[Yo-Yo]

Two interesting things from this:

1) I've always heard that the US could not sell the ALQ-99, in which case either an exception must be made for Australia, or this will technically be considered a "loan" to the RAAF, and

2) The USMC will not be flying EA-18Gs. I suppose they will be out of the jamming business until a suite can be developed for the F-35B.

[Dartman]

Very versatile aircraft, that Super Hornet. I wish Canada had ordered a whole fleet of them 10 years or so ago. Instead, we sit around with a bunch of aging F-18s waiting for the F-35 Edsel.

[A.A. Cunningham]

excess inventory

Which doesn't exist.

This is an idiotic move by DoD.

2) The USMC will not be flying EA-18Gs. I suppose they will be out of the jamming business until a suite can be developed for the F-35B.

Sunset for Marine Prowlers has already slipped past the 2019 date. The Corps will continue to fly the type until a viable solution to provide SEAD to the FMF exists.

[tanknetter]

"I suppose they will be out of the jamming business until a suite can be developed for the F-35B.

The plan is that the "B" will have integrated (well, bolt-on) jamming capability and will replace the Prowler in USMC service.

The Marines I've spoken to on the matter really like the idea. They're kinda tired of how their jamming capability has been raided over the last 10-15 years to support USAF needs that have been unfulfilled since the loss of the EF-111A. The F-35B jamming capability will be much more closely aligned with their needs and their needs only; not only insulating it from being raided to support joint ops but ALSO permitting them to put an organic airborne jamming capability aboard the LHD/LHA fleet.