Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
Australia Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: Does the RAAF really need 100 top end combat aircraft?
Volkodav    3/8/2010 2:03:53 AM
Devils advocate, does the RAAF really need 100 top end combat aircraft or could our needs be meet by : A) Fewer F-35's B) Fewer F-35's in conjunction with a cheaper fighter or attack type C) Fewer F-35's in conjunction with specialist types including UCAV's D) Fewer F-35's and a couple of squadrons of the result of USAF future bomber studies
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest
Pages: 1 2
Volkodav       3/20/2010 5:38:53 PM
The game changer I suppose is the fact the F-35 was meant to be cheaper than the SH but is now significantly more expensive to buy and, according to the USN, to operate.
 
In this situation it probably does make sense to use the F-35, when it becomes available, as the true replacement for the F-111 in the strike role, based on its perhaps unmatched first day of the war capabilities.  The SH is without a doubt more than good enough to do everything else we require, at lower cost, for the foreseeable future.
 
Anything happens to change the balance of power in the region would take years to come about therefore giving us apple time to adjust or force structure accordingly.
 
I'm with AD on this one.
 
Quote    Reply

hairy man       3/20/2010 6:27:46 PM
I agree with the both of you.  I am just not sure about "apple time".
 
Quote    Reply

Aussiegunneragain       3/21/2010 1:47:07 AM
I generally agree with AD that more SH's and waiting for the F-35 to mature is the smart bet. Apart from the fact that full rate of production units are likely to cost less and be more capable, we need to consider the time value of money, i.e. purchasing less expensive Super Hornets earlier will save us a lot in interest payments/foregone interest earned/investment in other productive reforms such as tax cuts or infrastructure spending.
 
Quote    Reply

Volkodav       3/21/2010 3:48:31 AM
I agree with the both of you.  I am just not sure about "apple time".
 
PMSL apple time = ample time when proof reading is skipped.
 
I think, looking around the region, we could definitely get away with employing a smaller number of F-35's, as a silver bullet force, while fleshing out the rest of the squadrons with SH's.  Another alternative could be to supplement the F-35's with a mix of SH's and a cheaper type (i.e. an armed LIFT or even Gripen NG).  The money saved could be ploughed into buying additional tankers, Wedgetails, P-8's etc.
 
Quote    Reply
1 2



 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics