To play Harpoon Classic you must have a color screen on your Macintosh (any size), a 68020 or better processor (or PowerPC compatible) and system 7.0 or better.
Insert your Harpoon Classic DEMO diskette into your Macintosh. You should see the file "HarpoonClassic DEMO Installer". Double-click on this file to launch it. It will lead you through the installation process onto a hard drive.
Once this process is complete, open your "Harpoon Classic CD" folder on your hard drive, then double-click on the "Color Harpoon DEMO" icon to start the game.
KEYBOARD EQUIVALENT COMMANDS
GAME Menu Commands
Apple - N New Game
Apple - O Open Game
Apple - S Save Game
Apple - L Load User Scenario
Apple - P Pause Game
Apple - H Game Status
Apple - Q Quit
ORDERS Menu Commands
Apple - 1 Attack
Apple - 2 Set Altitude and Speed
Apple - 3 Enter Group Course
Apple - 4 Formation Editor
Apple - 5 Ready Aircraft
Apple - 6 Launch Aircraft
Apple - 7 Join Group
Apple - 8 Split Group
Apple - 9 Sensors
Apple - 0 Enter Staff Note
SETTINGS Menu Commands
Apple - T Time Compression
Apple - R Set Range Circles
Apple - I Game Icons
Apple - G Set Grid Lines
Apple - K Game Options
Apple - Y Sound Options
Apple - M Staff Options
REPORTS Menu Commands
Apple - E Show Orders
Apple - B Order of Battle
Apple - D Platform Display
Apple - W Weather Report
MISC Key Commands
Apple - F Calc Range & Bearing
Apple - A Staff Report
I Key Show Unit and Group Id’s on Maps
opt - 6 Show Free Memory
T Key Show Group's course on Group Window
opt -3 User Nuclear Release
TAB key Alternates selected window between Group Window and Unit Window.
Z Key Zooms in the current window (Group or Unit).
X Key Zooms out the current Window (Group or Unit).
+ Key Increases time compression.
- Key Decrease time compression.
ENTER,RETURN Takes you to 1:1 time compression immediately.
U Key Selects a Unit (in the Unit Window) of your currently selected Group.
C Key Center the Unit Window around your currently selected Group.
SPACEBAR Selects the next object to the south (down) in the current window.
BACKSPACE Selects the next object to the north (up) in the current window.
Arrow Keys Scroll the currently selected window, either the Group Window or
the Unit Window.
Mouse Shortcuts
Position Group Map - Clicking on the Strategic window will position the Group map on
the point clicked.
Position Unit Map - You can quick position the Unit Map by holding down the Shift Key
and clicking on the desired location on the Group Map.
Full Reports - double clicking on a group or unit will bring up a Full Report for that
group or unit.
Scroll box selection - Most scroll box items are selectable by double-clicking on the
item.
INTRODUCTION TO HARPOON CLASSIC
THE CONTEMPORARY NAVAL WARGAME
There are two types of wargames which rely on the use of actual data: historical and contemporary. Historical wargames re-enact encounters set in the past, the object being to see how your decisions might have effected the course of history. Historical naval wargames benefit from hindsight and the historical record. On the other hand, a contemporary naval wargame can be defined as a set of rules that simulates naval combat of the current era. There is little historical data from which one can benefit. Mostly, there is only raw unclassified data on the capabilities of the contestants. There is no history as to what might constitute a "good" decision or a "bad" one; the results of the contest itself will bear the answer. Consequently, there are two tests a contemporary naval wargame must meet: whether it can accurately duplicate existing naval scenarios, and whether it can accurately predict future ones. In this regard, Harpoon is the most sophisticated and realistic contemporary wargame available to the public at this time.
Larry Bond's original naval wargame appeared in 1980 as a board game. It drew on the experiences of the past in an effort to produce a true contemporary naval wargame. Designed by an experienced naval officer, the game combined a simple game system with the specific details of a variety of naval weaponry. Because it was deliberately conceived as an open-ended game system, Bond's game could be fitted with new rules, statistics, or data as they became available, virtually guaranteeing that it would remain a viable, valuable resource for naval wargamers. In 1988 Larry Bond's board version of the game set the standard by winning a second N. C. Wells award at the prestigious Origin Wargaming Convention, the only game to ever do so.
Bond's game system is, at its heart, a simple one. Damage point values for ships are based on their tonnage (with suitable modifications for ship type or construction), damage inflicted by warheads and guns is based on the weight and type of the explosive.
Your computer version of Harpoon Classic is identical in concept to the original game. However, it also incorporates a few convenient features which allow for greater flexibility. Some of the main differences between the board game and this computerized version are as follows:
1. The most obvious time-saving feature is that the computer will handle all the "number crunching" which is inherent in playing the board game.
2. A "layered" approach has been taken to the design of the computer version. That is, the player can choose the amount of realism and/or detail he or she desires, thus making this product an attractive challenge to both expert and novice wargamers, alike. Towards this end, you have been furnished with a "Staff Assistant." Normally, Task Force Commanders have staffs to help them keep track of the details regarding the conditions of the fleet, as well as intelligence concerning the enemy. Your Staff Assistant performs attempts to the same function. When you give an order, or ask for information, he will take care of it for you.
3. The computer allows you to command many task forces instead of just a single one.
4. The computerized version incorporates a "time-compression" feature. Normally, naval engagements in the "real world" might require several days to resolve as units travel from one point to another. To alleviate this dead-time, you can speed up computer time when nothing important is happening. The computer will automatically return you to "real time" once contact is made with the enemy. Or, you can slow Harpoon Classic down whenever you want.
5. An exciting feature, especially for the wargame aficionado, is the vast amount of detailed information available on both friendly and enemy units. With the press of a key, the user can call-up various screens which detail all sorts of data on NATO and Soviet units. This makes Harpoon Classic a valuable learning experience, in addition to being a challenging wargame simulation.
Harpoon Classic comes with four BattleSets and three Harpoon Designer Series, which offer new scenarios for each of the four BattleSets. In total you have over 200 different scenarios, offering literally thousands of hours of game play. The DEMO version has the first six scenarios of the the first BattleSet, GIUK.
In short, the computerized version of Harpoon Classic can assist the player in making the kinds of decisions that must be made by a ship commander or battle group commander in a modern sea battle. It shows what information the commander has, and how he uses it to make those decisions. Most importantly, it allows the player to make those decisions, and to see their results in a simulated combat setting.
While Harpoon Classic is a "game," there is no built-in play balance. Harpoon Classic is more accurately a simulation. The data is a reflection of real-world weapons and equipment, used with a computer system which allows them to interact. We cannot say that you will win 50% of the time. The vagaries of modern warfare do not allow for such niceties; neither does Harpoon Classic. If fact, each time a scenario is played it will be different. Whether or not you win will depend on the initial situation presented to you by the computer, and how well you meet the challenges of those situations.
THE HARPOON CLASSIC COMPUTER INTERFACE
Using Buttons
Buttons are used on many screens within the program. Buttons can be clicked on if you have a mouse, or activated by a key. The key is always indicated on the button. So the button labeled [E]xecute is activated by the "E" key, while the button labeled [F]ull Report is activated by the "F" key. There are also two special case buttons that utilize the ENTER and ESC (escape) keys. Buttons whose entire text label is within the brackets (i.e. [OK], [EXIT]) are activated with the ENTER key. Buttons within the less than and greater than keys (i.e. <Cancel>, <Quit>) are activated with the ESC (escape) key. In this way we keep you from having to memorize a lot of special keys.
Using the Menus
To operate the menus using a mouse, move the mouse pointer to the menu heading desired, then press the left mouse button.
Certain menu items are not always available. When a menu item is not available, then it will be "dimmed."
The Orders menu is always directly linked to the selected Group or Unit in the currently active window (i.e. if the Group Window is active, the selected Group and if the Unit Window is active, the currently selected Unit). Note that most of the Order items do not work for Units.
Using Dialogs
Many times during the operation of the program you will be presented with Dialog Boxes. Use the mouse cursor to move between items within the dialog. Items within a dialog are grouped into logical "families." To move between families, scroll the text by "clicking" on the up/down arows located on the scroll bar. To move within a family highlight the item with mouse and click. You will see either the item text or a small area next to the item highlight as you move. To select an item, double click the left mouse button
There are four different kinds of items in Dialogs. The first is the Radio Button item. Only one radio button item within a family can be turned on, similar to a car radios' station selection buttons. These are represented as a small circle, and if "ON" the circle is filled in. The second type of item is the Check Box item. A Check Box item is either off or on. If it is off, it is blank inside the box, and if on it will have an "X" in the box. The third type of item is a Text Edit box. You can enter either numeric and/or alphabetic text in this type of dialog item. Finally, there are buttons, as described above, normally used to accept or reject the entries you make within a dialog.
Using Scroll Boxes
Scroll Boxes appear at various points within the program. When a Scroll Box is visible on the screen, the up and down arrow keys move the selection bar within the current Scroll Box. If more than one Scroll Box is visible on the screen, the Tab key switches between them, with the active Scroll Box having a yellow frame (a Selection Border) around it. When using a mouse, you can simply click on a text item to select it, and if two or more Scroll Boxes are visible, clicking on any item in a Scroll Box makes that the active Scroll Box.
QUICK START
The following is a step-by-step walk-through of the "Gauntlet" scenario, the second scenario in the GIUK Battleset. We suggest that when following the steps in this demonstration that you load the "Gauntlet" scenario in Harpoon Classic and play along with the instructions. This may be the quickest way for you to learn how Harpoon Classic is played. Please bear in mind, however, that the strategy suggested in this demonstration is not necessarily the best one; rather, our main purpose is to demonstrate how the game operates.
At various points during the simulation, the Staff Assistant will appear, notifying you of sensor contacts. We cannot say at exactly what point this will occur since it will vary somewhat each time you play. Harpoon Classic scenarios are generally the same each time you play, but both friendly and enemy Groups may start in different positions each time, have different compositions and take different routes, making each game a continuing challenge!
Note:
When you do get a new contact, you will see on the screen an indication of how precisely that contact is located. If you see a diamond-shaped or rectangular figure surrounding your contact, that tells you that the contact is somewhere in the diamond-shaped "uncertainty zone," and the wider the diamond the greater the degree of uncertainty. This uncertain contact can either be an area contact or a bearing-only contact. You probably have a bearing only contact with the enemy. Bearing-only contacts are usually made by the passive sensors on your unit. If you set your sensors to "active," and if the contact is within range of your active sensor, then the diamond will disappear and you will see only the enemy group or unit icon. When this happens, you have a "solid" (i.e. exact) contact. When you lose a contact, it will degrade into an area contact, with the uncertainty zone growing over time, until you either re-acquire the contact or it is lost completely!
To follow along with this sample scenario, select the GIUK BattleSet, then make sure you select 'NO' for the "Auto Formation Air Cover" on the Select Game Options screen. Note: Normally we recommend selecting YES for this option.
Then select the "Gauntlet" scenario (number 2.0 in GIUK) by double clicking on it.
1. After loading any scenario your should review your Orders (Apple+E) and your Order of Battle (Apple+B).
In this scenario, you are escorting two merchant ships to Narvik. Your Order of Battle shows the port of Narvik, two frigates (Type 22/2 and O. H. Perry classes), two merchant ships and four helicopters (on the two frigates). Select the surface group with call sign AAS, use your mouse to click on the first Unit.
Now you can get a unit report on the Type 22/2 use your mouse to click on the Unit [R]eport button. Notice that all sensors are off except your Passive Sonar and that you have only short range (SR) ASW weapons (Short range weapons for ships, are generally under 30 nm in range.). Check your sensors by pressing 'S' (or clicking on the [S]ensors button). You will get your Radar Report screen.
As you can see both radars are turned off. You have two different radar sets: one combination air and surface search radar (AS/SS), the other a surface search radar (SS). The range of the radar against different sizes of targets. Also remember that Radar is limited by the Radar Horizon, regardless of the range it can potentially reach.
Now we can look at our sonar by clicking your mouse on the [S]how Sonar button. Notice the active sonars are off. You have two different sonars, one a hull sonar (H) that has both an active and passive mode. The other sonar is a towed sonar (T) that is passive only. The direct path range is shown for each sonar and mode, and the sonar's convergence zone (CZ) reach is also shown. From this screen we can return to the main ship display click on the <Ship> button. Once back at the unit display screen, click the mouse on the [W]eapons button.
Using the weapons display, you can check all your weapons and current ammo levels. This screen tells you all the information about your weaponry. Selecting each weapon shows you it's arc of fire, weapon name, current ammo/initial magazine load, type of target it can engage, maximum range, % fired that will hit a target (if it finds a target) and number of damage points it can do if it does hit. Now click your mouse on the Ungroup Same Type [W]eapon button, this allow s you to look at the individual weapons mounts, instead of a combined display for all weapons of a given type. Now click on Group Same [W]eapon type. Once you have examined all your weapons, you can either return to the ship display by clicking your mouse on the [S]hip button or directly back to the Order of Battle by selecting [E]xit. Now you can examine your other platforms, just like we did for the Type 22/2 Brave. Examining and understanding the capabilities of your platforms is absolutely key to effectively fighting them.
2. After reviewing your forces you will notice that the Designation Square and the Unit Window on the Group Map are centered on NATO Port with call sign ABp in Narvik, Norway. This is your destination, as stated in your scenario Orders. Notice that to your north is a red triangular figure. Click on it. When you do, you will notice from the small Reports Window that it is USSR Airfield with call sign ZXa in Banak, Norway. Click your mouse on the [F]ull Report button.
As you can see, Banak has an estimated 6 enemy attack aircraft, active radar and no known damage.
3. Press the BACKSPACE key. The Designation Square will cycle to a group of ships to the south. The small Reports Window shows that this is NATO Surface Group with call sign AAS, comprised of 4 ships and 4 helicopters.
4. Press the "C" key. The Unit Window indicator on the Group Map will immediately center itself around your selected surface group, and the group will be shown on the Unit Map. Give the [F]ull Report command; a report will appear in the report window indicating that your groups' radars are in STANDBY and that our sonars are in PASSIVE mode.
5. You need to select your Staff Options from the Settings menu (Apple+M). Note that you can select and deselect certain Staff options. Make sure that the "Repeatable Air Patrols/Attacks" is 'x'ed and that the "Enable Air Intercepts" is empty by clicking on it. After turning these options on, press the ENTER key to accept your Staff Option changes.
6. Now we must make our first tactical decision. What do we want to do with our radar and sonar? If we leave them off then we will be operating with just our passive sensors, that is, we will be "listening" but not "seeing." The advantage of running with sensors deactivated is that the enemy cannot detect our emissions, and as shown in section on Sensors, we can detect his emissions long before he can detect ours. On the other hand, it is possible that the enemy is running with his sensors off. Also, even if we do happen to detect an enemy's sensors we will have only moderately reliable range and bearing information. But, let's leave our radar off for the time being.
7. We have a slightly different problem with regard to our sonar. It is difficult to judge at exactly what distance we could expect to detect an enemy, either with our active or our passive sonar. Antisubmarine warfare is extremely complex and problematical because the ocean has temperature layers (thermoclines) which can distort or block sound waves. No doubt the enemy's subs can pick up the noise from our convoy's screws (propellers) long before we could ever hope to detect him with our own sonar. On the other hand, the noise from our own screws are very liable to mask any noise we could hear from an enemy sub, particularly if we are traveling at the rather brisk speed of 18 knots. Now, let us slow down our convoy so that we can increase our chances of detecting the enemy. Select Speed. The Set Speed box will appear in the Reports Window. Use the BACKSPACE key to erase 20 kts from the Speed line, then type in the number 16. This should increase our probability of detection without slowing down our group too much. We will also leave our sonar in passive mode for the time being.
8. Since our intelligence brief on the Scenario Selection Screen told us that we could expect surface, air, and subsurface threats, we will want to position our units so that we can protect our convoy of transports. Also, we will want to make sure that the helicopters have a load-out appropriate to the situations we can expect to face.
a. First, let us see what loadout our helicopters currently have. Select Ready Aircraft. You will then be presented with the Ready Aircraft screen.
You can immediately see that all of your helicopters are equipped for antisubmarine warfare and are in a "Ready 5" status (can be launched in 5 minutes or less). Now we need to make a tactical decision. Do we want to commit all our helicopters to ASW duties, or do we want to load one or more out for a possible surface threat? We will loadout one with surface missiles and have it ready to launch, and use another as an early warning picket.
b. Select the Navl Lynx HAS.3, then give the [R]eady command. A small dialog box will appear in the middle of the screen. Use the BACKSPACE key to erase the number 2 on the "To ready" line, then type in the number " 1 ." (We want only one helicopter loaded to attack surface ships.)
Then select [OK]. When you do another box will appear which lists the types of missions a Lynx can accomplish. Use the cursor to highlight "Guided" and again select [OK].
Once you do, you will be returned to the Ready Aircraft screen. Notice that your Lynx which has the guided mission will be ready in 30 minutes.
Now select the other Lynx and give the [R]eady command. When the mission loadout selection screen appears, select the "Search" Loadout. Note that it has the same range (288 nautical miles) as the AntiSub Loadout which is already loaded! Lets leave this one the way it is and we will send it out as a scout with an AntiSub Loadout. Click on the <Cancel> command to return to the Ready Aircraft screen, then press ENTER to exit to the Main Screen.
c. Now we can launch a helicopter within our formation to perform ASW patrol duties. Select Formation. With your mouse select "2 SH-60B Seahawk", then select [S]et Air Patrol.
The selection for how many aircraft to patrol will be shown. BACKSPACE over the "2" and type in "1" as shown above. Select [OK] to accept one aircraft for the patrol.
Now you will see a helo symbol appear in the middle of the formation and a new entry will appear in the scroll box labeled "ASW Patrol."
Locate this helo in the outer sector (Picket Ring) of the same ring as the Brave by clicking in the sector with your mouse.
Now select [E]xecute. You will be returned to the main screen where you can see in the Unit Window that the helo has been launched.
9. Now we should set up the Range Circles so we can play effectively. Pull down the Range Circle menu item under Settings. For now, lets set them as indicated below:
Best Surface Missile for both Blue and Red.
Best ASW Weapon for Blue
Best Passive Sonar for Blue
10. Now that we have things set up the way we want them, slowly compress time to speed up the game a little bit. Click on FAST until time compression is set at "5 min.." In a few seconds your message will appear on the message bar to let you know that your Lynx on the Brave is ready. Since we will want to send it off on a search mission, press the ENTER key to return to a 1:1 time ratio.
11. Now launch this Lynx on its search mission. Select Launch Aircraft. A box will appear in the Reports Window listing the three possible launch aircraft missions.
Select Patrol, then give the [OK] command. Next to appear is a dialog requesting you to enter the position for your patrol. The Circle you see is the range of your longest range aircraft. Click the mouse to about half the radius of the circle, directly North of your Group.
The next screen to appear is the Launch Aircraft screen.
Highlight the Lynx with the AntiSub mission in the Ready Air Assets box, then move it to the Launching Group box by clicking on MOVE>>. Now select [OK].
12. Notice on the Group Map that a helo symbol begins to separate itself from the ship symbol. Use the BACKSPACE or SPACEBAR key to select the helo. The report window shows that it is NATO Helicopter Group with call sign ACH.
a. Since we are trying to find a surface enemy, lets turn the radar on for this helicopter. Since it is already the selected Group, select the Sensors item.
You will get the Set Group Sensors dialog as shown. Set the Surface Search Radar to Active then select [OK].
b. At this point increase time compression to " 1 min." After a minute or two your staff assistant will appear to inform you that a Soviet Nanuchka has been detected. The Group window will show a red surface symbol enclosed in a red square. This red square is the "uncertainty zone", meaning that the vessel was detected by passive sensors and that its exact location is uncertain. But you know the enemy is out there somewhere in the general vicinity! Select [ 1:1 TIME] by pressing the ENTER key.
13. Continue closing until you have a solid fix on the enemy, then use the Set Altitude and Speed order to hover your helicopter. This gives you targeting information on the enemy ships and will allow you to attack them using other means.
14. Since we are too far away to shoot our shipborne missiles, launch the helicopter we have ready with the Guided Loadout. Select your ship group, then select the Launch Aircraft order. Select Attack for the launch mode, and the enemy ship group as the target. Then launch the Lynx with the Guided Loadout.
15. Once your Lynx with the Guided Loadout is airborne select it using either the mouse or the space/backspace keys. Set it's speed to military to get it to the target faster and make sure it has all sensors OFF so that the enemy ships do not detect it as quickly. Once you get close to the enemy ships (about 20 miles) you may want to set your altitude to VLow (very low) to avoid radar detection for as long as possible.
At this point, we cannot guide you any further because the game you are playing may not proceed exactly the same from this point onward. However, you can play around with the various commands and menus. Use this opportunity to see just what you can and cannot do.
The more you play Harpoon Classic the more you will discover the various uses of the commands. There is such a wealth of detail built into the internals of the simulation that it may require you to play scenarios 1 through 4 several times just to discover Harpoon Classic's capabilities. We recommend that you become comfortable with the first four scenarios before you attempt the more complicated ones.
Of course, if you "lose" a particular scenario it will have no effect on the outcome of any subsequent scenario, and you can replay any scenario as many times as you wish. Keep in mind, however, that even though you may replay a certain scenario, the computer will not necessarily set up the situations or the forces in exactly the same way each time. Consequently, you cannot always be sure that the tactics you used for winning a scenario one time will always work each succeeding time.
Good luck to you. Your alliance depends upon your skill!
