The RAAF can also return the F/A-18F at the conclusion of the lease to the USN. The plan was for 4 squadrons of F-35A or 3 squadrons of F-35A and one of F/A-18F (if they are retained) – a decision would be made in 2014.

The idea is to keep costs low by the replacing the attack F-111 with the attack F/A-18F. To the point were they are remaining with standard USN weapons -AIM-9X, ATFLIR, AGM-154. No expensive adding new weapons

F/A-18F enters service in 2010 and would be returned in 2020.

If they approve the F-35 late this year supposedly 75 F-35A would be delivered 2014-17. In service date would be 2015. The final 25 would be delivered 2018-20.

The order would probably be for 75 firm F-35A with 25 options. In 2014 they decide to either retain the F/A-18F or order the 25 options.

Yet another option would be to return the Super Hornets and only have 80 operational in 3 squadrons (not the preferred option).

49 (with 20 options) are getting the airframe extension for a further 9 years life (HUG 3.2C) from 71 aircraft. 11 aircraft would be worked on at one time.
Non-HUG 3.2C go 2012-15 (this is 22 aircraft) – note the F-35A dates above.
HUG 3.2C go 2017-18 (option to extend out to 2020).

The F/A-18F lease makes perfect sense with the early retirement of the F-111 in 2010. BTW the F-111C was due to go 2015-2020. It was always going to be replaced by the last batch of F-35A.

What sonar will the Polish Gawron be fitted with?

Latest CFW says the Iranians boats aren’t fitted yet.

The Russians have been very good when it comes to arms transfers – the Indian and PRC Klub purchases were not secret….

Kh-101 guidance

Janes Strategic Weapons Systems 18 July 2006
“Guidance in mid-course is inertial with Glonass and terrain comparison updates. The terminal guidance uses TV/IIR image comparison, with an accuracy believed to be between 10 and 20 m CEP…. The aircraft mission control system is known as ‘Sprut’, and the mission planning system as ‘Sigma’. “

Sprut and Sigma are the systems fitted with the existing Tu-16MS16

Soviet Long Range and Naval Aviation missiles (Sergei Moroz and Sergei popsuevich, pg 86:
“It features independent passive astro-correction guidance with optical and thermal picture monitoring and perhaps a laser altimeter”

Terminal guidance sounds like DSMAC.

SS-N-19

The missiles are programmed before missile launch with satellite/aircraft radar and ESM picture before launch. The scout missile distributes fire automatically. The seeker is three channel – LPI search, passive then active attack. Again the salvo would drop below the radar horizon once the targets are designated.

Defences are radar warner, radar jammer and does evasive maneuvres. Again the missile has some armour against gunfire and missile frag warheads.

Tu-22M3 [Backfire C] and Kh-22NA [AS-4 Kitchen]

Theres approximately 100 Tu-22M3 with the Air Force and 50 with Navy (35 Northern Fleet, 15 Pacific). It was doctrine for Air Force to be capable of anti-shipping missions and moving aircraft across the country was planned in wartime.

The Kh-22NA was fitted with a video link back to the launching aircraft – the operator can see the missile image and designate the target. Against non-carrier forces the Backfire would remain below the horizon whilst providing control of the missiles.

They would also fit some of the Kh-22NA with noise jammers vice warheads/seekers. These would escort the standard missiles to the target.

The improved Kh-32 is also on the way or has entered service.

January 22, 2008: The German Army has received the first of 80 Tiger HAD helicopter gunships.

Germany has the UHT version with mast mounted sight, HAD is planned for France and Spain.

The Tiger slowly entered service five years ago.

First UHT was delivered for training April 2005. Around 15 were used for training at EFA in France by 2007.

The six ton Tiger has a crew of two and a max speed of 280 kilometers an hour. It cruises at 230 kilometers an hour, usually stays in the air about three hours per sortie. It is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, 70mm rocket pods (19 rockets per pod) and various types of air-to-ground missiles (eight Hellfire types at once). It can also carry four Mistral anti-aircraft missiles.

UHT lacks 30mm and will be armed with Stinger vice Mistral. Missile will be TRIGAT.

France HAD on other hand has 30mm cannon, 68mm rockets, Hellfire and Mistral.

Flanker book questions

Does the FRA Flanker book have much on the ranges and fuels (in litres not kg!) of the different versions?

Same on radar ranges (km/nm vs xx m2)?

I’m looking at getting the book in any case.