Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

The first RAAF Boeing has already delivered the first five squadron F/A-18F fighter

According to the British,” Flight International “May 27, 2010 reported that the Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF) Boeing F/A-18F fighter performance and a new understanding of the military services are preparing to set up its first branch in December F/A-18F “Super Hornet” operational squadrons, equipped in the planned number of increase based on the two.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in 2004 forced the RAAF to postpone the event to make a purchase in 2006, “Super Hornet”, by an 24 F/A-18F composed of fleet during the transition stage substitute the RAAF F-111 fighter. However, these F/A-18F F-35 will be delivered in 2021 the occasion of his retirement.

So far, Boeing has already delivered the first RAAF squadron first five F/A-18F, and will receive an initial operational capability in December again before delivery 9. F-111 plans to retire on December 2.

Although the “Super Hornet” is only short-term service plan, but the advanced multi-role fighter’s performance has received RAAF leadership of all ages. 82 Wing Commander Col. Steve Roberton said: “Objectively speaking, this fighter has gained through improved beyond our ability to imagine.” Roberton said he valued the use of aircraft, including Raytheon APG-79 Active Phased array (AESA) radar sensor array, including access to excellent air and ground targets while tracking.

RAAF plans for the front and rear cockpit F/A-18F Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System Integrated (JHMCS) aiming to improve its performance. U.S. Navy just tested this configuration, RAAF before and after the first time in the cockpit may have adopted JHMCS.

Roberton said that although much smaller scale than the U.S. Navy, but the RAAF believe that in a shorter period of time so that the “Super Hornet” to play its full capacity. As the training basis for the limitations of the organization, the U.S. Navy is equipped with AESA’s F/A-18E/F Block II F/A-18E/F Block I and F/A-18C/D operate the same way. However, RAAF Air Force plan to use similar multi-purpose F-15E “Silent Eagle” way to operate F/A-18F.

Although F/A-18F excellent performance, but the official RAAF fighter for the use of AESA technology is still unable to perform X-band electronic attack missions disappointed.

RAAF still plans to buy F-35 to replace its fleet of F-111 and standard F/A-18A/B. Roberton that the extraordinary potential of the F-35, but also a hint of doubt. He said: “I do not know how F-35 will appear. And the next ten years to the environmental challenges will be different from now, so I guess we are gambling.” (China Aviation Industry Development Research Center Chu Shiyong)