RAAF news

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-06-02 AT 11:01 AM (GMT)]Hidden behind the more dramatic and newsworthy F-35-winning-AIR6000-before-it-began announcement was this little bit of newsworth information:

The first RAAF BBJ arrived in Sydney today. Funny how the government announces the F-35 news same day as the BBJ arrives :). Wouldn’t want those nasty reporters reporting on other things the pollies are spending their money on 😉 (too cynical?).

“AIR FORCE’S NEW SPECIAL PURPOSE AIRCRAFT

BOEING BUSINESS JET A36-001

Air Force’s new Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), part of the replacement Special Purpose Aircraft fleet, arrived in Sydney late yesterday.

The BBJ is the first of two Boeing aircraft to arrive, with the second BBJ and three Bombardier Challenger 604s (Challengers) arriving in coming months.

The Government needs a responsive, secure and flexible fleet of aircraft that can meet a range of tasks. The new fleet has been carefully selected to do that.

The aircraft Defence currently uses for these tasks need to be replaced. The leases on the current fleet of Falcon 900 aircraft are due to expire later this year, while the age, noise and reliability of the Boeing 707 aircraft limit its usefulness.

The new aircraft will be leased over a 13 year period. Commercial leasing arrangements, while not new, reflect improved ways of doing business in Defence. Lease arrangements enable Defence to meet its capability needs while keeping longer term financial and operational flexibility in the event that strategic circumstances change.

The new aircraft will be serviced and maintained by Qantas. Around half of all costs associated with support and maintenance over the 13 year lease period will directly benefit Australian industry. This is estimated at about $90 million.

The fleet will be crewed by Air Force’s 34 Squadron. The Squadron has a proud history providing this important national service on behalf of Government.

Air Force crews are currently finalising training on the BBJ and there will be some final maintenance checks before commencing official duty.”

MinMiester

Here’s a pic of the first Challenger 604 A37-001, still in Canada I believe, and interior pics of the first BBJ A36-001.
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