Australian lawmakers confident in F-35's future

[optimist]

I thot we would have made a decision by now about the last tranche of ??? (perhaps to total 100 F-35s?]

That was the gosip. It was going to be brought forward to early 2023. The decision on the rest of the f-35 was going to be in 2025. We will save money. If we wait to order, when block 4 is finished. At the moment we are up for block 4 development funds and updates. On our share of 72 frames

[spazsinbad]

Ordering later for finished Block 4 is OK but the intention can still be known TODAY! shirley? Anyway I'm patient. It is like waiting for Oz F-35Bs on Oz LHDs. We of the never never.

[Corsair1963]

I thot we would have made a decision by now about the last tranche of ??? (perhaps to total 100 F-35s?]

That was the gosip. It was going to be brought forward to early 2023. The decision on the rest of the f-35 was going to be in 2025. We will save money. If we wait to order, when block 4 is finished. At the moment we are up for block 4 development funds and updates. On our share of 72 frames

If, they place an order today they would be Block 4 anyways....

[optimist]

I thot we would have made a decision by now about the last tranche of ??? (perhaps to total 100 F-35s?]

That was the gosip. It was going to be brought forward to early 2023. The decision on the rest of the f-35 was going to be in 2025. We will save money. If we wait to order, when block 4 is finished. At the moment we are up for block 4 development funds and updates. On our share of 72 frames

If, they place an order today they would be Block 4 anyways....

These things are pretty obscure and are part of a whole. It's possible that the ones that have ordered LRIP 16 and 17, may contribute to the update of their batch. " FMS customer funds in the amount of $565,817"
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3382083/
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee not-to-exceed $1,439,135,764 undefinitized contract. This contract provides for the continued development of critical F-35 warfighting capabilities, to include Electronic Warfare Band 2/5 Radar Warning Receiver, Modernized Countermeasure Controller, Multi-ship Infrared Search and Track Increment 2, and Beyond Line of Sight communications, as well as supports required training and combat data systems development for Lots 16 and 17 production aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60%); Nashua, New Hampshire (16%); Baltimore, Maryland (9%); Orlando, Florida (5.5%); Torrance, California (2%); San Diego, California (2%); El Segundo, California (2%); Northridge, California (1%); Clearwater, Florida (1%); Buffalo, New York (1%); and Tucson, Arizona (0.5%), and is expected to be completed in March 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $57,335,825; fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation Air Force) funds in the amount of $54,900,755; FMS customer funds in the amount of $565,817; and non-DOD participants funds in the amount of $30,558,644 will be obligated at the time of award, none‬ of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0009).

[element1loop]

If we get another ~25 x F-35A, ADF will still have an immediate need for another ~25 x F-35B.

Further avoiding that reality is pointless. We can either do it with the conditions we like, or with the conditions we don't like.

But we will be doing it (IMO).

2c

[optimist]

I haven't found an article to post here yet. I saw albanese on the news saying we will stop at 72 F-35 and won't order the 100. As was going to be announced early this year. Instead we are looking at all the upcoming 6th gen. The NGAD, FA-XX, Tempest and FCAS. He also said he thought the FCAS may arrive too late. So something flying before 2040 looks the plan.

[Corsair1963]

I haven't found an article to post here yet. I saw albanese on the news saying we will stop at 72 F-35 and won't order the 100. As was going to be announced early this year. Instead we are looking at all the upcoming 6th gen. The NGAD, FA-XX, Tempest and FCAS. He also said he thought the FCAS may arrive too late. So something flying before 2040 looks the plan.

I don't see any of the 6th Generation Fighters entering service before 2040 at the earliest. Australia would be wise to just order the additional F-35s. Especially, considering the vastness of the Australian continent and the existing commitments. Just saying....

I would add that Japan should also order additional F-35s to at least replace the remaining F-15Js. Which, are totally inadequate to cope with Chinese Stealth Fighters...

[basher54321]

Podcast on RAAF F-35s.

It seems only fitting then that our longest episode so far of Series 2 should once again be all about the F-35. This time we catch up with F-35 Test Pilot Tony “Brick” Wilson, Lockheed Martin’s Chief of Fighter Flight Operations, and also bring you an update from Steven Over, Lockheed Martin’s Director, Combat Air INDOPACOM and CENTCOM Business Capture.

You can find these two discussions in this episode at:

02:19 – Tony “Brick” Wilson talks to us about what got him into aviation, his career to date, transitioning to the F-35, sensor fusion in the cockpit, what flying the F-35 is like, and how mission planning is conducted.
53:54 – Steven Over provides an update on the F-35’s pending Block 4 upgrades, how they will be available in the RAAF’s new F-35s and plans to roll them out as upgrades to existing airframes. He also steps us through the sensor fusion concept, how it is presented to the pilot and the benefits it provides F-35 pilots and operators.

https://www.planecrazydownunder.com/202 ... 5-s02e011/

[hornetfinn]

Podcast on RAAF F-35s.

Now that was very interesting podcast, thank you a lot.

[Corsair1963]

Podcast on RAAF F-35s.

Nice find...

[optimist]

Air Combat Capability - F35 and the Ghost Bat Program
The Ghost Bat Program delivers just that, prototypes at present that will soon deliver an autonomous air fighting capability to the Australian Defence Force. Australian aviators Group Captain Matthew McCormack and Group Captain Chris Hake describe the current capability with the F35 being now fully operational and take us forward to a time not that far in the future when the F35s will be supplemented by Ghost Bats, machines capable of making their own decisions in battlespace subject to programmed ethical restraints. Machines almost unique in the world, developed and made in Australia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE8s9NoU5sk

[doge]

According to the RAAF, one of the F-35's strengths is its internal fuel:

The F-35A’s biggest strength is its missions systems and its ability to build situational awareness on the battlefield for the joint force. The stealth of the aircraft also improves both our survivability and lethality against advanced threats. Lastly, F-35A’s high internal fuel has also given us more options in how we refuel the air package overall.

Read more: https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/ ... nstructors

[F16VIPER]

Hi. Does anyone know what the mission of the RAAF's F-35As is?

For example, the 388th FW's is Suppression of Enemy air Defences I believe

Another one is the 48th FW at Lakenheath. Air Superiority F-15Cs have been replaced by F-35As, is Air superiority the mission?

Hope someone can clarify.
Thank you

[Corsair1963]

The RAAF operate three squadrons (2- Frontline & OCU) of F-35As from just two Air Bases. With such a modest number of aircraft. I would assume they focus more on multi-mission than just a specific task.