[QUOTE=Unicorn;1076830]

No, nothing like the air capable spruance.

That had a full length flight deck, as shown on this model.

Unicorn

There several versions of the Spruance Carrier that I have seen. The one I was refering to was the one that had a stern landing spot followed by a large box hanger and an forward deck laid out to launch one harrier with another parked outside the hanger. A rather awkward design . I am having trouble uploading docs. [still]so I cant provide a pic. however there were a couple on the Harrier Carrier thread of a few months ago.As I mentioned a similar sort of design to the LPD on this thread.

Many believe I am crazy yet I think India will select the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for the MMRCA! If, not the whole contract possibly a split buy with a small number of Mig-35’s? Further, I think India is also very interested in Boeings forthcoming P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. This of course doesn’t mean India will not continue to purchase much from Russia. Just to the point India is not going to put all of her eggs in one basket………..very wise indeed. Regardless, time will tell. Just my 2 cents!:D

I tend to agree with you not just because I am a SH fan either, following the defence news over the last 6 months or so I have got the impression that India is about ready to start buying US gear particularly aircraft. After many of years buying Russian I guess they can see that the only way forward is now with the US wether it is SH or joining P8 etc. Cope India ,Alaska etc show both countries coming closer together,forget the results. Flanker & Fulcrum Variants are OK but going nowere in the long run. Forget the Euro stuff they will only be used for “rent a crowd of planes” at Aero India 2007
Scooter I have been following US news on Fox & I hope you and your nearest & dearest have not been troubled by the Florida weather, the damage I saw seemed very close to Tampa.

So, lets see. The UK can now offload Typhoon to the Saudis, and possibly the Aussies as well – looks like the cutbacks to the 232 on order may be possible after all……………

That is not going to happen ,put your money on Oz getting Super hornets delivered in 2008 & 2009 with the F35 coming in 2014-2015, forget the original post suggesting 2018-20 for the F35 & say bye bye F111 in 2010 as has been promised ,I would not be surprised to see them sidelined before then.

Ausairpower

It is possible that the original info from Ch9 may have been gleaned from this meeting discussion now on the Ausairpower Site
Try http://www.ausairpower.net/ go to contrails & scroll down it is worth a read, I got this off another forum T5C which is also worth a visit.

Heavy Helos

Boeing has proposed a marinised, blade folding CH-47, however they have not as yet found a customer willing to pay the development costs.

After the RAF Chinook issues, many air forces are understandably gun shy.

Unicorn

I agree. Regardless of which ship is chosen it will probably a long time, if ever ,the RAN would have a need to operate the Chinook. If a heavy lift helo was required to lift heavy equipment they would be better off getting a few proper machines like the Super Stallion if they are still made.These helos were ideal for lifting heavy equipment from the Tubruk inland over the high ground on East timor. We only have 6 Chinooks as it is and they are operated by the Army its hard to see them being struck down at sea for any reason & they are not suitable for it. Probably no need for Super Stallions either but they would be a better bet if a heavy lift helo was needed by the RAN in the future.

Super Avalon

Just got news [T5C Forum] that the USN is flying in two Super Hornets for the Avalon Air Show in March .They will be putting air displays on all public days and then going on static display for the general public. I am hoping that an announcement re the proposed purchase by the RAAF of 24 of these planes will be announced at this time. I am already booked for the trip, ah I can hardly wait.

Authoritive Author

Hi Ja- Well done & nice article ,I will keep my eye out for more. I had noticed you had posted on the BM Forum recently, do you speak portuguese? or have some family tie there[Just curious ,none of my business really]

Flying for broke

Good post- but it is hard to come up with a reply as I agree with a fair bit of it,however the US is not the only country with an aging Air Force there are plenty of others but their replacement numbers are mostly managable. Considering the giant deficits the US economy is running & the cost of the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan will the money be there to pay for all the new tankers and the large mooted numbers of F35s ,more F22s & Super Hornets let alone other transport & support planes ,other major refurbishments, helos. etc. etc.UAVs, I give up ,it is too big for this kid to contemplate, all US citizens on this forum -get ready for big Tax Hikes in the oncoming years, good time to be living in OZ ,but then again that is any time.