Australian F-18F Update
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Australian F-18F Update
Training starting in 2009 - F-111 to retire in 2010. Wo't that leave a capability gap? I am assuming that, due to available aircrew numbers, they will train a mix of current F-18 and F-111 pilots, but the (bombardiers/navs?) from the F-111 wing will be re-roled?
DID: .........In December 2006, The Australian reported that Defence Minister Brendan Nelson is discussing an A$ 3 billion (about $2.36 billion) purchase of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet aircraft around 2009-2010, a move that came as "a surprise to senior defence officials on Russell Hill"; but now it's official - as in, a signed contract....
The 2-seat F/A-18F sacrifices some range, carrying only 13,350 pounds of fuel - 900 fewer pounds than the F/A-18E. In exchange, it adds a second crewman with an advanced attack station cockpit to assist in strike roles. The F/A-18F Block II adds a number of enhancements, but all are electronic rather than aerodynamic. The most sigtnificant improvement is its AN/APG-79 AESA radar; Australia will be the first country outside the United States to receive it......
The justification advanced for this buy include service as a gap-filler to the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter after the F-111's retirement in 2010, and also the ability to plus-up aircraft numbers while existing F/A-18A Hornets rotate through the year-long center section replacements designed to lengthen their service fatigue life. The move would have significant impacts on the 2006-2016 Defence Capability Plan, and would reportedly cut the number of F/A-18A Hornets undergoing the $1+ billion HUG mid-life upgrade program to 42. It may also result in cuts to other programs unless additional funding is provided to cover the interim fighter purchase.....
May 5/07: Australia's DoD announces the signing of its first contract for the new F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet fleet, valued at approximately A$ 2.9 billion (currently about US$ 2.39 billion), for the acquisition of 24 aircraft and associated support systems. Additional contracts will be established later in 2007 for weapons acquisition and sustainment.
The aircraft will be based at RAAF Amberley, which currently houses Australia's long-range strike fleet of F-111 fighter/bombers. The government will be focusing on local Industry participation as part of the through life support concept, in order to maintain the extensive support infrastructure that has grown up around the F-11 fleet. Australian personnel are scheduled begin Super Hornet training in the United States in 2009, and the current government plans to retire its F-111s in 2010 instead of 2020 as originally forecast.
DID: .........In December 2006, The Australian reported that Defence Minister Brendan Nelson is discussing an A$ 3 billion (about $2.36 billion) purchase of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet aircraft around 2009-2010, a move that came as "a surprise to senior defence officials on Russell Hill"; but now it's official - as in, a signed contract....
The 2-seat F/A-18F sacrifices some range, carrying only 13,350 pounds of fuel - 900 fewer pounds than the F/A-18E. In exchange, it adds a second crewman with an advanced attack station cockpit to assist in strike roles. The F/A-18F Block II adds a number of enhancements, but all are electronic rather than aerodynamic. The most sigtnificant improvement is its AN/APG-79 AESA radar; Australia will be the first country outside the United States to receive it......
The justification advanced for this buy include service as a gap-filler to the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter after the F-111's retirement in 2010, and also the ability to plus-up aircraft numbers while existing F/A-18A Hornets rotate through the year-long center section replacements designed to lengthen their service fatigue life. The move would have significant impacts on the 2006-2016 Defence Capability Plan, and would reportedly cut the number of F/A-18A Hornets undergoing the $1+ billion HUG mid-life upgrade program to 42. It may also result in cuts to other programs unless additional funding is provided to cover the interim fighter purchase.....
May 5/07: Australia's DoD announces the signing of its first contract for the new F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet fleet, valued at approximately A$ 2.9 billion (currently about US$ 2.39 billion), for the acquisition of 24 aircraft and associated support systems. Additional contracts will be established later in 2007 for weapons acquisition and sustainment.
The aircraft will be based at RAAF Amberley, which currently houses Australia's long-range strike fleet of F-111 fighter/bombers. The government will be focusing on local Industry participation as part of the through life support concept, in order to maintain the extensive support infrastructure that has grown up around the F-11 fleet. Australian personnel are scheduled begin Super Hornet training in the United States in 2009, and the current government plans to retire its F-111s in 2010 instead of 2020 as originally forecast.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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AWST - 3 Sep 2007:
......Australia has also quietly expressed interest in buying a second squadron of 24 F/A-18E/Fs and possibly some Growlers [EA-18G]. These would be bought with budget surpluses, not with the regular defense budget......
......Australia has also quietly expressed interest in buying a second squadron of 24 F/A-18E/Fs and possibly some Growlers [EA-18G]. These would be bought with budget surpluses, not with the regular defense budget......
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Seen something on a rival aviation site where there has been comments to the effect that the combination of AESA equipped F-18 F's plus the G's providing back up for substantially less than F-35, and available now (ish), will seriously eat into why a country would fork out for JSF.
The shoot down comment was to the effect that F and G were older designs where as JSF is a brand new baby with plenty of design growth for future upgrades.
The shoot down comment was to the effect that F and G were older designs where as JSF is a brand new baby with plenty of design growth for future upgrades.
Last edited by Flyingblind; 11th Sep 2007 at 06:22. Reason: spell check!
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Originally Posted by ORAC
AWST - 3 Sep 2007:
......Australia has also quietly expressed interest in buying a second squadron of 24 F/A-18E/Fs and possibly some Growlers [EA-18G]. These would be bought with budget surpluses, not with the regular defense budget......
......Australia has also quietly expressed interest in buying a second squadron of 24 F/A-18E/Fs and possibly some Growlers [EA-18G]. These would be bought with budget surpluses, not with the regular defense budget......
Got a link?
