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

[Massive]

The


The one thing that disappointed me.most was the lack of funding for dedicated SF air assets.

I do wonder how much the defence budget is distorted by spend on dedicated SF assets though.

And that's without the distortion of talent distribution I imagine it causes.

For a military the size of Australia's I feel we need to avoid small numbers of Gucci kit if possible.

Regards,

Massive

 

[Volkodav]

One of the staff members, MrConservitve prefered the PC-24 rough field landings over the KingAir. Would open up a number of previously inaccessible airstrips, privately owned ones. Would be essential for same day deliveries/uber in support of Army.

Pilatus PC24

Payload: Max payload: 1,406 kg

Cruise speed: 810 km/h (510 mph, 440 kn)

Range: 3,700 km (2,300 mi, 2,000 nmi) , 6 passengers (1,200 lb payload)

Pilatus PC-24 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Spartan

Payload: source says 5000 kgs but I've seen higher.

Speed: 670km

Range: 1700km at maximum take off weight

https://www.airforce.gov.au/aircraft/c-27j-spartan

I have it under good authority that RAAF strategic airlift is satisfied with a mix of whitetail, C-130J and CH-47.

Not sure if ARMY will be into HADR air missions or tactical lift. Arguably they'd drive there or hop on a ferry.

Pilatus PC24 as medical evacuation and pre positioning drone teams for example, surveillance or drone repairs domestically and across water.

But yeah. Different reasons.

I was going to suggest we look at the RFDS Pilatis fleet, if not 24s, then 12s.

Look at the missions the Spartans actually fly and where they fly them, something smaller would be much more suitable and efficient.

We could really set the cat among the pigeons is transferring the capability to army aviation

 

[Milo]

A question which probably shows both age and inability to keep up - how is support for PTS provided these days? In my day it was Porters and Caribous, with the occasional C130. Well, I did say it was age related!

A service provider operates two CASA 212 aircraft.

 

[ADMk2]

I do wonder how much the defence budget is distorted by spend on dedicated SF assets though.

And that's without the distortion of talent distribution I imagine it causes.

For a military the size of Australia's I feel we need to avoid small numbers of Gucci kit if possible.

Regards,

Massive

Really? Small numbers of gucci kit is ALL we buy…