TonyE

I think that sums up the article. The rest of the article hinted at something as well, use those F-35B airframes on the carrier in a more flexible manner, allowing them to more closely help the Marines on the ground, when there are Marines on the ground. Otherwise I see two variants of the JSF on a carrier being no worse than having both F/A-18C and E on the same carrier, slightly different aircraft, significantly different range and utility. I say let the Marines go totally F-35B and get over it

Hehe, Brad caught me by surprise there too, I like it! With BSL we started with the BSL numbers hard coded into the game as the reference, where those initial BSL numbers came from/how they were derived, I don't think we know (they originated before HC97). So guess and check is the official answer on the BSL numbers which usually leads directly into looking at the existing platforms and picking a number you think right for your own platform. More variables go into the sonar calculations than the radar and nobody has produced a thorough sonar spreadsheet for HC. Part of the sonar model will need adjustment after HCE release so perhaps we can go thru and make at least a chart of ideal detection ranges of certain sonars against certain submarines with specific BSL numbers. Oh, and before I confuse this all too much, the equations you see in that RCS spreadsheet are exactly what the model is doing in the game, we made the spreadsheets first to test the idea, then plugged the equations into the game.

Howdy, If you are looking for a formula to come up with a m^2 RCS number estimate, perhaps someone else here has some references. If you are looking for a tool for Harpoon Classic, then see the spreadsheet at http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?a...amp;showfile=28 My preferred way to work in the spreadsheet is to enter a starting guess HC RCS value in cell B22, and the radar range of the detecting platform (E-3 Sentry ~360nm is the default entry). Look at the resulting value in cell G22, that is the most optimistic range the radar could detect the ship (that calculation ignores weather degredation and line of sight limitations, among other small modifiers). Once you reach a detection 'solution' you approve of, use that HC RCS number in the PE (Platform Editor). An alternative is to enter a m^2 RCS number into cell A18 which will guess at an HC RCS number but I don't think you'll find that to be as rewarding or as valuable as the method of the previous paragraph here. Finally there is the comparative approach, using the drop-down for RCS in the PE, find a similar platform and use the same value. Throw a couple of Prowlers into the mix with active jamming and really have an adventure

Thanks Brad, good stuff! Also sounds like you are winning the war singlehandedly for us, careful or you'll make the carriers and BBs useless.

Is it just me or is it insane to approve production of a supersonic aircraft that hasn't broken the sound barrier? Considering this is really all about software, if the mechanical side of things are at such an early state, what must the software look like. Here I was going to rant on the UK Carrier process but this is more worth it

File Name: Thanh Hoa Bridge File Submitter: TonyE File Submitted: 22 Apr 2007 File Category: WestPac This scenario was created in honor of Patrick O'Shea, his chariot the RA-5C, and his service to Harpoon. Author: Tony Eischens Invaluable Assistance by: Brad Leyte "The juxtaposition of American air might against the Thanh Hoa Bridge, fearfully known as the Ham Rong or Dragon's Jaw bridge, may become, if it hasn't already, the arch-symbol of the air war against the North Vietnamese. Destruction of the bridge became an intense obsession of American military planners. The Vietnamese, obsessing no less, fought to preserve the bridge, which for them had become the supreme symbol of their resistance to American air power. It's not without plausibility then that the destruction of this sacred symbol by the Americans may have been more important than the destruction of the structure itself." By Gary W. Foster Click here to download this file

I had made a test scen after Herman couldn't get the VCs to trigger, and they triggered as they should when the only thing in the group was the bridge so it is not the identical minimum and total VCs causing the delay.

As many of you have noticed, guessed, etc, Harpoon Commanders Edition looks to finally be released in the next couple of months. But there is still time to submit your WestPac scenario (using the stock DB or HCDB) for inclusion with the game itself as part of the WestPac battleset. There are five slots available for scenarios that are tested and fun, very few restrictions besides that. The scenarios must include orders files for both sides (even if one side's orders just states that side isn't playable). You must also provide the title you would prefer in the scenario listing, i.e. Doolitov's Raid). Since time is tight, there is no guarantee your scenario will make it in the game but if you submit a polished scenario by the end of April there is a very good chance it will be included (until we fill the five slots of course). You may submit multiple scenarios. You can submit your scenarios here at HarpGamer in the Downloads section, upload to ScenShare, or PM me here for alternate delivery methods, if you know my e-mail address, feel free to use that as well, but I think upload to HarpGamer is ideal so everyone has prompt access to test the scenario. Thanks!

So what do we think about this state of affairs? This article points a firm an unrelenting finger at the Navy acquisitions group, at the ship builder, and at the crew of the ship itself. At the very least it didn't blame just one group but I'm guessing the blame might not be justified in every area as the author of that article seems to paint everyone involved as totally inept. I read the article and was thinking that the workload for a crew of a new ship without extraordinary problems is likely pretty heavy. Now take and triple or quadruple not only the number of problems but depth and skill level needed to fix the problems and that probably describes the San Antonio, leading to one very over-worked and under-skilled crew for the problems at hand. That crunch hits the captain and upper ranks very hard as they not only have to be leaders, superb project managers, but also deal with what must be a crew with very low morale. The ship probably needs two command staffs, one normal ops staff, and one ship construction staff if the problems left by the shipyard and messed up acquisition is going to be resolved in an expedient manner.

Rant... Why can't any of the local stations manage to broadcast game 5, which is in Anaheim, nice and far away from Minnesota here!

I'm a member and really enjoy reading Proceedings. As long as they actually send a print magazine, I hope to maintain a membership

and the wise player said unto me, "If you ever tinker with an icon making program please remember that standard wargame counters are either 1/2" or 5/8" not 1" or 2"" Thanks Pete

Head over to http://maps.google.com Click Get directions From: New York To: London Click Get Directions button. Note step #23 in your travels.

um, Yes? Am actually wondering if we're going to get a game of Defcon going today, nucl'ar war with Brad and Brains, scary!

AAR “The Thanh Hoa Bridge” Rabbit10.SCq Battleset WestPac Game Engine: HCE b22 Database: HCDB 07-02-27 (Brad Leyte) Designer: Tony Eischens Tested by Ralf Koelbach 07-04-14 1. Introduction “The Tanh Hoa Bridge” is a scen dealing with a well known situation during the Vietnam War. The player has US side and he must destroy the important bridge. The whole area is heavily defended with a SAM belt, lots of AA guns and many, many aircraft. And there are no Tomahawks, no HARM missiles making your life easier. Maybe these conflicts led to their birth…. 2. Playing it 07:23 Sub contact! Right beside my carrier group! 07:25 Two Hawkeyes with CAPs assigned launched 07:31 First red ac detected 07:32 Two RA-5Cs launched. They instantly detect several SAM sites. 07:51 Still no clear contact on those subs(?) 07:56 One sub determined as neutral – whale 08:06 The first RA-5C close to enemy lines comes under attack – but it evades. Fabulous bird! 08:10 I start pressing with forward CAPs. The F4s really do a good job. 08:47 Eight Migs shot down so far. 08:53 First ASuW strike underway – four Intruders 09:39 First SAM site (030 ZN00) knocked out. Air battle is raging. One Intruder lost. 09:51 The other three Intruders fell victim to a Mig ambush. 10:02 Next SAM site (002 ZL00) wiped out, but a the cost of all four Intruders. That will become a real tough job! 11:38 Status: 10 AC lost; 35 AC killed; 2 AD Mobile killed 11:55 Air superiority achieved. Eight more red ACs shot down. 12:17 Several more surface contacts detected. 12:24 Oh Lord, what a tough resistance! 14 AC lost; 51 AC killed – no progress killing ground targets. How to break through? Those Shrikes are outranged by the SAMs. I want my HARMs back! 12:34 Nearly lost an Hawkeye. A flight of F4s saves it in the last moment. 12:54 Two more Intruders lost. 12:56 MRMR02 UZ 00 killed 12:58 SAM Site 52 ZP01 wiped out. Maybe I´ll manage it! 13:04 Two Corsairs lost. My F4s dominate the Migs, but a Corsair has no chance. 13:57 SAM Site 59 UM00 destroyed; ZU-23AAA02 UK00 killed, KS-12AAA UL00 destroyed 14:53 Defeat! Too little, too late, it seemed. I am not sure why exactly I lost at this point – too many AC lost? Final Status: 24 AC lost; 80 AC shot down; 8 AD Mobiles destroyed. Most interesting is, that I lost not a single RA-5C! They are so fast that I always managed to escape. The F4s worked well; their Sparrows ripped through those Mig-waves. But the Corsairs and Intruders didn´t make it. 3. Resume HCE looks better, sounds better and the new AI seems to be a real nasty opponent. In connection with the new sensor model a real new HC is coming – great! I don´t know right now how to win this scenario. How to wipe out this SAM belt only with Shrikes? I´ll think about it; my revenge will come. Great scen for a great new HC, Tony! Ralf

I don't want to sound harsh or brash but a change of power in Pakistan could allow some intrepid special forces to take up work in some mountain territory currently off limits. The confusion during transition to a new ruling government might provide enough time for a good once over and sowing of sensors? Then life gets interesting as nice US built equipment falls into the hands of people we don't want to face militarily and nuclear weapons are taken up by possibly less stable commanders not as worried about the world stage.

Excellent, Thursday is my next potential day to look at Gulf Strike. Will undertake basic air ops as you suggested.

Secret information follows, Staff Pukes are the four founders of HarpGamer, perhaps we'll rename it to Admirals some day, I just wanted to see if anyone would comment. Rear Admiral, well, you are the only one of those Pete, some special permissions at the website, as you've found. The other sleeper group is HC3 of which Akula rounds out the HC3 (Brad, Tony, Akula), aka those who will take the HC helm once HCE is released. Then we have the Members group, Validating (to be members), and then guests. Guests can download files, read most posts. Members get to post and read all posts in their forums. end secret information I'm sure some day we'll rename Members to Sailors or somesuch, who knows Well, that's enough security reduction for one day, have fun all.

Ever closer, which is good, progress was neutral or backwards there for a while. Word on the street says the new scens are in WestPac, animations will now behave, and the tweaking continues.

Sounds like an exceptional candidate for a rebuild in EC2003 with mobile land units and such. Neat idea btw.

Okay, Gulf Strike arrived yesterday, maybe even the day before, I've been away house sitting for a week. The game is in pristine condition, appeared to even have the original shrink wrapping on the package. Since I found it so late in the evening I only had time to page thru each of the booklets (the box was stuffed to the brim with supplements and counters and maps galore). Hopefully I'll spend some time with the game before Pete slaughters me and place my findings as a paper wargame novice in this thread.

Ralf, can you give step by step instructions on making the SE crash as I have not been able to do so yet with that HCDB? Thanks!

First thought goes not to mines but submarine detection, Cold War, space based laser detection of NATO submarines. Maybe we are finally getting to the age when those Soviet titanium hulls will provide the only protection a submarine can count on (VDeep ). Today's terabyte is tomorrow's pebble after all. They are still huge oceans but the littorals may become a little less horrific for surface ships with blue/green laser support.

Hmm, it was up when you posted, it is up now, it will continue to be up for the foreseeable future except for when it crashes