F-111 to carry ASRAAM

[gf0012-aust]

Flight International 13-19 July 04

"The Airforce (RAAF) also indicates it will proceed with plans to arm it's General Dynamics F-111 strike fighters with MBDA's ASRAAM short range AAM, which will enter full operational service on it's Hornet fleet next month.
Funding of up to A$ 20 million is proposed for release in the 05-06 budget, with the F-111s to be capable of operating with the missile for the final 3 or 4 years of their planned service. "

 

[Aussie Digger]

One wonders what the ADF will do with it's warstock of AIM-9M Sidewinders now that ASRAAM is being carried by it's fast jets? Integrate them onto our forthcoming Tiger ARH's perhaps? The AIM-9M would confer a much greater air to air capability then either Stinger or Mistral AAM's (neither of which we've ordered btw...)

I also noticed that in all the publicity shots of "Pitch Black" lately all the Hornets are openly carrying ASRAAM now. I guess the "formal" announcement about it's operational service will come next month, but if push came to shove right now it's ASRAAM the Hornets would use, not Sidewinder...

 

[gf0012-aust]

One wonders what the ADF will do with it's warstock of AIM-9M Sidewinders now that ASRAAM is being carried by it's fast jets?

The Hawks are certified for the Sidewinder, so probably they'll end up on them. They might even get to shoot a few off in training before the "destruction" date.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Yeah probably. I hope they are integrated onto the Tiger though. It's been bought partially to provide an escort capability for our Blackhawks/Chinooks. Hopefully a greater air to air capability than simply the 30mm gun can be provided for them to round out the capability. The Sidewinder would be a cheap and effective option...

 

[gf0012-aust]

Yeah probably. I hope they are integrated onto the Tiger though. It's been bought partially to provide an escort capability for our Blackhawks/Chinooks. Hopefully a greater air to air capability than simply the 30mm gun can be provided for them to round out the capability. The Sidewinder would be a cheap and effective option...

Geez I'm thick! I hadn't even thought of that. Damn good idea, not sure if they are certified for the Tiger though.

Thats another $5m down the gurgler while EADS sign them off for Sidewinder release.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Yeah, I'm not sure if they've EADS has done captive trials with the weapon or anything, but it couldn't be too hard to integrate. I'm sure I read somewhere it's a possible option for the aircraft. I've seen AH-1W Cobra's carrying them, so it shouldn't be too big or heavy for the Tiger. Even $5 million seems like a bargain for the level of capability they'd get. Mistral and Stinger have a range of what, 7, 8k's? Sidewinders would be 15k's+ on the Tiger... Not to mention they (presumably) have a fair quantity of Sidewinders sitting around not doing much anyway... At least this way they'd be profitably employed for the remainder of their lifespan...