Defence Update

The first ferry will be either of two aircraft in September, or, if that is not feasible, an initial four in October. This will be followed by flights of three or four planes at a time until the delivery is completed.

The Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Ray, confirmed on June 29 that agreement had been reached with the USAF to purchase 15 F-111G aircraft. The G model, with digital avionics, most closely allies with the RAAF’s current fleet of 21 F-111C models.

Senator Ray said options for the acquisition of the surplus USAF aircraft had been carefully examined. It had been concluded that the F-111G aircraft represented the most cost effective solution. Ray said the capital cost for the 15 planes was about $78m and this would be supplemented to the Defence budget by the Goverment. (Note: This money was actually paid late on June 30, and thus became an item in the 1992/93 budget).

Senator Ray said the USAF was taking a number of F-111s out of service, and this had provided Australia with the opportunity to buy additional aircraft at an attractive price. The US and Australia are the only countries operating F- 111s, and they are considered unequalled in the world for their capability in flying long range strike and reconnaissance missions at high speed, at very low altitude below enemy radar, and deliver both conventional bombs and stand off munitions.

Thirteen of the F-111Gs eventually will become operational, while two will be held for spares and/or attrition. As Senator Ray explains, “the additional aircraft will be used primarily in an operational training role. We intend to rotate these aircraft through the flightline. That will enable the life of the RAAF’s fleet to be extended to the year 2020”.

He said this meant consideration of any replacement could be delayed by five to 10 years. The 15 G models being acquired have less flight time than most other US F-111s.

“In addition the F-111G has excellent digital avionics, under a major avionics upgrade programme. This means that the aircraft can be operated as part of the RAAF’s F-111 fleet with minimal modifications. ” An estimated $A68m is planned to be spent over the next few years on additional spares, logistic support and some minor modifications to ensure the long term viability of the G model aircraft.

USAF ground crews are carrying out minor maintenance t the planes so that they are able to make the ferry flights, whic probably will stage through Hawaii and Guam. Any othe modification work will be undertaken in Australia. Som changes will be required to achieve a greater degree o commonality with the current RAAF jets.

In anticipation of the agreement going through, the RAAI had air and ground crews undergoing initial conversion train ing to F-111G models at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico in March, April and May. Since their return to Amberley, som of them and other RAAF personnel have been engaged in working up a training syllabus for other air and ground crew. to be converted to the machines.

The two F-111 squadrons at Amberley-No 1 and No 6-wil be returned to a full strength of 12 aircraft each once the firs of the second hand G models have been delivered and modi fied during 1994. No 1 is the primary strike squadron, whil No 6 is the training and reconnaissance unit.

Since their delivery to Amberley in 1973, six RAAF F-111C: have been lost. These losses were mostly made up by the acquisition of four US aircraft some years ago. Two plane! then were lost in crashes in 1986-87.

One F-111C is presently in the United States undergoing the avionics upgrade from analog to digital, and is being used a F-111C will remain in the US well into 1994 while the upgrad the prototype by Rockwell for the other 20 aircraft. Tha work on the other aircraft in the fleet will be carried out it Australia.

F-111s is to extend the life of the Strike/Reconnaissance Wing The thinking behind the acquisition of the surplus USAF current planes, the fatigue is lessened, and they are able to by possibly up to 10 years. In reducing the flying hours on the operate for longer than the year 2010 envisaged until recently In any case no new strike aircraft has emerged in recent year which the RAAF considers could take over the role of the F-111s.