Defence plan to scrap F-111s

The Raven wrote:

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...
Brash wrote:

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...

David Bromage wrote:

The RAAF's 35 F-111 warplanes - Australia's front-line strategic
strike
force - could be retired from service from 2006, a decade earlier
than
originally planned, if the Government accepts a controversial option
put
forward by the Defence Department. A key issue is whether early
retirement for the long-range F-111s could leave a gaping hole in
Australia's front-line defences early next decade.



http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...55E601,00.html

Exactly who does Australia intend 'striking' ?

Ships and various targets belonging to "the enemy". I would have
thought
that was self-evident.

And just who might "the enemy" be ?

You reckon the Japs fancy having another go for sake of example ?


Why shouldn't a 60's design a/c be scrapped ?

Because its still better at what it does than anything else for its
cost.

Maybe that's so... but the task itself is obsolete.

Which country does Australia reckon it needs 'front-line a/c' to
defend
itself from ?

The one that decides it can threaten us or our interests.

Do please provide a candidate list.

In the unrealistic above event how would ancient F-111s perform ?

Better than a JSF without in-flight refuelling.

Can't say I recall seeing an F-111 perform vertical landing !

Only one of the three variants of JSF does VTOL and it's unlikely to be the
variant Australia would ever buy. Heck, the ADF would probably try to fit
another seat back in that lift-fan area.

LOL !

Graham

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...
The Raven wrote:

[snip]

Better than a JSF without in-flight refuelling.

Can't say I recall seeing an F-111 perform vertical landing !

Only one of the three variants of JSF does VTOL and it's unlikely to be
the
variant Australia would ever buy. Heck, the ADF would probably try to
fit
another seat back in that lift-fan area.

LOL !

Don't laugh, the ADF get some bizarre ideas for "Australianising" equipment.
If you can fit a big lift fan there someone will suggest a
backseater............whether it's necessary or not is another thing.

Just don't open the lift fans lower doors........... :-)


--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.

"The Raven" wrote in message

Don't laugh, the ADF get some bizarre ideas for "Australianising"
equipment. If you can fit a big lift fan there someone will suggest a
backseater............whether it's necessary or not is another thing.

The Israelis have made noises about doing much the same thing, because they
still regard the second seat as necessary for many missions.

--
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing
special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed)