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

[pussertas]

Local Technology Partnership Key to JORN Upgrade

(Source: BAE Systems; issued Aug 08, 2018)

BAE Systems Australia announced today that it will integrate customised software to strengthen the Jindalee Operational Radar Network’s (JORN) ability to protect Australia’s northern borders.

BAE Systems has selected South Australian company Dedicated Systems to provide the software that will be integral to the upgrade of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network

JORN provides long range, persistent wide area surveillance of aircraft and ships across Australia’s northern maritime approaches.

BAE Systems is undertaking the most significant system upgrade of the world leading radar since it was accepted into service in 2003.

The new software will significantly increase the area covered by the radar and the amount of information gathered for the Royal Australian Air Force.

An important part of the radar upgrade is the planned migration to a modular and scalable framework of open system architecture which will increase the reliability and performance of the radar.

This will also enable much quicker system maintenance and upgrades and can be easily integrated with other software.

Through Dedicated Systems, software connectivity specialist RTI will provide a product called ‘Connext DDS’ as the framework for the software upgrade.

To be installed at the three radar sites (in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia) over five years, the industry standard software will enhance real time data distribution.

Dedicated Systems worked with RTI to validate the software modernisation for BAE Systems in a two year demonstrator project to ensure it would meet the needs of the JORN upgrade.

BAE Systems, Dedicated Systems and RTI are also collaborating to establish HF technology exports opportunities as part of the partnership.

BAE Systems Chief Executive Gabby Costigan said: “The application of rapidly developing technology will help ensure Australia maintains a capability edge and superior situational awareness to ensure our northern approaches are secure.”

After this upgrade JORN will remain a contender fot the most advanced OTH radar system?

 

[Boatteacher]

The ABC today carried news of a report into the RAAF Growler incident. It seems the acident was attributable to a compressor failure. It is described in the report in the following graphic terms

"The investigation has confirmed a high-pressure compressor in the Growler's engine had broken into three major pieces, with one segment piercing through the bottom of the jet and taking a chunk out of the runway.

Another piece of the compressor went sideways through the second engine causing severe damage, while the third piece went up and destroyed the right-hand tailfin before flying away and landing some distance from the jet."

I tend to picture compressor failures as turbine blade detachments; this was obviously in a different league. I couldn't quickly find a cut away of the engine used in these aircraft. It sounds more like a housing failure but that would normally apply to a centrifugal compressor wouldn't it? [Talking in absolute ignorance here]

The article also suggests the Government is looking for ways of recovering their economic loss - presumably by establishing some negligence or defect in the manufacturing process.

Link is here RAAF warplane's engine 'destroyed itself', causing $120 million fire

 

[hauritz]

There could be some settlement here. It would hope the RAAF get a replacement aircraft out of it.

However I have a feeling that it might end up as financial compensation that will almost immediately end up in consolidated revenue without the RAAF seeing a cent of it.

 

[Redlands18]

There could be some settlement here. It would hope the RAAF get a replacement aircraft out of it.

However I have a feeling that it might end up as financial compensation that will almost immediately end up in consolidated revenue without the RAAF seeing a cent of it.

The most important thing of all is the Crew walked away from it, you can replace the Aircraft or gain compensation but you can never replace the Crew.

 

[hairyman]

Perhaps as part of the compensation package, Boing could bring the remaining 11 Growlers up to date with conformal tanks and the other upgrades that are to be made to American Growlers.

 

[SpazSinbad]

Do you have a reference to news that USN Growlers are being upgraded with CFTs etc. please? Already our RAAF Growlers have been pledged to stay in 'lock step' upgrading with USN Growlers but I would have thought that refers to future NGJ and any minor mods inbetween. SHornet v III is something else for SHornet IIs & future from 2022? new SHornets? Link will appear soonish…. May as well post a four page PDF about the upgrade. The CFTs will likely go to the Growler when NGJ is ready in the early 2020s.

BLOCK III Lon Nordeen - Air International Magazine - July 2018

"...“The conversation about the need for conformal fuel tanks [CFTs] began when we started talking about adding the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer [NGJ] to the EA-18G. The NGJ is big and draggy, so we started looking at ways to remove the big underwing external fuel tanks. This is where CFTs started. We asked our team to evaluate a CFT-configured Super Hornet and what it would look like alongside the F-35. We got exciting results from our analysis. The Chief of Naval Operations’ told us the CFTs are a bigger game-changer than the new displays, which surprised us. Their analysis showed that with CFTs and no external fuel tanks or just one on the centreline, we still have a capable performing strike fighter, and it opens up new options for what you can carry and how far you can go...."

 

[t68]

Can the RAAF make the decision on weather they will use a pre-wired SH to replace the lost growler as an operator or does the defence minister have the final say?

 

[hairyman]

Work commenced in April 2018 on the first four FA-18 to be manufactured to Block lll standard. All future FA-18's and EA-18's (Growlers) will be Block lll. Source Navy Recognition.com.

 

[SpazSinbad]

I went there but not easy to find. Why so coy? And I no find. Except this "...(as well as to the EA-18G Growler)…" which is not so informative. No mention of Growlers being upgraded in this long article cited below:
Video: The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III is Go

"...What’s the timeline to deliver all this?
● 2019: Boeing will deliver two test jets to the Navy.
● Late 2020: Serial production of new Block IIIs will begin in late 2020 at Boeing’s Saint Louis plant.
● 2021: Conformal fuel tanks for the planes will finish testing and enter service.
● 2022: Boeing will begin converting existing Block IIs to Block IIIs, both in Saint Louis and at a new facility in San Antonio. The first operational squadron of Block IIIs will deploy...."
Navy, Boeing Tout Block III Super Hornet As Partner For F-35 23 May 2018

 

[hauritz]

Can the RAAF make the decision on weather they will use a pre-wired SH to replace the lost growler as an operator or does the defence minister have the final say?

I don't think the RAAF is about to go rogue and start spending government funds without approval. Besides they have already stated that they will be reviewing their options. It wouldn't surprise me if this dragged on for years ... particularly if they are seeking some sort of compensation from either Boeing, General Electric, or both.

Who knows what the best option would be?

A new aircraft, secondhand aircraft, converting a Rhino, repairing the crispy hornet at Boeing's expense or simply not replacing the aircraft at all.

To further complicate things the Airforce will soon have to decide on the future of the Rhino. They have already stated their preference for being an all fifth generation airforce by the mid 20's. It could be that the fate of the Rhino could be intrinsically linked to the Growler. If the Rhino stays then the Airforce would want to leave all 24 aircraft as strike aircraft. If the Rhino is to be replaced then you may well see several of them converted to Growlers.

 

[Boatteacher]

When researching the Growler's and Rhino's engines, I noticed they have an afterburner.

Does that mean they can once again do the dump and burn displays they put on with the F-111's at various shows?

Maybe not politically correct in this day and age but anecdotally it was a great enlistment tool.

 

[ngatimozart]

When researching the Growler's and Rhino's engines, I noticed they have an afterburner.

Does that mean they can once again do the dump and burn displays they put on with the F-111's at various shows?

Maybe not politically correct in this day and age but anecdotally it was a great enlistment tool.

The reason F-111 could do so was the placement of it's fuel dump nozzles, which can be seen by the accompanying photo is centred aft of the engines. Light the two cans and happy times. AFAIK, Hornets / Shornets etc have their fuel dump nozzles in the trailing edges of the wings.

 

[Boatteacher]

The reason F-111 could do so was the placement of it's fuel dump nozzles, which can be seen by the accompanying photo is centred aft of the engines.

Thanks
I didn't know that's how it worked

 

[SpazSinbad]

The reason F-111 could do so was the placement of it's fuel dump nozzles, which can be seen by the accompanying photo is centred aft of the engines. Light the two cans and happy times. AFAIK, Hornets / Shornets etc have their fuel dump nozzles in the trailing edges of the wings.
NATOPS FLIGHT MANUAL NAVY MODEL F/A-18E/F
"...With the dump valve open, the Tank 1 and 4 transfer pumps (high-speed setting) force fuel out the dump outlet, located on the trailing edge of each vertical tail...." https://info.publicintelligence.net/F18-EF-000.pdf (19Mb)

Inverted Super Hornet Fuel Dumping
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5745/30957536142_b9acfe5458_o_d.jpg (5.3Mb)

 

[t68]

I don't think the RAAF is about to go rogue and start spending government funds without approval. Besides they have already stated that they will be reviewing their options. It wouldn't surprise me if this dragged on for years ... particularly if they are seeking some sort of compensation from either Boeing, General Electric, or both.

Who knows what the best option would be?

A new aircraft, secondhand aircraft, converting a Rhino, repairing the crispy hornet at Boeing's expense or simply not replacing the aircraft at all.

To further complicate things the Airforce will soon have to decide on the future of the Rhino. They have already stated their preference for being an all fifth generation airforce by the mid 20's. It could be that the fate of the Rhino could be intrinsically linked to the Growler. If the Rhino stays then the Airforce would want to leave all 24 aircraft as strike aircraft. If the Rhino is to be replaced then you may well see several of them converted to Growlers.

I only asked because I thought they might rob peter to pay paul from another project's funding stream or any underspend, as mean of getting around the defence minister. Any idea what it would cost to bring up a pre wired aircraft up to the growler level?

 

[hauritz]

I only asked because I thought they might rob peter to pay paul from another project's funding stream or any underspend, as mean of getting around the defence minister. Any idea what it would cost to bring up a pre wired aircraft up to the growler level?

According to wiki the Growler has about 90% in common with the standard superhornet. I suspect that the commonality between the F model and Growler is even higher. A prewired Rhino would be even higher again.

There are a few modifications to the airframe ... but I suspect nothing too drastic. Most of the electronic attack equipment is mounted in the space that was occupied by the gun and on the wingtips.

Part of me does wonder whether or not the parts from the written off growler could not simply be fitted to an existing Rhino by a reasonably competent maintenance crew ... but I suspect I might missing something.

 

[SpazSinbad]

I could search out details, IIRC the concept of actually converting a 'pre-wired' Shornet to Growler has not been carried out and at the time of Growler purchase was deemed to expensive to do to a RAAF Shornet, said process would take the aircraft out of service for some considerable time, especially if FIRST aircraft to be so modified.

 

[John Fedup]

I wonder what a pre-wired Shornet cost above and beyond a non-wired Shornet. If the cost is substantially more to install Growler hardware into an existing Shornet pre-wired airframe as compared to just buying a Growler, why both with the pre-wired Shornet in the first place?

 

[Redlands18]

I wonder what a pre-wired Shornet cost above and beyond a non-wired Shornet. If the cost is substantially more to install Growler hardware into an existing Shornet pre-wired airframe as compared to just buying a Growler, why both with the pre-wired Shornet in the first place?

Australia to convert 12 Super Hornets into EA-18G Growlers
The estimated cost to convert the 12 prewired Aircraft was $1.5b, i think i remember it cost an extra $40m to prewire the last 12 Supers but i can't find any proof of this.

 

[John Fedup]

I guess I am confused. Twelve of pre-wired Shornets were already converted to Growlers and the debate is about what to do about the lost EA-18G. Were their only 12 pre-wired Shornets?