Article

2007-03-19 Down Under

Australia approves $6 billion F/A-18F Super Hornet program

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Posted by Jailing Thrish7400 2007-03-19 06:32|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Sweet.

Posted by Excalibur 2007-03-19 08:46|| 2007-03-19 08:46|| Front Page Top

#2 Somehow swapping Aardvarks for Lawn Darts doesn't seem right. Kind of like kissing your sister; acceptable only in some places.

Posted by USN, Ret. 2007-03-19 14:12|| 2007-03-19 14:12|| Front Page Top

#3 They're also carrier-capable, should Australia ever decide to replace the one they retired 20-odd years ago. I think Australia is making some excellent choices lately.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2007-03-19 14:15|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2007-03-19 14:15|| Front Page Top

#4 Problem is there is nothing in the inventory anymore like the 'vark. No such animal as a medium bomber any more, much less a medium fast penetration bomber.

But of all the airframes available, the F/A-18F is a good one now that it has longer legs. Plus these will remain viable as fighters and strike aircraft for longer than the F-16.

Posted by OldSpook 2007-03-19 14:22|| 2007-03-19 14:22|| Front Page Top

#5 It's not just the airframe. The Aussies are buying top-of-the-line systems, including a new RWR. Though I take the "steer enemy missiles onto false targets" part with just a touch of salt.

Posted by Jackal">Jackal 2007-03-19 21:56|| http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html]">[http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html] 2007-03-19 21:56|| Front Page Top

#6 OS, while I like the avionics, the 'longer legs' of the super hornet are really only what the navy wanted when they bought the original (another topic for another time).the interoperational bonus the new bird gives is a plus, but is that the key? For a country as big as Australia, you want endurance. Every wing station you tie up with a drop tank is one less station that can carry ordnance. I believe the tanker capability of the RAAF is limited, only a few KC-130s and maybe a KC-767 or two. the 'vark is big and old but it does have legs. and it recently went through a modernization wrt avionics. That's all I'm saying.

Posted by USN, ret. 2007-03-19 22:53|| 2007-03-19 22:53|| Front Page Top

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