Aussies

Chengdu J-10 said:

Well not fully but partially. US rejected China in purchasing large quantities of Iraqi oil, the US only allowed China to purchase small quantities but at an very expensive price. The US is trying to slow down China's growth and development as a nation. As the US is feeling that they are no longer becoming the leading nation in growth and development in the world anymore.

Click to expand...

Obi Wan Russell said:

With reference to the new RAN LHDs, here's my take on how they should be. On a 'flat top' you can never have too much flight deck space, especially if you're planning to operate Chinooks and perhaps one day Ospreys:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

Tasman said:

Great 'modification' Obi Wan. I like the look of it! The only problem would be that by enclosing the lift on four sides the size of aircraft that could be struck down to the hangar would be more limited. However, the lift still looks reasonably large and I guess it could be lengthened if necessary.

Tas

Click to expand...

Obi Wan Russell said:

Thanks. The aft lift can be extended back further if needed as there is no major ship structure behind or beneath it. In theory you could extend it all the way to the stern if needed, thought there are few naval helos or aircraft that could not be reasonably accomodated as is. Flight tests have shown that the Osprey benefits from a wider deck than on current LHAs and LHDs due to the imbalance of thrust when the starboard engine is over the deck (and it's thrust is reflected back by the deck giving a cushion of air) and the port engine is over the sea effectively (and it's thrust is dissipated down the side of the ship). The simplest solution, and probably a lot cheaper than a complicted flight software fix is to provide a larger flight deck, as steel is still relatively cheap and the air it surrounds is free. The side sponson also increases internal volume allowing more accomodation, more magazine and stores stowage and more deck parking space. A low tech, low cost solution to a lot of problems. So of course it won't happen...

Click to expand...

HMAS SYDNEY II found

17 March - In a historic day for the Royal Australian Navy and members of the Finding Sydney Foundation, the HMAS Sydney II has been found, 66 years after the entire ship's company perished following a furious engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran in November 1941.


The discovery lays to rest one of Australia's most enduring maritime mysteries and provides a final resting place for the families of the 645 members of HMAS Sydney II.

HMAS Sydney II was found following the discovery of HSK Kormoran, approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia lying in 2,560 metres of water.

The Minister for the Department of Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts is being consulted to ensure the wreck site is being protected.

Click to expand...

HMAS SYDNEY II IS FOUND

The wreck of missing Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Sydney II has been found.

HMAS Sydney II was tragically lost in November 1941 off Western Australia with its entire crew, following a fierce engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran.


The discovery was announced today by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd; the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP; Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of Navy; and Mr Ted Graham, Chairman of The Finding Sydney Foundation.


“I would like to congratulate The Finding Sydney Foundation and the Royal Australian Navy on this memorable discovery which will bring some peace to the relatives of the brave crew who gave their lives while serving our nation,” said Mr Snowdon.


“It is now hoped we may be able to piece together the events of that dark day in World War II when we lost 645 of Australia’s finest.”


The search first focused on finding the German raider Kormoran which was located on 12 March approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia lying in 2,560 metres of water.


The discovery of the main battle site, less than four nautical miles south of Kormoran’s position, was then used to direct the team’s effort in searching for Sydney.


The wreck of the Sydney was confirmed late last night, approximately 12 nautical miles off Kormoran, under 2,470 metres of water.


Mr Ted Graham said they were prepared for the search to take upwards of 35 days so to find them both in a matter of weeks has been a stunning achievement for the entire crew.


“A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with video filming capabilities able to operate in depths of up to 3,000 metres will be deployed in order to further examine both wrecks of the Sydney and Kormoran.”


The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts will make a declaration to ensure HMAS Sydney II is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act.

Click to expand...

THE Rudd Government is expected to announce this week that it will retain the 24 Super Hornet aircraft ordered last year after a Defence review found it was too risky to take the cheaper option of extending the life of the F-111 long-range bombers.

The senior defence official, Neil Orme, has handed the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, the first part of his review into Australia's air combat capability, which deals with options for 2010-2015.

At a cost of $6.6 billion over 10 years (including maintenance and operating costs), the decision to buy the Super Hornets was made by the former defence minister Brendan Nelson to fill a feared gap in air combat capability, due to the late delivery of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Click to expand...

flyzies said:

It appears Aust will go through with buying of the Super Hornets.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

17 Mar 2008 MIN18/08
POOR AIR POWER PLANNING EXPOSED BUT SUPER HORNET TO STAY


The Government today announced the outcomes of Part A of its Air Combat Capability review.

Based on the advice of the Review, the Government has concluded:



There has been a lack of sound, long-term air combat capability planning decisions by the former Government over the course of the last decade.


The retirement of the F-111 was made in haste but is now irreversible. The cost of turning the F-111 back on would be enormous and crews and skills have already moved on.


The former Government’s decision to leave Australia’s air defences in the hands of the Joint Strike Fighter project was a flawed leap of faith in scheduling terms and combined with the quick decision to retire the F-111 early, allowed an air combat capability gap to emerge.


The subsequent timetable the former Government put on the acquisition of an interim fighter left Defence planners with no choice but to recommend the Super Hornet. No other suitable aircraft could be produced to meet the 2010 deadline the former Government had set. One year on, that is now even more so the case.


Cancelling the Super Hornet would bring significant financial penalties and create understandable tensions between the contract partners.


The Super Hornet is an excellent aircraft capable of meeting any known threat in the region and is the only aircraft which can meet the small delivery window created by the former Government’s poor planning processes and politically- driven responses.

One benefit the Government’s Review has already produced, through the detailed analysis undertaken, is the opportunity to reduce the cost of the Super Hornets.



As a consequence of the Review process, the Department of Defence has indicated that it expects that significant savings of up to $300 million can be made in the internal Defence and industry costs of supporting the Super Hornet aircraft.



The analysis also highlighted additional capabilities such as specialist electronic warfare variants (the F/A-18G) that will be considered as part of the Super Hornet acquisition. These additional capabilities will be more fully considered under the second stage of the Air Combat Capability Review.



Part B of the Review will continue and further announcements will be made after it reports in late April. It will consider Australia’s air combat capability needs out to 2045, including the status of plans to acquire the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).



Air superiority is Australia’s single most important Defence capability.

The Government thanks the Review team for their hard and conscientious work and looks forward to the team’s further recommendations in ensuring Australia maintains its regional superiority in air combat capability

Click to expand...