Super Hornets For RAAF
Raytheon Delivers 100th AESA Radar for Super Hornets, Growlers
(El Segundo, Calif., July 1, 2008) -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered its 100th APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar system to Boeing and the U.S. Navy for use on F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft.
The company marked the occasion with a ceremony July 1 that attracted senior customers and local dignitaries to its Consolidated Manufacturing Center in Forest, Miss.
"Our 100th delivery of this remarkable system testifies eloquently to the confluence of teamwork and dedication to operational excellence that the program team and our customers committed to more than a year ago," said Dr. Tom Kennedy, vice president for Tactical Airborne Systems. "This milestone proves the importance not only of developing a revolutionary and viable solution but of teaming closely with our customers to ensure they receive exactly what they need to keep our aviators safe."
The first operational deployment of an APG-79-equipped F/A-18 Super Hornet Block II squadron is in progress. The first EA-18G Growler to sport the radar was delivered to the Navy June 3.
"The outstanding performance of our APG-79 systems in the fleet continues to exceed expectations," said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 program manager. "Boeing and Raytheon have provided warfighters with a cutting-edge radar that is already demonstrating phenomenal performance along with unprecedented levels of reliability, which is critical for combat operations. This sensor backbone of the F/A-18 and EA-18G helps take the aircraft to the next level of capability we need at home and abroad."
Raytheon is under contract to deliver 437 of the systems to the Navy. The company's sophisticated multi-role APG-79 is the radar of choice for the F-15C, F-15E, F/A-18E/F and EA-18G. It is approved for export to such international customers as Singapore and Australia and is a candidate for the F/A-18 entry in India's fighter competition.
"The AESA radar is a critical element in the integrated sensor fusion on the Super Hornet and ensures the Block II Super Hornet and Growler deliver unmatched combat capability today and over the coming decades," said Bob Gower, Boeing's vice president for F/A-18 programs. "Everyone on the team is dedicated to delivering on the promise to provide warfighters with the most advanced weapons system available and maintain the proven track record of 100 percent on-time delivery that's always within budget."
Source : Raytheon
The company marked the occasion with a ceremony July 1 that attracted senior customers and local dignitaries to its Consolidated Manufacturing Center in Forest, Miss.
"Our 100th delivery of this remarkable system testifies eloquently to the confluence of teamwork and dedication to operational excellence that the program team and our customers committed to more than a year ago," said Dr. Tom Kennedy, vice president for Tactical Airborne Systems. "This milestone proves the importance not only of developing a revolutionary and viable solution but of teaming closely with our customers to ensure they receive exactly what they need to keep our aviators safe."
The first operational deployment of an APG-79-equipped F/A-18 Super Hornet Block II squadron is in progress. The first EA-18G Growler to sport the radar was delivered to the Navy June 3.
"The outstanding performance of our APG-79 systems in the fleet continues to exceed expectations," said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 program manager. "Boeing and Raytheon have provided warfighters with a cutting-edge radar that is already demonstrating phenomenal performance along with unprecedented levels of reliability, which is critical for combat operations. This sensor backbone of the F/A-18 and EA-18G helps take the aircraft to the next level of capability we need at home and abroad."
Raytheon is under contract to deliver 437 of the systems to the Navy. The company's sophisticated multi-role APG-79 is the radar of choice for the F-15C, F-15E, F/A-18E/F and EA-18G. It is approved for export to such international customers as Singapore and Australia and is a candidate for the F/A-18 entry in India's fighter competition.
"The AESA radar is a critical element in the integrated sensor fusion on the Super Hornet and ensures the Block II Super Hornet and Growler deliver unmatched combat capability today and over the coming decades," said Bob Gower, Boeing's vice president for F/A-18 programs. "Everyone on the team is dedicated to delivering on the promise to provide warfighters with the most advanced weapons system available and maintain the proven track record of 100 percent on-time delivery that's always within budget."
Source : Raytheon
Setting the Record Straight on F-35
(Fort Worth, Texas, September 19, 2008) -- U.S. Air Force analyses show the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II is at least 400 percent more effective in air-to-air combat capability than the best fighters currently available in the international market.
The Air Force's standard air-to-air engagement analysis model, also used by allied air forces to assess air-combat performance, pitted the 5th generation F-35 against all advanced 4th generation fighters in a variety of simulated scenarios. The results were clear: the F-35 outperformed the most highly evolved fighters in aerial combat by significant margins.
"In all F-35 Program Office and U.S. Air Force air-to-air combat effectiveness analysis to date, the F-35 enjoys a significant Combat Loss Exchange Ratio advantage over the current and future air-to-air threats, to include Sukhois," said Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis, F-35 program executive officer.
Recent claims that Russian fighters defeated F-35s in a Hawaii-based simulated combat exercise are untrue, according to Maj. Gen. Davis.
"The reports are completely false and misleading and have absolutely no basis in fact," Maj. Gen. Davis said. "The August 2008 Pacific Vision Wargame that has been referenced recently in the media did not even address air-to-air combat effectiveness. The F-35 is required to be able to effectively defeat current and projected air-to-air threats. All available information, at the highest classification, indicates that F-35 is effectively meeting these aggressive operational challenges."
The Pacific Vision Wargame was a table-top exercise designed to assess basing and force-structure vulnerabilities, and did not include air-to-air combat exercises or any comparisons of different aircraft platforms.
Other erroneous allegations about the program were recently made in a letter distributed and written by industry-watchers Winston Wheeler and Pierre Sprey.
"It's not clear why they attacked the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president of F-35 program integration. "It is clear they don't understand the underlying requirements of the F-35 program, the capabilities needed to meet those requirements or the real programmatic performance of the JSF team."
Here are the facts:
-- The F-35 is a racehorse, not a "dog," as Wheeler/Sprey suggest. In stealth combat configuration, the F-35 aerodynamically outperforms all other combat-configured 4th generation aircraft in top-end speed, loiter, subsonic acceleration and combat radius. This allows unprecedented "see/shoot first" and combat radius advantages.
-- The high thrust-to-weight ratios of the lightweight fighter program Wheeler/Sprey recall from 30 years ago did not take into consideration combat-range fuel, sensors or armament, which dramatically alter wing loading, thrust-to-weight ratios and maneuverability. We do consider all of this in today's fighters.
-- The F-35 has the most powerful engine ever installed in a fighter, with thrust equivalent to both engines today in Eurofighter or F/A-18 aircraft. The conventional version of the F-35 has 9g capability and matches the turn rates of the F-16 and F/A-18. More importantly, in a combat load, with all fuel, targeting sensor pods and weapons carried internally, the F-35's aerodynamic performance far exceeds all legacy aircraft equipped with a similar capability.
-- When the threat situation diminishes so that it is safe for legacy aircraft to participate in the fight, the F-35 can also carry ordnance on six external wing stations in addition to its four internal stations.
Other important facts:
-- External weapon clearance is part of the current F-35 test program.
-- The government has already proven that no other aircraft can survive against the 5th generation stealth that only the F-22 and the F-35 possess; it is impossible to add this stealth to fourth-generation fighters.
-- The F-35's data collection, integration and information sharing capabilities will transform the battlespace of the future and will redefine the close air support mission. The F-35 is specifically designed to take advantage of lessons learned from the F-117 stealth aircraft. Unlike the F-117, the ability to share tactically important information is built into the F-35, along with stealth.
-- F-35 is developing, testing, and fielding mature software years ahead of legacy programs, further reducing development risk. The F-35's advanced software, already flying on two test aircraft with remarkable stability, is demonstrating the advantages of developing highly-common, tri-variant aircraft. The software developed span the entire aircraft and support systems including the aircraft itself, logistics systems, flight and maintenance trainers, maintenance information system and flight-test instrumentation.
-- Rather than relying exclusively on flight testing, the F-35 is retiring development risk through the most comprehensive laboratories, sensor test beds, and integrated full-fusion flying test bed ever created for an aircraft program.
-- Representing only 25% of our verification plans, still the F-35's flight test program is comparable in hours to the combined flight test programs of the three primary U.S. aircraft it will replace.
-- The F-35 is one aircraft program designed to replace many different types of aircraft around the world - F-16, F/A-18, F-117, A-10, AV-8B, Sea Harrier, GR.7, F-111 and Tornado - flown by 14 air forces.
-- In addition to 19 developmental test aircraft, the F-35 is producing 20 fully instrumented, production-configured operational test aircraft. No program in history has employed this many test vehicles.
"Simply put, advanced stealth and sensor fusion allow the F-35 pilot to see, target and destroy the adversary and strategic targets in a very high surface-to-air threat scenario, and deal with air threats intent on denying access -- all before the F-35 is ever detected, then return safely to do it again," said Burbage.
Source : Lockheed Martin
The Air Force's standard air-to-air engagement analysis model, also used by allied air forces to assess air-combat performance, pitted the 5th generation F-35 against all advanced 4th generation fighters in a variety of simulated scenarios. The results were clear: the F-35 outperformed the most highly evolved fighters in aerial combat by significant margins.
"In all F-35 Program Office and U.S. Air Force air-to-air combat effectiveness analysis to date, the F-35 enjoys a significant Combat Loss Exchange Ratio advantage over the current and future air-to-air threats, to include Sukhois," said Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis, F-35 program executive officer.
Recent claims that Russian fighters defeated F-35s in a Hawaii-based simulated combat exercise are untrue, according to Maj. Gen. Davis.
"The reports are completely false and misleading and have absolutely no basis in fact," Maj. Gen. Davis said. "The August 2008 Pacific Vision Wargame that has been referenced recently in the media did not even address air-to-air combat effectiveness. The F-35 is required to be able to effectively defeat current and projected air-to-air threats. All available information, at the highest classification, indicates that F-35 is effectively meeting these aggressive operational challenges."
The Pacific Vision Wargame was a table-top exercise designed to assess basing and force-structure vulnerabilities, and did not include air-to-air combat exercises or any comparisons of different aircraft platforms.
Other erroneous allegations about the program were recently made in a letter distributed and written by industry-watchers Winston Wheeler and Pierre Sprey.
"It's not clear why they attacked the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president of F-35 program integration. "It is clear they don't understand the underlying requirements of the F-35 program, the capabilities needed to meet those requirements or the real programmatic performance of the JSF team."
Here are the facts:
-- The F-35 is a racehorse, not a "dog," as Wheeler/Sprey suggest. In stealth combat configuration, the F-35 aerodynamically outperforms all other combat-configured 4th generation aircraft in top-end speed, loiter, subsonic acceleration and combat radius. This allows unprecedented "see/shoot first" and combat radius advantages.
-- The high thrust-to-weight ratios of the lightweight fighter program Wheeler/Sprey recall from 30 years ago did not take into consideration combat-range fuel, sensors or armament, which dramatically alter wing loading, thrust-to-weight ratios and maneuverability. We do consider all of this in today's fighters.
-- The F-35 has the most powerful engine ever installed in a fighter, with thrust equivalent to both engines today in Eurofighter or F/A-18 aircraft. The conventional version of the F-35 has 9g capability and matches the turn rates of the F-16 and F/A-18. More importantly, in a combat load, with all fuel, targeting sensor pods and weapons carried internally, the F-35's aerodynamic performance far exceeds all legacy aircraft equipped with a similar capability.
-- When the threat situation diminishes so that it is safe for legacy aircraft to participate in the fight, the F-35 can also carry ordnance on six external wing stations in addition to its four internal stations.
Other important facts:
-- External weapon clearance is part of the current F-35 test program.
-- The government has already proven that no other aircraft can survive against the 5th generation stealth that only the F-22 and the F-35 possess; it is impossible to add this stealth to fourth-generation fighters.
-- The F-35's data collection, integration and information sharing capabilities will transform the battlespace of the future and will redefine the close air support mission. The F-35 is specifically designed to take advantage of lessons learned from the F-117 stealth aircraft. Unlike the F-117, the ability to share tactically important information is built into the F-35, along with stealth.
-- F-35 is developing, testing, and fielding mature software years ahead of legacy programs, further reducing development risk. The F-35's advanced software, already flying on two test aircraft with remarkable stability, is demonstrating the advantages of developing highly-common, tri-variant aircraft. The software developed span the entire aircraft and support systems including the aircraft itself, logistics systems, flight and maintenance trainers, maintenance information system and flight-test instrumentation.
-- Rather than relying exclusively on flight testing, the F-35 is retiring development risk through the most comprehensive laboratories, sensor test beds, and integrated full-fusion flying test bed ever created for an aircraft program.
-- Representing only 25% of our verification plans, still the F-35's flight test program is comparable in hours to the combined flight test programs of the three primary U.S. aircraft it will replace.
-- The F-35 is one aircraft program designed to replace many different types of aircraft around the world - F-16, F/A-18, F-117, A-10, AV-8B, Sea Harrier, GR.7, F-111 and Tornado - flown by 14 air forces.
-- In addition to 19 developmental test aircraft, the F-35 is producing 20 fully instrumented, production-configured operational test aircraft. No program in history has employed this many test vehicles.
"Simply put, advanced stealth and sensor fusion allow the F-35 pilot to see, target and destroy the adversary and strategic targets in a very high surface-to-air threat scenario, and deal with air threats intent on denying access -- all before the F-35 is ever detected, then return safely to do it again," said Burbage.
Source : Lockheed Martin
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my mail this week has been that "if " the RAAF receive the Growler they will be included in the 24 and not additional to the ordered aircraft. Apparently there are a few hoops the RAAF have to jump through states side to get clearance to operate this aircraft and there is definately no done deal yet.
EA-18G is flying with VX-23 "salty dogs" at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River and the navy have opened its first facility at the Growlers new home at NAS Whidbey Island.
Growler Support Center Opens on NAS Whidbey Island
the first us navy squadron the operate the growler is VAQ 129 "vikings".
VAQ-129 Vikings
the us navy operate 14 VAQ squadrons at NAS Whidbey Island plus a reserve squadron out of Washington. Some serious numbers!!!!
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Detpartments and Tenant commands
YouTube - Growler recovery
EA-18G is flying with VX-23 "salty dogs" at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River and the navy have opened its first facility at the Growlers new home at NAS Whidbey Island.
Growler Support Center Opens on NAS Whidbey Island
the first us navy squadron the operate the growler is VAQ 129 "vikings".
VAQ-129 Vikings
the us navy operate 14 VAQ squadrons at NAS Whidbey Island plus a reserve squadron out of Washington. Some serious numbers!!!!
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Detpartments and Tenant commands
YouTube - Growler recovery
Last edited by wessex19; 12th Oct 2008 at 11:49.
Production Update
Boeing Begins Final Assembly of RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets
(St. Louis, December 17, 2008) -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] began final assembly operations Dec. 9 in St. Louis on the first of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Super Hornet multirole fighter aircraft will be delivered to the RAAF from the first quarter of 2010 through late 2011.
"The Super Hornet is on schedule to deliver unmatched multirole capabilities for Australia," said Bob Gower, vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs for Global Strike Systems, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "The Block II Super Hornet's next-generation technologies -- including Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, fused sensors, and a network-centric data-sharing environment -- will provide wide-ranging air combat solutions for Australian Defence forces. Those capabilities will be delivered in a date-certain and cost-certain program."
Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, RAAF, said the Super Hornet will enable Australia to retain a regionally superior air combat capability. "The Super Hornet will bring Australia into a new generation of air power," Roberton said. "Its advanced, networked weapons system will deliver unprecedented air combat capability across the spectrum of air defense, strategic land attack and maritime strike. It is a true multirole aircraft and there's a lot of excitement on the ground in Air Combat Group about the arrival of the RAAF's Super Hornet."
The Super Hornet being produced for Australia is based on the F/A-18F operated by the U.S. Navy. The Block II Super Hornet is the first operationally deployed strike fighter that incorporates next-generation capabilities.
"The Super Hornet is a model acquisition program for the United States and the U.S. Navy, one that has continued to add capability while decreasing costs," said U.S. Navy Capt. James Kennedy, F/A-18 International Business deputy program manager. "The Super Hornet will provide our Australian partners with a powerful new weapon system. I'm certain they will find the unparalleled aircrew situational awareness and seamless execution of same-time air and ground missions to be as invaluable as our U.S. Navy aircrews do. The Super Hornet is delivering tomorrow's capabilities today."
The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 F/A-18Fs, making Australia the first international Super Hornet customer.
The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 375 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.
Source : Boeing
(St. Louis, December 17, 2008) -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] began final assembly operations Dec. 9 in St. Louis on the first of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Super Hornet multirole fighter aircraft will be delivered to the RAAF from the first quarter of 2010 through late 2011.
"The Super Hornet is on schedule to deliver unmatched multirole capabilities for Australia," said Bob Gower, vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs for Global Strike Systems, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "The Block II Super Hornet's next-generation technologies -- including Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, fused sensors, and a network-centric data-sharing environment -- will provide wide-ranging air combat solutions for Australian Defence forces. Those capabilities will be delivered in a date-certain and cost-certain program."
Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, RAAF, said the Super Hornet will enable Australia to retain a regionally superior air combat capability. "The Super Hornet will bring Australia into a new generation of air power," Roberton said. "Its advanced, networked weapons system will deliver unprecedented air combat capability across the spectrum of air defense, strategic land attack and maritime strike. It is a true multirole aircraft and there's a lot of excitement on the ground in Air Combat Group about the arrival of the RAAF's Super Hornet."
The Super Hornet being produced for Australia is based on the F/A-18F operated by the U.S. Navy. The Block II Super Hornet is the first operationally deployed strike fighter that incorporates next-generation capabilities.
"The Super Hornet is a model acquisition program for the United States and the U.S. Navy, one that has continued to add capability while decreasing costs," said U.S. Navy Capt. James Kennedy, F/A-18 International Business deputy program manager. "The Super Hornet will provide our Australian partners with a powerful new weapon system. I'm certain they will find the unparalleled aircrew situational awareness and seamless execution of same-time air and ground missions to be as invaluable as our U.S. Navy aircrews do. The Super Hornet is delivering tomorrow's capabilities today."
The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 F/A-18Fs, making Australia the first international Super Hornet customer.
The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 375 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.
Source : Boeing
Production Moves Forward on Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet for RAAF
(St. Louis, March 8, 2009) -- The outer skin of the first Boeing [NYSE: BA] F/A-18F Super Hornet for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is fitted to its forward fuselage on a pulse assembly line in St. Louis. The aircraft is approximately three months ahead of schedule and set for an early delivery date in July.
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a multirole aircraft equipped with the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, is able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum. The RAAF has 24 Super Hornets on order.
Each of the more than 380 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets Boeing has delivered to the U.S. Navy has been delivered on or ahead of the original delivery timeline.
Source : Boeing
W800i, sorry, I've no info on that incident. GB
World First for the RAAF With ASRAAM
(March 5, 2009) -- In a world first for an Air Force and an infra-red guided missile, Air Combat Group (ACG) of the Royal Australian Air Force has successfully carried out the first in-service 'Lock After Launch' firing of an ASRAAM (Advanced short-range air-to-air missile) at a target located behind the wing-line of the 'shooter' aircraft. The firing was conducted from an F/A-18 fighter aircraft, at low level and typical fighter speed, at a target located behind the fighter at a range in excess of 5km. The result was a direct hit on the target.
The engagement simulated a "chase down" situation by an enemy fighter and successfully demonstrated the potential for an all-round self protection capability with the ASRAAM. This capability is inherent on all platforms that provide pre-launch 'over the shoulder' designation information such as F/A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 JSF.
Commenting on the firing, a representative from Air Combat Group said "this demonstration of ASRAAM capability is a major step forward for the RAAF and greatly increases the lethality of ACG's F/A-18 fleet. It is a credit to the RAAF-MBDA-DSTO team who worked together to deliver this capability edge to the fleet."
ASRAAM entered service with the RAAF in July 2004. To provide unique levels of in service support, facilities for deeper maintenance and software support were established in Adelaide injecting some AUS million into the South Australian economy over a period of 6 years. The software support facility, located at the Defence Science & Technology Organisation at Edinburgh (SA), allows Australia to modify the ASRAAM software in response to the Australian Defence Force's specific requirements. The deeper maintenance facility established at BAE Systems at Edinburgh Park provides the in-country capability to support the front line equipment.
Having entered service with the Royal Air Force in 2002, and deployed on Tornado, Typhoon, and shortly F-35 JSF, the ASRAAM programme has provided a unique opportunity for information exchange between the respective air forces, government departments and scientific organisations.
Source : MBDA
The engagement simulated a "chase down" situation by an enemy fighter and successfully demonstrated the potential for an all-round self protection capability with the ASRAAM. This capability is inherent on all platforms that provide pre-launch 'over the shoulder' designation information such as F/A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 JSF.
Commenting on the firing, a representative from Air Combat Group said "this demonstration of ASRAAM capability is a major step forward for the RAAF and greatly increases the lethality of ACG's F/A-18 fleet. It is a credit to the RAAF-MBDA-DSTO team who worked together to deliver this capability edge to the fleet."
ASRAAM entered service with the RAAF in July 2004. To provide unique levels of in service support, facilities for deeper maintenance and software support were established in Adelaide injecting some AUS million into the South Australian economy over a period of 6 years. The software support facility, located at the Defence Science & Technology Organisation at Edinburgh (SA), allows Australia to modify the ASRAAM software in response to the Australian Defence Force's specific requirements. The deeper maintenance facility established at BAE Systems at Edinburgh Park provides the in-country capability to support the front line equipment.
Having entered service with the Royal Air Force in 2002, and deployed on Tornado, Typhoon, and shortly F-35 JSF, the ASRAAM programme has provided a unique opportunity for information exchange between the respective air forces, government departments and scientific organisations.
Source : MBDA
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If the figures quoted are to be believed.....
The unit price for a SuperHornet is around USD $56 for a USN delivery sans weapons. We're buying 24 so at that price and allowing for the exchange rate that would be 24 x 72 = $1.728b AUD.
What about the remaining $4.272 BILLION?
The unit price for a SuperHornet is around USD $56 for a USN delivery sans weapons. We're buying 24 so at that price and allowing for the exchange rate that would be 24 x 72 = $1.728b AUD.
What about the remaining $4.272 BILLION?
Nunc est bibendum
When Defence quotes figures they're normally talking about the entire cost of the program. So that extra 4 billion is to look after the aircraft for the next decade or so.
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The cost of the aircraft, EW kits, radars, engines, spares, GSE, tech pubs, sims and other synthetic training gear, weapons package, tooling etc etc is A$3.9bn.
The remaining A$2.3bn will cover base works, manning, fuel & oil & everyday expendables, and through life support from 2010 to 2020.
The remaining A$2.3bn will cover base works, manning, fuel & oil & everyday expendables, and through life support from 2010 to 2020.
Off topic, but how about a "stealth" F15?
Boeing Unveils New International F-15 Configuration - the F-15SE
(St. Louis, March 17, 2009) -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today in St. Louis unveiled the F-15 Silent Eagle (F-15SE), a new F-15 configuration designed to meet the future needs of international customers.
"The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our international customers' anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, as well as for large and diverse weapons payloads," said Mark Bass, F-15 Program vice president for Boeing. "The innovative Silent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs."
Improvements in stealth include coatings and treatments on the aircraft. With the added advantage of redesigned conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) that allow for internal weapons carriage, the Silent Eagle becomes a very attractive fighter for Boeing's international customers.
Depending on the specific mission, the customer can use the CFTs that are designed for internal carriage or change back to the traditional CFTs for optimum fuel capacity and external weapons carriage. The Silent Eagle will be able to internally carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 and AIM-120 and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). The standard weapons load used on current versions of the F-15 is available with the traditional CFTs installed.
The aircraft's canted vertical tails improve aerodynamic efficiency, provide lift, and reduce airframe weight. Another aerodynamic improvement is the Digital Flight Control System, which improves the aircraft's reliability and reduces airframe weight.
Survivability improvements include a BAES Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) working in concert with the Raytheon Advanced Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar.
Boeing has completed a conceptual prototype of the CFT internal-carriage concept, and plans to flight-test a prototype by the first quarter of 2010, including a live missile launch.
The design, development, and test of this internal carriage system are available as a collaborative project with an international aerospace partner.
Source : Boeing
(St. Louis, March 17, 2009) -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today in St. Louis unveiled the F-15 Silent Eagle (F-15SE), a new F-15 configuration designed to meet the future needs of international customers.
"The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our international customers' anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, as well as for large and diverse weapons payloads," said Mark Bass, F-15 Program vice president for Boeing. "The innovative Silent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs."
Improvements in stealth include coatings and treatments on the aircraft. With the added advantage of redesigned conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) that allow for internal weapons carriage, the Silent Eagle becomes a very attractive fighter for Boeing's international customers.
Depending on the specific mission, the customer can use the CFTs that are designed for internal carriage or change back to the traditional CFTs for optimum fuel capacity and external weapons carriage. The Silent Eagle will be able to internally carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 and AIM-120 and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). The standard weapons load used on current versions of the F-15 is available with the traditional CFTs installed.
The aircraft's canted vertical tails improve aerodynamic efficiency, provide lift, and reduce airframe weight. Another aerodynamic improvement is the Digital Flight Control System, which improves the aircraft's reliability and reduces airframe weight.
Survivability improvements include a BAES Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) working in concert with the Raytheon Advanced Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar.
Boeing has completed a conceptual prototype of the CFT internal-carriage concept, and plans to flight-test a prototype by the first quarter of 2010, including a live missile launch.
The design, development, and test of this internal carriage system are available as a collaborative project with an international aerospace partner.
Source : Boeing
Evertonian
Improvements in stealth include coatings and treatments on the aircraft
The Silent Eagle
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I thought I read somewhere recently the entire F-15 fleet is having longeron cracking issues, resulting in the loss of an ANG aircraft in 2007.
I take it this has been addressed in the SE?
I take it this has been addressed in the SE?
Lucky we have the super Hornet now
We might be lucky to get the JSF (or its secrets)
But there is even less chance now we would get a look in on the F22
A Defence minister with close ties to the Chinese (no real problem there) but a defence minister who tells a blatant lie when asked about that connection? And instead of being sacked gets support?
I think the Americans might even question what intelligence they may pass on to the ADF now let alone their top air to air fighter.
I think he had been doing a good job, but this is a self inflicted wound that has serious implications for defence and seals the deal on the F22.
We might be lucky to get the JSF (or its secrets)
But there is even less chance now we would get a look in on the F22
A Defence minister with close ties to the Chinese (no real problem there) but a defence minister who tells a blatant lie when asked about that connection? And instead of being sacked gets support?
I think the Americans might even question what intelligence they may pass on to the ADF now let alone their top air to air fighter.
I think he had been doing a good job, but this is a self inflicted wound that has serious implications for defence and seals the deal on the F22.
Ozbiggles
I think the telling part in this saga is the fact that the information was leaked from within the department itself. Obviously it was intended to destabilise the minister IOT prevent his comprehensive Defence department reform agenda. In the circumstances it is good that Rudd backed him. He will need to be carefull to cover himself in the future.
The reform is necessary IOT make Defence more accountable to Govt and the public. Just like other departments.
I think the telling part in this saga is the fact that the information was leaked from within the department itself. Obviously it was intended to destabilise the minister IOT prevent his comprehensive Defence department reform agenda. In the circumstances it is good that Rudd backed him. He will need to be carefull to cover himself in the future.
The reform is necessary IOT make Defence more accountable to Govt and the public. Just like other departments.
The cost of the aircraft, EW kits, radars, engines, spares, GSE, tech pubs, sims and other synthetic training gear, weapons package, tooling etc etc is A$3.9bn.
A capability that is in service and proven with our major allies, with the EW requirements to go to war without unreasonable restrictions, and will slot in nicely to any joint operations.
A fighter-bomber that even in those modest numbers, with other hopefully ironed out capabilities such as tankers and Wedgetail, presents the most capable force in the region- arguably equal to the Singaporians.
Let's buy another 24. With proven Growler technology to bolster the capability beyond anything in the region. Delivering a practical force at reasonable coin.
I don't think there is a regional threat, given the financial constraints at present, that could seriously threaten that kind of structure.
As more serious threats emerge in the next decade; JSF should be a better, more evolved risk than it is now.
G'day Trojan
I don't think the department did leak it! That would be giving them far to much credit. I'll qualify that, I don't believe they found out about it, maybe someone did leak it from there. In a way I'm more worried that the 'spy' agencies had no idea about any of it.
I think the one person who could answer the question (but won't) is the jurno who asked the Defence minister " did Ms Liu ever pay for a trip for you to China" to which the defence minister answered IMHO with a direct bold face lie. I'm sure the jurno was shocked with the answer as well, because I'm sure his next question was why haven't you declared it. But he got an even better story!
I wonder how anyone else who has the top security clearance would go with this on the record. How could America pass on any 'controversial' intelligence about China to the ADF now. It also raises questions about how much access you give to the ADF about aircraft we might want to buy. The Americans won't sell the Raptor to anyone because they don't want its secrets getting out....this proves the theory correct. All it takes is a suspicion.
I don't think the department did leak it! That would be giving them far to much credit. I'll qualify that, I don't believe they found out about it, maybe someone did leak it from there. In a way I'm more worried that the 'spy' agencies had no idea about any of it.
I think the one person who could answer the question (but won't) is the jurno who asked the Defence minister " did Ms Liu ever pay for a trip for you to China" to which the defence minister answered IMHO with a direct bold face lie. I'm sure the jurno was shocked with the answer as well, because I'm sure his next question was why haven't you declared it. But he got an even better story!
I wonder how anyone else who has the top security clearance would go with this on the record. How could America pass on any 'controversial' intelligence about China to the ADF now. It also raises questions about how much access you give to the ADF about aircraft we might want to buy. The Americans won't sell the Raptor to anyone because they don't want its secrets getting out....this proves the theory correct. All it takes is a suspicion.
Slightly off topic but food for thought
Moving Beyond the F-22
(Washington, April 13, 2009) -- This op-ed piece appeared in the Washington Post on April 13, written by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.
The debate over whether to continue production of the F-22 Raptor has been one of the most politically charged and controversial budget issues in recent memory, spawning lobbying efforts that include contractor-sponsored newspaper ads and letter-writing campaigns.
The F-22 is, unquestionably, the most capable fighter in our military inventory. Its advantages include stealth and speed; while optimized for air-to-air combat, it also has a ground- attack capability.
We assessed the issue from many angles, taking into account competing strategic priorities and complementary programs and alternatives, all balanced within the context of available resources.
We are often asked, 'How many F-22s does the Air Force need?' The answer, of course, depends on what we are being asked to do. When the program began, late in the Cold War, it was estimated that 740 would be needed. Since then, the Defense Department has constantly reassessed how many major combat operations we might be challenged to conduct, where such conflicts might arise, whether or how much they might overlap, what are the strategies and capabilities of potential opponents, and U.S. objectives.
These assessments have concluded that, over time, a progressively more sophisticated mix of aircraft, weapons and networking capabilities will enable us to produce needed combat power with fewer platforms. As requirements for fighter inventories have declined and F-22 program costs have risen, the department imposed a funding cap and in December 2004 approved a program of 183 aircraft.
Based on different warfighting assumptions, the Air Force previously drew a different conclusion: that 381 aircraft would be required for a low-risk force of F-22s. We revisited this conclusion after arriving in office last summer and concluded that 243 aircraft would be a moderate-risk force. Since then, additional factors have arisen.
First, based on warfighting experience over the past several years and judgments about future threats, the Defense Department is revisiting the scenarios on which the Air Force based its assessment. Second, purchasing an additional 60 aircraft to get to a total number of 243 would create an unfunded $13 billion bill just as defense budgets are becoming more constrained.
This decision has increasingly become a zero-sum game. Within a fixed Air Force and overall Defense Department budget, our challenge is to decide among many competing needs. Buying more F-22s means doing less of something else. In addition to air superiority, the Air Force provides a number of other capabilities critical to joint operations for which joint warfighters have increasing needs. These include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; command and control; and related needs in the space and cyber domains. We are also repairing years of institutional neglect of our nuclear forces, rebuilding the acquisition workforce and taking steps to improve Air Force capabilities for irregular warfare.
It was also prudent to consider future F-22 procurement during the broader review of President Obama's fiscal 2010 defense budget, rather than as an isolated decision. During this review, we assessed both the Air Force and Defense Department's broader road maps for tactical air forces, specifically the relationship between the F-22 and the multi-role F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is in the early stages of production.
The F-22 and F-35 will work together in the coming years. Each is optimized for its respective air-to-air and air-to-ground role, but both have multi-role capability, and future upgrades to the F-22 fleet are already planned. We considered whether F-22 production should be extended as insurance while the F-35 program grows to full production. Analysis showed that overlapping F-22 and F-35 production would not only be expensive but that while the F-35 may still experience some growing pains, there is little risk of a catastrophic failure in its production line.
Much rides on the F-35's success, and it is critical to keep the Joint Strike Fighter on schedule and on cost. This is the time to make the transition from F-22 to F-35 production. Within the next few years, we will begin work on the sixth-generation capabilities necessary for future air dominance.
We support the final four F-22s proposed in the fiscal 2009 supplemental request, as this will aid the long-term viability of the F-22 fleet. But the time has come to close out production. That is why we do not recommend that F-22s be included in the fiscal 2010 defense budget.
Make no mistake. Air dominance remains an essential capability for joint warfighting. The F-22 is a vital tool in the military's arsenal and will remain in our inventory for decades to come. But the time has come to move on.
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And here's the first one
Boeing: Boeing Debuts 1st Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet
Boeing: Boeing Debuts 1st Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet
Boeing Debuts 1st RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet
(St. Louis, July 8, 2009) -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today unveiled the first of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during a ceremony at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' production facilities in St. Louis. The aircraft will be delivered later this month, three months ahead of schedule.
"The Super Hornet is on its way to delivering advanced combat capabilities to the Royal Australian Air Force," said Bob Gower, Boeing vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs. "Cooperation and great teamwork on the part of Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the Hornet Industry Team have enabled the first RAAF Super Hornet to be delivered within budget and ahead of schedule."
The remaining 23 Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, will be delivered to the RAAF throughout 2010 and 2011.
"The RAAF Super Hornet will bring a new generation of air power to Australia," said Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, RAAF. "Its advanced, networked weapons system will deliver enhanced air combat capability across the spectrum of air-to-air, strategic land attack and maritime strike, which is so important for Australia. It is a true multirole aircraft and there's a lot of excitement on the ground in the Air Combat Group about its arrival."
The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 of the F/A-18F multirole fighters, making that country the first international Super Hornet customer.
"The rollout of the first RAAF Block II Super Hornet is an important and exciting milestone for all of the Australian and U.S. team members, who have accomplished a great deal of significant work to make this event possible," said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 and EA-18 program manager, PMA-265. "Our long and successful relationship has been mutually beneficial during the RAAF classic Hornet program, and taking this next logical step with the acquisition of the Super Hornet is a win-win for both nations. The Super Hornet's inherent tactical capabilities and ability to force multiply speak for themselves."
The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 395 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.
Company Center : The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA)