The FASTBOAT Patch page.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well later that morning I went back and checked the South Korean OOB and of course the F-15K was in there, when I don't know and it doesn't matter now. I believe the info will at least support a "CHANGE" in the VISION & EW rating. What's sad is that I've not submitted anything formally in a "PP" in over 2.5 years (Except the Mig-29 issue of last year.).

Don sorry if I sent you on a "wild goose chase" concerning the
F-15K.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

no problem, i won't be starting work on the oobs for a month or more

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don't get too excited, just an update to say the work has started in earnest. Don't expect too much mostly fixes to inputs for the current patch as I submitted last year. Most of those issues were self inflicted that carried over to other items and caused confusion. You will see a minor format change this year due to the nature of the errors and for the sake of time to maybe get to other equipment as I have alot to address. Fear not and remember I'm a "world traveler" when it comes to equipment. I will keep my word to a couple of folks out here and get those couple of items in as Don has already posted a response to them earlier in the year in those threads I.E. The D.H. 103 HORNET and Australian M777. I've had to focus on other non health issues (You're not going to get rid of me that easily!) over the past several months. What this thread is about is where my true passion lies to the game and where I feel an obligation to give all I can. Everywhere else I can just be a PITA!

"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." - Theodore Roosevelt

Something I look at everyday on my wall from my last command at retirement from someone I truely admire.

Anyway we'll see what happens and it'll give WH Donnelly time to see if anything needs adding in the UK OOB.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Patch Post #1 for 2013/2014
Well it has been another hectic year. The object here is to fix mistakes from last year from my Patch Posts on Pages 11/POST #105 (1) and 13/Post #123 (2) of this thread. Some of this was self inflicted which cast a net of confusion over some other equipment issues. Also I don’t think I’ll accomplish everything I hoped to this year but I promised I would address a couple of issues that were requested by you folks out there and they will be recognized as I get to them. For reasons of time, I will not reinvent the wheel here and will copy from the original posts. That info will be in quotations with the Thread Post noted if not from one of the above. Any items from the above refs will be indicated with either the (1) or (2) as shown above next to the original equipment item requiring action. All DEFPRO references will be removed. This will also show the importance once again in tracking equipment entered with follow up use of references in tracking said equipment to the field such as in A3 and Some Helo News below.

HELOS…
C1. SOUTH AFRICA/ ROOIVALK Mk I /CHANGE/UNITS 895 & 896/START DATE 4/2011 VICE 1/2006/END DATE 1/2020 VICE 11/2009/EW 8 VICE 6/REF UNIT 897/RADIO 92 FOR UNITS 189, 897 & 901 PARITY ISSUE WITHIN DATES FOR ROOIVALK AND ROOIVALK MK1//
(1) ”A1. SOUTH AFRICA/ADD/APR 2011/ROOIVALK Mk I/RESET/ADD/EW 8/TI/GSR 60/FCS +Current factors// The Mk I has undergone significant changes beyond just avionics and engine upgrades that lead to the safety issues that grounded the ROOIVALK for 1 ½ years…”
http://www.dod.mil.za/news/news%2020...20apr11%20.htm
http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and...ivalk-block-1f
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...tional-355117/
http://www.deagel.com/news/South-Afr...000008623.aspx
http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/news115257.html

A1. USMC/ADD/JAN 2007/MH-47G CHINOOK/USE USA UNIT 275/RECOMMEND USING SLOT 728 DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SEAL UNITS//
(1) ”A3. USA/USMC/ADD/JAN 2007/MH-47G CHINOOK/USE UNIT 293/C6/P34-50 (Depending on equip.)/Port and Starboard mounted 2xM134 7.62 mm Miniguns just aft of the cockpit & 2xM240G 7.62mm at the last set of windows Rds UKN/ADD Refueling boom to the Starbrd. Side of the nose./Based on date requested with upgrades done to this point TI/GSR 60/EW 8/FC 6/FF 6/STAB. 5 or 6//…The 160th SOAR “Night Stalkers” (Under USASOC.) of Somalia and Bin Laden raid fame provide the bulk of helo operational support to the SEALS, Green Berets and Rangers amongst others….”
Please you know I have been as pro active about the slot issue as anyone to include volunteering to cull the fighters out of OOB’s that are TACAIR heavy. But in this case and the next one below I feel we do the player and AI wrong in not having these birds, they are after all the primary source and means of their operational transport in this case the SEAL’s and other specialized USMC units. Also how many times have we had to address the ALLIES option over the years? With this item we could at least use the machine gun simile on them!?!
http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/mil...h47e/index.htm
http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/mil...G_overview.pdf
http://www.guncopter.com/mh-47g/
http://www.socom.mil/News/Pages/fina...Paircraft.aspx
http://www.socom.mil/sordac/PEO/Rota...G_Chinook.aspx
http://nightstalkers.americanspecial...ters/mh-47.php
http://www.americanspecialops.com/ph...ranger-sov.php
http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/mi...dex.php?Page=1

A2. USMC/ADD/JAN 1994-JAN 2010/MH-47E CHINOOK/USE USA UNIT 293/RECOMMEND USING SLOT 727 DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SEAL UNITS//
(1) “C8. USA/MH-47/UNIT 293/Change name to MH-47E/Change End Date to JAN 2010/ADD to USMC OOB/See A3 above to include refs.//First change to simplify any future info that might cause a change to that particular helo. Second allows for the last couple of helos to be removed from service and prepped for the SLEP (RESET) Program and flight evaluations before being turned over to SOCOM…”
Again for the reasons noted above and also use those refs here to.

A3. MALAYSIA JUN 2013/THAILAND JUN 2015/ADD/EC 725 “SUPER” COUGAR/C5 P26/USE FRENCH UNIT 520//
(1) “A4. FRANCE JAN 2005/BRAZIL JUN 2012/MAYLAYSIA JUNE 2013/INDONESIA JUN 2014/
THAILAND JUNE 2015/ADD/EC 725 “SUPER” COUGAR/C5 P26/2 x FN MAG 60-30 250/or 1000Rd “Drums”/Optional 2 x 20mm POD mounted GIAT Cannons 180Rds/or 2 x 68mm THALES/or FORGE ZEEBRUGGE 19 Rd Rocket Launchers/TI/GSR 60/EW 8/Advanced composite add on armor is available and is used by the French. Mexico (The largest or next user of the EC 725.) supposedly has it also though not in the game. Malaysia’s are being reported to being equipped in the same manner as the French versions. Adjust armor ratings as you see fit for FRANCE and MAYLASIA/USE FRENCH UNIT 516 AS BASE//Concerning Thailand they have been very good about getting the equipment they have ordered, however, there are mixed reports about whether the contract has actually been signed or not. Based on this information…”
The French, Brazilian and Indonesian UNITS have a Carry 119 as opposed to 126. Is this due to weapons configuration issues? Malaysia seems to have been missed and has ordered more of these helos since last year. In regards to Thailand as noted above we had some concerns here about the contract; it was signed finally in the late spring or early summer after being delayed. I feel comfortable with this deal being good now.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ec725/
http://www.airrecognition.com/index....sk=view&id=331
http://www.eurocopter.com/site/en/ref/Missions_174.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/laad_...1_1404116.html.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/n...25-helicopters
http://helihub.com/2012/12/04/royal-...twelve-ec725s/
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...copters-04959/
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...EC725-for-SAR-
Missions-07542/

C2. USMC/CHANGE/UH-1Y/UNITS 320 & 321/HS RATING TO 3 VICE 0//
(1) “C5. USMC/UH-1Y/UNITS 320 & 321/CHANGE HS to 3 vice 0 as noted above./UNIT 320 replace 50 cal M2HB with GAU-21 50 cal./UNIT 321 replace HYDRA 70 with APKWS II ASM//The CORPS was “all in” by this time with the APKWS II ASM. See refs 7-10 below concerning GAU-21 50cal with Night Sights.”
As was noted in the intro this was a case of too much going on. This was paired with another similar entry originally directly above (Item C4) “C5”. The TI/GSR issue was corrected for all the UNITS involved here. The HS issue was missed in the “fog of war”, again these are all built the same in airframe and electronics. Concerning the GAU 21 it has been proven both on the range and in combat evaluations to be at least a 1/3 more accurate then the previously and now not used M2HB. Suhiir I believe has this weapon in her USMC OOB. It’s just something to consider for next year at least.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...program-03541/
http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Chronol...early/2008.htm
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/uh1y-huey/
http://www.naval-technology.com/proj...ty-helicopter/
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2006/4123.shtml
http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index..../story_ID/9574
http://www.asdnews.com/news/30989/GA...with_UH-1Y.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...0109-mcn01.htm
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...gau21_010410w/
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_50cal-M3M_MG.htm
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=11442
http://www.deagel.com/news/Upgraded-...000009578.aspx
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...d-phase-02193/
This last ref provides an outdate on the APKWS II ASM with the new Mk 152 warhead that will also be used on the HARRIER and A-10besides the USMC helos, to be fielded in 2012.Note: I believe 2013/2014 as of this writing will be better for HARRIER use will back check for next year.

C3. SOUTH AFRICA/ROOIVALK/UNIT 188/CHANGE End Date to NOV 2009/DONE/YES SEE BELOW DONE//
(1) “C6. SOUTH AFRICA/ROOIVALK/UNITS 189, 190 and 899 - 902/CHANGE End Date to NOV 2009.//This helo is very advanced featuring 4th Gen integrated image intensifier and FLIR systems, TopOwl sight display for integrated weapons system control.” And from the end of the Para…” The only question I have here is should the TI/GSR be improved for the above units? Also note that the last two refs deal with the Non MK I ROOIVALK.”
Well a little teamwork helped here with Don understanding where I was going with this originally without me asking the question; if you will; I was asking. Huh? With time in some cases newer information comes to light or was missed in the beginning. As I’ve noted in the past this was a very, very advanced helo ahead of it’s time. Focus on 4th Gen and my original question at the end. As I said Don knew where I was heading so all the above UNITS had the TI/GSR increased to 50. Except for UNIT 190 because well, it was a empty slot!! Thanks Don!!
http://www.airforce-technology.com/p...-ah2-rooivalk/
http://www.military-today.com/helico...2_rooivalk.htm

NEW ITEMS…
A4. IRAQ/Mi-35M/ADD/JAN 2014/USE RUSSIAN UNIT 943 with weapons variations as you see fit//
A5. BRAZIL/Mi-35M/ADD/APR 2010/USE RUSSIAN UNIT 943 with weapons variations as you see fit//
http://www.airforce-technology.com/p...mi-35m-hind-e/
A6. IRAQ/Mi-28NE/ADD/JAN 2014/USE RUSSIAN UNITS 370-373//
These will share the refs below. This deal was in the making for about two years now and I have been tracking it since Iraq approached the U.S. about buying the APACHE AH-64D and later “rumors” surfaced of interest in the GUARDIAN AH-64E. Apparently due to the instability within Iraq and for security issues related to the technology and other factors the deal never really got done. So Iraq turned to Russia which in trying to expand it’s influence again into the Middle East. A deal was struck in 2012 and almost came apart in early 2013 amid charges of corruption. This issue was resolved early this past summer. There was articles saying the training cycle was disrupted and deliveries were started in 10/2013 and will be completed by the end of this year for 40 of the above helos. I’m holding off on the Ka-52 ALLIGATOR and PANTSIR-S1 AA Systems; until further information becomes available on delivery dates.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_...m_0306131.html
http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131...-Contract.html
http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131...-Gunships.html
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-Ne...0551383926479/
http://www.janes.com/article/29741/i...35-helicopters
http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/201...n-helicopters/
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56

Well that went alright…I hope!?! And no Helo issues were noted on the second Patch Post from last year.

Some Helo news…
Have I mentioned the importance of following up before…I guess it can get old but…
From last year in the second Patch Post concerning the GUARDIAN AH-64E; Taiwan is on track as submitted. The second batch should have or shortly will arrive by this writing.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...-batch-from-us

Regards,
Pat
December 4, 2013

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
Concerning the IRAQI Helos (A4 & A6), there was no reported disruption in the training during the temporary breakdown of the deal as discussed. I didn't catch the wording error when I realized that Brazils OOB didn't have the Mi-35M. I could've sworn it was in the OOB when it was orginally discussed and submitted ~3 years ago and I checked it I thought as being there. Mad scramble for the ref and submission insued "before the (edit) clock ran out" on the matter.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
Clock ran out while researching the BRAZIL HIND. It's in there as properly local named AN-2 SABRA UNIT 903. However it should be upgraded and for IRAQ added using the RUSSIAN UNIT 943 as just submitted. Have articles that were posted in the HELO Thread saying Russia was going to buy and or update it's current fleet of Mi-24 HIND's based on the fact the Mi-35M was more advanced.
http://airheadsfly.com/tag/russian-helicopters/feed/
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/hind/
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...opters-356827/
http://mymodelplanes.wordpress.com/2...ce-for-russia/ See bottom as reported by avaitionweek.com
http://www.sldinfo.com/russian-air-p...nsive-buildup/

Bought 40 of them.

Back to bed, new days off are throwing me off my game here.

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

For my part I use:
MH-53J (01/86-09/108, 2x M134, 1x50cal)
MH-47G (10/108-12/120, 2xM134, 2xM240)

And added the 12.7 GAU-21 HMG (copied from Weapon#183/Canada OOB#30).

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
I'm giving you what I have on the following unit for submission with my 2nd PP now as I feel you might be in a better position to answer the ammo side of this unit and how you want to handle the TI/GSR issue. If you find more than I can on the round by time I submit the full submission all the better! If this round is ready to be fielded later (Or sooner.) this year it will have ramifications regarding the T-90AM/MS and ARMATA. Concerning the TI/GSR I see max. 45 here if that. If the T-72B4 comes to fruition we'll definitely be at TI/GSR 50 as that tank is supposed to have the full FCS of the T-90AM/MS. And yes everyone there is a T-72B1 which I stumbled upon researching this tank and the refs are tripping over themselves on in reporting the B3.-I'm not interested in it at this time as my "sketch" has been drawn for this next submission already.
Still rough but good enough for this...

A1. RUSSIA/ADD/OCT 2013/T-72B3/125mm SB 2A46M-5/AREANA/RELISK ERA.//
The following is taken from the last ref. below Post #749…
“Yeah its weird, other stupid thing is the non-automatic sight cover.
Good summary of T-72B3 upgrade:
-overhaul of T-72B or B1
-new autoloader(for "Svinets" APFSDS)
-new 125mm 2A46M5 gun
-new FCS, and new gunner main sight "Sosna-U"(same sight on T-90MS) 1A40 used as a backup
-new radiostation R-168-25U-2
-commander sight TKN-3MK with "duplication" mode

T-72B4 as we know will add the commanders panoramic sight (same as T-90MS) as well as battle management systems.”

Pretty much falls in line with what I can find out about these tanks. The FCS is very much in line with existing T-90S models I would think with improvement of T-90MS components as noted above. Also of interest is the “Svinets” APFSDS round, seeing reports that tesdting has recently been completed and MOD is ready to field this round now. Don’t know status of this round however, I believe you might have better access in ammo sources then me generally.
http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131...ded-Tanks.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/octob...k_1510132.html
http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130...-Ministry.html
http://defense-update.com/20131106_t...eployment.html
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/busine...ar/491336.html
http://www.russianarmor.info/Tanks/ARM/2a46.html
http://otvaga2004.mybb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=779&p=2
http://www.russiadefence.net/t1868p7...ces-photosnews

This require a little more thought and work than anything I have in the MBT area so far. My headache I'm working through is the LAHAT issue for ARJUN MKI after reading some reports of the ARJUN MKII final trials report with only two hits one being problems firing the LAHAT from the ARJUN MKII. Now you see my concern with MKI.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
I forgot/was called away so I didn't get to post these pictures from the next to last ref. from the last post. I'm sure you'll find a use for them.
T-72B3...




Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
Is the South African 105mm SA83 the homegrown improved version of the 105mm L7 UK73 as shown as being used by UNIT 004 OLIFANT MK1? I have as you know put off work on these units for a couple of years now. However it's time to address the issues for all the OLIFANT units in the OOB. Things I see are in dates (production vs service), main guns and system development leading to the deletion of at least one unit. Working it.
I have in the meantime a better pic for your consideration for the OLIFANT MK1A as shown in Angola in early 1988.

Off the grid until the next PP.

Regards,
Pat