donaldseadog

From Australian ABC news service

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-10/australia-to-provide-military-support-to-gulf-states/106435248?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Above article has been updated by ABC since first posting

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-06/adf-helicopter-evasive-action-chinese-military/106426388?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

4 hours ago, broncepulido said:

´Just another problem is the limitation of 4096 or so entries by type. Begin a DB, as 2026-2036 and after be limitated by that and start again from zero!

I'm assuming the date range includes the active platforms in various nations so I think that sounds good, in line with what brad was doing when he created hcdb2 as the update of the first general hcdb.

For thise that don't scour Discord HC discussions a recent interesting concept came in about gaining points or awards for completing scenarios. Apparently this is something common in the gaming world so many will know about it.

Its worth a little look at the discord recent posts of the last few days if you use the platform. 

Anyway it has me thinking about how this could be done (the structure is there to do it) and currently I'm thinking of issuing a score (by an unbiassed exportdll probably) according to some (not yet determined) formulae and string those scores for a player across related scenario strings eg a battleset.

I think it could be a bit of icing for some people, any thoughts?

(linked from our current events sub forum)

https://defence-blog.com/russia-warns-of-possible-military-action-in-baltic-sea/

One direction I'd wondered if a small well organised team or a single person were to start a new database they could target a particular currently interesting region, maybe even a single  modern scenario, and build up from there.

Remembering that the intellectual property rights in the current hcdb2 (and most of the other db we use) belong to Brad (quite rightly in my opinion due to the huge work in creating them) the start from scratch direction is a big undertaking. 

One avenue that is a bit clumsy and only in my view useful for small additions is the use of exportdll units that modify the loaded database. These can be produced eg for a set of scenario ( abit like doing a custom battleset) so as to update existing platforms with modernised or customised variants but doesn't work well if introducing a totally new item (platform sensor or weapon). I've used it with I'd say 80% effectiveness to eg modify a submarine into a one way autonomous semisubmerged drone. It works well to alter available loadouts of aircraft or mounts\weapons on ships from avaialble weapons\mounts\sensors etc. Eg a modified japanese ddg  simulate a hypothetical australian new gen frigate. As I said though it is somewhat clumsy and restricted and doesn't really progress to cover totally new items of technology.

Well I guess it shows for those interested in naval simulation if they haven't 'played' the latest HC then HC97 is pretty impressive. 

"And this brings on an even bigger question, how many people still want to play this game? "

That's something I sometimes wonder. Certainly the download of new scenarios isn't what it used to be but there is still obvious interest. Also time will tell but the Steam addition to the equation might well bring a new surge. 

I think HC is still a unique simulation, where the new programs are more a game.

Taking into account current limits to database size when pondering this question I've wondered whether there's now a need to start a new (series 3?) DB from a more recent start date - an issue is that many nations still use quite old platforms. The main issue to my mind is the sheer size of the job of starting from scratch.

*** SPOILER ALERT***

Well while I got my total victory, the sinking of a damaged merchantman in reprisal for a UAV incursion on my airspace, I suffered a large loss and the opinion rating in the polls are pretty bad  I spent about 4 hrs for 10 hrs game time.

I decided to try and occupy the mid and east Black Sea and to weed out and sink anything that Russia had in the area. Maintaining air cover by F-16 proved costly. Keeping up good surveillance without AC loss proved difficult (OK I didn't manage it). Not waiting for Poland to bring in better AC for ASUW attacks proved costly, in the end a flight of three F16 and a pack of mavericks was all I needed. Well trimming the number of Russian fighters patrolling the area before hand did help but at a worse than 1:1 loss ratio.

I'm going to have another go at this gem, after a bit of wound licking, and with a much more conservative strategy. I'll certainly be trying tho dodge their Su-35S Flanker E  and maybe let their naval patrols have their end of the Black sea for themselves

Thanks heaps for this Patrick.

Stats:

[Victory Summary]
Time=05 Jan 2026, 06:14:02  The RED side has met their minimum victory conditions
Time=05 Jan 2026, 10:50:02  The BLUE side has met their minimum victory conditions
Time=05 Jan 2026, 10:50:02  The BLUE side has met their total victory conditions

[Kill Detail Blue Side ]
F-16CM40 Falcon 15/Plane=6
MQ-8C Fire Scout 17/Helicopter=3
F-16CJ50 Falcon 14/Plane=5
CN-235MSA/Plane=2
Super Lynx Mk110 05/Helicopter=1
Heybeliada/Ship=1
S-70B28 Seahawk 12/Helicopter=5
Gediz (FFG7/11)/Ship=2
E-737 Peace Eagle/Plane=2

[Kill Detail Red Side ]
MiG-35 Fulcrum F 18/Plane=8
Il-38 May 92/Plane=4
Ka-27M Helix A 17/Helicopter=3
Ka-29RLD Helix E 95/Helicopter=1
MiG-31BM Foxhound 15/Plane=1
Buyan Pr21630 06/Ship=1
Su-35S Flanker E/Plane=4
Steregushchiy Pr2038 07/Ship=1
Su-34 Fullback 16/Plane=12
Gorshkov Pr22350/Ship=1
Grigorovich (1135.6)/Ship=1
Soobraziltelny Pr20381 11/Ship=1
Merchant damaged/Ship=1
MiG-29KR Fulcrum D 15/Plane=2

[StoresConsumed - Blue]
Blue Weapon=Tally
AIM-120C7 AMRAAM=41
AIM-120B AMRAAM=29
AGM-158A JASSM=32
Taurus KEPD350=24
AGM-88B HARM (ARM)=28
AGM-84K SLAM-ER=26
SOM-A=16
SA-10c Grumble (S-300PMU)=22
SM-1MR Block VIB=29
RIM-162B ESSM=12
UGM-84C Harpoon=8
DM2A4 Seahake=2
SM-3 Block IIB=16
RGM-84G Harpoon=4
AIM-9X Sidewinder=10
AGM-65G Maverick=6

[StoresConsumed - Red]
Red Weapon=Tally
AA-12 Adder B (R-77-1)=12
AA-13 Arrow (R-37)=6
SA-21 (9M96E)=43
SA-N-12 Grizzly (Shtil-1)=36
AA-12 Adder C (R-77M1)=26
AA-10 Alamo C (R-27RE)=26
AA-10 Alamo D (R-27TE)=6
SA-N-11a Grisom=3
SS-N-26 Strobile=8
SS-N-27 Sizzler (3M54)=8
Sosna-R (9M337)=3
AA-12 Adder A (R-77)=8
AA-10 Alamo A (R-27R)=11
AS-4 Kitchen D (Kh-32)=24
SS-N-25 Switchblade=8
SA-24 Grinch (Igla-S)=14
SA-6b Gainful Mod1 (Kub-M4)=12
AA-11 Archer (R-73M)=4
SA-23b (9M82M)=4
AA-11 Archer (R-73)=2

[Damage List Red]
ZZa: 00 Yeysk damage=265/2500
ZXp: 00 Novorossiysk damage=1067/2500
ZYS: 02 Grad Sviyazhsk damage=33/36

[Damage List Blue]
ARS: 00 Anadolou damage=303/425

Time (well) spent:

[Session Summary]
Session Game Start=5 Jan 2026, 01:00:00
GameTimeDuration ThisSession=3Hrs23 Mins
TotalGameTimeDuration=3Hrs23Mins
GameTimeToGO=68 Hrs: 36 Mins
Session End RealTime=4/02/2026 22:00:00
RealTimeDuration ThisSession=1:09:59
==== =====
Session Game Start=5 Jan 2026, 04:23:54
GameTimeDuration ThisSession=3Hrs21 Mins
TotalGameTimeDuration=6Hrs45Mins
GameTimeToGO=65 Hrs: 14 Mins
Session End RealTime=5/02/2026 13:01:14
RealTimeDuration ThisSession=1:39:00
==== =====
Session Game Start=5 Jan 2026, 07:45:18
GameTimeDuration ThisSession=3Hrs20 Mins
TotalGameTimeDuration=10Hrs5Mins
GameTimeToGO=61 Hrs: 54 Mins
Session End RealTime=5/02/2026 17:51:41
RealTimeDuration ThisSession=1:18:20
==== =====

3 hours ago, rainman said:

I really enjoyed this one, but what if (as happened) the sale of F-35's to Turkey were halted? I have gently modified this scenario to reflect that. Don, is it OK if I share it? I think it will be a little daunting....

Oh yes, please share, that does sound another level. I'll be one of the first to give it a spin.

***SPOILER ALERT***

After about 9 hrs of play and TotalGameTimeDuration=24Hrs22Mins we have a result, which I found rather funny seeing USA is now regarded as  commo camp by I assume the Frogs.

Some summary detail to start:

[Kill Summary Red Side ]
Planes:=172
AD mobile:=3
Submarines:=2
Carriers:=2
Ships:=15
Helicopters:=48

[Kill Summary Blue Side ]
Ships:=2
Planes:=45
Helicopters:=1
AD mobile:=2
Submarines:=1

[StoresConsumed - Red]
Red Weapon=Tally
TLAM-C Blk IIIA=33
TACTOM Blk IV=583
RGM-84G Harpoon=8
AGM-84K SLAM-ER=12
TLAM-D Blk IIIB=33
MIM-104E PAC-2 GEM+=15
FIM-92D Stinger RMP=2
AIM-120D AMRAAM=209
AGM-158B JASSM-ER=96
AGM-158A JASSM=32
AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Blk II=4
GBU-31 (Mk84) JDAM=32
AIM-120C7 AMRAAM=10
SM-2MR Block IIIB=97
MIM-104F PAC-3=13
Mk54 Mako=3
Mk48 Mod7 CBASS=2
SM-6MR ERAM Blk I=28
MIM-104B PAC-1=22
RIM-162A ESSM=11
AIM-9X Sidewinder=8

[StoresConsumed - Blue]
Blue Weapon=Tally
Meteor=196
GBU-39/B SDB=201
AGM-88B HARM (ARM)=24
AIM-120C6 AMRAAM=49
AIM-120B AMRAAM=44
AIM-9X Sidewinder=10
20mm M61A1 burst=31
Aster 30=64
NASAMS II=42
IRIS-T=18
SM-2MR Block IIIB=24
RIM-162C ESSM=32
RIM-116B RAM Blk1=3
AIM-9L Sidewinder=6
AIM-9M Sidewinder=4
AGM-84K SLAM-ER=16
Mica EM=8
Mica IR=9
FIM-92D Stinger RMP=22
SCALP EG=144
MU-90 Impact=4
Company Paratroopers=1
DM2A4 Seahake=12
F17 Mod 2B=3
Platoon Paratroopers=8
Tp62=12
Airborne hvy wpn team=1
Platoon Rangers=1
Mk48 Mod7 CBASS=18
F21 Artemis=13
SM.39 Exocet Blk2=2

The strategy summary was to get plenty of fighters up onthe likely attack side of bases, kill base radar unless incoming threats were detected, start to ferry useful AC first to Iceland bases and where they could do the hop in one leg (often with tankers) to southern Greenland.
Once the location of northern bound enemy surface groups was known (a short lived close contact helped there) recce flights (passive detectors only) ran every where that might be useful.

The good number of subs were headed off at creep speed towards the SAGs, constantly worried about enemy subs bound to be heavily spread thru the area. Our prime Carrier group set up dense asw patrols form minute 1.

Annoying red bases in Iceland and Greenland then got attention in the long run resulting in Keflavik being captured with minor damage and gain of a nice operational P-8A Poseidon which proved handy later. Pituffik Space Base wasn't of interest once the AC it housed were destroyed (either intercpted airbourne or hit while grounded). As the troops were getting a bit itchy we did send in a few commando raids.

Not much inroads could be made against the Surface Groups, 2 carrier (probably escorts) and a large invasion force centred it seemed on Iwo Jima unit, a Wasp class until our subs got in close, then real action started. THe sub commanders held their nerve and got in to range of the big targets, sinking one carrier then heavily damaging the second (ultimately sunk) before pretty much eradicating their escorts.

By this stage our attack AC off our nearest bases and DeGaulle were no longer needling at the enemy, their SCALP missiles were sending tons of now scarp to the bottom.

Just to make a point we decided to cause a bit of mayhem on the enemies home turf and sent a few SCALP and SDBs into 

Loring AFB (damage=4337/9000).

Despite the inclusion in the orders, we didn't duck - there was no time available

Thanks heaps for this scenario, I can see a lot of effort gone into it, and I'll be having another run just so I can remember to better look after my EW and the HARM they carry. I guess I should first give the Reds a spin too.

For anyone interested the full minutes and data are in the attached zipped txt file.

AARdata-HDSI0.zip

Progress is slow. The yanks must be running low on TLAMs, they've lost important surveillance, fighter and bomber AC and we're getting our bases stocked.

But it still looks dodgy.

Having lots of fun!

Do you know will that mean some one will be again licensed to do bug fixes and upgrades? 

I saw that high speed departure too, I wondered if it needs some testing as it doesn't seem right.

I nailed it with choppers off my surface group, while my ssn headed in to shred the carrier group.

Another thing I noted and don't remember from previous is my air defense destroyer doesn't want to fire of its long range sam, I wonder if its keeping them for possible ballistic missile attack 🙄

On 1/14/2026 at 12:01 AM, RedwoodForest said:

Does Harpoon Classic ‘97 have multiplayer capabilities?

None of the Harpoon Classic simulations have multiplayer. 

I've got no After Action Report on this one, but it did take me two goes. The second time around local command decided that we needed some distractions, so we launched a few possibly unauthorised additional attacks on mostly airfields and air defense stations. It was more fun, but I guess that doesn't really count, or maybe it does?

Wow Enrique, another extremely thorough job of research.

I'll be getting into this asap.

Thanks mate.

Don.

PS, as usual it's not as easy as it looks .

On 1/12/2026 at 9:13 AM, RedwoodForest said:

Why do you continue to play Harpoon when Command Modern Operations exists?

In Australia there was an old fly spray add slogan "When you're on a good thing stick to it", there's also the "you can't teach old dogs new tricks". I guess these relate to my 'excuse'.

Don

On 1/12/2026 at 9:13 AM, RedwoodForest said:

What advice do you have for a newcomer not only to Harpoon but also to wargaming in general

The tactical info here is very good.

1 hour ago, TonyE said:

Thank you Don, I'm hopeful I can give some additional answers tonight.  The good news is that your demo suggestion is valid.  The demo does not expire until 2030 and demonstrates the bulk of the changes between HC97 and the latest and greatest.  If one gets really invigorated, I expect the ExportDLLs (game functionality add-ons) that worked with the 2024.005 build should work just fine with the demo.

The demo with export.dll functionality could be quite nice. I might give it a burl to see what works with it.

Don

If this demo is still available it would give you a good comparison between the latest and greatest (but not available) and the old steam powered version '97.

I can't answer many of your questions, but at some stage those that can I'm sure will chine in.

The "loss" of the more modern version of harpoon that developed from '97' I guess is the result of a commercial decision somewhere or other. While the last of the harpoon classic versions are to me vastly better, if I wind back my mind the '97 game was incredibly good. I'd guess there's probably few if any scenarios here that will play on '97.

There might be an archive of older custom scenarios?

I think I heard a rumour that the steam system will get the more upto date harpoon in time, but as that's all entwined in the commercial decisions who knows when and if? 

I've looked at but never delved into the paper rules versions. They are I guess the crux of the system, the computer version is able to extend the principles by a factor of thousands so is more complex. The paper rules versions to me is pretty restricted to small numbers of platforms simply due to the time factor. I think from a naval academic point of view the paper rules are going to be excellent but from a 'gamer' view pretty tedious.

Don

https://defence-blog.com/russian-heavy-spy-drone-crashes-in-turkey/