DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Marks Retirement Of Royal Australian Air Force F-111 Fleet

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Marks Retirement Of Royal Australian Air Force F-111 Fleet

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing

(NSI News Source Info) AMBERLEY, Queensland - December 2, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will bid a fond farewell to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 strike fighters that the company has supported for more than 14 years when the fleet is retired on Dec. 3.

As prime contractor for F-111 through-life support activities since 1996, Boeing Defence Australia has designed, developed and delivered technologies and modifications to improve the operational effectiveness of the F-111 fleet from its facilities at RAAF Base Amberley. These upgrades included aircraft overhauls conducted under the F-111 Weapons System Business Unit (WSBU) contract.

Awarded to Boeing in 2001, the WSBU contract was the largest contract awarded by the Commonwealth of Australia at the time and covered all major upgrades to the fleet's airframe, avionics and weapons systems, including:

• providing airframe maintenance from R1 (basic level) through R5 (deeper level)
• providing system analysis, design, modification and testing
• designing and integrating software and hardware to support the AGM-142 missile, the longest range air-to-ground missile available within the Australian Defence Force
• modifying radar warnings.

Additional programs and facilities that Boeing has operated in support of the fleet include a fuel tank repair program, a coldproof load test facility, an F-111 ground test team, and a wing recovery program.

"Over the years, hundreds of Boeing employees have played a vital role in maintaining the operational effectiveness of the F-111 fleet and some, like me, have an even longer history with the platform after working on them during our time in the RAAF," said Ian Gabriel, F-111 program manager, Boeing Defence Australia. "On behalf of all Boeing personnel who supported the aircraft, it has been a privilege to have played a part in the rich military history of the F-111."

"Throughout Boeing's long association with the F-111, we've forged strong relationships with the RAAF, our supplier partners and the local Ipswich community," said John Duddy, vice president and managing director, Boeing Defence Australia. "This could not have been achieved without the consistency and commitment of the Boeing personnel who have worked on the platform, and I thank them all. As the F-111 retires and we enter a new generation of Australian air defense through the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, Boeing looks forward to continuing to work with the RAAF to help protect Australia and its people."

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of more than 1,500 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

Contact:

Sarah Wills Boeing Defence Australia +1 (61) 7 3306 3132 sarah.e.wills@boeing.com

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DTN News: US Air Force Takes 'Cautious' Approach To New Bomber

DTN News: US Air Force Takes 'Cautious' Approach To New Bomber

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - September 15, 2010: The US military remains committed to building a new long-range bomber but will take a "cautious" approach to avoid costly disasters from past weapons programs, the Air Force's top official said Monday. The "long-range strike" project also will be focused mainly on delivering conventional rather than nuclear weapons, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said. While the Air Force was "confident" about the need to develop a new way to strike at a long-distance, it was mindful of past mistakes in bomber programs plagued by delays and cost overruns, he said. "We approach the issue with both confidence and caution," Donley told the Air Force Association. "Cautious not to repeat the painful experience of previous Air Force bomber programs: narrowly focused capabilities, high risk technologies, and high costs contributing to affordability problems, leading to program cancellations, or low inventories," he said. His comments reinforced warnings from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has vowed to streamline how the Pentagon operates to free up money for urgent needs and vital weapons. In a press conference after his speech, Donley cited problems with the F-111, B-1 and B-2 bombers, and said the Air Force wanted to rely on proven, existing technologies instead of breaking new ground for the next generation bomber. He said the fleet would need to be large enough to last over a 30-year period, unlike the B-2 bomber fleet that ended up much smaller than hoped due to high costs.

Twenty B-2s are operated by the United States Air Force. The cost of each aircraft averaged US$737 million in 1997 dollars. Total procurement costs averaged US$929 million per aircraft, which includes spare parts, equipment, retrofitting, and software support. The total program cost, which includes development, engineering and testing, averaged US$2.1 billion per aircraft (in 1997 dollars). Donley also said the long-range platform could be an aircraft or a missile, and that nothing had been ruled out while military planners review various studies on the project. The Air Force would unveil more details for the program in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2012, he said.

DTN News: Australian F-111 makes Airshow Emergency Landing

DTN News: Australian F-111 makes Airshow Emergency Landing *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media By CHUN HAN WONG,Associated Press Writer (NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - February 6, 2010: Australia's air force said Saturday that one of its F-111 jets made an emergency landing earlier this week during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow and will not participate in further performances. An F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force showcases a fuel dump and burn procedure during an aerial display in Singapore. The air force said Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 that one of its F-111 jets made an emergency landing after receiving an engine fire warning just two minutes into its seven-minute performance during Thursday's aerial display and will not participate in further performances. The F-111's aircrew radioed a distress call after receiving an engine fire warning just two minutes into its seven-minute performance Thursday, said Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Leon Izatt, who was part of a two-man team piloting the jet. Its crew immediately terminated the flight and made an emergency landing on one of the plane's two engines. The airshow was likely to have been the last for the jet as Australia's air force plans to retire its F-111 fleet in December. Singapore's airshow, which has featured displays of mostly military jets and helicopters this week and ends Sunday, had already been marred by an earlier incident on the same day when a South Korean T-50 Golden Eagle jet was ordered by organizers to terminate its performance after it flew too close to spectators. Wing Commander Micka Gray said there were no signs of a fire on the F-111. The plane remains grounded while maintenance crews investigate why the aircraft's fire warning went off.

DTN News: Australia TODAY November 5, 2009 ~ Royal Australian Air Force’s F-111 Fighters Have Now Undergone Extensive Maintence

DTN News: Australia TODAY November 5, 2009 ~ Royal Australian Air Force’s F-111 Fighters Have Now Undergone Extensive Maintence *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - November 5, 2009: Greg Combet, Acting Minister for Defence, today announced the completion of the deeper maintenance contract for the Air Force F-111 fleet. The F-111 is a twin-engine swing-wing aircraft. It can take off and land at relatively low speeds with the wings swept forward, then fly at more than twice the speed of sound with its wings tucked back. It can fly close to the ground at supersonic speeds, following the terrain to avoid detection. It can strike day or night in any weather. Its Pave Tack targeting system can locate targets at night and in bad weather and provides laser designation for laser-guided weapons. The radar warning system detects incoming radar emissions and alerts the crew to potential surface or air attacks. It is affectionately known as the 'Pig' for its ability to hunt at night with its nose in the weeds, thanks to its terrain-following radar. Highly controversial during its development, the F-111 is even better today than when it was introduced to our Air Force in June 1973. With numerous airframe, engine, weapons and avionics upgrades, the F-111 remains the fastest and longest ranging combat aircraft in the Asia-Pacific. Air Force will obtain 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets by 2010 to ensure Australia's air combat capability edge is maintained until the full introduction into service of the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter. The Super Hornets will replace the F-111s at Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons. * “Since the F-111 was introduced it has flown over 160,000 hours. To help it achieve this Air Force and Defence Industry collectively completed over 300 routine deeper maintenance servicings that have included removal of wings, engines, undercarriage and other major components for overhaul or replacement,” said Mr Combet. “The maintenance systems introduced with the F-111 aircraft have been a mainstay of Defence and industry’s high-tech support capabilities for well over 35 years.” “Over that time, many engineers and technicians within the Air Force and industry have developed their skills and experience in support of the F-111. These skills will be also used in support of the Air Force’s newer platforms.” “Aircraft A8-135, which was handed back to 82 Wing today, was the final F-111 to undergo deeper maintenance servicing and the completion of this program will ensure that the F-111 fleet remains fully capable until the Super Hornets come on-line.” “Through its involvement with the F-111, Boeing has made a significant contribution to the aircraft’s legacy.” Boeing Defence has undertaken the F-111 Deeper Maintenance Capability for the Air Force since August 2001. A ceremony was held today at RAAF Amberley to mark the completion of the contract.