Issue 367: Generation next, homecoming for the RAAF’s F-35

‘There have been a couple of deviations from the path in that time of course.’

Interestingly, for nearly half of those 33 years, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been the Hornet’s nominated successor. Hence the RAAF’s justifiable pride of finally having F-35s to park in its own ‘carports’. And hence the premise of the industry exec’s question. Despite being selected to replace the Hornet way back in 2002, for at least some of that time the F-35’s arrival wasn’t always a sure thing.

In that time six Australian prime ministers and nine defence ministers have come and gone, so it says something that during all that turnover and churn, governments of both political stripes have largely remained committed to the jet.

There have been a couple of deviations from the path in that time of course. Most obviously – but also fortuitously, given the F-35’s extended development – was the decision to retire the F-111 early and replace it with “bridging” F/A-18F Super Hornets, rather than keeping the much-loved ‘Pig’ fl ying until it could be replaced by the F-35.

And then there was Defence Minister Stephen Smith’s deliberations early this decade on whether to acquire an additional squadron of Super Hornets to cover any further delays to the F-35. Again more – in hindsight – fortuitous decisions were made: to delay F-35 deliveries beyond the fi rst two aircraft, and to instead acquire 12 new-build EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.

Delaying F-35 deliveries meant the program could continue to mature before deliveries to the RAAF resumed and ramped up, while acquiring newbuild Growlers rather than converting 12 of the RAAF’s existing F/A-18Fs to that standard as fi rst planned has meant all 24 Super Hornets remain available during the F-35 entry into service/classic Hornet retirement. This has reduced the risk of any gap in Australian airpower capabilities during a critical transition period.

That Growler decision was part of the 2013 White Paper, which locked in the acquisition of 72 F-35As, rather than the 100 originally planned, and deferred the decision on a fi nal 28 jets to replace the Super Hornets until well into the 2020s.

So it may come to pass that another capability, such as a UCAV, could replace the current Super Hornets, or the Supers could be upgraded to push their service lives out towards 2040, and we may never see 100 F-35s in RAAF service.

But it is safe to say we will see at least 72, in part because in all of those 16 years since the F-35 decision was first announced, all six Chiefs of Air Force, and the Air Force fighter community as whole, have been not just steadfast in their commitment to the F-35, but advocates for the generational change in capabilities it will bring.

In his address after the F-35s had taxied into their Williamtown carports for the fi rst time, current Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies remarked, “As our previous Chief has said, the JSF replaces nothing but changes everything.”

That line, originally made by his predecessor Geoff Brown, references the F-35’s ability to network with and be a force multiplier to other ADF assets, rather than just being a likefor-like replacement for the F/A-18.

Thinking the F-35 is just another fi ghter jet is a mistake. Sure it’s painted grey, is stealthy, has the most powerful engine yet put in a fi ghter jet, makes lots of noise and can turn-andburn with the best of them.

But the F-35 is really a fl ying sensor and information disseminator, fusing data from its advanced radar and electro-optic sensors and sharing that information not just with other F-35s, but with other platforms in the battlespace, from other fighters to ships at sea and air defence batteries on the ground.

As CAF said in his speech at Williamtown, the F-35 is “a catalyst to transforming the Royal Australian Air Force”.

Of that there’s no doubt.

Thanks Lou!

This issue we say thank you and farewell to our long-serving circulation manager Louise Harry. Lou has done a fabulous job looking after our subscribers, running the Canberra offi ce and helping with proofreading for the last three years. Her hard work and dedication has been integral to the success of AA.