Posted on 04/22/2014 3:17:58 PM PDT by naturalman1975
THE Abbott Government will purchase 72 advanced American-built stealth fighter jets to spearhead the nation’s defence for the next half century.
The $12.4 billion through-life outlay, to be announced in Canberra today by the Prime Minister, is the biggest defence purchase in Australian history and includes every aspect of the system from hangars to missiles.
The so-called “fifth generation” JF-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) planes will be deployed in three operational squadrons and a training squadron based at RAAF Williamtown near Newcastle in NSW and RAAF Tindal near Katherine in the Northern Territory.
About $1.6 billion will be spent on new facilities at the air force bases.
The Lockheed Martin-built JSF is the most expensive and controversial aircraft ever constructed and the US military is due to purchase more than 2500 of the jets.
The project is running years behind schedule and each jet is likely to cost more than $100 million “fly-away”.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Whaaaaaa...???!
Too bad it’s not the F22
Mostly for the IRS?
Australia really needs jets to have “long legs”. One reason that they held onto the last operational F-111’s so long. The F-22 would have fit that need nicely.
Wow, you diggers must have noticed China and Islamics peeking in your front yard.
Exactly, they should have built more
Why spend money on a jet that’s never going to see production?
Of course, if the Aussies just want to appease their voters by appearing to invest in defense then the F-35 is a perfect platform.
Most likely will end up only getting 250 — at most.
The initial order for B-2s was 120. They ended up only buying about 20.
That was funny right there!
Thanks
Thanks
The Just So Failed F-35 is not a “fifth generation” fighter. It lacks several features like “supercruise” or “thrust vectoring” just to mention a few.
http://www.ausairpower.net/jsf.html
The SAAB Gripen has a far better range and is far cheaper. Stealth won’t work if your aircraft is only stealth within X-band.
There's already more than 150 planes delivered.
I have not heard of any such jets being delivered. All I keep hearing about are production delays and countries like Canada thinking about cutting their losses and quitting the program in favor of a new run of the CF-18 Super Hornet.
In December of 2013, they delivered the 100th plane. I read an article a few days ago that 150 should be done by June.
Now, they aren’t operational. They are having squadrons train maintenance and pilots on them.
If you Wiki F-35, it has a breakdown of how many A, B and C models have been delivered. Personally, I am surprised how many C models (Navy) have been made because of the arrester hook mods they were going to have to do.
Then they haven't actually been 'delivered', have they? I'll be deeply surprised if any of these hangar queens ever do a single CAP.
They are flying. They didn’t make a two seater so the pilot training has restrictions and the maintenance crews are still working the bugs out on their end.
Are they ready for war? That woulod be a no.
But yes, they are sitting at Air Force, Navy and Marine bases and they are being flown by active duty personnel. They have been “delivered” And they are still coming off the assembly line.
I know our government is whacked but do you think we will really build a large number of these planes and let them rot in the hangar?
Somebody added a zero.
5.56mm
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