5th C-17 for RAAF?

[Jaryd stock]

If they have ten then they will be able to finally fly our own instead of USAF's C-17 at our airshows....

[A McLaughlin]

The Hs will stay in service until 2016, and will be replaced in the tac transport role by whatever they get to replace the Caribou as well. Decision due very soon...

I doubt we'd ever get 10 C-17s, 6-7 seems to be the optimal number. If the program comes good, I can see us getting A400Ms in the 2020s to replace the C-130Js though...

Re the airshows comment - it's nothing to do with how many airframes we have. Our C-17 crews are too inexperienced (all <500 hours) and are too flat out doing real work to have time to work up an airshow routine.

[Jaryd stock]

Our new C-17 will be handed over to the RAAF tomorrow US time, Defence minister Stephen Smith who will be there for AUSMIN talks will be there for the ceremony.

[Stuart Trevena]

Hi Everyone,
The 5th C17 was delivered to the RAAF today at Amberley.
The Aust Govt. Also announced it will place an order for a 6th C17 which will be delivered in the first half of 2012.

Stuart

[Bob C]

Hi Stuart

Balus.info reported A41-210 arriving as ASY551 at RAAF Amberley on Monday, 19 September.

Cheers

Bob

[Jaryd stock]

Has Amberly got room for all these new aircraft ? Is there plans or has upgrading begun..?

[Jethro H]

Now the pigs have gone there is room. The C17s have been kept on the southern apron. The KC-30A's with the Super Hornets will be taking up space too.

[Jethro H]

Just looking at the current Google maps, and the base shows 4 C17s (one on runway) and the pigs all wrapped up ready for disposal next to 2 Bous and a Canberra.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie...5&source=embed

[A McLaughlin]

There is not enough parking spaces at the northern end for six C-17s and five KC-30s, although it's unlikely all six C-17s will ever be at home at once.

There are plans in hand to extend this ramp space and to build a new hangar, once the engineering studies for flood remediation works has been completed.

[Jarden S]

There is a story in the AA on the sixth C-17:
http://australianaviation.com.au/201...-for-the-raaf/