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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 11:27:16 GMT 12
beagle ..I vote VIP Kit in transporter for our deserving political masters. If we need personnel transporter for NZDF, then get Air NZ to add an extra 787 and share-lease on needs basis. If you need dedicated then maybe RNZAF should look at an Airbus330MTT so we can at least have refueling capability too to justify additional expense. Trips to Antarctic for Pollies? C-17 or A400M thats why they are looking at them isnt it?
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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 11:12:41 GMT 12
shhh (cringe) ...dont give anyone any ideas.
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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 11:08:17 GMT 12
Too right. Brownlee insinuates that the procurement selection was flawed because we didn't get aircraft that could do everything NZ needs and respond to every scenario?! (1) no such machine ever existed (2) NZ could not afford them if they did. If we followed his line of thought then why not shop for one of those Mistral LHDs the French cant give to the Russians to base those Romeos or Merlins from? If I remotely supported Unicorns existed I would say he should be proposing the V-22 Ospreys. At least he acknowledges we have a current deficit in the capability to airlift in the NH90s for relief missions, and yes once FOC achieved with Canterbury, we will have sea-lift. Still think our Rhinos were the right purchase at right time - for now and future. Probably was the first time ever NZ brought the newest technology for our deserving defense forces (and yes that came with risks and postmortem critics).
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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 10:32:12 GMT 12
Thanks. Thats what I mean about build philosophy. The Danes has invested a lot of design time into economic shipbuilding practices (reflected in the lowest unit cost) and in ensuring flexible combat capabilities for small navies. Its well published a key feature of the Danish Navy's recent ship classes is their Standard Flex system containerized systems and armament so that they can be easily swapped out at dockside - real plug & play. Affords variations and incremental growth in possible armament and system (ie. Sea Ceptor) without major refit, and transferable to other hulls equipped to receive StanFlex modules. Their vessels are designed so you can recycle older kit from existing vessels until you are ready to upgrade. Interoperablity in ANZAC and ability to generate missile defense think would be easily satisfied with this ship type. Listed Armament (some like the Harpoon and Mk41 are examples of their existing kit) 8-16 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles Mk 41 Vertical Launch System with 32 cells, carrying 32 SM-2 Block IIIA Surface-to-Air Missiles Mk 56 Vertical Launch Systems with 24-48 Enhanced Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Surface-to-Air Missiles 2 twin launchers for MU90 Anti-Submarine Torpedoes 1-2 Otobreda 76mm Super-Rapid 1 Oerlikon Millennium 35mm Close In Weapons Systems www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/OMT-Dansh-Frigate-Programme-April-2014.pdf
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Post by macnz on Apr 3, 2015 11:49:25 GMT 12
You might want to think twice about that. They just dismantled their DMO and are shedding 1650 staff in the process (with more expected). They are 3 years behind in their AWD Destroyers delivery due to fabrication issues. Currently their submarine procurement is a circus with the politicians making up the process and rules that generate the best optics to win SA seats in 2016. NZ is better off shopping around themselves. The Brits would love an additional order for their Type 46 programme that they are ramping up. Likewise the French (FREMM), Italians (FREMM), Germans (F125) and Spanish (F101) are all very keen to sell some of their own new Frigates on order to 2020. France sold their new FREMM Frigate Normandie (D651) to Egypt -the most recent example. Personally I still think the Danes may still be the best to go into a partnership with just by their whole philosophy to building the Iver Huitfedlt Frigate class and that they build them for the Artic
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Post by macnz on Apr 3, 2015 8:16:45 GMT 12
yeah the RFI in 2013 said; - a minimum 8,000 nautical mile-range at 16 knots, with a top speed of 18 knots.
Well by the time the residing Govt makes up it mind, we will probably be in a position to pick up one of the RN's new MARS vessels on the cheap like RAN did with HMAS Choules.
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Post by macnz on Apr 3, 2015 7:58:32 GMT 12
Interesting how the public's focus is steered to either the Buddha or Grizzly and not the Super-Herc. I recall in 2011/12 Lockheed introducing the C130-XJ a economic baseline derivative of the C130-J to chase the export market - wonder if they managed to sell any of those? With Boeing C-17 line closed down and the C130-J a venerable but matured product, it surprisingly to see the US have not bothered to develop a follow-up airlift product to compete with the A400M or KC-390 over the next 20 years. Even the Chinese, Russians, and Japanese will enter the market-space with indigenous offerings in this decade. I guess Boeing and Lockheed felt that the C17 and C130J had secured such a dominant footprint in air forces it was safe enough to sit back for a decade. Read that the RAF's IOC data (for the A400M replacing their C130Js) "..suggests that the A400M will be able to carry a 30t payload – 2t less than its usual maximum – a distance of 2,450nm (4,540km), 450nm further than a C-130J carrying just 12t. Also boasting the ability to cruise at 37,000ft and Mach 0.72, the new type’s range will be increased to 3,450nm with a 20t load, and to a maximum ferry distance of 4,700nm. The latter will enable an aircraft taking off from Brize Norton to fly nonstop to southern Africa, east Asia or the majority of North America."
Assuming this airlift procurement will need to see us through another 50 years, should we buy the fully matured C-17 or the A400M in its adolescence? We expect there will probably be a LEP for the C17 somewhere in the future but when that time comes will NZ be able to afford to have half our airlift capacity in the shop?
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Post by macnz on Apr 2, 2015 16:46:18 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Mar 1, 2015 14:40:53 GMT 12
Here are some pics of the Canberra and RAN fleet docked at Garden Island - part of Fleet Base East, Sydney. HMAS Chloues was also in dock but as I only had my iphone, could not get decent shot - Enjoy these Walking down Lady MacQuarie - HMAS Canberra & Perth in background HMAS LHD Canberra & ANZAC Frigate Perth HMAS Perth, Canberra, Melbourne & Sydney HMAS LHD Canberra & Adelaide Class Missle Frigates Melbourne & Sydney HMAS Perth plus bows of HMAS ANZAC & Canberra
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Post by macnz on Feb 27, 2015 13:22:39 GMT 12
Congrats to Dave and the Originals on reaching this milestone. My thanks to you all for creating this space for us to exchange news and views on. Cant wait to look back from your next milestone! CHEERS & Well done
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Post by macnz on Feb 24, 2015 0:54:03 GMT 12
and a few more comparison ones A400M Capacity
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Post by macnz on Feb 24, 2015 0:01:59 GMT 12
here you go ErrolC, C17 infographic
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Post by macnz on Feb 22, 2015 19:34:35 GMT 12
Yep best assets of the C17 are its engines. Read somewhere that the USAF are currently reviewing using the F117s on the B-52s. An engine upgrade is needed to keep the B-52 fleet viable through to 2030 and its probably attractive if they could use the same engines as the C17s.
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Post by macnz on Feb 22, 2015 19:24:18 GMT 12
Well if you were to follow that proposition, you would get the C27 instead of the C295s, as the C27 shares commonality with the Hercs spares and you could leverage sustainability with the Aussies MRO. Also has a nice Spartan package that would no doubt be an attractive CAS asset for our Army. Jury still out on the KC-390 but if we follow the naysayers on the A400 then the KC-390 has an even more 'experimental' risk profile. Agree with ErrolC, think the A400 should stay in contention and by 2018 would not be so immature a product with a number of Air-Forces having them in their inventory for 3yrs and built up a knowledge base.
Already reported that options under consideration for the P-3 replacement probably be; Airbus C-295, Embraer EMB-145 MP, Saab 2000 MPA, and the Saab 340 MSA. To that category you could probably also include; Bombardier/Raytheon Sentinel R1, Bombardier Global 5000 ELI-3360 or Piaggio P.1HH HammerHead . It will be no surprise if the competition looks for a small platform to perform multi-role patrol purposes than just maritime i.e. ISTAR
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Post by macnz on Feb 22, 2015 13:38:14 GMT 12
The NZ Herald editorial cited "..$250 million price attached to the giant aircraft." Has the NZD appreciated that much against the USD or are Boeing fire-selling their white tails (hard to believe)? Lets hope we dont have some bureaucrat proposing the Chinese Y-20 is a cheaper option. I would even settle for the C130J or C130X if that was the case. This blog has some nice tarmac shots of C-17 & Y-20 together (sorry could not copy photos over here) globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.com.tr/2014/11/modern-day-face-off-chinese-y-20.html
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Post by macnz on Feb 18, 2015 15:28:58 GMT 12
Lets hope so Beagle.
And if Bell/Boeing or AgustaWestland are monitoring ...a V-22 Osprey or AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor NZ stopover would also be warmly welcomed.
FYI - Apparently the Italian Army is eyeing developments of the planned AgustaWestland AW609 tiltrotor rather than the Boeing Osprey. Italian firm AgustaWestland is now going alone in the development of its commercial AW609 after ending a partnership with Bell. The firm is also discussing a military version to their Army ...probably cheaper and with less red tape than the US one.
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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."
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Post by macnz on Feb 9, 2015 16:44:16 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Feb 9, 2015 16:38:12 GMT 12
Came across this insight 2014 presentation on the Iver Huitfedlt. www.scribd.com/doc/248044460/Danish-Frigate-Program-brief-May-2014Turns out that the budget for all three was USD$940m, offset by 209 million in re-used equipment like: ESSM cell modules, Harpoon and 76 mm guns. So at just over USD$310m per hull! the Danes built - to plan - some incredibly economic Frigates (vs.the reported USD$400-600m per hull currently reported for their competitors: FREMM/Type26). Given NZ's need to budget, I hope they enter as a serious contender for our Frigate tender whenever it eventuates?
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Post by macnz on Jan 19, 2015 22:26:22 GMT 12
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