The RAAF's F/A-18F Super Hornets will soon be armed with Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missiles, with a range of 200km, following successful test firing. Source: Supplied
Posted on 08/02/2011 8:31:12 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
RAAF Hornet fighters to be armed with Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile
Mark Dodd
From:The Australian
August 03, 2011
THE fleet of RAAF Hornet fighters will soon be armed with a potent new weapon following a successful test firing last week at the Woomera test range.
The Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile has a range of more than 200 kilometres and was selected in 2006 by the former Howard government to equip the F/A-18 Hornet fleet pending the retirement of the F-111 fleet.
The JASSM has been listed on the federal government's "projects of concern" watch list, but makers Lockheed Martin are optimistic the successful Woomera test will mean its removal.
"A second successful firing of the JASSM baseline missile off a RAAF F/A-18 Hornet was achieved at the Woomera test range in South Australia last week," a Lockheed Martin spokesman told The Australian.
"This now sets the RAAF up to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by the end of the year, and full entry into service in 2012."
RAAF chief Geoff Brown yesterday confirmed the semi-stealth missiles would soon enter service.
It is understood the missile tests involved the destruction of hardened concrete bunkers.
JASSM is in service with four other air forces including the US Air Force which has ordered more than 3000 of the semi-stealthy cruise missiles each worth about $700,000.
Experts say JASSM will give RAAF a leading weapons capability edge within the Asian region.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.com.au ...
The RAAF's F/A-18F Super Hornets will soon be armed with Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missiles, with a range of 200km, following successful test firing. Source: Supplied
Sweet! I didn’t know we had these.
The story continues...
The western powers have all lined up to purchase the weapons, and have been asking where they can get a form to fill out to apply for a loan to tide them over until their other loan comes through.
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