Post by macnz on Feb 18, 2015 13:50:20 GMT 12
"..the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C operated by 2 Sqn at Williamtown debuted operationally over Iraq in October, and is providing command and control coverage and availability in that theatre. Indeed, one E-7A mission over Iraq recently lasted more than 17h, a world record for any 737-based airframe.
After a prolonged development, the Wedgetail’s Northrop Grumman multirole electronically scanned array (MESA) radar is now achieving much greater stability with each new software load, and in many parameters is said to be exceeding the original performance specifications. A further software upgrade to the radar is scheduled for later this year, and FOC for the six-strong fleet is expected to be declared once additional crews are trained in 2016."
Flightglobal: ANALYSIS: How Australia will ramp up ISR capabilities - Andrew McLaughlin
and the update on AU's F-35 transition plans:
"..So far Australia has just two F-35As on contract. Long-lead production funding for another 12 F-35As has been committed, and these are expected to be contracted in low rate initial production (LRIP) lots 10 and 11 for delivery in 2017 and 2018. In April 2014 the Australian government approved funding for an additional 58 F-35As to take Australia’s order to 72, and these will be ordered in LRIP 11 and the expected follow-on multiyear procurement for delivery in the 2019-2023 timeframe.
Australia's first F-35A unit will be 3 Sqn based at RAAF Williamtown, which currently flies F/A-18A Hornets, and the first four F-35As are expected to arrive in Australia in 2019 to support local operational test and evaluation activities before IOC is declared in 2020-2021. The Williamtown-based 2 Operational Conversion Unit and 77 Sqn, and Tindal’s 75 Sqn are expected to replace their Classic Hornets with F-35As in time for final operational capability in 2023.
RAAF Williamtown will also see the establishment of new squadron headquarters and maintenance facilities, and a 610m (2,000ft) runway extension to 3,050m (10,000ft) to support the F-35A in service, while some of the existing Classic Hornet base facilities will be retained and refurbished for visiting units.
The current RAAF air combat fleet comprises 71 Boeing F/A-18A/B Hornets in three fighter squadrons and one operational conversion unit based at Williamtown near Newcastle and Tindal in the Northern Territory, and 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets in a single squadron based at Amberley near Brisbane."
