The original install of just the disk didn't have the Harpoon problem, almost all of them would hit. When Jane's released the 1.01 patch that was one of the "fixes", that ships defences were increased. Before I knew TSH exsisted and you had to have the patch to download their mods, I unistalled my patched version of JF-18 and reinstalled the disk without the patch for that reason.

The actual problem, though, is the RCS (radar cross section) value for the Harpoon. It ostensibly should be the same as it is for the SLAM missile (same missile body, different warhead and different terrain-following capability). However, the RCS value for the Harpoon is the same as the Super Hornet! That means the missile has just as much chance of getting shot down as does an F-18E when in-close to enemy carriers (or less chance, since it doesn't have an afterburner and is less maneuverable). As we all know from getting shot down by the Soviet fleet defenses, it's a tough situation to survive. The Harpoon should be a lot more survivable because it is a much smaller object than an attack aircraft.

If there is ever another TSH release, the Harpoon RCS will be fixed. It is tough for me to find time these days to work on modding.

What about the possibility of just a small patch for the Harpoon? Or does it require extensive effort to correct that particular problem and would be better off with an entirely new release?

Hey Joe, any chance TSH might just release the weaponeering mod that's already complete, rather than waiting for the next TSH version? I went back through my files and it looks like the RCS problem mentioned above is fixed in that mod...

The escort missions have to be some of the most ridiculous missions in the game. The mission that I have been stuck on for a while is in Phase III escorting the flight of F-18Cs to destroy the HF signals facility (2931444). It seems that either the SA-10 or the Russian MiG-29s lay the F-18Cs to waste.

Second up is the mission where you have to destroy the nuclear bunkers. Way back when, I used to be able to use a SLAM-ER+ or two to take out those bunkers. Now, they are invincible! I think I read on here that the bunkers are "floating" off the ground and thus can't be destroyed?

I personally use the MK61 nuke mod for that particular mission. :p

4 JDAM-31s will do the job also.

I kind of refuse to use the KM61 nuke mode.

FOUR JDAM-31s??? Man, I tried just about every type of ordinance on those bunkers but not FOUR of them! Maybe that could have gotten me away from this insipid F-18C escort mission!

Most of the time 3 JDAM-31s will take it out, but once in awhile it wasn't enough so I started using 4. This is a fairly easy mission if you find the way.

I agree. I equate most of the mission's original difficultly in that I was 13 years old when I played the mission in 2000; I was surprised how easy it was to fly up to the bunkers yet dismayed when nothing appeared to dent the bunkers! 4 JDAM-31s on 1 bunker is kind of expensive though.