Posted on 10/05/2006 6:01:01 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Rapped in the Raptor: why Australia must have the best October 2, 2006
A former Top Gun is right to set his cross-hairs on key defence spending, writes Gerry Carmen.
THE Peter Criss known to many Australians is the "catman" drummer of iconic band Kiss, whose theatrics include poking out tongues. But there's an Australian namesake who has just stepped out of the shadows and deserves even closer attention because he, too, is poking a mighty important metaphorical tongue — at the government.
Retired RAAF air vice-marshal Peter Criss has put aside usual conventions to openly question the wisdom of Canberra spending about $16 billion for the F-35 Lightning, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (Age 29/9).
The Government committed an initial $300 million to become an early partner in the JSF program, with a final decision to be made by 2008. But Mr Criss says the RAAF should, in fact, consider buying the F-22 Raptor, an even more advanced — and expensive — combat aircraft than the F-35. Both aircraft are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Criss is well-credentialled to put elements of the defence establishment in his cross-hairs and enter the public debate now that he is out of uniform. As a recent air vice-marshal, he would have been privy to much classified information; earlier, he served at the pointy end of the RAAF as one of its most experienced combat pilots whose impressive CV includes leading the formidable F-111 squadrons, a prime instrument of defence and foreign policy.
Criss' disquiet is the first significant breaking of ranks by top military brass (albeit retired) in this crucial matter that will have implications for Australia for the next 30 to 40 years. Not before time. This writer, in another specialist forum, has urged an identical rethink.
The crux of the debate hinges on the technologies and capabilities inherent, and to be developed, in the respective aircraft, and cost.
On the first issue there is simply no comparison; even the F-35's manufacturer acknowledges that the F-22 is in a league of its own — and will remain there for decades.
The dilemma for the RAAF is to retain the edge it has enjoyed for decades in the neighbourhood and beyond, given the looming retirement of its magnificent but aged F-111s, and upgraded F/A-18s, at a cost that the country can afford.
The selection of the F-35 was seen as the best option to cover the roles of both current aircraft, at steep but affordable cost. But in reality, the F-35, which has been experiencing problems in its development — the norm for combat aircraft — is not likely to adequately fill both roles.
Of more immediate concern are the crucial "gap" years — between the retirement of the F-111s and F/A-18s by about 2012 and when the first F-35 squadron is fully operational some time after 2014 or later, if problems continue.
The RAAF's F/A-18s, despite being upgraded with new combat radars and advanced medium range missiles and later beyond-visual-range missiles, will be confronted by increasing numbers of the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-30 family of incredibly manoeuvrable and formidable (in range and advanced weapons) combat aircraft. Some of these aircraft are the first to be fitted with vectored-thrust engines, which allow the pilot to bring the 30-tonne machine to a virtual halt from say, twice the speed of sound, in mid-air. This, combined with beyond-visual range missiles present a "killer" adversary.
The bottom line, as ever, is cost. The price tag for the F-22 once was about three times that of the F-35, but the gap has closed — and is likely to reduce further as the latter's cost could have another spike.
It is quite correct for the Australian Government to give spending priority to key areas such as health, education, Aboriginal affairs etc, but politicians and the electorate must be mindful of the potential problems that would emerge from neglect in key defence spending.
Since World War II Australia has enjoyed massive silent benefits derived from having equipment such as the long-range F-111s and an efficient submarine fleet.
But this edge is now threatened in our region as Indonesia joins countries such as China, India and Vietnam that have already acquired the Su-30.
At a time of dynamic political, philosophical and military change, now is not the time to not invest in the best. And the best, quite simply — even if the RAAF must have fewer numbers — is the F-22 Raptor. Or a mix of F-22s and F-35s.
Gerry Carman is a staff journalist. He was the longtime editor of Aircraft & Aerospace magazine, and continues to write as a specialist in military aviation.
Ping!!!
The dial up folks are hating you now.
nice pic! f-35 pics?
But if you live in a city, why go in the slow lane with dialup when you can get DSL broadband for really cheap?
Oh, I don't know, I think the hour and twenty minutes was worth it. Awesome picture!
Gotta think the "short legs" of the F35 (especially when configured for Stealth) are the major factor here.
But not everyone lives in the city.
Nice pics though.
That seemed a little off to me. I thought it meant they could change directions more quickly and slew in the air to take angle shots.
Here is the link to the article:
www.ausairpower.net/0830-ASPI-Rebuttal-HR.pdf
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