RAAF's first F-35A made its first flight at Fort Worth overnight...reportedly all went well.
First flight for first RAAF F-35 | Australian Aviation
First flight for first RAAF F-35 | Australian Aviation
Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
They had an entire body of law created just for them I seem to recall..
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Corrupt_Practices_Act"]Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
Air Force Brat
Member
Yep, this is day that we have long awaited, I am particularly excited about the coming carrier quals, I believe they may have been rolled back into November???/?
Most excellent, now let's get the thing to Avalon next time around... I've been wanting to see one of these for years now. The F-22 last year was fantastic but I can't wait to see an F-35 in RAAF markings. Although I suppose it's more likely that this aircraft in particularly will be staying in the United States.
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
It doesn't seem very long ago that this aircraft was a bunch of composite panels lying on the factory floor, there was a picture posted of it. Now it's flying, great to see. How long does it take to put one together and how will this change as production ramps up?
Air Force Brat
Member
Even though they move right along, at present they are in LRIP, so this will ramp up considerably as the production process matures, and that is the process that will begin to bring the cost per aircraft down, one of the reasons that Australia and several other partners are deferring their buy to later production runs. As the design matures, upgrades and modifications will be incorporated into production aircraft, and that will bring you a more functional aircraft, with far less need for retrofits or fixes..... The Marines want the B, and they want it now, so their "repair bill" if you will, will be costly. I believe there are 56 "fixes" to bring that aircraft up to production standard, but they will be able to "stand the aircraft up" in an operational squadron, and although costly now, it will deliver capability much sooner than other customers, and I think that may be a very good gamble on their part......but we shall see.
John Newman
The Bunker Group
Here's a little video of AU-1's first flight:
Department of Defence Video Gallery
Nice touch with the Aussie flag at the end!!
The anti-F35 brigade are probably not very happy campers with this latest news (but who cares, hey?) They will probably still be complaining when AU-72 makes its maiden flight too!
Looking forward to hearing some news (hopefully in the not too distant future) when the already approved follow on batches are converted into actual orders.
Department of Defence Video Gallery
Nice touch with the Aussie flag at the end!!
The anti-F35 brigade are probably not very happy campers with this latest news (but who cares, hey?) They will probably still be complaining when AU-72 makes its maiden flight too!
Looking forward to hearing some news (hopefully in the not too distant future) when the already approved follow on batches are converted into actual orders.
t68
Well-Known Member
Make that AU-96 we just need to start a pool will number 96 be an "A"or a "B" better get sports tab on the phone.
Any idea when that report into the B will be released?
Air Force Brat
Member
John Newman
The Bunker Group
Yes well I was just trying to be a bit 'conservative' when I said AU-72, I hope to eventually see AU-96 (maybe even AU-100?) take to the air one day in the future too!
I'd suspect the Def Pro's here will probably know more about the possibility of the B's in the coming six months or so, but I'd suspect (for the general public at least), that we won't hear anything 'official' about the B's, one way or the other, till the new DWP is delivered by mid next year.
Anyway that's for the future, just glad to see AU-1 in the air and looking forward to seeing confirmation of the next batches sooner rather than later!
John Newman
The Bunker Group
New DWP delayed to June/July? That's interesting .... any particular reason that you know of (or can say)?
I would have thought that the new DWP would have been delivered prior, (or very near to) the May Federal Budget, usually any 'new' defence spending announcements are tied to coincide with Budget announcements.
I don't know why but I don't think it's money - word is "there's plenty of money" if the capability can be justified.
The DWP is already complete...in initial draft form, but it's now in the process of being sent back and forth across the lake, over to DFAT, PM&C, Finance etc etc, then back to PH in order for everyone to put their two-bob's worth in.
It then comes back to Defence looking like a clusterf$%# where it is then re-drafted for the whole process to start over. Nothing is easy...
The DWP is already complete...in initial draft form, but it's now in the process of being sent back and forth across the lake, over to DFAT, PM&C, Finance etc etc, then back to PH in order for everyone to put their two-bob's worth in.
It then comes back to Defence looking like a clusterf$%# where it is then re-drafted for the whole process to start over. Nothing is easy...
So the lessons from our current operations can be fed into it, would be my guess...
Only the first two will go to the training pool.
Of the next 12, about four will do the Australian-specific OT&E in 2018 while the rest will form the core of 3SQN at Luke AFB before coming home in 2019.
The buy profile is about 15 jets per year after that, so 2OCU, 77SQN, and 75SQN will swap over in 2020, 2021 & 2022, while the remaining/best classic Hornets will go into a pool to be flown by 81WG.
As with the Super Hornets, I imagine each squadron will go over to Luke AFB for 6-8 months for conversion before bringing their jets back
Of the next 12, about four will do the Australian-specific OT&E in 2018 while the rest will form the core of 3SQN at Luke AFB before coming home in 2019.
The buy profile is about 15 jets per year after that, so 2OCU, 77SQN, and 75SQN will swap over in 2020, 2021 & 2022, while the remaining/best classic Hornets will go into a pool to be flown by 81WG.
As with the Super Hornets, I imagine each squadron will go over to Luke AFB for 6-8 months for conversion before bringing their jets back
t68
Well-Known Member
Cheers thanks for the info
Nick underscore
Member
Spot on with your source. Looks like funding is to be found for the purchase of another two white tail C-17's .. No mention of further KC-30A's, but I guess there isn't too much of a hurry with production line still open. Abbot clears $500m purchase
Hopefully that link provided by another poster back on 13/8/14, regarding the possibilty of a further two KC-30A's come true through the next DWP..
With the C-130J's, the C-27J's to come online supposedly end of 2015, the MRRTs and now further C-17's (x8), has the ADF ever had a larger capacity (relative to defence forces) for air transport?