I have a few questions that perhaps someone can help me with;
1. Is there an ACTIVE forum for this sim - because this ain't it!
2. Is the WDP Project worthwile? Does it just give you current Naval tech or can use this info to go back and construct some missions from 1980 to 1995?
3. Just what does a Hummer (E2C Hawkeye) do anyway? Does it simply give you better range to pick up unidentfied contacts or does it actually identify those contacts?
4. In light of the question above, is sending a Hummer on an "Identify" mission a mistake?

1. In most of the naval forums (including this one), most FC talk has degenerated into technical-related problems ("I can't get it to run on my XXX computer, please help"). The interest in this game has simply fade away. Most eyes are now turned towards Harpoon-4, which is hoped to be what FC promised to be but wasn't: The true successor to Harpoon 2.

2. The WDP project is definitely worthwhile, if nothing else to give you a solid batabase foundation upon which to build your custom scenarios. It's also definitely recommended for multiplayer. I assume, though, that the canned missions will be just a little trickier.

3. The advantages of shipborne AEW assets in general (E-2, Yak-44, Ka-31RLD, Sea King AEW.2, proposed An-71 etc) are as follows:
-Increased detection range of all types of targets
-Tremendous increase in detection range of low-flying and small/stealthy targets
-Better coordination of air battle (this effect has not been modelled in any program unitl now)
-The increased detection range gives more available time for non-cooperative target recognition (ID a target by monitoring its flight pattern)
-Extended capability for ESM detection/classification (FC allows only detection, not classifcation IIRC. H2 allows both)
-Acting as intermediate comms relays between surface assets and aircraft.

4. An AWACS aircraft's task is surveillance, OTH targetting/limited ELINT and battle-management, not taking a close look at unidentified targets. For a recon mission (ID missions are recon mission for all matters concerned), you task a proper recon asset with the right speed, survivability, and sensors that are needed for the job.