Forum: F-35 Lightning II

geogen wrote:

Interesting concept: That would be a theory in which I would concur too, and even support study into a converted F-16 to XL+ CFT, tactical buddy tanker for potential F-16 operators (USAF et al). And yes, the Viper itself could be buddy-tanked, contingent on a drogue external tank, e.g..

Conan, while on subject I'd be curious into your perspective re: any official AUS discusion into retrofitting the F-111s into such a tactical buddy-tanker? With 4 wing tanks perhaps you could double capacity of SuperHornet tanker? I know the required upgrade and extended operation would equate to other aviation cut-back somewhere, but perhaps only 12 could be retained? (OK, call me a hopeless Vark fan).

I suppose the buddy tanking Super could get a bit closer, tactically, but do they really need to? RAAF doesn't have an unlimited budget and it needs to maximise the return on it's dollars, more than perhaps most other forces.

If it came down to a choice between KC-130/KC-17 or buddy refuelling tanks on the Super, the C-17 or C-130 would give us better value for money, IMHO.

AS to the chances of an F-111 tanker? I've got more chance of replacing President Obama at the next election...

The last F-111 pilot's course graduated in 2007, should suggest something about the likelyhood of ANY retention of the F-111 in Australia... Smile

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Bought this magazine today.

A few points of interest:

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The Super Hornet, which is significantly larger than the 'classic' F/A-18A/B Hornets and carries more fuel, has greater range. This is further enhanced by the 'buddy' refuelling capability Australia is purchasing with the jets.

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[Super Hornet] Weapons to be fielded on delivery include...AIM-9X

from another article...

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Australia uses ASRAAMs on its classic Hornets, but plans to phase out this weapon in favour of the AIM-9X when the Hornets retire.

The quote just above is referring to WVR choice on the F-35.

So buddy tanking is part of the $6billion package (cool) and the ASRAAM to be phased out after such a good selection programme. (uncool)

Sorta at odds with current developments.

daemonllama wrote:

Bought this magazine today.

I think you wasted a bit of money there... Smile

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The Super Hornet, which is significantly larger than the 'classic' F/A-18A/B Hornets and carries more fuel, has greater range. This is further enhanced by the 'buddy' refuelling capability Australia is purchasing with the jets.

Hasn't been in any official announcement, including the DSCA announcement... Not saying it won't happen, but DT isn't exactly known for accuracy...

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[Super Hornet] Weapons to be fielded on delivery include...AIM-9X

Yep. Super Hornet is all about reducing risk. Hence all weapons at IOC are off the shelf.

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from another article...
Australia uses ASRAAMs on its classic Hornets, but plans to phase out this weapon in favour of the AIM-9X when the Hornets retire.

Funny. Mark Binskin, Chief of Airforce confirmed at Avalon just last week that NO weapons choices have yet been made for F-35.

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So buddy tanking is part of the $6billion package (cool) and the ASRAAM to be phased out after such a good selection programme. (uncool)

No, ASRAAM is not "destined" to be phased out. It hasn't yet been decided.

Who said RAAF has ordered Buddy tanking capability? The author or a source? If it's the author? Sad

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Sorta at odds with current developments.

Extremely. Which is one reason I doubt it's authenticity. The other is what I heard the Chief of RAAF say, 8 days ago...

Admittedly I am an ASRAAM fanboy (keep in clean guys...) so I'm of two minds on this issue.

Off the shelf 9X for SH, fair enough. Common weapons stores between platforms has benefits so getting the 9X for the F-35 also makes sense.....

but

With the 9X Block II coming out which will finally have LOAL, a capability that ASRAAM has had since inception, AND the UK paying for integration into the F-35 anyway (but I suppose they might ask Aus to help with paying for that) I sorta want to lean for ASRAAM in service with F-35 despite having to have two types of WVR missile in RAAF inventory. (edit: long legs on the ASRAAM also has my vote)

I'll check on the sources for those quotes when I have some free time, but I do recall that they didn't come from the article that Kopp penned in the issue, if that's your concern Conan. I must say that I did have pause when I saw he was a contributor.

daemonllama wrote:

With the 9X Block II coming out which will finally have LOAL, a capability that ASRAAM has had since inception, AND the UK paying for integration into the F-35 anyway (but I suppose they might ask Aus to help with paying for that) I sorta want to lean for ASRAAM in service with F-35 despite having to have two types of WVR missile in RAAF inventory. (edit: long legs on the ASRAAM also has my vote)

I'm not overly concerned either way, but when Chief of RAAF is publicly stating that no choices have yet been made, well, it seems hard to be more authoritative than that...

As to AIM-9X and LOAL, that will be the telling difference, in the debate, I suspect. If the capability is proven AND the weapon in that configuration is integrated into F-35 AND Australia decides to forgoe it's ASRAAM capability (despite originally choosing it over AIM-9X and Python 4) then perhaps DT might be right.

Seems like a lot of things that all have to go a certain way...

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I'll check on the sources for those quotes when I have some free time, but I do recall that they didn't come from the article that Kopp penned in the issue, if that's your concern Conan. I must say that I did have pause when I saw he was a contributor.

I suspect that might be the author ad libbing a bit there. Defence reporters are known to do that... I don't know Nigel Pittaway, but there were a heap of Australian Defence Journos, in Mark Binskin's briefing at Avalon (Andrew Mclaughlin, Nick Merrett, Trevor Thomas and Carlo Kopp himself, amongst others). Don't be surprised if some Australian defence magazines, contradict DT in coming months...

As to Kopp, he causes me no concern whatsoever. No-one in Government or Defence listens to his rubbish, why should I?

I have too much respect for money to actually PAY for anything he puts his name to though...

Cheers.

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

F-35's for the RAAF?