Noob question

[BB62squid]

After graduating from Harpoon ANW to Command, I have a simple question. Are there any plans to incorporate a DB editor like ANW offers?
While I applaud the work done by the crew that assembles the DB's for Command, one of the pluses I saw in ANW was the ability to change DB entries; this allowed for minor corrections, or the ability to create hypthetical platforms/weapons.
As a former BB sailor, I like to model the planned "phase II" renovation of the 'Jersey, sans turret III and with the flight deck and ski ramps aft, in various scenarios. I also like to include the various types of 16" projectiles, including the proposed 11" sabots.
If this is not an option, is there someone to contact to request DB changes? Biggest issue I have currently is the info for the 16"/50 is inaccurate. The DB lists the max range for the AP and HiCap at 15 and 17nm. Max range for the Mk 8 2700 lb AP projectile was actually 24.06 NM, and we could toss the 1900 lb HE a touch further...

/r,
Mike

[jdkbph]

Yeah, there was a lot of discussion about the ranges for the 16/50 here recently. The devs opted for "operational" maximums rather than theoretical maximums. Obviously that opens several different worm cans, and hopefully this will all be revisited at some point.

As to the DB editing, many of us were asking/hoping for that. The devs have their own (very good) reasons for not doing that though, so...

Ragnar Emsoy is the DB guru. You can tell because his posts all say "DB guru". [:)] Drop him a note... he's very responsive to (propery documented and verifiable) requests for DB updates.

JD

[ComDev]

There are plans to add more hypothetical plaforms to the database, and we've now even added a special flag for these so they can be easily distinguished from real platforms.

The first hypothetical unit in the database was Yak-141 which we added a couple builds ago, and many more are on the way [:D]

Do you have more info on the BB upgrade?

[BB62squid]

There were a couple of ideas floated around regarding the "phase II" modernization of the Iowa's.
The first was proposed by C Myers in the late 70s and involved removing turret 3, covering the barbette with 6" steel plate, and rebuilding the fantail aft of the superstructure into a flight deck with 11 degree ramps port and starboard to facilitate operation of 12 AV-8 (or F35 today)aircraft. There was a single elevator to access the hangar, and forward of the elevator was a "farm" of 320 VLS cells. The model shows that mounts 51 &52 fwd 5" were retained, but mounts 53, 54, 55, 56 replaced by 155mm single mounts. It also featured 6 CIWS mounts..1 in the bullnose at the bow, 1 aft in the vicinity of the Spot 2 FC tower, and the other 4 in their traditional spots.
Not sure of the feasibility of this design as Im thinking the removal of turret 3 and its structures would greatly destabilize or compromise the design. I heard rumors about concrete ballast to offset the weight but...
Have to dig...I used to have all the print media on the Iowa's and their potential uses.

[BB62squid]

another view of Myers brainchild

[BB62squid]

Finally, the US Naval Fire Support Association proposed a more conservative approach ...
Forget the ABL's...the USNFSA envisioned 2x16 VLS emplacements (1p/1s) where the forward ABLs were sited, and 4x16 VLS emplacements where the 4 aft ABLs were sited (athwart ship, just aft of second stack), giving the ship 96 VLS cells. The 12x5"/38s were replaced by 4 155mm singles (2p/2s). While not evident in their presentation, I have heard proposals that a AN/SPS-48E fitted on the mainmast would compliment the AN/SPS 67 and 49(v5) on the foremast. This configuration would also imply that that the 5" Mk37 directors were integrated and used as illuminators for VL SAMS, or that they were replaced with SPG series illuminators. If they are intended to be the standard gun directors, she could act as a SAM barge under Cooperative Engagement and have her escorts control the SAMS. Conversely, she could simply carry 96 BGM 109 as a strike platform.
C Myers calls his idea an Interdiction Assault Ship. the USNFSA refers to their idea as BBG 21
Also...there have been various proposals for a 13" sabot that increased main battery range to ~40-45 nm, an 11 inch sabot that would reach out to ~100nm all using COTS RAP technology. 16" scramjet guided projectiles were deemed feasible, and those were estimated to be able to achieve ranges of ~500 nm. Again, I should have documentation around here somewhere, but a google search might be more productive


/r
Mike