F22 future

The future is with fifth generation types like the F-22 and F-35. Anything else is respectfully a waste of time. That said, as a stop gap until the latter types become available in quantity is another story. In the case of Australia why purchase the Super Hornets and not lease them for 10 years? This only makes me believe that the RAAF will end up with a mixed force of Super Hornets and Lightnings. With a smaller number of F-35’s to be acquired as a result! Which, means they will get a less efffective force in the long run……….:( WHATS NOT TO GET????

The F22 & F35 may be the future for the US but for the rest of us ,in the long run it is definately the F35. Barring somthing unexpected happening the F22 production line will be closed down forever in 2009.While there are a few possible ways around current US export rules regarding the F22 eg. FMS they would be unlikely be successful.Any country with the F22 in its sights had better get moving on the matter tomorrow, its really too late already.

Top 100

Actually additional funds are being provided for the purchase of the Rhinos. None of that money is coming out of the AIR 6000 budget. Barring some unforseen circumstance the RAAF is still on target to get 100 F-35s regardless of the fate of the Super Hornets.

If you are talking additional aircraft above the 100 currently projected … who knows … but I would think that would be unlikely.

Hi Buster – You are exactly right the money is not out of the AIR6000 budget , our minister for defence seems to have a blank cheque at the moment for defence purposes. I think that this purchase at this point of time paid from other treasury sources virtually makes the figure of 100 planes a certainty. I know that there has been some fretting about this figure as the F35 seems to get dearer by the day. If money gets tighter in the future a 75 plane purchase of the F35 would still give us the 100 birds.It may not be the mix that a lot of people like but it would still give us the numbers.

Passport available

Well after yesterdays announcement ($6 Billion to MAINTAIN AUSTRALIA’S REGIONAL AIR SUPERIORITY), I would like it to go on record that I was wrong on this matter- the Defence minister has officially called it and there is no going back now. I would therefore submit my resignation as an Australian Citizen on the grounds that this country’s leaders have obviously lost their minds and would like the tender to be opened immediately to any country who would like me to be a citizen.

What I have to offer to the new country will be discussed in a formal interview of suitable applicants who’s bribe level is within acceptable ranges! :dev2:

Hi there Ja – My wife and I moved to the Mainland over 25 years ago and so I have a Tasmanian passport available if that will help. You will have to get 2 pics of your head to put on it though .Seriously how is the movie project going. Regards Tids.

F111 fighter

Time for a well known quote, although its from F-111B times: “All the thrust in Christendom will not make a fighter out of this aircraft.”

There is also another quote by Randall [Duke] Cunningham Vietnam War USN Ace “The F111 could,nt shoot down the Goodyear Blimp.”
The Duke eventually became a US Senator but was sentenced to 8 years jail last year for fraud [I think it was fraud]. Wether he is out on appeal or not I dont know, I didnt follow his problems through.

Cost of F100

Hi Danrh Read your post and – The overall cost of the 3 AWD project has been said to cost up to $7Bill. & probably going up, this is about $2.33bill each ,a lot of money. I have been unable to workout if the $500Mill saving quoted on the F100 is for the whole 3 ship project or $500Mill each. I suspect it is on the whole 3 ship project & if so I think the G&C design is much more capable at an added cost of $166Mill each. Still it is a lot of money.The F100 seems reasonably OK to me but I am not really convinced of the need for these ships, We are going to get them anyhow, if the G&C design is $500Mill better I say go for it if not get the F100, it will still be a big step forward for the RAN

http://hokuriku.yomiuri.co.jp/hoksub4/hito/ho_s4_07022501.htm
reported:

Photos and comments of five JASDF female ground support personnel at Komatsu AB, Ishikawa Prefecture, such as a F-15 mechanic.

Where do the good looking ones work.

mapping it out

Well if we’d had the TSR2 then wouldn’t have to put up with all these arguments about the F-111s great range 🙂

Daniel

Depends how artistic you are at making maps ,as I recall the Brit salesman had an inovative map of Australia putting it closer to Singapore but that may be just a story.

Spruance carrier

This is one pic. , there are others.