Australia signs Super Hornet fighter deal

[Adux]

Australia signs Super Hornet fighter deal
By Peter La Franchi

Australia has signed US foreign military sales contracts worth approximately AUD$2.9 billion ($2.4 billion) for its acquisition of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet fighters.
The deal, first announced in March, will see the new fighter enter operational service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 2010 as a replacement for its ageing General Dynamics F-111 strike fighters.

The Australian Department of Defense (DoD) says the aircraft contract will be followed by additional FMS awards later this year for weapons acquisition and type sustainment. The US Navy is coordinating the deals.

Australia is acquiring the Raytheon AIM-9X within visual range air to air missile as part of the Super Hornet programme, and is also considering new stand-off weapons as part of the same package.



Total project costs are expected to reach $AUD6 billion ($4.9 billion) over the next ten years. The Australian DoD says that figure includes acquisition, support and personnel costs.

Planning for Australian industry support arrangements is continuing. The DoD says it is now “engaged with the USN to ensure that the maximum potential of Australian Industry Involvement is achieved.”

The first RAAF aircrews are to commence Super Hornet training in the US in 2009.

“The Block II Super Hornet has considerable similarity in support, training and tactics to our current fleet of F/A-18 and therefore allows a relatively rapid and low risk transition for our current air combat force,” says the Australian DoD.

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...ustralia-signs-super-hornet-fighter-deal.html

 

[Bull]

Why are they going for the WVR weapons?

 

[Adux]

They Already have Ammram, the reason AIM-9X is mentioned is cuz it is the very latest US has to offer.

 

[melb4aust]

were'nt they going to get....F-35's.....???

 

[Adux]

That is in replacing the F-111, this is a stop gap measure

 

[Neo]

They Already have Ammram, the reason AIM-9X is mentioned is cuz it is the very latest US has to offer.

AIM-9X seems to be on offer to all western countries as standard package with their new purchases, got nothing to do with being WVR.
Btw its a shortrange missile, BVR application doesn't apply here.

 

[Adux]

AIM-9X is a WVR missile, its the latest therefore Flight Global just highlighted it.

 

[Keysersoze]

The price is interesting if you take it relation to the Potential Indian MRCA deal.

For the requirement it would take 12 billion (and this price is excluding the extras as Oz already has the infrastructure for the F-18 in place.)for aircraft plus several billion for armaments and the infrastructure for the jets.

I thought the approx budget was $8 billion?

 

[Adux]

Yes Price is interesting, But Indians are asking for ToT for Manufacture in India, as well they have more number 24(aussie) to 126 Indian. I am sure the price/plane is going to be around 60-70 Mill
And India will pay that mind you, considering they have no qualms about shelling out 55mill for the Su-30MKI

 

[mirage_lover]

RAAF will start receiving delivery of JSF (F-35) on 2018 Just a piece of info you guys might want to know