RAAF Super Hornets and a refueling first
RAAF Super Hornets and a refueling first
Australia to pickup additional Super Hornets and an HC-130 refueling a Jolly Green Giant
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” - Henry Ford
On the Radar
Australia's fighter aircraft line-up will see the lifespan of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet extended for a minimum of another ten years, temporarily filling a current gap. Following this, the selection process for new-generation air combat aircraft is expected to commence, according to the Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), as reported by Aerospace DAILY on July 13.
This fresh strategy signifies that the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is no longer assured of a subsequent order for an additional 28 fighter aircraft to replace the single squadron of F/A-18E/Fs in the RAAF. This order would have complemented the previously purchased 72 F-35As allocated for Australia's remaining three fighter squadrons.
The initial decision by the RAAF in 2007 was to procure 24 F/A-18E/Fs as temporary replacements for the retiring General Dynamics F-111. The plan was for these to be ultimately replaced by the F-35A, but delays to the program by 2007 led to the need for a Super Hornet squadron. Originally, the Boeing-supplied aircraft were destined for replacement by the F-35As, but this is no longer a certainty.
Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Chief of the RAAF, stated during the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference, “We're reassessing the Super Hornet's potential and are recognizing the substantial benefits of maintaining this asset until around the middle of the next decade.”
This extended use plan will likely necessitate a midlife upgrade to the Super Hornet squadron, aligning them with Boeing’s Block III standard.
The decision also defers the replacement order for the F/A-18E/F fleet until the mid-2030s. Although the Pentagon anticipates that the F-35A will still be in production then, various other fighter designs and air combat strategies may also be viable.
Chipman mentioned, "What was previously seen as the fourth F-35 squadron has evolved into the Super Hornet replacement, not just an additional F-35 squadron purchase."
While the F-35 remains a contender for replacing the Super Hornet, the RAAF will explore other options. In the mid-2030s, potential replacements may include joint combat aircraft like the Australian-manufactured Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, as well as next-generation fighters developed by the U.S., a British-Japanese-Italian consortium, and a French-German-Spanish alliance.
Chipman added, "We will evaluate the F-35 and we are highly satisfied with its capabilities. However, it is our duty to explore all available options for our Super Hornet replacement in the future."
New video in the works, be sure to check the channel!
This week in aviation history
18th July 1967: a Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter performed the first-ever in-flight refueling from a Lockheed HC-130P Combat King aircraft during an actual rescue mission. This was a significant achievement for a couple of reasons:
Capability Enhancement: The in-flight refueling capability greatly extended the range and endurance of the HH-3E, enabling it to perform longer missions and reach areas that would otherwise have been inaccessible.
Increased Survival Chances: This new operational capability improved the chances of successfully retrieving downed aircrews before they could be captured by enemy forces.
The Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant was a large, long-range helicopter designed specifically for combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations. It was a derivative of the Sikorsky S-61R, and was equipped with various advanced features for its time, such as armor plating, defensive armaments, and a self-sealing fuel system.
The Lockheed HC-130P Combat King, on the other hand, was a variant of the C-130 Hercules, a versatile four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The HC-130P was a specialized version designed for search and rescue missions, and it was equipped with in-flight refueling capabilities to support helicopters like the HH-3E.
This mission represented an important advancement in CSAR operations and served as a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. This practice of in-flight refueling would continue to be a crucial element in many search and rescue missions and other military operations for decades to come.
In case you missed it
The C-130 is arguably the world’s greatest military transport. Here’s a video I did covering the origins of this aircraft, including some footage of a C-130 landing on a carrier:
Photo Outlet
Here’s Jerry “Jive” Kerby’s Race 11 L-39 Albatross. Jerry has an incredible amount of experience, with over 15,000 hours of flight time in 75 different aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle. Now you know!
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-Tog