I know we need a top shelf, top of the range aircraft to help insure we'll never need such an aircraft, but I really wish they'd also spend some money on a type we'll probably get to actually use in earnest - and in doing so, maybe avert the need to ever use the subject of this thread, whatever type it turns out to be.
I'm talking about a low tech, long loiter time mud mover, along the lines of an A10 or the Russian equivalent, whose designation I've forgotten, that could provide meaningful support for troops involved in 'peace keeping' operations like Afghanistan and Timor.
Heaven forbid, Australia might actually be able to build such a beast ourselves.
It's also about time the Caribou was put out to pasture.