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

[macman]

Would of thought that one aircraft in an Australian setting that would of been useful with bushfires as major as the recent ones, is the amphibious Beriev Be-200.

Works as a waterbomber, drops fire-retardent chemicals, & can be reconfigured for search & rescue, medical evacuation missions as well as cargo transport, so would be a major asset to a lot of emergency situations

It's already proven successful in firefighting duties in Greece & Portugal, & has a version with European engines/certification to avoid any political issues.

 

[winnyfield]

Firebombing is not a role carried out by ADF aircraft, and should not become one based on an emotional response to the fire tragedy.

Biggest lesson from H. Katrina is that you shouldn't militarise the emergency services. Use the military when things go very bad but don't expect them to be the leading actor. Between NSW and VIC there are 130,000+ SES and rural fire fighting personnel.

Would of thought that one aircraft in an Australian setting that would of been useful with bushfires as major as the recent ones, is the amphibious Beriev Be-200.

Works as a waterbomber, drops fire-retardent chemicals, & can be reconfigured for search & rescue, medical evacuation missions as well as cargo transport, so would be a major asset to a lot of emergency situations

It's already proven successful in firefighting duties in Greece & Portugal, & has a version with European engines/certification to avoid any political issues.

Only problem with fixed wing a/c is trying to find a large enough water source to fill up. Helicopters can use small dams, pools and a bloke with a hose to fill up.

747 water tanker
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvBRWTumoZI"]YouTube - Evergreen International Boeing 747 super tanker firefighting[/ame]

 

[rossfrb_1]

another wedgetail of woe

the rumours just won't stop...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25052188-601,00.html

This story doesn't just reflect negatively on the australianised portion but also on some of the basic design (if I'm interpretting this correctly)

"..Senior defence sources say the problems with the radar go beyond simple target identification and software integration issues to the basic performance and geometry of the system, which sits on top of the 737's fuselage."

Given that Turkey and South Korea have also invested in this system, I'm not seeing any similar stories from their media. So is the wedgetail version so much different from the others?

That the same system is supposed to be favoured by Italy and UAE as well - that's an awful lot of egg on people's faces if this goes tits up.

rb

 

[Aussie Digger]

the rumours just won't stop...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25052188-601,00.html

This story doesn't just reflect negatively on the australianised portion but also on some of the basic design (if I'm interpretting this correctly)

"..Senior defence sources say the problems with the radar go beyond simple target identification and software integration issues to the basic performance and geometry of the system, which sits on top of the 737's fuselage."

Given that Turkey and South Korea have also invested in this system, I'm not seeing any similar stories from their media. So is the wedgetail version so much different from the others?

That the same system is supposed to be favoured by Italy and UAE as well - that's an awful lot of egg on people's faces if this goes tits up.

rb

This story is a rehashed version of one that came out in November 2008. It's OLD news, but it's better than no news in an otherwise slow week...

 

[Navor86]

What happened to the RAAF SOF Programm?
4th Squadron was due to be established in January but I cant find any references that they are up and running.

 

[Arthur Ash]

Avalon Airshow, anyone going? WHat is there to look forward to?? Any special visitors??

 

[gf0012-aust]

Avalon Airshow, anyone going? WHat is there to look forward to?? Any special visitors??

Some of us are. Mine will be work related, so not much casual fun unfortunately.

 

[rockitten]

Avalon Airshow, anyone going? WHat is there to look forward to?? Any special visitors??

It will probably the last time you can see a pig (F-111) doing the famous "dump and burn" in air-show, so it you havn't seen one, you should.

 

[Todjaeger]

It will probably the last time you can see a pig (F-111) doing the famous "dump and burn" in air-show, so it you havn't seen one, you should.

If someone who does go could please get a video of a 'dump & burn" that would be great. I had originally planned to make this Avalon show, however, due to circumstances... <*#&@%#$* stock market & economic environment...> That will not be happening this year.

-Cheers

 

[gf0012-aust]

It will probably the last time you can see a pig (F-111) doing the famous "dump and burn" in air-show, so it you havn't seen one, you should.

I've lost count of the number of times I have seen a dump and burn. every year since the first adelaide grand prix.... - and then at various other airshows and racing car events....

indelibly etched.

 

[Abraham Gubler]

If youtube doesn't have video of a dump and burn I'll eat my hat, and its a good hat.

The most infamous dump and burn was performed at BrisbaneRiverFestival Skyfire a few years ago where a now very senior RAF officer at the end of his exchange went so low... Well flame is usually extinguished by water...

The new routine involves a touch and go dump and burn. Saw it as part of the rehearsals for the RAAF Amberley airshow last year.

 

[the road runner]

I saw a great dump n burn @ Milson Point Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The thing that got me was when the F-111 was hugging the topography and coast line of North Sydney, flying low,i looked up to see fuel ,ignited by the jet engines and watched as it roared over the Sydney Harbor bridge lighting the night sky with a orange/red glow.

I thought to myself after,if there was a ship that the F-111 was attacking in Sydney harbor,hugging the coast line and masking itself behind the coast,their would be no hope(for the ship) for such a suprise attack.
It did make me and my friends feel safe to know that we had a damage doer like the F-111,protecting our great land

A dump n burn link for 2000 olympics

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD2IOjKeyKs"]YouTube - F-111 fuel dump &amp; burn at Sydney 2000[/ame]

Dump n burn flying fast n low link

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmZxyejr-10&NR=1"]YouTube - F-111 at High Speed[/ame]

Will this be the last time we see the F-111 dump and burn at the Avalon 2009 Air show?I am thinking this will be an airshow to remember with the retirement of the F-111.Do any members know if there is a planned F-111 display(one that will send the PIG off in a loving display?)

AND are the GOLD tickets($160 for 1 day) worth the cost?
Is one day enough to see most/all airshow aircraft on display?
I am thinking of going if i can get time off:

thanx in advance

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

I'll be there, not sure what day though. Any hints on the lineup? I'm quietly hoping we'll see an F-22A, but I'm not holding my breath

 

[Aussie Digger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmZxyejr-10&NR=1
AND are the GOLD tickets($160 for 1 day) worth the cost?
Is one day enough to see most/all airshow aircraft on display?
I am thinking of going if i can get time off:

thanx in advance

The Gold passes are pretty useful. They allow you access during the "trade only" portion of the Friday schedule, with the exhibits not opened up to the general public until after midday.

You also get access to better seating for the show.

One whole day is more than enough to see all the aircraft, all the exhibitions and all the routines that will be flown.

This year I'm lucky enough to be "sponsored" to go , but I bought a Gold ticket in 2007 and was not displeased with the expenditure, for my ticket anyway...

 

[ThePuss]

SUPER HORNETS WIRED FOR FUTURE UPGRADE

The Rudd Government has invested an initial $35 million to boost the capability of the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets the Howard Government controversially ordered in 2007.

After an extensive review of the Super Hornet purchase, the Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon announced last year that the Rudd Government was left with little choice but to proceed with the $6.6 billion purchase. Mr Fitzgibbon cited financial penalties and the risk of an air capability gap due to poor long-term planning, as the key reasons.

“Wiring twelve of the Super Hornets as Growlers will give us the opportunity to provide taxpayers with better value for money,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“If finally pursued, the relatively small investment will significantly enhance the Super Hornet’s capability, by giving electronic attack capacity and therefore the ability to nullify the systems of opposing aircraft.

“It will also provide the Super Hornets with counter-terrorism capability through the ability to shut down the ground-based communications and bomb triggering devices of terrorists.”

The $35 million investment has allowed 12 of the 24 Super Hornets for future fit-out while still on the production line, providing significant savings. The completion of the project will require an additional investment of around $300 million. That final decision will not be required until around 2012.

If the Howard Government had taken a more prudent approach in making the Super Hornet decision rather than rushing to fill their impending air combat capability gap, they may have realised that this was a more effective approach to take.

Source DOD

Australia need a EW aircraft desperately and this is a good first step. Having the ability to turn some of Super Hornets into Growlers quickly and easily is a great insurance card to be holding up our selve for the bargain basement price of $35 mil.

 

[barra]

SUPER HORNETS WIRED FOR FUTURE UPGRADE

The Rudd Government has invested an initial $35 million to boost the capability of the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets the Howard Government controversially ordered in 2007.

After an extensive review of the Super Hornet purchase, the Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon announced last year that the Rudd Government was left with little choice but to proceed with the $6.6 billion purchase. Mr Fitzgibbon cited financial penalties and the risk of an air capability gap due to poor long-term planning, as the key reasons.

“Wiring twelve of the Super Hornets as Growlers will give us the opportunity to provide taxpayers with better value for money,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“If finally pursued, the relatively small investment will significantly enhance the Super Hornet’s capability, by giving electronic attack capacity and therefore the ability to nullify the systems of opposing aircraft.

“It will also provide the Super Hornets with counter-terrorism capability through the ability to shut down the ground-based communications and bomb triggering devices of terrorists.”

The $35 million investment has allowed 12 of the 24 Super Hornets for future fit-out while still on the production line, providing significant savings. The completion of the project will require an additional investment of around $300 million. That final decision will not be required until around 2012.

If the Howard Government had taken a more prudent approach in making the Super Hornet decision rather than rushing to fill their impending air combat capability gap, they may have realised that this was a more effective approach to take.

Source DOD

Australia need a EW aircraft desperately and this is a good first step. Having the ability to turn some of Super Hornets into Growlers quickly and easily is a great insurance card to be holding up our selve for the bargain basement price of $35 mil.

That last paragraph is a dosey. Nothing like using the DOD to spread your political propaganda. I find some of the statements being made by our current Minister of Defence to be downright embarrassing.

Anyway back to SH, looks like they will be around for a lot longer than 10 years as a stop gap. Looks like the plan will be to convert 12 to Growlers after JSF is operational. What of the other 12? Seems like a cheaper option than ordering another 8-12 Growlers now and getting them into service quicker. I had thought the Govt. would use the SH as an excuse to downsize any upcoming JSF order. 36 Super Hornets and 75 JSF would not have been a bad mix.

I am also wondering if the planned EW version the RAAF will end up with will have all of the Growlers capabilities or if we will end up with a Growler Lite version and HARM missiles for the RAAF. Excellent.

 

[gf0012-aust]

That last paragraph is a dosey. Nothing like using the DOD to spread your political propaganda. I find some of the statements being made by our current Minister of Defence to be downright embarrassing.

Anyway back to SH, looks like they will be around for a lot longer than 10 years as a stop gap. Looks like the plan will be to convert 12 to Growlers after JSF is operational. What of the other 12? Seems like a cheaper option than ordering another 8-12 Growlers now and getting them into service quicker. I had thought the Govt. would use the SH as an excuse to downsize any upcoming JSF order. 36 Super Hornets and 75 JSF would not have been a bad mix.

I am also wondering if the planned EW version the RAAF will end up with will have all of the Growlers capabilities or if we will end up with a Growler Lite version and HARM missiles for the RAAF. Excellent.

Abe and I were chatting about this yesterday morning, he'll probably drop in some comment when he drives by...

 

[barra]

Abe and I were chatting about this yesterday morning, he'll probably drop in some comment when he drives by...

Super Hornets or the political bulls@%t?

I will be at the Avalon Airshow on Wednesday 11th May. Anyone else going to be there?

 

[gf0012-aust]

Super Hornets or the political bulls@%t?

I will be at the Avalon Airshow on Wednesday 11th May. Anyone else going to be there?

I'll be there all week

 

[rossfrb_1]

here's the Oz's take on the issue
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25114315-31477,00.html

"The first Australian Super Hornets will be delivered next year.

The Growler is similar to the conventional Super Hornet. Other than the extra internal wiring, the key difference is that it has no gun, with the space taken by dedicated electronic attack components.

For the RAAF, the gun would apparently remain, but with wiring to allow later installation of the electronics.

A yet to be resolved issue is whether the US would agree to sell Australia some of its most advanced electronic equipment.

A Defence source said the fact that the US had agreed to the installation of the wiring left them confident other equipment could be supplied."


I tacked on the last few paragraphs.
The second and last ones are interesting.

Surely approaches from the Aussie side have been made to the appropriate US side to find out just what exactly RAAF could buy if it wanted? And presumably even if some of the most advanced tech (i would presume code?) weren't made available, the hardware would be the same (??) and still significantly useful for the RAAF.
I find it hard to believe that this hasn't already been sorted at one level or another. This idea of getting some of the SHornets modded has been kicking around for a while. Although I was surprised that twelve are being done, I'd previously heard the number six mentioned.

rb