dts/611/list.htm The two very probable Soviet SSB submarines capable to be in the action: http://www.deepstorm.ru/DeepStorm.files/45-92/dbrs/av611/b-79/b-79.htm 1958 Abril-May выполнила задачи дальнего автономного похода (She) carried out tasks of a distant autonomous campaign http://www.deepstorm.ru/DeepStorm.files/45-92/dbrs/av611/b-78/b-78.htm About early Guppy conversions equipped with BQR-2 in the keel: Tench-class Guppy II: http://www.coldwarsubmarines.com/store/page41.html Balao-class Guppy IA (USS Atule SS-403): http://www.coldwarsubmarines.com/store/page39.html http://guppysubmarinetribute.homestead.com/tribute.html http://www.motionmodels.com/ships/sub/ss525.html About SS-1A/R-11FM: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0-11%D0%A4%D0%9C "Diesel Boats Forever" is not only a catch-phrase, also employed by Norman Polmar and Kenneth J. Moore in "Cold War Submarines" (Potomac Books, 2004) as title of Chapter 13, there's a real history on it: http://www.submarinesailor.com/history/dbfpin/dbfpin.asp(very good site). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_Boats_Forever_insignia

File Name: "Diesel Boats Forever": the great USS Grenadier Soviet ballistic missile submarines chase, May 1959. Historical Scenario. File Submitter: broncepulido File Submitted: 27 Jun 2016 File Category: GIUK "Diesel Boats Forever": the great USS Grenadier Soviet ballistic missile submarines chase, May 1959. Historical Scenario. A Harpoon Commander's Edition scenario for EC2003 Battle for the GIUK Gap Battleset and the HCCW-140314 Cold War 1950-1975 Platform Database. This scenario is designed with advanced Scenario Editor and to be run with HCE 2015.008+ or later. Image: USS Grenadier (SS-525) in 1951, after the Guppy II conversion (Guppy stands for Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program) with the original stepped Portsmouth Sail (changed to a taller Northern Sail circa 1960), but probably previously to be fitted with a BQR-2 (circa 1953), and apparently with WFA (dome) and JT (abaft it) sonars on deck. US Navy photo, and in consequence in public domain, took from navysource.org. This scenario is designed to be played from the Blue/US side or from the Red/Soviet side. To avoid a few spoilers you should play a few times first the Blue side, and only later play the Red side. Well beyond the commissioning of USS Nautilus (SSN-571) in May 1954, five years later USN can count with only six nuclear attack submarines, some of them experimental. It should wait to 1975 to see the last GUPPY conversions retired (USS Tiru, SS-416), and to 1990 to see the last operational combat-capable conventional diesel-electric decommissioned (USS Blueback, SS-581). Also, the first US nuclear ballistic missile submarine was to start her first patrol only from November 1960 (USS George Washington, SSBN-598). Meanwhile, from 1957 was suspected the Soviet Union has in service diesel-electric ballistic missile submarines in patrol near the US coast and of other Allies in North Atlantic. To confirm the suspects, a drill was planned, centring four wartime period diesel-electric boats modernized to GUPPY configurations. They were also equipped with the medium-frequency long-range passive sonar BQR-2 (a direct derivative of the wartime German Balkongerat, employed in Type XXI-class submarines). But were not employed specialized hunter-killer submarines equipped with the longer range BQR-4 (Installed from 1951-1953 in seven SSK GUPPY IIA, and in three Balao Fleet Snorkel conversions near 1955, reducing the number of torpedoes and torpedo tubes)- The four boats left their homeport of Key West, Florida, in April 1959, to conduct "special antisubmarine exercises", and were deployed somewhere in the GIUK gap. Also were secretly deployed three maritime patrol squadrons at NAS Keflavik, Iceland. At last, after about a month of sailing and more of 18 hours of chase, on 29 May 1959 a Soviet Zulu V-class/Project VA611 diesel-electric ballistic missile submarine, was caged in the trap and forced to surface, and some photos were took. The secretive mission was a success, and as pretended was demonstrated the presence of Soviet ballistic missile submarine in Atlantic Ocean. Was also a success of the intelligence community, and of the US strategic planning and tactical execution of anti-submarine (ASW) warfare. And one case of Jack Daniels Old No. 7 black label Tennessee sour mash whiskey was awarded to the crew of USS Grenadier and her captain Ted Davis, by Admiral Jerauld Wright, then commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, as no unit award was presented to the boat for surfacing the Soviet ballistic-missile submarine, except a medal presented by the crew to Lt. Cmdr. Davis, made out of a mayonnaise lid and pieces of an old flag. Enrique Mas, 27 June 2016. Click here to download this file

In Russian, but you can employ on-line translators: http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-465.html

Interesting article in Russian post-war torpedoes evolution: http://rusnavy.com/science/weapons/underseaweapon/index.php?print=Y

Second presentantion in the same line, a few days ago (no great novelties military/Harpgamer related)(In Spanish). RUSIA DESAFIO PROPAGANDA 2016 2.ppt