RAAF A330 MRTT progress
Thread Starter
At the time that they were ordered, there was no "off the shelf" options available. The B767 tanker hadn't been built and the deliveries to Japan have subsequently been delayed extensively. It looks like neither of the big 2 aircraft manufacturers can deliver a "new" product on time. The Rhino and C-17 were in a mature state on the production line and the programs did go well due to buying "off the shelf" and limiting any mods that the RAAF wanted.
Just in:
Just in:
Italian tanker delay - The first two Italian air force Boeing KC-767 tankers are expected to be delivered at the end of the year. Delivery was first scheduled for 2005. Four are on order. They are fitted with boom and hose-drogue refueling systems on the centerline and hose-drogue wing pods.
Last edited by Going Boeing; 19th Oct 2010 at 22:56.
Off the shelf: The Kiwis and Egyptians together with Poles operate the SH-2G Seasprite very successfully because they all purchased the "off the shelf" G model. Good old RAN/DMO try and build a model that has never been done - R&D alone was hundreds of millions with only 11 cabs to be purchased. F#@kwits I say are in charge of the circus...
The Tiger is unique to us....very very late, won't be ready until the 'next' war ; don't worry about our lack of air support for the boys and girls in A/Stan...
The Tiger is unique to us....very very late, won't be ready until the 'next' war ; don't worry about our lack of air support for the boys and girls in A/Stan...
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There were some minor boom issues early on but nothing else to speak of, it was mainly just Airbus underestimating the amount of work required and then not having enough engineering resources to throw at it when it started to slip.
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Ooops...slipped again...
Airbus misses RAAF KC-30 MRTT delivery deadline | Australian Aviation Magazine
There's a bit more to it, but this covers most of it!
Merry Christmas all.
Airbus misses RAAF KC-30 MRTT delivery deadline | Australian Aviation Magazine
There's a bit more to it, but this covers most of it!
Merry Christmas all.
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What a Shock Delayed Again 
You have to love the quote below deliver nothing and its an outstanding year just wait till they actually deliver something.
Nonetheless, despite the new delays, Airbus Military has declared 2010 an “outstanding year” for its A330 MRTT program
You have to love the quote below deliver nothing and its an outstanding year just wait till they actually deliver something.
Nonetheless, despite the new delays, Airbus Military has declared 2010 an “outstanding year” for its A330 MRTT program
Can't wait for JSF. And the new subs. Other emerging disasters?
Oh, and the stealthy cruise missiles the RAAF bought that, along with tankers, I'm sure were part of the F111 retirement deal.
Oh, and the stealthy cruise missiles the RAAF bought that, along with tankers, I'm sure were part of the F111 retirement deal.
The Western and therefore the Australian philosophy for defence personnel and equipment is to ensure the highest training standards and the best military systems in an effort to overcome and try to outweigh the sheer weight of numbers that many potential aggressors might be able to mount against us.
Therefore, of necessity, we must strive to purchase the moist effective and up-to-date weapon systems that are available in the world.
To send our diminutive force into the likely current day and future battlefields with anything less, is to condemn our young military men and women to death.
New high-tech weapon systems are by nature very risky not only in terms of test and development technical risk, but also in terms of manufacturing and cost risks.
This will never change...
Therefore, of necessity, we must strive to purchase the moist effective and up-to-date weapon systems that are available in the world.
To send our diminutive force into the likely current day and future battlefields with anything less, is to condemn our young military men and women to death.
New high-tech weapon systems are by nature very risky not only in terms of test and development technical risk, but also in terms of manufacturing and cost risks.
This will never change...
Thread Starter
FlexibleResponse - Great post, I totally agree.
Australia - Sustainment for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters
The Estimated Cost is $1.6 Billion
ASDNews: Feb 3, 2011 Washington - The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Feb. 1 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a 10-year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for 24 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.6 billion.
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of ten year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters. The sustainment effort will include spare and repair parts provisioning, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $1.6 billion.
Australia, one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific, contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia's efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have served U.S. national security interests.
The proposed sale will provide Australia the resources necessary to properly maintain its 24 MH-60R helicopters. Australia, which already has S-70B helicopters in its inventory, will have no difficulty performing the actions necessary to properly sustain these additional helicopters.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
Source : Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
The Estimated Cost is $1.6 Billion
ASDNews: Feb 3, 2011 Washington - The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Feb. 1 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a 10-year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for 24 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.6 billion.
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of ten year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters. The sustainment effort will include spare and repair parts provisioning, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $1.6 billion.
Australia, one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific, contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia's efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have served U.S. national security interests.
The proposed sale will provide Australia the resources necessary to properly maintain its 24 MH-60R helicopters. Australia, which already has S-70B helicopters in its inventory, will have no difficulty performing the actions necessary to properly sustain these additional helicopters.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
Source : Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
The move from S-70B to MH-60R would be simple like the intro of the Super Hornet. No risk and saves time and money. In use in the hundreds with our Pacific partner the USN. What's wrong with this picture?????
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Did anyone miss this bit of news?
Boom or bust! – RAAF KC-30 loses boom | Australian Aviation Magazine
Boom or bust! – RAAF KC-30 loses boom | Australian Aviation Magazine
Boom or bust! – RAAF KC-30 loses boom
I
An Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), one of five on order for the RAAF as the KC-30A, suffered the partial loss of its air-to-air refuelling boom over the Atlantic Ocean on January 19.
The incident happened while the first of five KC-30As bound for the RAAF – and the first A330 MRTT development aircraft – was conducting a refuelling currency mission with Portuguese air force F-16s. Sources say preliminary reports suggest the boom’s probe snapped off near the F-16’s receptacle, causing the boom to spring up and strike the underside of the KC-30, possibly snapping off one of its two guiding fins and causing it to oscillate wildly until it snapped off at the pivot point.
The boom departed the aircraft and fell to the ocean below. Fortunately, both the tanker and the F-16 recovered safely to their respective bases with no injuries to the crews of either aircraft.
Damage to both aircraft is currently being assessed, while investigations by Airbus Military and Portuguese air force officials have begun. RAAF Directorate of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety (DDAAFS) officials are already on their way to Madrid to join in the investigation.
I
An Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), one of five on order for the RAAF as the KC-30A, suffered the partial loss of its air-to-air refuelling boom over the Atlantic Ocean on January 19.
The incident happened while the first of five KC-30As bound for the RAAF – and the first A330 MRTT development aircraft – was conducting a refuelling currency mission with Portuguese air force F-16s. Sources say preliminary reports suggest the boom’s probe snapped off near the F-16’s receptacle, causing the boom to spring up and strike the underside of the KC-30, possibly snapping off one of its two guiding fins and causing it to oscillate wildly until it snapped off at the pivot point.
The boom departed the aircraft and fell to the ocean below. Fortunately, both the tanker and the F-16 recovered safely to their respective bases with no injuries to the crews of either aircraft.
Damage to both aircraft is currently being assessed, while investigations by Airbus Military and Portuguese air force officials have begun. RAAF Directorate of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety (DDAAFS) officials are already on their way to Madrid to join in the investigation.