Yep, all USN F/A-18F from Lot 32 (FY2008) have provision for conversion to EA-18G (they want provision for future expansion). They aren’t actually fully wired (the wings are), the space is left for the looms in the fuselage. There are a number of other airframes mods, and the rear cockpit is heavily modified – the EA-18G isn’t quite as common with the F/A-18F as originally planned.

The RAAF hasn’t made a decision on the EA-18G and isn’t due till the decision on the final batch of F-35 is made. Theres a number of problems – lack of ALQ-99 pods for export, export clearances for the pods, the fact that a new generation of pod/pods should replace the ALQ-99 at around the same time as RAAF EA-18G would be due.

None are showstoppers and the upgrade isn’t hard, but it will not be cheap and it will take time.

Lynx was in competition with the S-70B back in 1980s and the Super Lynx with the SH-2G in the 1990s. S-70B are planned to retire when the FFGs go.

Squirrel are currently training only and are planned to retire sometime after 2011.

A109 are an interim type, due to the failure of the SH-2G – the three are under lease.

The first of the six naval NH90 transport aren’t due to deploy till mid 2010 to replace the Sea King.

So in 10 years time or so, it will be 6 transport NH90 and either ~24 MH-60R or naval NH90, with another training type.

Tu-95MS has the Meteor-NM EW suite. This includes MAWS, SPS-100 Geran jammer, RWR and decoys.

The suite was found to effective against the MiG-31 during exercises.

And page 37:
“Much of the information in this paragraph comes from Carlo Kopp and his Airpower Australia website, an amazing, deep source of up-to-date….”

Kopp’s site does have some interesting pieces of information, but he has stuffs up when he tries to put the pieces together.

Back in the day (1991) the RAN deployed two FFGs (HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Darwin) and a tanker (HMAS Success) to the Gulf region. It was a meaningful and worthwhile contribution. This was then replaced by HMAS Sydney, HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Westralia. With the amount of shipping spread over such a wide area (Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, etc), you can never have too many tankers.

Its as much about making a meaningful contribution as opposed to always having to lean on our allies. HMAS Success shuttled from the main carrier groups to the forward ships.

Found my notes on the pre-HMAS Sirius proposal. Two (2009, 2015) around 8250 light, 10000 t fuel, 1300-1500 t JP-5, 100 t stores, 250 t ammo, <100 crew (no jackstays – all stores by helo). Either one or two Sea King. And a reduced acoustic signature for the reasons already given.

HMAS Sirius was a compromise with around 50% the costs of the new class. She lacks a dedicated hanger and onboard helicopter maintenance facilities, In any case she is due to replaced 2018-2020 (entered service in October 2006).

In peacetime ships need fuel to outrun storms, SUBSINK or for long range rescue operations, in war the tanker might be sunk by enemy action – ships are constantly topping up fuel. Theres a certain percentage of fuel that RAN ships had to enter port with – otherwise Naval Command had to be informed by signal. Tankers result in more time at sea on station and on task.

When were the helmet mounted displays declared operational?

SPS-49 is a little out of date, especially by the 2020s. It would need a long range search radar, part of any future RAN escort requirement is long range patrol.

Maybe SMART-L?