New battlefield aircraft for the raaf

[Bob C]

Hi Ray

I am aware that the Super King Airs are being used to train aircrew and maintainers in modern systems and avionics and I agree that the term transitional is more appropriate than interim which is used officially.

But it's a pity that the Government didn't make that distinction as these things are all about perception.

I'm also aware that they are very heavily utilized all over Australia given the numerous hits on ModeS reports every day. A couple even flew to New Zealand via Tasmania recently.

Oh, and I've just read that No 35 Squadron will operate the C27Js.

Cheers

Bob

[AdamC]

Well i guess it starts.

Will we go down the same path as big brother.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news...-1226352411129

[Bob C]

Probably better than going with the alternative as we're not having a good run at present with some other acquisitions.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

A friend just told me that we are buying 2 more C-17's which are cancelled orders? Strange as they just cut almost $5 billion from the defence budget over the next few years with deferred orders/cancelled projects etc.

[AdamC]

C17 number 6 was always on the cards, as for number 7 who knows.

Rumour has it they defence has purchased more blackhawks also, guess we'll see where that goes.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

I think these are 7 & 8? As to delivery times etc, who knows.

[damien b]

Makes sense if more C-17's are on the way beyond the recent purchase. I do wonder how the RAAF will keep the techo's and aircrew current in the time between the H model being retired and the C-27J arriving. I dare say not all could be employed effectivley within 37 sqn once the C-130H leaves.

[Jaryd stock]

Originally Posted by AdamC

Rumour has it they defence has purchased more blackhawks also, guess we'll see where that goes.

Why would they buy more Blackhawks when they have 46 new NH-90's for the army/ navy.... Unless your thinking of the new Romeo's that have been orderd for the navy.

[Jethro H]

I see that the 'artists' have been at work.
http://cencio4.files.wordpress.com/2...af_cj27wm2.png

It took long enough to lock in this deal, they started looking at Caribou replacements more than 10 years ago.

[A McLaughlin]

Just to clear some misconceptions up...

The RAAF's C-27Js are to be new build. Alenia builds them in Italy, and then the mission systems are fitted by L3 in Waco, Texas.

The US didn't "reject" the C-27J...it was a victim of the US's need to slash a $400 ts defence budget over the next decade. The unit operating them in Afghanistan and US Army units it is supporting love it, it's just the USAF has decided to put all its eggs in the C-130 basket.

The C-27Js will be operated by 35SQN under 84WG out of Richmond...makes sense to centralise the maintenance for the C-27J and C-130J which share similar engines and avionics.

The RAAF doesn't want any more C-130Js. The two that they were going to get in the previous AIR 8000 Phase 1 were cancelled in early 2011 and the fifth C-17 was ordered instead. There has been a significant upgauging of the RAAF's airlift in recent years - the C-130Js will cover the larger tac airlift, and the C-27J will slot in underneath where the Caribous and C-130Hs used to be.

There have been rumours of more Black Hawks because of the MRH 90 issues, although I have recently heard from an Army pilot mate that the MRH issues are slowly being sorted and there is some optimism for the future....hopefully they can get them going before the current Black Hawks expire...

Seventh and eighth C-17? Hmmm...good luck getting funding for those! There are no cancelled international orders that I know of.