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

[Todjaeger]

.
Actually the RAAF has recently operated US Strategic Bombers, the 15 F-111Gs the RAAF operated from 93-07 were ex USAF FB-111s

The F-111G's (used for training primarily) were conversions from FB-111A's changing from intermediate-ranged strategic to tactical use.

 

[ADMk2]

Off Topic

Yep it basically doubles the number of missile launch rails that the F-15E has. They're mounting four rails per pylon. Plus the F-15E capability to ca carry four Harpoons vs the Shornet's two. So the question would be how many LRASM will the F-15EX be able to carry compared to the Shornet.

Super Hornet can carry 4x Harpoon if necessary.

Edit: looks like it can manage 4x LRASM too, though what effect this has on range is questionable...

 

[OPSSG]

Compared to a B-2 its cheaper, cheap, of course, is the wrong term, if the R.A.A.F identified a need for the role this type of aircraft may bring perhaps this aircraft may be considered in the future as a mature platform

Why do you want to further derail this RAAF thread? AND bring it to fantasy land?

Let's get this straight. There is no way that Australia will acquire the B-2. The US regards the B-2 as a national strategic asset because it's the third leg of their nuclear triad. As such it is not available for export.

Agreed.

Not to mention it is out of production, and has been for ~20 years, and only 21 were ever built and one was lost in a crash.

Also a B-2 to a strategic bomber with intercontinental range and a 40k+ lb. payload if using conventional ordnance. Those characteristics put it into a completely different class from the F-15EX, or any other combat aircraft in the RAAF inventory. Also AFAIK, the RAAF has never had an intercontinental bomber. The most recent bomber aircraft in RAAF service was the English Electric Canberra which would be considered a medium bomber by some definitions, and was retired in 1982.

Thank you for bringing in a dose of reality again. Australia’s acquisition of the Super Hornet paved the way for cooperation with the US Navy on the next generation jammers. It is about acquiring a range of capabilities, and not just a platform centric discussion — Why "this vs that" platform discussions are unproductive.

I mentioned the b2 as that plane had been mentioned previously with the same response I was not suggesting it only comparing its price to the f-15ex, also on bombers what about the F1-11 which at its time of service was the longest range aircraft in Southeast Asia over six thousand kilometres

What are you still going on about the B-2? Can we keep this thread grounded in reality, please?

The next time you disrupt this RAAF thread, with statements that seem illogical and not based on reality, the Mod Team will take action.

 

[seaspear]

I am not advocating for any bomber for the R.A.A.F including the f15-ex nor was I the one to introduce such to this thread.
I compared the price of a very expensive bomber as an example to a plane being discussed no more no less ,the comment I made about mature aircraft was to the f15-ex

 

[seaspear]

Reminder regarding the F-22A Raptor

This is a reminder about the F-22A Raptor. At present, due to current US laws, the F-22 is unavailable for sale to any other country. Unless/until there is a change signed into law, any discussion of foreign orders for the Raptor will be deleted. -Preceptor

www.defencetalk.com

No reply to this is necessary.

Banned for 7 days for failure to observe a standing Mod Team request from 2010 on any F-22 sale discussion.

 

[old faithful]

Te the AGM 158C buy, I was under the impression that the RAAF already had 260 units in stock?
I did find that figure on Wikipedia some time ago, long before the announcement, and I realise that wiki is very unreliable, does any one know if we are getting a further 200 for RAAF stocks or is the buy a surface launched system for the RAN?

 

[ngatimozart]

Te the AGM 158C buy, I was under the impression that the RAAF already had 260 units in stock?
I did find that figure on Wikipedia some time ago, long before the announcement, and I realise that wiki is very unreliable, does any one know if we are getting a further 200 for RAAF stocks or is the buy a surface launched system for the RAN?

I believe that this is the first Australian order. The LRASM has only recently gone into service with the USAF and USN.

 

[John Fedup]

I found this earlier article detailing the choices by the government to consider before going for the Super Hornet , of particular interest was the claim of an offer of a modified f22 and why it wasn't taken up

The options that weren’t for the RAAF fighter fleet

Australia's Leading News Source in Aviation

australianaviation.com.au

I question whether the US ever offered an export version F -22. There is is a Congressional law forbidding it. If this export version offering was real, Japan would have acted as they were interested but denied because of the ban on export. Unlike Australia, the F-22 is what Japan needs and they were prepared to pay.

 

[OPSSG]

Many thanks to DT members who tried with some patience to bring the thread back to reality.

What are you still going on about the B-2? Can we keep this thread grounded in reality, please?

The next time you disrupt this RAAF thread, with statements that seem illogical and not based on reality, the Mod Team will take action.

Likewise, I have tried to gently end the unrealistic Gripen option and the illogical attempt at using the B-2 to compare against F-15EX. To that end, Moderators have supported the effort to steer the discussion with two green text reminders — with no initial intention to ban anyone, be it with pykie or seaspear.

In just 20 posts, you have worn out your new member courtesy period from Senior Members, with their willingness to continue to provide polite guidance.

You have been given a few warning points as a slap on the wrist, to shape up — read the links provided by Todjaeger or you will be given an enforced holiday.

No reply to this post is necessary.

As seaspear correctly pointed out in his link, the F-22 is not available for export to Australia. But no one else was as misguided in drawing parallels in his discussions. It is illogical to talk about the B-2 and the F-15EX in the same breath. They have very different mission sets — see as backgrounder, Air Power 101 for New Members

The Mod Team sees this is yet another a RAAF thread derail — and these pointless low quality posts without a basic understanding of the AirPower roles, is bringing down the quality of posts in this thread. For seaspear’s continued failure to heed Mod Team advice, he is given a short ban — seaspear (banned for 7 days) and pykie (gone for good).

 

[t68]

Text deleted as per Preceptor's post

This is a reminder about the F-22A Raptor. At present, due to current US laws, the F-22 is unavailable for sale to any other country. Unless/until there is a change signed into law, any discussion of foreign orders for the Raptor will be deleted.
-Precep3tor

Ngatimozart

 

[t68]

Text deleted as per Preceptor's post

Ngatimozart

Hi Nagati

How do I send a PM?
I started one in conversation which I thought was going to you but seems like I’m sending it to myself

 

[ngatimozart]

Hi Nagati

How do I send a PM?
I started one in conversation which I thought was going to you but seems like I’m sending it to myself

You sorted it.

 

[ADMk2]

Te the AGM 158C buy, I was under the impression that the RAAF already had 260 units in stock?
I did find that figure on Wikipedia some time ago, long before the announcement, and I realise that wiki is very unreliable, does any one know if we are getting a further 200 for RAAF stocks or is the buy a surface launched system for the RAN?

We purchased the AGM-158A JASSM to mount on the Hornets.

The AGM-158C is a development of the AGM-158B JASSM - Extended Range, to convert it into a specialist anti-ship missile.

Similar designation, different missiles and missions.

 

[Depot Dog]

Defence off target in $1.5bn fighter shortfall
The was the head line for a story in the Australian NoCookies | The Australian
The current crop of F 35 don't use anti shipping missiles and we are waiting for BLOS communication system. The cost of not having these capabilities is $1.5bn.
Over the years I have read anti shipping was going to introduced with the block 4 upgrade.
Which means this has been known and this story really is a non event.

 

[Boagrius]

Yes I believe the $1.5bn is just money that has simply been deferred pending the development and introduction of Blk IV features. Once that comes around and the Universal Armament Interface (UAI) along with it, the Lightnings should have access to a pretty robust anti-shipping capability in both JSM (internal) and LRASM (external). A non-event indeed.

 

[ngatimozart]

Defence off target in $1.5bn fighter shortfall
The was the head line for a story in the Australian NoCookies | The Australian
The current crop of F 35 don't use anti shipping missiles and we are waiting for BLOS communication system. The cost of not having these capabilities is $1.5bn.
Over the years I have read anti shipping was going to introduced with the block 4 upgrade.
Which means this has been known and this story really is a non event.

Thing to remember about The Australian is that their defence reporting skills are somewhat abysmal. Laughable might be an accurate statement.

 

[cdxbow]

Noticed the Loyal Wingman caught on the run way Loyal Wingman breaks cover - Australian Defence Magazine, let's hope it never becomes a disloyal wingman.

 

[Redlands18]

I see on the USN thread that the USN NGAD program has begun as a clean sheet design to replace the FA-18E/F as well as the EA-18G, the RAAF will be taking a very keen interest on this project as it has a req for a EA-18G replacement by the mid 30s and will need to replace the FA-18F at some stage.

 

[Boagrius]

I do agree it could be compelling for the RAAF not just because it will be replacing the same aircraft in our inventory (Rhino/Growler) but also because it seems destined to address much the same threat environment and mission set that we might need it for ie. EW and long range strike plus H-20 + ASCM/LACM CAP.

 

[hauritz]

I think there will be a lot of twists and turns in Australia's plans for it's airforce over the next 10 to 15 years. There are a lot a variables as well. For example the success, or failure of Loyal Wingman program could decide what sort of force structure the RAAF will be looking at going into the 2030s. It is quite possible that Australia may go it alone and develop its own fully integrated air defence system based around autonomous aircraft such as the Loyal Wingman.