Hornets could fill gap before JSFs: Australia

Posted on: Feb. 16th, 2007 || Source: theaustralian.news.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

Hornets could fill gap before JSFs: Australia

BUYING 24 Super Hornet fighter bombers was the best plan should the government decide it needed to fill the gap between retirement of old F-111 bombers and delivery of new Joint Strike Fighters, defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said today.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said the government had made no decision yet on this plan which could cost up to $4 billion. However a decision was expected soon.

He said defence had given the government extensive advice on plans for future RAAF air combat capability.

Under that plan, F-111 strike bombers will be retired early next decade and their role, and that of F/A-18 Hornet fighters filled by the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from mid-decade.

However concerns have emerged that there could be a gap, particularly in the bomber role, between F-111 retirement and arrival of the JSF.

The government is now considering buying 24 advanced Boeing Super Hornets to fill any gap.

Read the full article

Other Recent Headlines

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. (Disclaimer)