China Plans to Destroy the US???

Just another thing, The RAAF(Royal Australian Air Force) has joined the JSF program, is in the process of purchasing Aussie Tiger Attack Helicopters(Appache), and are planning to update their Air Tanker fleet of Antiquated 707, possible replacements are 747-200/300. We still fly Ex-US F-111 and F-18 E/F Hornets.
We could probably defend our selves , though only through our highly experienced Pilots and Army Personel.

We still use the F-111 because there is simply no aircraft in production which could take it's place. It is the only deep atttack weapon we possess.

I personally think Australia should invest heavily in unmanned drones.

Don't ask me where I recived this information please.
These are some of the projects that the Australian Government are planning for future defence of Australia and its borders.


1. As you might already know, JSF(Joint Strike Fighter) - 75 Units.

2. Attack Helicopters - 21Approx.

3. Air Refeuling Tankers - 12-16 Large, wide body Tankers(24-32 Medium Tankers)



JSF- Joint Strike Fighter

In November 1996 Lockheed Martin and Boeing won two consept demonstration contracts worth about $660 million issued by the U.S. State of Defence. The contract required that the competing contractors build aircraft that will demonstrate three specific requirments.
1. Low- Speed handling qualities and Carrier Approach Capability.
2. Short Take Off.
3. Vertical landing(STOVL)

X-32 Boeing
X-35 Lockheed Martin

Tech Points

Contract won by Lockheed Martin.
F-35A, F-35B, F-35C will be constructed for U.S. Air Force, Marines, Navy respectfully.
70-90% of Parts are Shared between all variants.
There is a more advanced Fighter in the American arsinal, F-22 Raptor. Though at a cost, "Fly-Away" U.S. $99.7 million each, they were too expensive. Basic cost for a F-35 Approx. $40 million.

Attack Helicopters

The 'Aussie Tiger' will be another area were the Australian Defence Force will look to invest money. The 'ADF Air 87 program', which seeks between 20-30 reconnaissance/armed rotorcraft will be the next step in arming itself with the latest Technology.
This is a short list that the ADF has in mind.

1. Agusta A-129 Scorpion.
2. Boeing Ah-64D Apache.
3. Bell AH-1Z Viper.

Tech Points

Apache won contract to supply between 20 and 30 Attack Helicopters.
It was least expensive of all three to maintain.
At a total cost of Approx. $1.5 Billion including support for 20-30 examples.

Air Refeuling Tankers

Another piece of the agenda is Air Refeuling Tankers. The ADF is Looking to replace the aging fleet of 707-338C Air Refeuling Tankers. The ADF has two options, to opt for the Large Body Tankers, Which would likely be the 747. Or whether to go for the Medium Body Tankers, which could be either the 767 or Airbus 310/330.

This is what the ADF has in mind for the 747 variant:

1. 747-100/200. Built from 1970 onward, is the oldest model in the 747 line up. These models are not suitible for consideration, due to the fact that Airframe Fatuge and Corrosion are big drawbacks. Though the last of the 747-200 were last built in the 1990s and may be acceptable.
Price 747-100/200 $4.6- $7.7 million.
747-200(later models) $13.8- $26.2 million.
2. 747-300. There are alot of 747-200B/C and 747-300B/CF aircraft on the world market and a good proportion of these are Combis, which are already fitted with a SCD cargo door, there for lower cost to retrofit.

Price 747-300 $39.4- $50.8 million + Retrofit.
3. 747-400. Built from 1990 onward is available in both Combi and Freighter versions, it offers the best load carrying performance of any 747, though the MTOW imposes the need for better runways, and due to its large wingspan ground handling can be an issue on some sites.

Price 747-400 $92.5- $158.5 million.
4. 747SP. Built from 1976-1980, this aircraft was spacifically designed for long distance, low load factor. Only 45 examples were built.
When the 747-400 was released, the demand for the 747SP fell strongly. By 1999 only 7 747SPs were in storage and 4 dismatled for parts.

Price 747SP $5.3- $7.7 million.

This tells me, Australia was leaked information from the U.S.D.F., that tells us about surtain threats in the Asia-Pacific Area in the not to distant future.

Quote

'This tells me, Australia was leaked information from the U.S.D.F., that tells us about surtain threats in the Asia-Pacific Area in the not to distant future.'

Don't underestimate australian intelligence, we often feed the US intelligence on South Asia as our HUMINT sources are better.
We also have detailed technical summaries of the capabilities of our neighbours.

You are right we have listening stations here in Aus, and good ones too.

Check out the Aussie radar barba.

Jinadlee Radar