"Ian B MacLure" wrote in message
.. .
" Sunny" wrote in news:xXhpn.14133$pv.11282
@news-server.bigpond.net.au:

[snip]

Here in Australia our stupid Govt. has not yet cancelled orders for the
thing.
As for artillery, you have to get the tubes and ammo close enough
first,
to support the Infantry. (Ex Grunt with 36 years service.)
We should have bought F15s to replace our F111 :-)

As to artillery, things have changed recently. First round hits
from 30+ km for tube artillery and 75km for MLRS are not uncommon.
A single MLRS or truck mounted version thereof can cover an area
150km in diameter.
What JSF does is give you longer range strike capacity and H hour
ability to take out high value targets undetected until things are
supposed to go pear shaped.

IBM

Close Air Support/Close Arty Support?
The old 8 inch were considered to be accurate, but we could never call the
first round closer than 1000 metres, even when we knew our position down
to 25 metres. Shudder to think what the "Close Support" first round
restrictions would be. As a Grunt I hope it would be within ear shot, for
the next correction request.

(Especially with many diverse Infantry Ops within your 150km area) :-)