Australian Hornets upgrade a $100m failure

Posted on: Nov. 13th, 2006 || Source: smh.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

HIGH-TECH sensors for Australia's fleet of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets has been dumped, delaying the upgrade of the planes by two years and costing taxpayers at least $100 million.

Raising more concerns of the Defence Department's mishandling of its multi-billion dollar procurement program, the military opted for the technology despite a recommendation by experts against the purchase.

Also known as radar warning receivers, the pods being installed on the Hornets were critical in detecting and evading targets.

Without the upgrade, the planes were vulnerable to enemy missile fire.

Shortcomings with the sensors limited the role of the Hornets during the war in Iraq.

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