Australian lawmakers confident in F-35's future

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 04 Dec 2018, 20:26

Australia prepares to receive F-35A
04 Dec 2018 Gareth Jennings

"...The first two aircraft (AU-1 and AU-2) are due to arrive at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown in New South Wales on 10 December, the Department of Defence (DoD) disclosed on 3 December.

Production of the first two Australian F-35As began in 2011 with those jets being delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in December 2014. The aircraft have been used for pilot and maintainer training. The two aircraft will be flown by 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Williamtown, leading the way for the re-equipping of 3 Squadron at the same location...."

Source: https://www.janes.com/article/84987/aus ... eive-f-35a

beepa · by **beepa** » 04 Dec 2018, 21:36

spazsinbad wrote:
Australia prepares to receive F-35A
04 Dec 2018 Gareth Jennings

"...The first two aircraft (AU-1 and AU-2) are due to arrive at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown in New South Wales on 10 December, the Department of Defence (DoD) disclosed on 3 December.

Production of the first two Australian F-35As began in 2011 with those jets being delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in December 2014. The aircraft have been used for pilot and maintainer training. The two aircraft will be flown by 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Williamtown, leading the way for the re-equipping of 3 Squadron at the same location...."

Source: https://www.janes.com/article/84987/aus ... eive-f-35a

Actually it's 009 and 010. But hey let's not let the truth get in the way of fake news.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 04 Dec 2018, 22:54

[addition: 009 & 010 makes sense to me also because these are LAST TWO DELIVERED being UP TO DATE & FRESH]

HehhehHEH. I wondered about that because those first two need updating. I think they are or recently have been updated according to a post some time back here. How does 'beepa' know those aircraft? OUR GARETH prolly got confused by the AVALON visit of those first two aircraft back in Feb 2017 - poor lad - that job is so stressful - no research just boredom:

viewtopic.php?f=58&t=23043&p=363395&hilit=updat%2A#p363395

So... with more UNGOOD research (why do I bother - no one pays me - I'm not a journalist and we will find out soon enough what the side numbers are for these 'first two Oz F-35As - IF 'beepa' is NOT UNGOOD INCORRECT with them. :roll:

"...Royal Australian Air Force, we plan to deliver the first two F-35As [perhaps this should not be taken LITERALLY as the RETORTER seems to have done] to Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown in December 2018. Upon first aircraft arrival, Australian Operational Test and Evaluation will commence toward validating the F-35A capability against Australia’s requirements...." viewtopic.php?f=58&t=23043&p=318625&hilit=updat%2A#p318625 from: http://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ash ... bId=410840 (PDF 67Kb)

I should run a journalist research school from here - freck this FORUM has an HUGE amount of info - HHUUUGGGE!!!!

"...Northrop Grumman delivered the first RAAF F-35 centre fuselage for AU-1 in October 2013. AU-1 and AU-2 have been based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona since late 2014 as part of the International Pilot Training Center there. Of the next eight jets, two will ferry to Australia in 2018 for Australian operational test and evaluation, while the other six will be based at Luke for pilot training before being ferrying to Australia in 2020." 31 Jan 2017 http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/0 ... roduction/ AT: viewtopic.php?f=58&t=23043&p=361618&hilit=operational+test#p361618

beepa · by **beepa** » 04 Dec 2018, 23:18

https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/ ... pZlTsbN-eg "The first two Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35As to be based in Australia have departed Luke AFB in Arizona, bound for RAAF Base Williamtown.
The two aircraft, A35-009 and A35-010, are scheduled to arrive at Williamtown on Monday, December 10. The ferry flight is supported by an RAAF KC-30A MRTT and will travel via Hawaii, Guam and RAAF Base Amberley." https://twitter.com/KimagureGolf9/statu ... 5127795712

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 05 Dec 2018, 00:13

Thanks.

I've been out watering the garden in the light drizzle here - I'm so bored. :doh:

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 05 Dec 2018, 21:19

Joint Strike Fighter — Introduction into Service and Sustainment Planning
05 Dec 2018 ANAO Australian National Audit Office

"The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s preparations for the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter into Australian service and its subsequent sustainment....

…Conclusion
6. The Department of Defence’s preparations to date for the introduction and sustainment of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft into Australian service have been effective with the exception of arrangements for sustainment of JSF aircraft under the Global Support Solution. JSF sustainment cannot be fully costed until the Global Support Solution further matures

7. Defence has established effective strategic and project governance arrangements to date for the introduction of the JSF into Australian service and its sustainment. These arrangements include:
• plans addressing the transition from the Classic Hornets to the JSF;
• sustainment arrangements;
• infrastructure requirements;
• workforce planning and training;
• project governance arrangements and procedures for regular engagement with the international JSF Program; and
• procedures for regular monitoring and reporting on risk, cost and schedule to governance bodies, senior Defence leaders and Defence Ministers.

Defence has not, however, provided all of the annual updates to Government that Government required in its approval of the project.

8. Defence has undertaken effective planning for its JSF related infrastructure, workforce and training system, and is achieving progress against relevant plans. Defence has identified and managed risks relating to these operational enablers. Necessary works have been undertaken at the JSF’s main base (Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown), but works at other bases have been deferred or delayed to manage pressures on the infrastructure budget.

9. Defence has planned for and made progress in implementing the arrangements for the ongoing sustainment of the JSF. The effective implementation of Defence’s ongoing sustainment arrangements depends largely on the United States Department of Defense delivering the Global Support Solution, which is still maturing. Defence is managing risks associated with the developmental nature of the JSF supporting systems as well as cost pressures related to establishing Australia as a regional maintenance and warehousing hub for JSF aircraft...."

PDF: https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/f ... 019_14.pdf (1Mb)

Source: https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performanc ... ustainment

beepa · by **beepa** » 06 Dec 2018, 01:00

Looks like they snuck in early. http://aviationphotodigest.com/raaf-sto ... OWxW0Mf94g

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 06 Dec 2018, 01:13

Makes sense to get some rest - maintain aircraft - for the big day on the 10th. I'll get back to my snoozing now. :doh:

NO I WON'T because StevieWonder will pester us about this: :roll:

"...The two F-35’s are wearing No.3 Squadron emblems on their vertical stabilisers and are aircraft 09 and 10 (Serials: A35-009 and A35-010 respectively). The aircraft departed Luke AFB on Monday the 3rd of December at 12:30pm (U.S. time) and stopped over at Hickham AFB in Hawaii Tuesday night (AEST time) and completed their journey across the
Pacific from Hickham to Amberley in nine hours under the callsign Aussie 1023...."

Via Google earth the great circle distance Hickam/Amberley is just over 4,000 nautical miles.

element1loop · by **element1loop** » 07 Dec 2018, 08:27

The kettle that wouldn't boil finally boiled.

knowan · by **knowan** » 10 Dec 2018, 00:32

The F-35s arrived today; I saw them fly over, but my position was too bad to get any photos.

I'll see them flying around a lot in the coming years, so I'll no shortage of photo opportunities.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 10 Dec 2018, 00:44

Arrived where but? :doh:

Another forum entry had them passing Port Macquarie at 0900 today. :roll:

Wilyton?

knowan · by **knowan** » 10 Dec 2018, 00:54

spazsinbad wrote::twisted: Arrived where but? Another forum entry had them passing Port Macquarie at 0900 today. Wilyton?

RAAF Williamtown; they arrived around 10 AM as scheduled.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 10 Dec 2018, 01:17

OK thanks - good to know theys all safe and sound and I can get back to dreamin' 'bout 'Oz F-35Bs on Oz LHDS' see this:

viewtopic.php?f=61&p=407079#p407079 F-35Bs Establishing potential of Australian aircraft carrier

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 10 Dec 2018, 05:08

ShortSharp Video News Report of arrival here: https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5977427690001

First Australian F-35s at RAAF Williamtown
10 Dec 2018 Ewen Levick, ADM

"...The event was attended by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor of NSW GEN (Ret'd) David Hurley, Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne, Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, and head of the F-35 program VADM Mat Winter, alongside RAAF's 3 Squadron and their families....

...The landing was preceded by a thunderous aerial display from F/A-18 Hornets and formation flying involving both Hornets and the F-35As. Once the F-35As touched down, they taxied towards the audience waiting at the newly-built hangars....

...Whilst the two F-35As at Williamtown are the first to arrive in-country, eight further aircraft have been delivered to the RAAF at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, for pilot training. Australian F-35s have flown over 1,800 hours....

...Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies was visibly excited as he took the podium to commemorate the occasion. "How do you excite a RAAF chief?" he asked, pointing to the F-35As. "Whilst it's a modest beginning with just two jets, a dozen pilots and 40 maintainers... this represents the transformation of Air Force. We are evolving our structure and the way we train. "Today, ladies and gentlemen, the naysayers can take a seat.""

Photo: Arrival 1000 10 Dec 2018 "Australia's first F-35As fly over RAAF Williamtown alongside F/A-18 Hornets. Credit: Ewen Levick http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffa ... ival-1.jpg

Source: http://www.australiandefence.com.au/new ... illiamtown

blindpilot · by **blindpilot** » 10 Dec 2018, 06:26

spazsinbad wrote:ShortSharp Video News Report of arrival here: https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5977427690001

... "Today, ladies and gentlemen, the naysayers can take a seat."" ....

Wonder who he is talking about 'cough...cough ... Kopp ... cough ...kopp ... cough .. ? :roll:

'

BP