F-111

SUBMAN1 · 07-17-06, 11:28 PM

Can someone tell me why the US retired the F-111? Especially the E/F-111?

I still think that was a little premature.

-S

snowsub · 07-17-06, 11:38 PM

They haven't, when they require one they call up their Australian allies

.

Speaking of which, one had a wheel malfunction this morning and was circling it's airfield burning fuel before having to emergency land, haven't heard the outcome yep, probably tonight
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19828817-952,00.html

SUBMAN1 · 07-17-06, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowsub

They haven't, when they require one they call up their Australian allies

.

Speaking of which, one had a wheel malfunction this morning and was circling it's airfield burning fuel before having to emergency land, haven't heard the outcome yep, probably tonight
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19828817-952,00.html

That was exactly what I was watching - an Australian video which has F-111's in it that made me think why??? The E/F-111 especially since its jamming power is way beyond what can be called up by the Navy.

http://www.grouchymedia.com/streamin...k_this_out.cfm (aussie defense force)

Ducimus · 07-18-06, 12:04 AM

I have a guess which comprises of two words:

Fighter Mafia

SUBMAN1 · 07-18-06, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I have a guess which comprises of two words:

Fighter Mafia

:rotfl: :rotfl: Must be!

NEON DEON · 07-18-06, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Can someone tell me why the US retired the F-111? Especially the E/F-111?

I still think that was a little premature.

-S

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

snowsub · 07-18-06, 01:10 AM

A little history on the Australian F-111
http://www.f-111.net/aussie/index.htm

and some Boeing Aust info
http://www.boeing.com/global/Australia/BAL/DIVAerospaceSupport/f111.html
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=959&session=dae.21872016.1153202814 .RLx6fMOa9dUAADAVRi8&modele=jdc_1

And in 2010 it's going to be replaced by the F-35 Lightning II

PeriscopeDepth · 07-18-06, 03:54 AM

The F-35 replacing the F-111 is a joke. Less than half the range, almost certainly slower, and less bombs per trip. And in service 2012 and at $40 million a unit is optimistic IMO.

PD

snowsub · 07-18-06, 04:13 AM

The emergency landing was a success
http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au...9E2&f=&fg=copy
appologise about the ad before the vid

But with regards to the F-35 replacing the F-111, yes it's controversial over here, there was rumors that the ADF is lloking at getting a CV and that plane (F-35) was taken into consideration.
Most concern is the lack of a strike aircraft in the intervening years from decom of the F-111 to successful introduction of the F-35 (much like the concern in the UK)

Skybird · 07-18-06, 04:42 AM

Maintenance costs was a guess thrown into discussions time and again. Same is said about German (and I assume British and Italian) Tornados. Also, maintenance times have increased by several times (Tornados). No aircraft forever flies for the same investements per flying hour - they increase drastcially the older the aircraft gets. If force sizes and personel levels decrease, maintenance efficiency becomes a serious consideration.

tycho102 · 07-18-06, 12:34 PM

In regards to ECM, the Navy, and the Prowler. Thank god they retired the Prowler.

The "Super Hornet" is capable of carrying several kinds of ECM pods, as well as the full compliment of associated weaponry. I don't know anything about capabilities or power output, but it was supposed to take on some this role just as it's supposed to take on some of the role of a KA-6. Having a back-seater, whose sole purpose is SIGINT functions, wastes a significant amount of combat weight. Same thing with a rear seat missile jockey ("night attack" versions of the F-18, mostly employed by Marines).

It would be better to hook SIGINT capabilites up to a satellite connection and have some joker back in Colorado doing all the work while sitting at a desk with a mug of coffee, but that does completely exclude any passive on-site countermeasures. So, I imagine those pods has *lots* of bubble memory -- probably on the order of 3-4 terabytes -- that can be examined after collection. Not quite as fast as real-time, but like I was saying, I don't know the avionics on the E's and F's.

SUBMAN1 · 07-18-06, 02:18 PM

THey need to continue work on ECM systems. The US has dropped ECM research and I think the reason is the over reliance on stealth. Some day, that could be a bad thing that could be avoided with more ECM research!

-S

PeriscopeDepth · 07-18-06, 03:26 PM

The Prowler is not retired, it will be in service beyond 2010. As to your comments on WSOs, I have NEVER heard a WSO called a waste. Two seat jets have always been considered a valuable asset. Still are today. The Navy is very forward thinking in continuing to build two seat fighters.

What makes you think the US has just dropped ECM research Subman? I haven't heard this. Do you have a source?

PD

SUBMAN1 · 07-18-06, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeriscopeDepth

The Prowler is not retired, it will be in service beyond 2010. As to your comments on WSOs, I have NEVER heard a WSO called a waste. Two seat jets have always been considered a valuable asset. Still are today. The Navy is very forward thinking in continuing to build two seat fighters.

What makes you think the US has just dropped ECM research Subman? I haven't heard this. Do you have a source?

PD

They haven't dropped it persay, but some airforce generals are raising a big stink about it because so little $$$ is going into research. The amount of money spent was pathetic.

-S

Oberon · 07-18-06, 04:57 PM

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.

07-17-06, 11:28 PM	#1
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	F-111 Can someone tell me why the US retired the F-111? Especially the E/F-111? I still think that was a little premature. -S __________________

07-17-06, 11:38 PM	#2
snowsub 中国水兵 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Moreton bay Posts: 286 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	They haven't, when they require one they call up their Australian allies . Speaking of which, one had a wheel malfunction this morning and was circling it's airfield burning fuel before having to emergency land, haven't heard the outcome yep, probably tonight http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19828817-952,00.html __________________

07-18-06, 01:10 AM	#7
snowsub 中国水兵 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Moreton bay Posts: 286 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A little history on the Australian F-111 http://www.f-111.net/aussie/index.htm and some Boeing Aust info http://www.boeing.com/global/Australia/BAL/DIVAerospaceSupport/f111.html http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=959&session=dae.21872016.1153202814 .RLx6fMOa9dUAADAVRi8&modele=jdc_1 And in 2010 it's going to be replaced by the F-35 Lightning II __________________

07-18-06, 04:13 AM	#9
snowsub 中国水兵 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Moreton bay Posts: 286 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The emergency landing was a success http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au...9E2&f=&fg=copy appologise about the ad before the vid But with regards to the F-35 replacing the F-111, yes it's controversial over here, there was rumors that the ADF is lloking at getting a CV and that plane (F-35) was taken into consideration. Most concern is the lack of a strike aircraft in the intervening years from decom of the F-111 to successful introduction of the F-35 (much like the concern in the UK) __________________

07-18-06, 04:42 AM	#10
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,612 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Maintenance costs was a guess thrown into discussions time and again. Same is said about German (and I assume British and Italian) Tornados. Also, maintenance times have increased by several times (Tornados). No aircraft forever flies for the same investements per flying hour - they increase drastcially the older the aircraft gets. If force sizes and personel levels decrease, maintenance efficiency becomes a serious consideration. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-18-06, 12:04 AM	#4
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I have a guess which comprises of two words: Fighter Mafia

07-18-06, 03:54 AM	#8
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	The F-35 replacing the F-111 is a joke. Less than half the range, almost certainly slower, and less bombs per trip. And in service 2012 and at $40 million a unit is optimistic IMO. PD

07-18-06, 12:34 PM	#11
tycho102 Ace of the Deep Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,100 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	In regards to ECM, the Navy, and the Prowler. Thank god they retired the Prowler. The "Super Hornet" is capable of carrying several kinds of ECM pods, as well as the full compliment of associated weaponry. I don't know anything about capabilities or power output, but it was supposed to take on some this role just as it's supposed to take on some of the role of a KA-6. Having a back-seater, whose sole purpose is SIGINT functions, wastes a significant amount of combat weight. Same thing with a rear seat missile jockey ("night attack" versions of the F-18, mostly employed by Marines). It would be better to hook SIGINT capabilites up to a satellite connection and have some joker back in Colorado doing all the work while sitting at a desk with a mug of coffee, but that does completely exclude any passive on-site countermeasures. So, I imagine those pods has lots of bubble memory -- probably on the order of 3-4 terabytes -- that can be examined after collection. Not quite as fast as real-time, but like I was saying, I don't know the avionics on the E's and F's. __________________ My little Silent Hunter 4 repository

07-18-06, 02:18 PM	#12
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	THey need to continue work on ECM systems. The US has dropped ECM research and I think the reason is the over reliance on stealth. Some day, that could be a bad thing that could be avoided with more ECM research! -S __________________

07-18-06, 03:26 PM	#13
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	The Prowler is not retired, it will be in service beyond 2010. As to your comments on WSOs, I have NEVER heard a WSO called a waste. Two seat jets have always been considered a valuable asset. Still are today. The Navy is very forward thinking in continuing to build two seat fighters. What makes you think the US has just dropped ECM research Subman? I haven't heard this. Do you have a source? PD

07-18-06, 04:57 PM	#15
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	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.