Decomissioned from the USN when the F14 was retired, only place you'd have any luck of finding an operational Phoenix missile (and its unlikely) would be Iran, as the F14 was designed specifically around that missile when the plans for using the F-111 as the Fleet interceptor fell through.
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Decomissioned from the USN when the F14 was retired, only place you'd have any luck of finding an operational Phoenix missile (and its unlikely) would be Iran, as the F14 was designed specifically around that missile when the plans for using the F-111 as the Fleet interceptor fell through.
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
Doubtful that there are any Phoenixes in Iran. IIRC Iran managed to modify some of their Hawk SAMs to be launched from their F-14s. As for any evolved form of the Phoenix, no, there are none. A program was initiated to develop an advanced version, but that was dropped in favour of the AMRAAM, partially on performance reasons, though cost was also a factor.
-Cheers
There may be a few, perhaps in the air force museum, or sitting in a dump somewhere. Operational, though - that's a completely different matter. In my (non-expert) opinion, no chance.
No, it's a wedge on the tail. I believe this is because it's an AESA which obviously means the beam can be electronically controlled / split, no need for moving parts, or a saucer shape radar, as you can shape it in pretty much any way possible... I suspect a wedge is most aerodynamic.
FYI, they usually call it MESA which is Multirole Electronically Scanned Array, but it's still AESA.
No, it's an antenna (not really wedge-shaped) on top of the fuselage, though nearer the tail than the nose.
Wedgetail over Sydney
It's named after the wedgetail eagle, I believe.
A
Aussie Digger
Guest
None whatsoever.
The Super Hornets are bought and paid for as is the infrastructure to support the Super Hornets.
An alternative fighter if this had not already happened include: Typhoon, Gripen, Rafale, F-15 and F-16.
However these options are moot. The Super Hornet and more importantly the supporting capabilities needed to operate it, have been purchased and work orders placed.
A
Aussie Digger
Guest
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
The canoe fairing as I have seen it described, is similiar to the Erieye antennae. A fairly important difference between the two however is that the Erieye is side-scanning only AFAIK, while the MESA found on the Wedgetail (named as Swerve said for the Wedgetail Eagle) covers a 360 degree area. Also the beams on the MESA are stearable, I am not sure if the is a capability the Erieye has. If it does, it would not be able to cover all the gaps in the antennae coverage, since an aircraft carrying the Erieye has to fly in a figure 8 flight path to maintain coverage of an area.
-Cheers
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
Do not forget one of the main reasons why the SH was purchased. With the USN willing to give up order slots to the RAAF, and with the aircraft similarities to existing RAAF fighters, the FOC date for SH was/is ~2011-2012 IIRC. Different aircraft, like the Typhoon, Gripen, F-15E, F-16, etc etc would take a longer period of time to enter service since there would be more significant differences with the existing RAAF inventory so more training and tools, etc would need to be purchased, and then pilots and mechanics would need a chance to train to operate them effectively. Given the proposed retirement of the F-111 due to service issues the ADF feels it would encounter with the F-111, a retirement date of ~2010 was selected and a followup aircraft would see service in the RAAF.
-Cheers
from the current 2 or so % of gross national product allocated to defence spending,what in the personal opinion of the members of this forum would be an acceptable amount to increase to?also with the current surpluses government is enjoying at the moment, would you commit a good portion of that to aquiring extra equipment.i also understand the personell shortages the adf is facing so extra incentives to recruit and retain would obviously be a part of that increase in spending.
Mockup antenna or whole picture?Nah, that's just a mockup...:
Ozzy Blizzard
New Member
antenna i think.
The Erieye is an AESA, so it's stearable i guess...
Adding some t/r in front and back seem like a natural upgrade, if there is any point of it -since the AWAC will have to circle on station anyhow...
There seems to be some dispute about the size of the coverage gaps forward & aft, & I think that may be partly due to them having been reduced from the early Erieyes. The system is reported to have been upgraded a lot since entering service.
Wedgetail gets round that by having extra arrays in the top section, which don't just point sideways. As you say, this could be done on Erieye, with subsidiary arrays at the ends of the antenna, but customers don't seem bothered. Maybe it's not thought worth the cost.
Turkey has also bought the 737 AEW, though the Turks don't call it Wedgetail.
A
Aussie Digger
Guest
Haven't forgotten the reasons it was chosen. There are MANY good reasons it was chosen, it's capability not the least!
Price is ALSO a big factor. Many have "gnashed their teeth" at the cost of the SH acquisition for Australia, not realising, or not being willing to admit at least, that ANY other aircraft (bar possibly the Gripen or F-16 variants, both of which offer less capability) would be considerably more expensive than the SH.
The Typhoon for instance, which was unlikely to meet Australia's schedule requirements in any case, would have been FAR more expensive, being nearly $30m MORE per aircraft, a similar price to the F-15E or a later variant (F-15SG etc).
Also my comment earlier about that picture of the Wedgetail being a mockup was meant as a joke. It was quite obviously the first flying example of the B-737 Wedgetail AEW&C ordered by Australia.
Regards
AD
Just ot confirm the aircarft is named after the Wedgtail eagle. The DMO site gives the reason.
http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/dceod/air5077/air5077.cfm
In addition the top hat provides endfire capability to provide all round coverage along with the abiltiy to scan 360 degress or stare at a a target (or combination according to airforce technology).
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/737aewc/
DMO puts the nominal range in excess of 400 km (216nm). I suspect the truth may be a tad greater than that.
http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/dceod/air5077/air5077.cfm
http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/dceod/air5077/air5077.cfm
In addition the top hat provides endfire capability to provide all round coverage along with the abiltiy to scan 360 degress or stare at a a target (or combination according to airforce technology).
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/737aewc/
DMO puts the nominal range in excess of 400 km (216nm). I suspect the truth may be a tad greater than that.
http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/dceod/air5077/air5077.cfm
with the superhornet purchase,have they and their spares been paid for yet?curious on account of the aussie dollar diving and also with a talk about global recesion.so with a weaker aussie dollar i'm wondering how much superhornet could end up costing and could the cost get to a point of becoming a deal breaker.
A
Aussie Digger
Guest
Defence funding is insured against currency fluctuations, specifically because of the length of time it takes to acquire equipment and the length of time it has to be supported.
Given that the F/A-18F acquisition project is a defence project that will span a minimum of 15 years, it would indeed be a program that would be effected IF Defence were vulnerable to currency situations...
The contract announcement for the Super Hornet support (spares if you will) was announced on August 1. Nobody can say whether or not this amount has been paid "upfront" though I expect it hasn't.
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2008/Australia_08-80.pdf