For those interested and available, RAAF will be performing an 18x Super Hornet / Growler fly-over at RAAF Amberley on Saturday 24 June at about 7.45am…
Should be quite the sight…
Should be quite the sight…
Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
MARKMILES77
Active Member
Australia has requested and been granted permission by the US State Dept to purchase 80 JASSM-ERs.
Has been confirmed on the DSCA list of Major US Arms sales.
Has been confirmed on the DSCA list of Major US Arms sales.
MARKMILES77
Active Member
Interesting new project for AirForce:
A Request for Information for Project AIR 6016 has been released.
Requests information for the supply of an attack aircraft to be used in the training of JTACs.
Presumably to replace the PC-21s currently used in that role.
According to Australian Defender must have:
Full Link 16 Tactical Data Link
Secure Voice Communications
Video Down Link
Laser Target designation
Ability to deliver live high explosive ordnance.
Aircraft must be fully certified to STANAG requirements
Not sure what aircraft will be offered for this.
A 29 Tucano perhaps.
A Request for Information for Project AIR 6016 has been released.
AIR6016 Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training System - Australian Tenders
AIR6016 Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training System
www.australiantenders.com.au
Requests information for the supply of an attack aircraft to be used in the training of JTACs.
Presumably to replace the PC-21s currently used in that role.
According to Australian Defender must have:
Full Link 16 Tactical Data Link
Secure Voice Communications
Video Down Link
Laser Target designation
Ability to deliver live high explosive ordnance.
Aircraft must be fully certified to STANAG requirements
Not sure what aircraft will be offered for this.
A 29 Tucano perhaps.
"Two U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, fly a Bomber Task Force mission July 18, alongside two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft, over Royal Australia Air Force Base Curtin, Australia, during Exercise Koolendong 2022."
Image Source : ADF Image Library
Image Source : ADF Image Library
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
I suppose a RAAF Officer sitting in an Office who is involved in future planning asking for a PDF on the Tejas along with sending similar requests to every other manufacturer could be regarded as Australia showing interest, probably in relation to the eventual replacement for the Hawk in the LIFT role.
Indian Junior minister discussed it in parliament while talking it up which is why they think Aus would purchase it.
Id say you're spot on with how he heard RAAF were asking
News: India offers to sell fighter jets to Malaysia, says six other countries interested — OAF Nation
Aussie optimist
Member
I don’t really know much about the Tejas, could be a fantastic fighter. I just don’t see the RAAF moving to any platform not really proven or from a very established, reliable provider. Maybe I will be eating my words but I don’t see it.
Limited to a quick wiki search but when it comes to a replacement for the Hawk in the LIFT role options are the TA-50, Tejas and M-346... Of those the Tejas is built largely around Russian systems so either expensive modification to switch to western systems or we expect our pilots to train on Russian systems and adapt to western systems when they get in the air of a combat aircraft... That alone makes the Tejas the most unlikely choice. IMO it will come down to the M-346 or TA-50. Both appear to be good aircraft with solid customer base for both and growing though TA-50 does have a lot more within our region so may provide extra benefit in local/regional support and even cross training with other forces to build up relations.
What about the American T7 Redhawk or is that too much of a jump from basic training
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
The T-7 would have to be a very strong contender due to the fact they will be fitted with the same cockpit as the F-35A, as the Hawks are fitted with the same cockpit as the classic Hornets. After basic flight trg at 1FTS at RAAF East Sale(civilian contracted on CT-4s) they go to 2FTS at RAAF Pearce on the PC-21, then onto the Hawk for the Fast Jet Pilots. Also of course they spend plenty of time in simulators. Would going from PC-21s to T-7s be as big a jump as going from T-7s to F-35s, considering there is no twin seater F-35.
The T-7 is the logical choice from a 'pure' trainer point of view. Where it looses out to the BAe Hawk, M-346, T-50 or potentially a Tejas derived trainer is that it is (presently) incapable of carrying weapons, thus not allowing it be used for 'live' fire training (of cause, that can be somewhat overcome with simulation) or as a secondary light-attack platform.
Australia, Serbia Emerge As First Potential T-7A Red Hawk Jet Trainer Export Customers
Australia is looking to replace older jet trainers, but Serbia could be first to adopt the jet in a combat role.
www.thedrive.com
it would appear that Boeing have already officially submitted the Red Hawk to the RAAF sometime ago. There is also talk or plans to arm the aircraft and market it in the light attack role
Aardvark144
Active Member
OldTex
Well-Known Member
An armed version of the T-7 Redhawk would most likely follow the same path that the armed version (F-5) of the T-38 Talon travelled. It may not be as numerous as its predecessor given the number of competitors, such as the TA-50/FA-50 etc, and the changes in the geopolitical environment.
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Defence to replace PC-21 in JTAC role - Australian Defence Magazine
An article from ADM on this subject. According to the article, Defence is yet to decide between a Contractor Owned/Contractor Operated (COCO) or a Contractor Owned/Government Operated (COGO) model of acquisition. The major problem with using the RAAF PC-21s in this role is, they can't deliver ordinance. Its not going to be a choice of aircraft, its going to be who can deliver the best overall solution. A high performance Turbo Prop such as the A-29 or even PC-21s that are capable of delivering ordinance seems to be the best fit for this role.
MARKMILES77
Active Member
Unfortunately not enough aircraft of either type available here, otherwise a very cheap solution to this programme could have been had:
Air Force Wants To Liquidate Its Tiny Light Attack Plane Fleet
With just five aircraft procured under its Light Attack Experiment, the Air Force is already looking to dispose of its A-29s and AT-6Es.
www.thedrive.com
The RNZAF T-6 Texans are wired up for armaments. Shame we only bought 13.Unfortunately not enough aircraft of either type available here, otherwise a very cheap solution to this programme could have been had:
Air Force Wants To Liquidate Its Tiny Light Attack Plane Fleet
With just five aircraft procured under its Light Attack Experiment, the Air Force is already looking to dispose of its A-29s and AT-6Es.