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

[swerve]

India put in a request for a few more when there was only one left. It had taken a very long time to get through the Indian bureaucracy, & while it was, all except the last one had been booked. But they submitted the request anyway.

It's taken a long time to convert it into an order for one.

 

[gf0012-aust]

Australia has an extensive Defence Cooperation Program with the Philippines, which includes counter terrorism cooperation.

this is a critical, albeit casual looking statement.

 

[t68]

Looks like we missed out on our chance to pick up the final whitetail C-17 as well. The last one was cleared for sale to India.

Of course the way India procrastinate about these things the deal may yet fall through.

We didn't miss out on any airframes, from memory the last request FMS was for four, but we only taken two, goverment knew these where the last ones

 

[hauritz]

We didn't miss out on any airframes, from memory the last request FMS was for four, but we only taken two, goverment knew these where the last ones

The white paper also foreshadowed two additional heavy lift aircraft in the future.

 

[aussienscale]

The white paper also foreshadowed two additional heavy lift aircraft in the future.

I think that would have been when they thought there was a couple of white tails left to play for IIRC ? Happy to be corrected.

So really nothing else out there of that size class for lift, and we certainly will not get a new platform, so the ex USAF option looks pretty good, pretty sure I have read they already have some laid up ? but the rest of their fleet is getting an absolute flogging !

We could always retire the J's early and flog them off to the Indonesians and go for a replacement fleet of A-400M's

Cheers

 

[ADMk2]

The white paper also foreshadowed two additional heavy lift aircraft in the future.

An A330-200F cargo variant would have to be described as heavy lift...

I don't think that DCP description completely locks us in to the now unavailable C-17A...

 

[swerve]

We didn't miss out on any airframes, from memory the last request FMS was for four, but we only taken two, goverment knew these where the last ones

Put in a request for three when there was only one left. Doh! Now ordered that last one.

Suspected that there may have been a bidding war for it.

 

[t68]

Put in a request for three when there was only one left. Doh! Now ordered that last one.

Suspected that there may have been a bidding war for it.

Just checked it it was for up to four airframes plus supporting infrastructure nov 2014, what I ment was that when they announced that the white tails were being built we had options for four at the time. No sence crying when you miss out because we stuffed around.

A November 12 US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notification has revealed Australia has formally requested “up to four” more Boeing C-17A Globemaster II airlifters from the US government.

The notification states that up to four C-17s and associated equipment, parts and logistical support have been requested for an estimated US$1.609bn (A$1.85bn).

Formal request made for extra RAAF C-17s | Australian Aviation

 

[hairyman]

If we have a need for additional heavy lift aircraft we have a choice now between the Russian Anatov, which we have leased a few times, the A-400M, or the A330-200F. Which would you choose?

 

[gf0012-aust]

If we have a need for additional heavy lift aircraft we have a choice now between the Russian Anatov, which we have leased a few times, the A-400M, or the A330-200F. Which would you choose?

any lease is platform agnostic - its based on the capability demands within the contract

eg if they're shifting boxes of non warlike material they only care about getting there at the lowest price in "nn" time frame

it would be highly unlikely to now to go to a contractor to cash and carry warlike material when they have their own assets that can do that with less paperwork

 

[old faithful]

I believe a further 2 MRTT,s are on the cards, bringing the total to 9, including one decked out as VIP.

 

[Redlands18]

I believe a further 2 MRTT,s are on the cards, bringing the total to 9, including one decked out as VIP.

KC-30s 6&7(ex QantasA330s) are currently in Spain being converted to KC-30 standard, 1 of those 2 is getting a VIP and Comms fitout. Planes 8&9 are yet to be ordered, early 20s if i remember the DWP correctly.

 

[t68]

I believe a further 2 MRTT,s are on the cards, bringing the total to 9, including one decked out as VIP.

On top of the two second hand birds we have going thru conversion now?

Edit 1
Thanks Redlands was typing as you posted

Edit 2

Just on a side note if we ordered new KC-30A's how different do they differ from our original builds, and how probmatic would it be having 2 slightly different spec, surley they are not that far apart?

 

[ngatimozart]

The E-7A Wedgetails are to get an upgrade, costing $580 million, involving new advanced combat identification sensors, tactical data links, communications hardware and encryption systems, and mission computing hardware and software upgrades. This is project AIR 5077 Phase 5A.

Govt approves $580m Wedgetail upgrade

 

[the road runner]

The E-7A Wedgetails are to get an upgrade, costing $580 million, involving new advanced combat identification sensors, tactical data links, communications hardware and encryption systems, and mission computing hardware and software upgrades. This is project AIR 5077 Phase 5A.

Govt approves $580m Wedgetail upgrade

One of our most valuable assets right there...its great to see the government investing in this platform... They have been flying quite a bit in the Middle east..

 

[ADMk2]

Dual-displays are so 2010...

Lovely 4K curved screens are where it's at now...

 

[SpazSinbad]

I'll guess the NGJ Growler will be co-operating with Wedgies "all the way with NGJ".

Australia steps up to jam | NAVAIR - U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command - Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation

"NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) intent to collaborate on the development of the AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer Mid-band (Increment 1) (NGJ-MB) program is on track to become a reality with the assistance of the Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Systems and EA-6B Program Office (PMA-234) and the Navy International Programs Office (Navy IPO)...." 05 Jul 2017

 

[gf0012-aust]

One of my fav memories was seeing 5 wedgies lined up at willy

v impressive sight

 

[SteveR]

I'll guess the NGJ Growler will be co-operating with Wedgies "all the way with NGJ".
l]

Interested to interpret what the high level E7 improvements mean. Obviously Mode 5 IFF to bring it up to allied standards. With EF-18G coming into service maybe the E-7 TADIL update includes the USN tactical targeting network technology (TTNT) high-speed datalink used on both Growlers and Shornets so that E-7 can co-operate/co-ordinate with them.

Of course I forgot to mention CEC to pass over-the horizon tracks to AWDs - CEC was an option on the original AIR 5077 Wedgetail contract but was not taken up at the time. There are now more modern CEC equipment being fitted by NG to the E-2D which would probably be suitable.

Also at least receive only MADL to get covert updates from F-35s.

 

[rjtjrt]

RAF to replace C-130J-30 centre wing box.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...x-replacement-deal-supports-rafs-herc-439409/

Interesting, as RAAF aircraft are only a couple or so years younger than UK. Not sure if UK have used theirs more intensively than RAAF? Both airforces have been in similar operations although maybe RAAF have fewer cycles due longer distances to travel. RAF aircraft said to have been particularly intensively used.

http://www.c-130.net/c-130-news-article426.html

Both RAF and RAAF aircraft were with the original centre wing box, rather than the later strengthened centre wing box with extended life.
Original Centre Wing Box is a problem area for fatigue life.
So, wonder if Australia will join in UK program, or maybe there is a Lockheed program available?