The following are optional rules for Harpoon 4. Air-to-air is fun, but Harpoon remains a naval wargame. Advanced Helmet-Mounted Sights A newer generation of advanced helmet-mounted sights (HMS) are appearing. These interact with the aircraft's sensors to a greater degree than earlier systems, performing the same function as the HUD. The aircraft's radar or IRST cues a 4th Gen AAM, which can acquire the target outside visual range. An IIRH AAM can be fired without the pilot seeing the enemy aircraft. Earlier first-generation HMS on Russian, South African, Israeli aircraft are only sighting reticles for AAMs. They use the standard Harpoon HMS rules (6.3.3.3.1). The South Africans and Israelis may already have Advanced HMS. In Harpoon terms, Advanced HMS allow the firing of a 4th Gen IIRH AAM before a dogfight is declared at 5 nm (6.3.3.3), outside of visual range. The USN/USAF JHMCS IOC is 2001 on the F-15C and F-18C. The F-22 and F/A-18E/F will also get this Advanced HMS. The F-16C will also be refitted with it. The Eurofighter & Rafale will get a similar HMS. I'd like to modify the Attack Position Formulae in 6.3.3.1: +5% for any N, W, A aspect IRH AAM without slewable seekers using HMS (To reflect the ease of using HMS vice radar dogfight modes. Early South African Mirage F.1 fighters didn't have this radar mode with N class AAM. ) -5% 45° slewable seeker (R-73) +0% 60° slewable seeker (Python 4) +5% 90° slewable seeker (AIM-9X, IRIS-T) +10% LOAL/experimental 120 degrees (ASRAAM, US advanced prototypes) The reason I've modified the HMS chance is to show the differences in AAM capabilities. The R-73 is the basic slewable seeker from 1985, Python 4 was designed to beat R-73 with an IOC of 1993-94. AIM-9X & IRIS-T are the limits of what conventional AAMs can do from around 2001/2002. The ASRAAM has inertial guidance for "over the shoulder" shots into an acquisition basket. AAM Missile Notes The AIM-9X IOC is about 2002. The IIRH seeker specs call for 8 nm acquisition against a clear sky target and 4 nm for a target in ground clutter. In Harpoon terms this gives the missile 8 nm against targets at medium altitude or higher and 4 nm against targets at low/VLow altitude. Note that this is outside of visual spotting range of 3-5 nm (4.5.3) ASRAAM is expected to enter service with the UK very soon (2000). Its guidance is I/TIIRH. Both ASRAAM and AIM-9X use similar seekers. The AIM-9P-4 is a 3rd Gen IRH ATA 5.0, 5.0 nm range, 78 kg, 1434 kts, all aspect, dogfight capable, off boresight by A/C radar, also used by Pakistan. Changes to Harpoon Aircraft Annex B Harpoon 4 Data Annex France Rafale: Advanced HMS International Eurofighter 2000: Advanced HMS Israel F-15, F-16 HMS from 1985, probably Advanced HMS from 1990-95 F-15I: 2 Python 4, 2 AIM-120 standard on wing pylons UK Jaguar GR.3 have HMS USA: Advanced HMS on F/A-18E/F F-22A, will be added to F-15C, F-16C, F-18C Sea of Dragons Australia's F-18 has AIM-120B (98-99), ASRAAM and Advanced HMS from 2001 or 2002. This replaces AIM-9M (not AIM-9L as in the Annex) Indonesia: Their aircraft use AIM-9P-4 Malaysia: The A-4PTM and F-5 use AIM-9P-4. The F-18D and Hawk use AIM-9L. The MiG-29SMT upgrade is still going ahead despite the economic crisis, with first 2 completed April 98, R-77 capability from 1999. Singapore: The A-4SU uses AI M-9P-4. Their F-5E/F uses AIM-9P-4, and the F-5S uses Python 4 with a HMS. The F-16 uses Python 4 with HMS. Taiwan: may have HMS for its Mirage 2000-5 Thailand: F-5 and F-16 use AIM-9P-4, then Python 3, and may get Python 4. Sources Air International Feb 1997 "Battle of the Missiles" The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1997-1998. Various issues of Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter Israeli Python 4 BT Back to The Naval Sitrep #18 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com