Burwhale
Save the BlobFish!
+136|6640|Brisneyland
Wow havent seen this topic for a while. I think the labor govt is honouring the old contracts with both F18 and F35. Only difference is that they may have to buy 75 F35's instead of 100 due to the economic crisis.
Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|7083|NT, like Mick Dundee

Chances are they will stick to the contract. The money for the Eurofighters they were thinking of buying went into the F-18/F35 decision. Remember it from a show the ABC ran on it ages ago.
Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.
AussieReaper
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
+5,761|6571|what

Well as long as the F18's keep buzzing Flecco's house, I consider it all worthwhile.
https://i.imgur.com/maVpUMN.png
RAIMIUS
You with the face!
+244|7133|US
It does look nice...
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/photoplog/images/50/1_IMG_1498.JPG

After talking with some Lockheed reps, it sounds like a good aircraft.  It's performance figures are pretty decent.  It's no F-22 in the air superiority department, but seems like a better compromise than I originally thought.

Last edited by RAIMIUS (2008-10-30 08:25:50)

Shocking
sorry you feel that way
+333|6417|...
a bit more about our own airforce over here in dutchland, on the subject of F-18's being a waste.. depends on how much time it'll take to replace the airforce with F35's, expensive but definately a good place holder.

F-35's are indeed good aircraft, our gov. is _probably_ going to buy them too, though they're mainly a fighter-bomber, I read somewhere about a year or so ago that the performance of the F-35 in aerial combat is on F-16 level, nice - but won't hold against the modern foe. Hence I'd like to see some eurofighters too, to still be very competitive on the air to air field.

This stuff those analysts and "experts" say about that dogfighting is a thing of the past is total bullcrap imo, that in Iraq <twice> the americans fought planes which were heavily outdated in comparison to theirs doesn't mean every air fight will be decided beyond visual range. (hence I suppose the american military put thrust vectoring on their F-22's, though I think it could be more of a disadvantage to the pilot unless the other pilot is literally on his tail, loose too much airspeed by doing nice pirouettes and you become a rather large target that's standing still for a while.)

Also, I think that the F-22 and the Eurofighter would make an excellent (if not amazing) team, they complement eachother quite nicely. Air superiority is important before you start sending out all your bombers, F-35's being good (incredible) for dropping a bomb quickly and getting out without being detected, they're kind of helpless if they would face modern air superiority fighters, and to make your entire airforce consist out of ONLY planes which are basically meant for bombing stuff and taking out less-advanced aircraft seems like a bad idea, imo ((and while doing this relying COMPLETELY on their stealth capabilities)). Variety is good and healthy for your airforce.
inane little opines
Poseidon
Fudgepack DeQueef
+3,253|6956|Long Island, New York

RAIMIUS wrote:

After talking with some Lockheed reps, it sounds like a good aircraft.
Yeah, I'm sure they're gonna talk bad about it...

But yeah, I love the look of it.
FEOS
Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate
+1,182|6829|'Murka

The F-35 far exceeds the F-16 in the air-to-air department. It is second only to the F-22...to include the Rafale, Typhoon, and Su-27 derivatives.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein

Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
Lotta_Drool
Spit
+350|6601|Ireland
I play FSX and it has F-18s so I am an expert on this subject and my answer is:

Upgrade your CPU to increase the frame rates on the jets you currently have.
san4
The Mas
+311|7106|NYC, a place to live
Aren't they having serious problems with the JSF not being able to take off and land vertically when it is carrying a full load of bombs?
Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|7083|NT, like Mick Dundee

san I thought VTOL was only used in specific situations when required and would be avoided when they are carrying a full load of ordinance anyway?
Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.
Little BaBy JESUS
m8
+394|6567|'straya

san4 wrote:

Aren't they having serious problems with the JSF not being able to take off and land vertically when it is carrying a full load of bombs?
we dont have aircraft carriers anymore.... so we dont need them to take off/ land vertically anyway lol
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7180

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

we dont have aircraft carriers anymore.... so we dont need them to take off/ land vertically anyway lol
huh?
Little BaBy JESUS
m8
+394|6567|'straya

usmarine wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

we dont have aircraft carriers anymore.... so we dont need them to take off/ land vertically anyway lol
huh?
?
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7180

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

usmarine wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

we dont have aircraft carriers anymore.... so we dont need them to take off/ land vertically anyway lol
huh?
?
?
Little BaBy JESUS
m8
+394|6567|'straya

usmarine wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

usmarine wrote:


huh?
?
?
i see ur point
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7180

i dont understand what vertical takeoff and aircraft carriers have to do with anything.
Little BaBy JESUS
m8
+394|6567|'straya

usmarine wrote:

i dont understand what vertical takeoff and aircraft carriers have to do with anything.
well, our F-35s would only be taking off from air force bases, so why would they need to take off vertically?
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7180

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

usmarine wrote:

i dont understand what vertical takeoff and aircraft carriers have to do with anything.
well, our F-35s would only be taking off from air force bases, so why would they need to take off vertically?
because sometimes a runway is not always the best option.  hence the harrier.
Little BaBy JESUS
m8
+394|6567|'straya

usmarine wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

usmarine wrote:

i dont understand what vertical takeoff and aircraft carriers have to do with anything.
well, our F-35s would only be taking off from air force bases, so why would they need to take off vertically?
because sometimes a runway is not always the best option.  hence the harrier.
however im guessing on 90% of missions they wouldnt take of vertically anyway.... handy thing to have, but not stictly nessesary
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7180

i never needed to use my gas mask, but i sure as hell was happy to have it just in case.
Little BaBy JESUS
m8
+394|6567|'straya

usmarine wrote:

i never needed to use my gas mask, but i sure as hell was happy to have it just in case.
Lol i think his whole argument has been pointless.

pretty sure we both agree we'd rather F-35s that actually take off/land vertically over ones that dont
destruktion_6143
Was ist Loos?
+154|7045|Canada

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

usmarine wrote:

i never needed to use my gas mask, but i sure as hell was happy to have it just in case.
Lol i think his whole argument has been pointless.

pretty sure we both agree we'd rather F-35s that actually take off/land vertically over ones that dont
indubitably
Dilbert_X
The X stands for
+1,822|6524|eXtreme to the maX
Except STOVL take more maintenance and presumably have less range and payload than conventional aircraft.
Hence Aus, with very long distances to cover and no aircraft carriers is most likely better off with conventional aircraft.

If we ever get into the situation where we are fighting a larger enemy who has a foothold on Australian soil we are pretty much screwed, so temporary airfields and suchlike are probably not a bundle of use to us.
Fuck Israel
FEOS
Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate
+1,182|6829|'Murka

Not all F35 variants will be STOVL (as opposed to VTOL). I'm guessing the Aussies are planning to buy the F35A, which is the variant the USAF is procuring (USMC&RAF=F35B (STOVL), USN=F35C).
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein

Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
Burwhale
Save the BlobFish!
+136|6640|Brisneyland

Little baby jesus wrote:

we dont have aircraft carriers anymore.... so we dont need them to take off/ land vertically anyway lol
Actually the defense dept is looking into buying one. Its also wants to equip it with VTOL aircraft. source
Its a pretty ambitious spending program, and realistically some of it may not be an option after the financial probs we are having. I also read that we were interested in buying some VTOL F35s but unfortunately I cant get onto the RAAF website to provide a link.

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