A
Aussie Digger
Guest
The RAAF is to be further enhanced following Budget announcements today from the Australian Government. here's the announcement:
The Government has approved three new major projects that will give the Royal Australian Air Force the edge in air combat operations.
Senator Hill said the Government had decided to invest $326 million to buy an additional two Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft – just days before the first of Australia’s fleet undertakes its initial test flight.
"The RAAF will now be equipped with a fleet of six Wedgetail aircraft, instead of four, almost doubling the Australian Defence Force’s air and maritime surveillance capability," Senator Hill said.
"The investment is about 10 per cent of the original contract price for a 50 per cent increase in capability.
"Increasing the size of our order to six aircraft also means that four of the Wedgetail aircraft will now be fitted-out in Australia, creating around 170 new jobs in Brisbane. Australian industry can expect to undertake more than $80 million of work on the project with a further $75 million worth of associated export work for Australian industry. There will also be three technology transfer programs worth $24 million to Australia."
The first of Australia’s AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft will take to the skies in Seattle next week. The first two aircraft will be officially handed over to the RAAF in November 2006.
The second project will provide Australia’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft with the capability to conduct all-weather precision bombing operations at a cost of around $50 million.
"The RAAF’s air strike capability will be boosted through the acquisition of kits for existing bombs that will increase their accuracy and allow delivery in adverse weather conditions," Senator Hill said.
Defence will issue a restricted Request for Tender to the manufacturers of suitable weapons systems, including Enhanced Paveway II (EP2) and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), to determine which weapon kit best meets RAAF requirements. These weapons include GPS guidance software to ensure the highest possible accuracy with the lowest possible collateral damage.
"Recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated that precision bombing from the air not only limits casualties but also provides critical support to joint operations," Senator Hill said.
The bomb improvement program will complement the Government’s future follow-on stand-off weapon program. Together the two projects will provide a cost-effective enhancement to the ADF’s air strike capability while Defence awaits the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter. The initial integration of the bomb kits will be complete by 2008.
The third project will provide the C-130J Hercules fleet with major enhancements to their capability with the introduction of self-protection systems at cost of around $20 million.
"This project will introduce missile warning systems, countermeasure dispensing systems and ballistic protection to our transport aircraft ensuring they are better protected against surface-to-air missiles and small arms fire," Senator Hill said.
While most of the equipment will be acquired from overseas suppliers and is off-the-shelf, installation of the equipment will be undertaken in Australia. Self-protection for the full C-130J aircraft fleet will be fitted by 2005.
In addition, the Government will be considering a number of new major capital equipment projects in 2004-05 that will significantly increase the ADF’s capability for amphibious deployment, maritime surveillance, command and control, strike, trooplift, land force protection, and improved logistic and management information.
These projects will represent a major boost for Australian industry, particularly in the areas of shipbuilding, information technology and aerospace engineering.
In addition to the 6 operational AWACS aircraft the RAAF is also acquiring an additional system that will be used for training and could be installed on a 737 if required to provide additional capability. The bomb improvement program is also long overdue with the RAAF currently possessing GBU-10/12 as it's only precision air to ground munition...
The Government has approved three new major projects that will give the Royal Australian Air Force the edge in air combat operations.
Senator Hill said the Government had decided to invest $326 million to buy an additional two Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft – just days before the first of Australia’s fleet undertakes its initial test flight.
"The RAAF will now be equipped with a fleet of six Wedgetail aircraft, instead of four, almost doubling the Australian Defence Force’s air and maritime surveillance capability," Senator Hill said.
"The investment is about 10 per cent of the original contract price for a 50 per cent increase in capability.
"Increasing the size of our order to six aircraft also means that four of the Wedgetail aircraft will now be fitted-out in Australia, creating around 170 new jobs in Brisbane. Australian industry can expect to undertake more than $80 million of work on the project with a further $75 million worth of associated export work for Australian industry. There will also be three technology transfer programs worth $24 million to Australia."
The first of Australia’s AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft will take to the skies in Seattle next week. The first two aircraft will be officially handed over to the RAAF in November 2006.
The second project will provide Australia’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft with the capability to conduct all-weather precision bombing operations at a cost of around $50 million.
"The RAAF’s air strike capability will be boosted through the acquisition of kits for existing bombs that will increase their accuracy and allow delivery in adverse weather conditions," Senator Hill said.
Defence will issue a restricted Request for Tender to the manufacturers of suitable weapons systems, including Enhanced Paveway II (EP2) and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), to determine which weapon kit best meets RAAF requirements. These weapons include GPS guidance software to ensure the highest possible accuracy with the lowest possible collateral damage.
"Recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated that precision bombing from the air not only limits casualties but also provides critical support to joint operations," Senator Hill said.
The bomb improvement program will complement the Government’s future follow-on stand-off weapon program. Together the two projects will provide a cost-effective enhancement to the ADF’s air strike capability while Defence awaits the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter. The initial integration of the bomb kits will be complete by 2008.
The third project will provide the C-130J Hercules fleet with major enhancements to their capability with the introduction of self-protection systems at cost of around $20 million.
"This project will introduce missile warning systems, countermeasure dispensing systems and ballistic protection to our transport aircraft ensuring they are better protected against surface-to-air missiles and small arms fire," Senator Hill said.
While most of the equipment will be acquired from overseas suppliers and is off-the-shelf, installation of the equipment will be undertaken in Australia. Self-protection for the full C-130J aircraft fleet will be fitted by 2005.
In addition, the Government will be considering a number of new major capital equipment projects in 2004-05 that will significantly increase the ADF’s capability for amphibious deployment, maritime surveillance, command and control, strike, trooplift, land force protection, and improved logistic and management information.
These projects will represent a major boost for Australian industry, particularly in the areas of shipbuilding, information technology and aerospace engineering.
In addition to the 6 operational AWACS aircraft the RAAF is also acquiring an additional system that will be used for training and could be installed on a 737 if required to provide additional capability. The bomb improvement program is also long overdue with the RAAF currently possessing GBU-10/12 as it's only precision air to ground munition...
since were selling these to Turkey!! 