That would have been quite a sight - I think it more likely they were F22's coming here for the 2013 Australian International Airshow at Avalon, 1-3 March:
We don't need the JSF/F-35, AT ALL! It CANNOT meet the specification criteria, in most respects.
Heck, best bang for the buck and EXCEPTIONALLY capable is the SU27 or Su30. Wouldn't that mke the Yanks pay attention if we ordered them instead of the F-35
Doesn't matter though - we'll eventually have an Air Force like New Zealand. Air Farce.
I've thought the same myself - buy Su27 (or is that Su35 these days) airframes and engines (which aren't that costly) and fit with western avionics and weapons. It would be time-consuming and expensive (but then the JSF is both of those anyway), and, IMVHO, it would be no more of a technical risk.
But, the time to do that seems to have come and gone.
On a related topic, I've wondered for a decade now why we wanted the JSF at all. I though the RAAF fighter mission was air superiority over Australia and its maritime approaches, and a reasonable maritime strike capability (not necessarily in the same aircraft, and the F-111s did deliver a pretty good maritime strike capability, AFAIK). Why the enormous emphasis on ground attack now, forcing a decision for the JSF? Am I missing something?
Edit: I suppose I should add that at the same time I thought of the Su27/35-derived aircraft, I also thought we should also get a couple of squadrons of F22s (if the Yanks agreed to sell them) - with attrition and training units, that would be 30-35 F22s.
Last edited by Astro_Bot; 21-02-2013 at 02:34 PM.
Reason: Addition/clarification
Did anyone see the program re the JSF being overpriced and under powered and our Govt will probably still commit to buy them
Hi,
I hate the thought of these things. With all due respect to Matt's friend, I consider it is the latest example in Oz of buying exorbitantly expensive weapons we don't really need, like Abrams tanks. The F-35A version is reported to now cost US$107 million each without an engine. It appears we might get our initial order of 2 by 2020, instead of 2014.
I watched 4 Corners the other Monday night with interest....( being an Ex Military Aircraft Engineer F111-C and P3B Orion Aircraft. ) .....I noted what was said years ago ...software problems have ' plagued ' this Aircraft's performance envelope to the point.....countries are pulling out of ' contracts ' signed ....and I don't blame them.
It's performance at ' sign up time ' was stated much more above what the Aircraft is capable of at the moment .... in other words ....the Aeroplane is not doing or flying at the ' stated ' spec's it was designed to fulfil for its customers.
It's a bit like you buying a Ferrari ... but they have ' de tuned ' it ...and it now runs like a V8 Holden.
The Aircraft's ' envelope ' ...( flying threshold/ performance) has been greatly compromised because they are dealing with ' software issues ' .....getting the Aircraft's computers to ' talk ' to each other when the pilot inputs a request.... things are just not happening as they expected.
This Aircraft has an ' all digital ... touch screen ' cockpit....just like your Android or Windows based Tablet......no analogue stuff in sight....it's often called a ' glass cockpit ' ...but with touch screen capabilities.
This Aeroplane is basically a ' flying computer ' encased in an airframe, coupled to a jet engine....and a seat in it ...for someone to sit.
Another thing ...nothing was ever mentioned whether the Aircraft's ' Avionics ' or Weapons delivery Systems are ' hardened ' against ' emp ' ...( electro-magnetic- pulse ) ...in the event of a Nuclear Exchange.
If it isn't ( but I suspect it is ) ....the JSF35 will drop like a stone.
It started out at $45mill to build .... now it's $107mill' each ...and Australia has ordered 100 of them.
IMHO ....We cannot afford that... it takes 3 times the ' purchase price ' to maintain each Aircraft for the duration of it's life of service.
Credit to the original photographers.
Flash..!!
Last edited by FlashDrive; 21-02-2013 at 09:51 PM.
Actually, there's not much commonality between F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet and the E/F Super Hornet - they kinda look alike, but that's about it - something like only 20% of parts are the same. Also, the fatigue life of out Hornet airframes is a major issue, so replacement to maintain a number of airworthy airframes was required.
The production line for original Hornets is closed, so only the E/F Super Hornet is purchasable as a complete aircraft, though there are rumours of re-starting production for some critical parts (and that may have happened already).
Keep thinking an Su-30 would look exquisite with red roo roundels on the side, and 3 Sqn markings
Thay would look awesome ... and probably perform pretty darn well, too.
I was reading today what the Indian Air Force has been doing with the Su30MKI variant. If we were to adapt in a similar way for our use and maybe add semi-stealth coatings (as might have been applied to the proposed F15 "Silent Eagle" program) than we might have something pretty good. An Su30MKAu?
