In the example on page 6-22 of the Harpoon 4.1 rules, the optically directed British Mk 4 20mm has its “to-hit” chance halved because the A-4 it’s attacking is at V Low altitude. But on page 6-21 under the description of the Optical mode states that “Optical systems are all seaskimmer capable.” In the defense gun modifiers it states: “Sea skimming targets (in the V Low altitude band), reduce hit chance by 1/2, unless the gun system is listed as ‘sea skimmer capable.’”

 

So if all optical guns are sea skimmer capable, why does the Mk 4 in the example get its “to-hit” chance reduced by half?

Because the example is wrong. As the rules are stated the one half reduction should not be used since the 20mm is listed as OP only. But I would say the rules are wrong and the annex data is a better guide (where only some OP guns have the Sea Skimmer capable notation).

 

So you are reading the rules correctly but most likely the results with those rules are not as true to life as ignoring all OP only guns being sea skimmer capable. My basis would come from the still reduced reaction time of a sea skimmer, optical only or not...

 

Just my 2 cents.

Tony and I looked at this together, and as he points out, the Annex C2 for Naval Air Defense Guns lists only a handful of "sea skimmer capable" guns. Those lacking the capability include a LOT of electro-optical and optical control systems. The sea skimmer capable systems, on the other hand, tend to include a lot of the well known sea-whizz (CIWS) systems like Goalkeeper, Kashtan, Meroka, Phalanx, etc.

 

That being the case, I'm inclined to say that the rule found in 6.4.1.1 is incorrect, i.e. electro-optical (EO) and optical gun systems are NOT sea skimmer capable unless they are specifically listed as having that capability.

 

I haven't checked to see if this issue is covered in the Errata, and I would of course like to hear from some other H4.1 aficionados like Pete.

Thanks for the feed back. That’s kind of what I was thinking.

 

I’ve been trying to figure out a good way to run scenario 14 from South Atlantic War. There are an awful lot of ships packed into a very small area, very close to landmasses that affect play. It makes things kind of difficult. The only real chart I have of the area is a TPC, and I’ve had somewhat unsatisfying results by putting Google Earth images on powerpoint slides.

 

I was quite intrigued by Chris Carlson’s article detailing his handing of large scale air strikes during the Battle of Midway at Historicon in the most recent SITREP. Although they are flying jets, basically for this scenario, the Argentineans are employing World War II tactics. And most of the SAMs involved are very short range (2.5 to 3 nm). I was wondering if the CaS Air Strike Resolution Sequence could be updated to fit the Falklands Bomb Alley? I may give it a go, but I’d be interested in any one else’s thoughts or how people have gamed out Operation Sutton in general.

I did not yet have a chance to look at it, I brought my rules with me today for a lunch hour of fun.

 

DaveS agreed that in his opinion the hit chance was too high for local control AA guns over on CSW (Harpoon #860) and also replied (I know you posted it there as well James so I'm also sure you have seen his response, but for all other concerned): One thing to note, there are changes to the gunnery systems coming (as part of the unification) and I would expect that this will also change the gunnery AA stuff.

 

Pete

 

Dave's reply found here.