What makes it incredible?Quote:
Originally Posted by ramblingboy42
I keep reading negative stories in the press about its performance, production cost blow outs and schedule delays - the main reason we now have super hornets.
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What makes it incredible?Quote:
Originally Posted by ramblingboy42
I keep reading negative stories in the press about its performance, production cost blow outs and schedule delays - the main reason we now have super hornets.
We have super hornets because the RAAF decided to prematurely end the F-111's service life which was scheduled to continue to 2020. New leadership in the air force...new boys want new toys. The FA18 Super Hornet was purchased to close the gap left by the demise of the F-111. This move was heavily critiscised by elder/senior airforce and ADF personnel. The F-35 programme is on track and Lockheed-Martin are delivering 5/month with upgraded delivery schedules as the factory improves its build times. The press have no idea what it takes to bring an aircraft like this from design concept to operational status and they love negative reporting.....did good news ever make a newspaper sell?
There's no way in the world that it could be argued ending the F1-11 service life was "premature". It was a 1950's designed aircraft and had already well exceeded service expectations. The fact that Australian politicians figured they could milk it out to 2020 does not reality make !
The F1-11 was designed for mission profiles entirely different to those that the RAAF fly, or are likely to fly, in 21st century conflicts.
You're right about the press though. A whole truckload of salt needed for most of what they print....