The audits (here and here) of the RAAF fast jet running debacle are weak, shallow, and ignore some significant issues.
Noteworthy too is that the original purpose of the Super Hornet decision was to cover for F-35 delays. Nelson (who was PowerPointed into the con) stated as much. More on that here (including the weak justification for getting rid of the F-111).
The normalization of deviance approach to this issue is not useful.
More on the dangers of a normalization of deviance approach to risks--enhanced by group-think--can be seen here.
Following the F-35 path will cost Australia loss of regional air supremacy. What is interesting in the above mentioned audit is the meme of that will not die; the F-35 as a "fifth-generation fighter".
The audit goes into describing the specs of the F-35 and the Super Hornet but (and this is where the shallowness comes in full-bore) portrays no grasp of why the technical details are important beyond a few simplistic claims.
Here are a few things to consider; what the audit didn't tell the public:
History they don’t want you to know
Boeing official-Super Hornet-handles air-to-air with technology, not speed and acceleration
The Super Hornet Stores Story
More on the dud-jamming gear Defence wants to buy
The audit also labels the Super Hornet as "low observable" when such a claim shows a real weakness of understanding balanced defensive measures taken in the design of the aircraft. Those are some low-observable methods to lower signature but just as important: to establish a better known baseline of exposure risks of the aircraft to different threats so that the on-board defensive jamming system is much more efficient. Great, if one does not want to carry any significant weapons capability. Unlike real stealth aircraft, the Super Hornet carries its weapons (not counting the gun) externally. Not very "low observable".
In short, the audit doesn't do much to help the Australian public who are being taken for a ride of billions in wasteful spending for faulty aircraft that will not be competitive against growing Pacific Rim threats.
1 comment:
Hi Eric
You might want to take a look at this article called Defence standing in region 'eroding' from Canberra Times.com.au.
The Defence standing in region ''eroding'', not only the budget cuts, we are also purchasing the wrong aircraft that are too incapable of fulfilling the requirements such as the F-35 JSF (Just So Failed) and the stingless F/A-18 Super Dogs that are inferior to the Russian/Chinese fighters, advanced SAMs and indeed the Counter Stealth radars that hopefully will be ordered by neighbouring countries and enter operational service soon.
Peter
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