Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[PeterM]

Hi guys,

I'm an ex-grunt looking to re-enlist defence and was looking at the position of airborne electronics analyst, but have been hearing rumours and have been told by possibly questionable sources that the Orion is being replaced in ~2014-5 or the near future by the P8 Poseidon, which due to its crew limitations will lead to a downsizing of the AEA units. The job sounds great but I'd hate to go through 18months of training just to do my job for a year or two and get forced to re-muster into another position. Anyone who has any insight into this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

from naval-technology.com

In July 2007, the Australian Government was given 'first pass approval' to participate in the cooperative development of the P-8A Poseidon. The P-8A would replace the Royal Australian Navy's fleet of P-3C Orion aircraft.

P-3C:
The aircraft is flown by a crew of ten on missions up to 14 hours long. The flight deck accommodates the pilot, the co-pilot and the flight engineer.

The main cabin is configured as a mission operations room for the tactical coordinator, the navigator and communications operator, two operators for the acoustic sensor suite, the electromagnetic sensors systems operator (responsible for the operation of the radar, electronic support measures, infrared detection system and magnetic anomaly detectors), the ordnance crew member and the flight technician.

P-8A: The cabin is fitted with up to seven operator consoles​

presumably, they would have similar crew requirements

from the DCP2009 regarding timing

AIR 7000 Phase 2B Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement
First Pass Approval - Complete
Year-of-Decision - FY 2013-14 to FY 2015-16
Initial Operating Capability - 2017 to 2019​

So it is likely to be at least 2017 before we start receiving the Posseidon to replace the Orion
(assuming everything goes through as expected)

hope this helps

 

[Todjaeger]

Hi guys,

I'm an ex-grunt looking to re-enlist defence and was looking at the position of airborne electronics analyst, but have been hearing rumours and have been told by possibly questionable sources that the Orion is being replaced in ~2014-5 or the near future by the P8 Poseidon, which due to its crew limitations will lead to a downsizing of the AEA units. The job sounds great but I'd hate to go through 18months of training just to do my job for a year or two and get forced to re-muster into another position. Anyone who has any insight into this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

In addition to what PeterM posted, there is also going to be the 6 (or 7 if the final option is exercised) E-737 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft. I would suspect that the station operators aboard a Wedgetail would require a similar skill set, if not necessarily the same as aboard a P-8 Poseidon.

Now it could be that the AEA post will be reduced since the number of Poseidons is unlikely to match the Orions on a 1:1 basis, but the inclusion of the Wedgetail is likely to keep the total numbers require at a similar level. Plus there might be a requirement for ground-based system operators to make sense of any data returns from UAV-based MPA.

Something to consider at least.

-Cheers

 

[Marty21]

Re: orion replacement

Thanks guys, it gives me hope but i guess the recruitment numbers will be non-existent for some time then! Thanks for your input. Any others that have insight I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Thanks guys, it gives me hope but i guess the recruitment numbers will be non-existent for some time then! Thanks for your input. Any others that have insight I would greatly appreciate it.

Hey mate, I wouldn't be too concerned, RAAF ISR capabilities are growing at a rapid rate and I'm sure the opportunities that will be available to you with such a skillset will be extensive....

To directly address your question, it is true that only 8x P-8A Poseidon MMA's are planned to replace the 19x strong AP-3C fleet, but these P-8A's are to be supplemented by 7x HALE unmanned aerial vehicles (Global Hawk or similar) giving an overall fleet very similar in size to the present one. (Given 3x of the AP-3C's are training platforms only)...

On top of which, I imagine such a skillset would be required by the RAN fleet air arm with it's anti-submarine warfare helo fleet, which most definitely IS expanding, so you can see why such skills are likely to remain in demand by ADF...

Best of luck mate. Let us know how it goes...

 

[uuname]

More details were available of a new set of modifications to the Super Hornet, described as "a roadmap for the international market" but designed to be retrofitted to any Block 2 aircraft. The most visible change is a stealth-configured weapon pod designed to accommodate a range of weapons, including four AMRAAMs, but other changes include conformal fuel tanks and more powerful engines.

Boeing Bombshells

Under the “International Roadmap,” the jet would get a touch-screen cockpit inspired by the iPhone, conformal fuel tanks similar to those on Block 60 F-16s, new engines that giving the jet up to 20 percent more thrust, a belly-mounted weapons pod that can carry up to four AIM-120 AMRAAMs, an internal sensor pod and an infrared search and track system, said Shelley Lavender, vice president of Boeing strike fighter programs.

Farnborough 2010 - Defense News Show Scout – Boeing Pitches Upgrades for F/A-18E/F


Range has been one of the main criticisms of the Super Hornet, and Australia has a lot of territory to cover.
It seems likely that the conformal fuel tanks would likely be of some use to the RAAF, even if none of the other improvements are wanted.

On the other hand, if the Supers are only going to be in service for very short time, I guess "good enough" is all that's needed. Not a lot of point spending money on something if you aren't going to get much use out of it.

On top of that, if most of the upgrades are not going to be available until ~2020, the RAAF might not be too interested in upgrading the Super Hornets by the the time they are available....

Still, if nothing else, it must be nice for the RAAF to know they have options if the situation changes. An advantage of buying an in-production aircraft that's still being developed and marketed, I guess.

 

[aussienscale]

Boeing Bombshells



Farnborough 2010 - Defense News Show Scout – Boeing Pitches Upgrades for F/A-18E/F


Range has been one of the main criticisms of the Super Hornet, and Australia has a lot of territory to cover.
It seems likely that the conformal fuel tanks would likely be of some use to the RAAF, even if none of the other improvements are wanted.

On the other hand, if the Supers are only going to be in service for very short time, I guess "good enough" is all that's needed. Not a lot of point spending money on something if you aren't going to get much use out of it.

On top of that, if most of the upgrades are not going to be available until ~2020, the RAAF might not be too interested in upgrading the Super Hornets by the the time they are available....

Still, if nothing else, it must be nice for the RAAF to know they have options if the situation changes. An advantage of buying an in-production aircraft that's still being developed and marketed, I guess.

Don't forget that the RAAF Super Hornets have been wired during production to be later swaped to the Growler variant once the JSF come on-line, should we do this the RAAF will use the airframes for full life and therefore any necessary upgrades will be conducted

 

[Marc 1]

Don't forget that the RAAF Super Hornets have been wired during production to be later swaped to the Growler variant once the JSF come on-line, should we do this the RAAF will use the airframes for full life and therefore any necessary upgrades will be conducted

12 of the 24 wired for growler. I don't see a big requirement for CFT's on the superbugs. We'll have the KC30A's online before the CFT's become available.

 

[Aussie Digger]

12 of the 24 wired for growler. I don't see a big requirement for CFT's on the superbugs. We'll have the KC30A's online before the CFT's become available.

Plus buddy refuelling pod capability with the Super Hornets as well...

 

[jack412]

i cant see us getting the conformal tanks just for a few years after 2020, if we are going to keep them it may be different

 

[weasel1962]

Re:

Saw a contract for 52 datalinks for raaf hornets (presumably the legacy ones in view of the number) to link atflir video streaming to rover 3 receivers.

The contract.
Defense.gov: Contracts for Monday, July 26, 2010

Solicitation
Government Contractor, Bid and Contract Opportunity

Rover 3 receiver (warning 31 mb download).
http://www.l-3com.com/csw/product/docs/ROVERIII.pdf

 

[Aussie Digger]

Saw a contract for 52 datalinks for raaf hornets (presumably the legacy ones in view of the number) to link atflir video streaming to rover 3 receivers.

The contract.
Defense.gov: Contracts for Monday, July 26, 2010

Solicitation
Government Contractor, Bid and Contract Opportunity

Rover 3 receiver (warning 31 mb download).
http://www.l-3com.com/csw/product/docs/ROVERIII.pdf

It seems to be for the Super Hornets, as it's a commercial contract to upgrade ATFLIR targetting pods, which are only operated by RAAF on the Supers. 56x data-link kit seems a lot given RAAF only operates 18x ATFLIR, but there may be a reasonable explanation. Perhaps there is a need to integrate more than one kit per pod, plus attrition and testing and development kits will be required as well.

I understand that the Litenung AT pod, that RAAF uses on it's legacy Hornets already have ROVER 3 data-link capability, which was one of it's biggest selling points when RAAF was looking for a replacement targetting pod a few years back...

 

[weasel1962]

Re:

It seems to be for the Super Hornets, as it's a commercial contract to upgrade ATFLIR targetting pods, which are only operated by RAAF on the Supers. 56x data-link kit seems a lot given RAAF only operates 18x ATFLIR, but there may be a reasonable explanation. Perhaps there is a need to integrate more than one kit per pod, plus attrition and testing and development kits will be required as well.

I understand that the Litening AT pod, that RAAF uses on it's legacy Hornets already have ROVER 3 data-link capability, which was one of it's biggest selling points when RAAF was looking for a replacement targetting pod a few years back...

My assessment is 1 kit per pod.

It could alternatively be something as simple as upgrading from a single way datalink to a 2 way datalink for the litening pods (with VDL across different pods?). I note that whilst the kits are intended for the F-18E/F atflir upgrade as a program, it may not exclude a litening pod upgrade as an aside...

 

[rossfrb_1]

RAAF F-111 final appearances for 2010

In light of the impending retirement of this aircraft I was wondering whether there is a known list of public appearances for this aircraft?
I would really like to gets some photos before they retire, and was hoping that a few F-111s are scheduled to make an appearance in or around Sydney sometime this year (or even Brisvegas).
Someplace where there would be civilian access to static displays and proximity to a flypast would be ideal.

If anyone knows of such a schedule, please let me know.
Last Major Exercise For Australia’s F-111s | Air Force News at DefenseTalk

cheers
rb

 

[weasel1962]

Re:

In light of the impending retirement of this aircraft I was wondering whether there is a known list of public appearances for this aircraft?
I would really like to gets some photos before they retire, and was hoping that a few F-111s are scheduled to make an appearance in or around Sydney sometime this year (or even Brisvegas).
Someplace where there would be civilian access to static displays and proximity to a flypast would be ideal.

If anyone knows of such a schedule, please let me know.
Last Major Exercise For Australia’s F-111s | Air Force News at DefenseTalk

cheers
rb

I understand last pig show should be at williamtown airshow in sep 18-19.

 

[RAAF-35]

I understand last pig show should be at williamtown airshow in sep 18-19.

I'd say that is correct. I'm assuming it will be doing the dump and burn at this years Riverfire in Brisbane, but the Williamtown Airshow will be the last airshow it performs in.

 

[Bonza]

Bugger, I was hoping for an F-111/Super Hornet formation at Avalon next year... hell of a trek to Williamtown from where I live. Oh well, fingers crossed for a CAC Mustang/Sabre/Hornet legacy flight then.

 

[weasel1962]

Re:

Confirmed for riverfire.

One more time for the dump and burn - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[dncc]

please help

Hey,
I was going through the recruitment stage for a navy aviation technitian (aus), although on my assesment day the phychatrist told me to come back in three months because i had been honest in answering "yes" on my question sheet to having marajuanna and other drugs, I told her i had just tried them, i wasnt a user or anything, she persisted that i came back in 3 months with a blood sample and we will take it from there.
what to do? will this affect the way my next interview goes? are they going to think i am a drug dealer or somthing now? will they decline me because of this? it really didnt pay to be honest!!!!

 

[Aussie Digger]

Hey,
I was going through the recruitment stage for a navy aviation technitian (aus), although on my assesment day the phychatrist told me to come back in three months because i had been honest in answering "yes" on my question sheet to having marajuanna and other drugs, I told her i had just tried them, i wasnt a user or anything, she persisted that i came back in 3 months with a blood sample and we will take it from there.
what to do? will this affect the way my next interview goes? are they going to think i am a drug dealer or somthing now? will they decline me because of this? it really didnt pay to be honest!!!!

1. ADF has a zero drugs policy. If you want to join ADF, don't smoke drugs. At all.

2. Next time (if you get a chance) you are asked about using drugs, say no, never. Not me... Honesty is laudable, but it doesn't always get you very far...

 

[swerve]

Hey,
I was going through the recruitment stage for a navy aviation technitian (aus), although on my assesment day the phychatrist told me to come back in three months because i had been honest in answering "yes" on my question sheet to having marajuanna and other drugs, I told her i had just tried them, i wasnt a user or anything, she persisted that i came back in 3 months with a blood sample and we will take it from there.
what to do? will this affect the way my next interview goes? are they going to think i am a drug dealer or somthing now? will they decline me because of this? it really didnt pay to be honest!!!!

Marijuana is very persistent in the body. If you want to join up, avoid it completely, because if you take it you will be caught & thrown out.

Some more potent drugs are less persistent, but more damaging & more addictive. Taking them runs a big risk that eventually they'll screw you up to the point where you can't function, & the deterioration in your performance would get you thrown out of the ADF - dishonourably, after the cause was detected.