RAAF KC-30A
 

Would anyone in the know care to comment on whether there's any truth in the rumour I've heard that the RAAF are in the market for a 6th MRTT?

MSJ

RAAF KC30 Ground Crew
 

Sorry MSJ, I have not heard anything!

However, if anyone has any contact details of any RAAF KC30 Ground Crew, can they PM me as I am currently in the position as WO Eng on Voyager and would like to discuss the possabilities of an RAF - RAAF exchange scheme.

ETE

I bet . . . best of luck :D

There was some talk that Airbus would retain the first MRTT (the one that lost the boom) as a test aircraft, and the RAAF would get a new jet, but this dried up pretty quick.

A new boom has been ordered (at Airbus's cost) to replace the one at the bottom of the Atlantic, but there is no money for a sixth KC-30 for the foreseeable future.

JuliaR Gillard must want another VIP transport to match the size of her ego.

F/A18, you are quite correct. The prototype and test aircraft, A39-001, is still in France for delivery this year. A39-005 is with QDS in Brisbane undergoing mod, and to be delivered this year. Other three with 33SQN at Amberley. No money for an A39-006!!

Could someone have not mixed up rumours / fact
with the 6th C-17 purchase ?

500N, probably.
State of play with the 6th C-17 I think is that enquiries have been made for an FMS acquisition from USAF production, but I have not heard of a Letter of Accepance (LOA) - precursor to a contract - being issued.

Hate to kill your joy and hopes but airman aircrew have put up the exchange idea for engineers and LM but cannot get the high level support to make it happen.

We had one LM who exchanged with the RAF but that was only for three months and was not continued

Regards

Col

...or possibly with the order for the extra boom?

Terms and pricing have been returned to Aust, and are waiting for the next NSC to be signed off. A/C is due in 4Q 2012.

Merge with thread running in D&G???

I would have thought at this stage, British and Australian A330 tanker crew would be better off getting experience on their own operations.

500N, BB and FA18

For what it's worth, I think I can say categorically that it's not a mix up with the RAAF C-17 programme.

MSJ

It'll be an A380 then...

Political bias aside for a brief moment I do believe that a bigger aircraft should be available for the PM (of any side).
A 737 with a bed in it doesn't leave much room for anything. I wonder what the 737 crew do for crew rest on it. A aircraft properly fitted with crew rest AND properly crewed would increase the safety and capability of the VIP Sqn.
Just maybe a extra A330 might fit the bill here.
It could also be used at short notice for emergencies and not affect the KC role of the other 5.

ozbigglesbiggles,
if you really need one, then it is necessary to have a spare.
Two more - no way!

Actually as F/A18 says about the 6th C-17 being signed off at the next NSC, this Govt is in so much trouble they will not want additional expenditure (to the tune of $1bn) next FY. Remember, FY12/13 "back in surplus". I cannot see them committing additional Defence expenditure next FY, and if it comes from existing forward estimates, then that is a further 1bn out of the existing Defence budget.

"It could also be used at short notice for emergencies and not affect the KC role of the other 5"

Question for you.

Why use a VIP aircraft for emergency's when we have a heap of other planes available for hire - which seems to be what the Gov't does when it needs one anyway. And Qantas (and probably others) have always come to the party and provided in times of need - Vietnam, Cyclone Tracy (with help fro the US Air Force) and others.


-

RAAF KC30's - no tanking and how late?:rolleyes:

They do have some cute crew atts though judging by the RAAF FB page:D

How many are arriving with no tankering ability? (= VIP transports for Jooliar.)

A debate begins!
I don't see the need for a spare in this case. Revert to 737 or use one of the KC30s if required or hire a jet or use RPT if the govt one doesn't work or is needed for something else.
For the emergency case there is always the case of places and things the charter world can't/won't/not available in time frame or won't be 'cleared' to do.
Bali bombing springs to mind here.
Also I would have this one rigged for medivac work if feasible but C17 probably has this covered now.
I agree funding with the GFC/government debt situation would make it difficult and unlikely but I was saying that about money for the Battlefield lifter too but that seems to be underway ...... but still, believe it when I see it.