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Unfortunatly one of the new carriers "the prince of wales" will be mothballed from construction so they will have one operational but not for at least ten years. I can see a lot of exchange postings with the US Navy to try and keep the expertise at operating carriers in the RN:(Quote:
Originally Posted by VladTepes
I think we will have the same problem when the LHD,s arrive:mad:
The F-35 STOL variant is in serious doubt, it's a major part of the cost blowouts. As you said Aust doesn't have the fleet to protect a carrier, the US refere's to a carrier group or task force for a reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by bob10
Hopefully the guys who ordered the LHD,s with the ski jump know somthing we dont or have an alternate plan;)
We could always buy the retired uk harriers and rebuild them:D
Apparently the US Marines bought the UK Harriers
We just have to wait till they go broke from their overseas adventures [much like the Taliban are, I imagine], and we might get them for a bargain price. Bob
ex US military aircraft, been there done that pass! (F-111G, Sea Sprite for reference)Quote:
Originally Posted by bob10
In defence of the F111, and Seasprite, the former was way ahead of its time. Ask any RAAF pilot which attack aircraft they would rather be in,when the aircraft were in their prime, and chances are they would select the "pig". The problem was, the weapons they had ["dumb bombs" ],meant they could use the F111's , and their state of the art systems, to get to the target undetected, but then had to put themselves in harms way to deliver their ordinance. The development of standoff weapons was perfect for the F111, but a little bit late for the RAAF
The Seasprite is a perfectly good helicopter for what it was designed for, as evident by the New Zealand Navy using them as general purpose helicopters, no problems , it's just some beancounter decided we could buy them on the cheap, and turn them into worldbeaters by adding on the bits and pieces to do that [ on the cheap ] . Did you know that after all the wizz-bang you beaut electronic stuff, [ bit like the new RR ] and associated gear added by our switched on Australian " experts" was added, the average sized Aussie. Pilot could not fit in the drivers seat , and operate efficiently? Monty Python could not have done it better. Bob
even more stupid is the fact that, the Penguin missiles designed for the sea sprite cant be used on the Sea Hawks, and the new sea hawks have not at this stage got the ability to carry missiles of any type.......
NB I said F-111G its second hand aircraft, the yanks run them into the ground they are DOA. The F-111C's were in its prime in the late 60's 5 years before the RAAF took delivery, when they did take delivery they were ten years out of date thats a another debate though.
Watch this for a laugh. And remember it's not the yanks who alegedly sell us worn out equipment who are at fault, but the people who decide to buy it.
It's bureaucrats like this who are involved in policy and procurment and who ultimately play games with people's lives. They are what drove me to leave the ADF. Defence cops a bad wrap, but average joe public doesn't realise that the guys in uniform are at the mercy of fools like this. Funny clip, but so sadly accurate.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNMR4pniwWI&feature=related]YouTube - ‪Sir Humphrey and Bernard talk about defence policy‬‏[/ame]