Scott McKenzie has submitted a new DB2000 scenario on the Scenario Testing Ground. Get it here.

Tukey has submitted a new DB2000 scenario on the Scenario Testing Ground. Get it here.

Tukey has submitted a new DB2000 scenario on the Scenario Testing Ground. Get it here.

The updated DB2000 database, known as version 10.0.0, is now almost ready for release. It contains so many new units, features and upgrades that we’ve even given up on creating a ‘change log’… And that says a lot! You can go and have a look at the beta version, which has been made available to the public in the Harpooner’s Point forum.

This is Harpoon 3. Possibly the most complex strategy-simulation of modern air and naval operations available to non-military users. The computer-Harpoon series is, in fact, considered to be close enough to “the real thing” that it has been in use for years by various military branches around the world as a training and “what-if” simulation tool. One professional customer for Harpoon 3 is the Australian Department of Defense.

Harpoon 3 runs on all versions of Windows - Windows 95 / 98 / ME, NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. There is also a Mac OS and OSX version.

Harpoon 3 enables the faithful modeling and representation of the full range of modern air and naval operations including: submarine & anti-submarine warfare, carrier battle group operations, convoy actions, land-based air operations, employment of nuclear weapons, fleet engagements and more. The scale and location of scenarios is virtually unlimited. Whether you want to simply test an Aegis cruiser against a Kirov-class battlecruiser or completely model World War III, Harpoon 3 gives you the tools. The only real limit is how far you want to go. Harpoon 3’s flexibility as both a wargame and a training tool results from its open scenario editor and database editor. If you read about a conflict or a new weapons platform in the news, you can model it in Harpoon 3 (if somebody else hasn’t done it already). Have solid evidence that the new upgrade to the F-15’s radar will provide xxx increase in maximum range and yyy increase in sensitivity against stealthy targets? Jump into the database editor and enter the new values. Then jump into a scenario that has the “new” F-15 and test it to see if it makes a difference in the “real world”. It’s that simple.

As you can see, the Harpoon 3 user interface is identical to Harpoon II. But Harpoon 3 offers a great number of advantages and improvements over the former. First of all, it offers a rock-solid stability. Crash it, we dare you! Next, the many bugs and errors in the old Harpoon II have been or are being fixed, and the simulator remains fully compatible with existing Harpoon II scenarios and databases. Harpoon 3 also runs much faster that the old MS/DOS version due to better memory management and new software compliers.

Impressed? Wondering where to get it? Harpoon 3 is available on CD or via direct download here.

A large collection of user-created scenarios is available here on the HarpoonHQ together with the DB2K platforms database. The ongoing DB2K project has produced an alternative to the original (and rather flawed) Harpoon II database. All known bugs, errors and shortcomings have been fixed, and it the complete 1980-2015 OoB (Order of Battle) for more than 60 countries have been added. Get the new scenarios and database on the Harpoon 3 Scenario Download Page.

Click on the thumbnail for a full picture:

Harpoon 3 offers users the ability to take many looks at their active battlefield. In this example, we have a large tactical/theater map on the left and two smaller area maps on the right. All that is required is a quick “click and drag” and the user is allowed many glimpses at the battle to come.

What you see is not always what you get. Yes, these maps show extensive data but the fog of war still exists. Harpoon 3 depicts a real time environment. The player must launch recon assets to detect what the enemy has in store. Recon assets, ECM and a multitude of other detection methods/platforms are included in the original database and improved upon in the DB2000 database.

Finally, are these maps prepackaged in the simulator? No, the player creates them through use of the included Scenario Editor. All that is required is proper latitude and longitude and a choice of what map type you would like to use (Miller Cylindrical, Cassini Polar). You are also given the option of choosing what information you would like to display such as: weather, sea state, water depth, communication links (brown lines) as well as how you would like game platforms to be displayed.

Click on the thumbnail for a full picture:

The Soviets have stuck the first blow in a war that never happened but will on your Harpoon 3 battlefield. Can you stop them or will the Alaskan Theater fall?

This is another fine example of Harpoon 3’s ability to depict a real time modern battle field environment. You will notice wedges depicting weak contacts. A superior sonar/radar model realistically emulates real life sensor operations. Your enemy may use ECM against you making detection that much harder. Yes your enemy is there but do you know exactly where there is? Does he know where you are? A problem solved in the haze of battle.

Do you know who he is? You will also notice “yellow” contacts. These are contacts that have not been positively identified as hostile, neutral or friendly. Yet another task for your forces to carry out, and another example of excellent real life modeling. You have the option of turning this feature off if you so desire but that would be no fun, would it?

Click on the thumbnail for a full picture:

Losses at the front but the attack carries forward. Your staff reports the loss of your precious fighter cover but your B-52’s manage to launch their attacks on Soviet targets despite a stiff defense.

Harpoon 3 offers numerous features to help its users process information and the ability to control that information flow. This feature is in the form of staff messages and a incoming messages window. These features give you real time reports of what is happening over your battlefield in the form of messages and pop ups. You will notice the range of information given in the screenshot. Harpoon 3 also gives you the ability to control the flow of information to your comfort. Options within the GUI allow the user to turn off/on certain reports and features allowing them to manage the war at their comfort.

How much information is too much or too little? Another example of the simulator emulating the real life environment of the modern battlefield.

Click on the thumbnail for a full picture:

Nuclear tipped SRAM attack strikes home! America has resorted to the ultimate weapon to protect its heartland from a similar fate. The city of Anadyr’s military complex is destroyed but will the Soviets leave this horrific event unanswered? Or rather the real question is, are they the solution?

Realistic weapon’s modeling is a on going goal in all database and coding development. In this example a 200 kiloton weapon’s effects are exemplified. Notice that all targets within the weapons effect area have been struck with results.

Nuclear weapons are included in the game for realism. They exist so they should be include in any simulation depicting modern conflict. However, the Harpoon community acknowledges the horrific global effects these weapons possess, the responsibility of those that possess them and that many disagree with their usage. As such you have the option of turning them off/on through the usage of an option file.

Click on the thumbnail for a full picture:

Click on the thumbnail for a full picture: