F-111

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Oberon

All this is news to me, I had no idea the US had retired the Electric Fox...thank goodness the Aussies have some they can borrow when needed.

I do have some doubts though. Maybe the reason is because the US realizes that SAM's will easily be able to burn through ECM in the future? Usually the US doesn't make a move without a damn good reason, so that is where my doubt comes from. The latest gen of Russian Sam's is excellent, and only going to get better.

-S

[Oberon]

True...you can stay one step ahead of the game only for so long, but I would have thought they'd have at least kept the fuselage to refit with new ECM equipment...unless it'd work out cheaper to retire the F-111 and intergrate new technology into upcoming aircraft or small aircraft upgrades as opposed to totally revamping the original.

[NEON DEON]

Originally Posted by NEON DEON

At first I was thinking they wanted to go cheap

F4G Wild Weasel. But no they retired the Phantom too.

They went even cheaper!

A6 Intruder varient

EA 6B Prowler

http://www.fas.org/irp/program/colle...6b_prowler.htm

You might want to look at the above link.

[Oberon]

In the coming years, the Prowler fleet will be modernized and upgraded to keep the aircraft and its systems abreast of evolving threats and to maintain aircraft safety. The Block 89A upgrade program will address structural and supportability problems associated with aging aircraft and includes numerous avionics improvements for safety of flight and joint interoperability. Later improvements to the Prowler's AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system, including the Improved Capabilities (ICAP) III upgrade, new high and low frequency transmitters, and continuing structural enhancements, will ensure that the EA-6B remains the world's premier tactical electronic warfare platform and a force multiplier for years to come.

Aaaah, that explains it, it's a cheaper aircraft to keep and probably easier to upgrade too.

Also:

As of early 2000, Defense Department planning for replacing the EA-6B Prowler include a scheme under which the Navy would buy an F/A-18G "Growler" -- an F/A-18E/F modified for escort and close-in jamming. The Air Force would provide standoff jamming with modified EB-52s or EB-1s, and close-in jamming with unmanned air vehicles such as the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk or General Atomics Predator.

They're modding the ever resourceful F-18 for the Navy.

Makes more sense now

[diver]

Originally Posted by PeriscopeDepth

The F-35 replacing the F-111 is a joke. Less than half the range, almost certainly slower, and less bombs per trip.

PD

Yes but seeing as how the F-111's NEVER operate without F/A-18 escorts, and how the RAAF is buying long range cruise missiles it really nulifies those issues.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

Originally Posted by diver

Yes but seeing as how the F-111's NEVER operate without F/A-18 escorts, and how the RAAF is buying long range cruise missiles it really nulifies those issues.

You still lose a lot of range on the strike because the F/A-18s (not long legged to begin with) now have to carry heavy bombs instead of AAMs and maybe a HARM or two.

As for cruise missiles, you are now spending a lot more to deliver the same ordnance. You also lose firepower per strike because the planes have to lug the fuel in the missile as well as the warhead.

[PeriscopeDepth]

I find Australian Defence policy very interesting. They have a huge area to cover with relatively little resources. I also hate the F-35 with a passion. It has a limited place in AF's at best.

Now, what is the ADF's job? Honestly, it's not defending the mainland from China. Never can the ADF be expected to do that on their budget. It's slapping Indonesia around by yourself, worst case. Which means a long range, quick turnaround, BOMBER SPEC'd aircraft to sustain sortie rate. IMO, the ADF would be better off with a handful of F-22s (or F-15s) to smack the fighters and AD; the rest of the ADF combat AF consisting of X-45C spec'd drones.

PD

[snowsub]

Originally Posted by diver

Yes but seeing as how the F-111's NEVER operate without F/A-18 escorts, and how the RAAF is buying long range cruise missiles it really nulifies those issues.

now that's something I haven't heard of :hmm: :hmm:

[snowsub]

Originally Posted by PeriscopeDepth

I find Australian Defence policy very interesting. They have a huge area to cover with relatively little resources. I also hate the F-35 with a passion. It has a limited place in AF's at best.

Now, what is the ADF's job? Honestly, it's not defending the mainland from China. Never can the ADF be expected to do that on their budget. It's slapping Indonesia around by yourself, worst case. Which means a long range, quick turnaround, BOMBER SPEC'd aircraft to sustain sortie rate. IMO, the ADF would be better off with a handful of F-22s (or F-15s) to smack the fighters and AD; the rest of the ADF combat AF consisting of X-45C spec'd drones.

PD

the bombing of Jakata and turn around was the reason for the F-111.

But we are buying both the F-22 & F-35, plus the global hawk, Wedgetail (cheap AWACS), and I've heard rumors of a CV like the brittish version (STOL req'd types).

a little info on the ADF White Paper:
http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/M...?CurrentId=474

some more info:
http://www.australianreview.net/jour.../cheeseman.pdf

MOD's site:
http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/

[diver]

Originally Posted by PeriscopeDepth

I find Australian Defence policy very interesting. They have a huge area to cover with relatively little resources. I also hate the F-35 with a passion. It has a limited place in AF's at best.

Now, what is the ADF's job? Honestly, it's not defending the mainland from China. Never can the ADF be expected to do that on their budget. It's slapping Indonesia around by yourself, worst case. Which means a long range, quick turnaround, BOMBER SPEC'd aircraft to sustain sortie rate. IMO, the ADF would be better off with a handful of F-22s (or F-15s) to smack the fighters and AD; the rest of the ADF combat AF consisting of X-45C spec'd drones.

PD

The Australian Defence Force now spends alot of time peacekeeping in the Asia/Pacific region. From lessons learnt, particuarly in Timor 99, but also the Solomons, Timor 06 and to a lesser extent Bouganville, we are now gearing up the forces for their future role (not the stupidity of "fortress australia" as devised by Labor in the 80's/90's).

That's why we are buying LHD's, C-17's, MRH-90's, among other things

With the purchase of Abrams MBT's, AWACs, Aegis destroyers, cruise missiles, F-35's, and the upgradeing of our FFG and Anzac frigates the ADF is also getting ready to continue operating where it is needed around the world.

the future is looking very good, now if only we could solve that recruitment problem:hmm:

[PeriscopeDepth]

Where did you find that Australia is buying the F-22? Don't believe they are...yet.

PD

[snowsub]

Appologize, the Labor Party (opposition) here was calling for it, but on further investigation I found atm there is no plans for the ADF to have it.

Which makes me wonder, cause the F-22 was part of a list of planes the RAAF was looking for the replace the FA-18's (proposed were the Eurofighter, F22, Superhornet & i think the Raphael (sp?))
again further looking suggests they are using the JSF to do both the F-111 & FA-18 role


Edit: Yep, the Aust Government was looking at various aircraft for Air 6000 project but descided to dump it and buy the F-35
again

[snowsub]

Some official documentation of the future plans of the ADF:


http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/f2020.pdf]Force 2020[/url]


http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/id/dcp/DCP_2006_16.pdf]Next 10 Yrs[/url]