September 15, 200817 yr From Defense Aerospace More Reason to Release the Air Combat Capability Review (Source: Australian Liberal Party (Opposition); issued Sept. 12, 2008) Lockheed’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has flown into a storm of controversy in Australia and the Netherlands, amid reports it was comprehensively defeated by Sukhoi Su-35s in a wargame. The dangers of having an indecisive Defence Minister became more apparent last night when Mr Fitzgibbon validated the flimsiest of rumours about the Joint Strike Fighter. Instead of jumping at shadows, Mr Fitzgibbon should immediately release the Air Combat Capability Review so we can see what Australia’s defence experts really think of the JSF. The CDF confirmed in May that the Review had been completed. Yesterday’s West Australian reported unsubstantiated rumours that in a computer simulation of an attack by Russian-built aircraft on a mixed fleet of JSFs, Super Hornets and F22s, the Russian aircraft were successful. No details were provided on the nature of the simulated attack or the numbers of planes on each side. Instead of treating these whispers with the disregard they deserved, Mr Fitzgibbon validated them on the 7.30 Report last night by confirming he had sought a formal briefing from Defence. And he argued that these rumours were justification for not making a decision on the JSF. And as more evidence of his indecisiveness, Mr Fitzgibbon suggested that the Super Hornet may be a long term alternative to the JSF – despite his previous strong criticism of the Super Hornet. Until Mr Fitzgibbon releases the Air Combat Review, the well-promoted minority opposed to the JSF will keep seeking to dominate this debate. A responsible Defence Minister would nip this in the bud, restore confidence to our air combat planning, and release the Review. And then get on with actually making a hard decision. (ends) Australia's Fighter Jets 'Clubbed' by Russians (Source: Australian Associated Press; issued Sept. 11) The federal opposition has dismissed new doubts about the capacity of the multi-billion dollar Joint Strike Fighter to perform against jets used by Russia and China. The JSF jets, for which Australia is likely to pay $16 billion, were comprehensively beaten in highly classified simulated dogfights against Russian-built Sukhoi fighter aircraft, it has been reported. The war games, conducted at Hawaii's Hickam airbase last month, were witnessed by at least four RAAF personnel and a member of Australia's peak military spy agency, the Defence Intelligence Organisation, The West Australian said. Opposition defence spokesman Nick Minchin said he was taking "with a grain of salt" the validity of the report. "This is based on a computer game, computer modelling of the aircraft," he told Sky News. "This is not real life." Senator Minchin said he had a classified briefing on the JSF from its US manufacturer Lockheed-Martin which had promoted the aircraft as the most advanced jet fighter ever. "I can't really say much about it, but this is a phenomenal aircraft. "As our chief of defence Angus Houston has said this is a most extraordinary aircraft, it is the right aircraft for Australia." The multi-purpose fighter would be the backbone of the United States military, Senator Minchin said. "We are fortunate to be in it and the government should move to make the decision to acquire it." WA Liberal backbencher Dennis Jensen said he had spoken to a third party with knowledge of the final classified test results who had claimed the JSF had been clubbed like baby seals by the simulated Sukhois, The West Australian reported. He said the government should demand that the US Government sell it the F-22 which was already in operation instead of the JSF. A response was being sought from the government.
September 15, 200817 yr We all can read about this controversy in the "tendencious" pages of ausiarpower.net, as: http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-JSF-Analysis.html (and, of course, I'm pro-F-111 !!!)
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