The following comments are for those of you who want a little more 
information on the IOPG BattleSet.  Almost all users can ignore these
comments, since they describe things you probably will not notice.

First, the IOPG BattleSet incorporates strategic level satellite
intelligence.  This functions in the game as KEYHOLE, the 
"BLUE" side strategic intel (KH-11, etc), and RORSAT, the "RED"
side intel source.  Please note that you are not getting the information
directly from the satellite, but through Strategic sources.  This means
that the information may be "dated" (too old to be useful now), etc.
and that much information that is available will not always be passed
to you (the Satellite detection probabilities are much higher than
those represented in the IOPG, but the information would not always
be routed to a local commander from the strategic processing sources).
Also note that in some scenarios (and in user scenarios) that KEYHOLE
may occasionally detect submarines.  The "RED" side strategic
intelligence will normally not detect subs unless they are at
periscope depth (or surfaced).

Second, the IOPG incorporates stealth aircraft (the F-117).  Please don't
put these aircraft in the same group as other other aircraft.
If you do, they will lose all stealth characteristics, since aircraft will
be vectored into the group and get visual sightings.  Typically, air
groups should also consist of 8-12 aircraft.  Huge strike groups (as in
WWII) don't happen (at least not successful ones) in a modern combat
environment.  The average number of aircraft in one air group (using
the most recent "real" combat data) is approximately four.  A more 
effective (and realistic) method of utilizing strike aircraft would be
two to four "close" waves of groups of four to eight aircraft.

Third, the IOPG includes some units that are not in service, and some of
the statistics are estimated.  However, most of the information is the
best "non-classified" numbers available.  If you are a naval professional
(in industry or a national naval force), we would be pleased by any "new"
information that you might provide.  However, we cannot rely on hearsay
or other "informal" information.  If you would like to provide information,
please provide a verifiable source.  Needless to say, please do not send 
us classified information.  

The US IOWA class Battleships are no longer in service, and
the subcaliber rounds are conjectural.  In addition, the DeadEye rounds
on Mk-45 gun systems are hypothetical, and will never enter service.
The Indian "Cochin" class has not yet been built, and therefore the 
statistics for it are uncertain.  The Iranian Combattante IIIMs can actually
carry four Harpoons each (and, contrary to some information, the Iranians
did indeed have Harpoon missiles).  The Indian Charlie I SSGN probably never
carried SS-N-7 missiles; however, in a wartime situation, those missiles
probably would have been made available to the Indians.  In ..and then there
were two, the Nimitz class does not have F-14s.  Since the F-14D upgrade
program has been cancelled, this situation will probably be typical in the
years to come.  

Several aircraft use the "long range" loadout as an alternate loadout.
We realize that in many cases the long range and standard loadout will
have the same airborne flight range and this is intentional.  The alternate
loadout is there merely to provide an additional option for the user.

You will also notice that ships do not have helicopters assigned to them
automatically when using the Scenario Editor and the IOPG BattleSet.
This allows the user one more area that can be customized.  During some
conflicts (and especially during the Gulf Crisis) many surface platforms
had helos assigned to them that would never had been there under more
ordinary circumstances.

The IOPG also has a few more features, if you know how to use them.  Soviet
ASMs (AS-6s on the Backfire and Badger-G) can be set during loadout to 
either fly at high altitude or low altitude (low level is set as guided 
while high level flight profile is set as standoff).  This will allow you
to experiment with Soviet tactics and NATO Naval defense capabilities.

Please also note that jet aircraft at cruise throttle setting at low altitude
will have a speed relatively equal to their military throttle.  This is
a change from previous BattleSets and is due to the incorporation of 
new data.  Fuel consumption may vary for some aircraft due to this.

You might also notice a few things that are different throughout the
IOPG.  The "S" after sonobuoys in the aircraft loadout is an indication
that this item is a Sonobuoy.  Earlier BattleSets simply used "generic"
sonobuoys; the IOPG has them divided by type / nationality.  The capabilities 
of various sonobuoys are implemented in the IOPG.

To any Yemeni users of Harpoon, we apologize for the lack of a flag in
the status screen while playing Harpoon.  Once your country has fully
integrated the former Peoples' republic and Arab republic and has decided
upon a new flag, we will be glad to integrate it into any future versions
of the Indian Ocean / Persian Gulf BattleSet.

We hope you enjoy the Indian Ocean / Persian Gulf.  In addition to the 
dedication in the IOPG manual, the IOPG designers would also like to
state our congratulations to Mikhail Golovatov and the Alpha Group.
The Founding Fathers of the United States couldn't have done it better.
Outstanding Team Alpha.
