Harrierpilot Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 We better start stocking up on EA-18G's as a Aussie "Think Tank" has reconmended that at least six of their F/A-18F+ super Horents should be upgraded to Growler standard. Their Government are looking into to the idea and we should know mor at the end of next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronnieraaf Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 From what I understood, Growler's were always on the cards but the equipment would not be..... Getting our F/A-18F's fitted 'for' not 'with' the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brighton rock Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Still waiting for Hannants to get stock of the Hasegawa Growler. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Morgan Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Indeed, the last batch of Super Hornets are already pre-wired for Growler confirguration so this should be no surprise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikman42 Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Just paid $77 Aus for the low vis hasegawa 1/48 EA 18G growler from hobby link and that price includes postage Cheers Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrierpilot Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 Any more news about these RAAF Growlers?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Last I read was they would be fitted "for" but not "with" the growler bits. Typical political response. Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 There was a piece in one of the current magazines, can't recall which one, I read yesterday which said that six are to be converted to Growlers, the first in the States, the remainder in Oz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronnieraaf Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 The last 6(?) aircraft that rolled off the production line were wired up as Growler types. Australia has not yet (now doubtful, budget reform) purchased the 'pods' for the role. Like i said earlier our Supers are fitted for, not with mission equipment. If we did take this function seriously I wonder if we would get AGM 88 HARM - We did trail them for our F-111's but never got them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 The last 6(?) aircraft that rolled off the production line were wired up as Growler types. Australia has not yet (now doubtful, budget reform) purchased the 'pods' for the role. Like i said earlier our Supers are fitted for, not with mission equipment.If we did take this function seriously I wonder if we would get AGM 88 HARM - We did trail them for our F-111's but never got them. Last *12* are wired as Growlers. While the phrase "fitted for, but not with" is a common one used when a ship for example is built to carry a certain weapon which (at the time) is either not needed or not affordable, this was done because of the expectation that the SH would be replaced by the F-35, and wiring the second group as Growlers would give them a usefull role afterwards. There has never been any budget or defence indication that they would be purchased before the F-35 gets here. Frankly, as a taxpayer, I think it was a small extra expense to do a little bit of prior preparation Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I read that around another $20 Million had been allocated for long lead time spares for the conversion. If they are not bought now then the manufacturers of these items may not be producing them when the time actually comes. I also sow a figure of another $1 Billion to finish up converting the 12 to Growler specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrierpilot Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 The latest I have read is that the US DoD has passed the request for 12 conversions kits for the RAAF F-18F+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Wagner Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Defence got slashed in the Budget - and all the available money got put into new subs. Apart from delaying any purchase of F35s for several more years, the Growlers got put off too. So not for a while yet... Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IXGR1 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 (edited) The latest I have read is that the US DoD has passed the request for 12 conversions kits for the RAAF F-18F+ This is encouraging news, as Shane (Hi Shane) explains this will give the F-18F a life after F-35. However these 'kits' being made available, and Australia actually making perchace under our current militarily toxic budget are two different things........? IF the decision has been made for the Growler conversions, I would assume this reflects negitavly on our F-35 perchace overall . As F-35 has its own integral ECM ? -And that there is a SIGNIFICANT fiscal and continuant hopes for a SuperBug fleet. (but I wont get caught up in the F-35 debate.......again, too many invested US interests ?). -Incidently Ray Hamilton (here in Aus'), does a great 1/48 'Not a Growler' conversion ! Edited May 24, 2012 by IXGR1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Puff Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 -Incidently Ray Hamilton (here in Aus'), does a great 1/48 'Not a Growler' conversion ! You mean Ryan Hamilton, don't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IXGR1 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 You mean Ryan Hamilton, don't you? Indeedely I do - good Neighbour RAAF F-18F 6 sqn Conversion (thanks- my mistake) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calum Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Defence got slashed in the Budget - and all the available money got put into new subs. Apart from delaying any purchase of F35s for several more years, the Growlers got put off too. So not for a while yet...Paul Not quite from http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/05...pearce-airshow/ The 2009 Defence White Paper outlined the Government’s decision to wire 12 of our Super Hornets to enable them to be equipped at a later stage with the full Growler capability. Growler is an electronic warfare enhancement system that gives the Super Hornet the ability to jam the electronics systems of aircraft and land-based radars and communications systems. In March, the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare and I announced that the Government had approved more than $19 million for the purchase of long lead item electronic equipment for the potential conversion of twelve of Australia’s Super Hornets to the EA-18G Growler variant. The 2012-13 Budget enables the Government to consider the acquisition of the Growler capability this year. So purchase of long lead time items is going ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 This may be relevant: http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/201...ralia_12-27.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devo Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 This may be relevant:http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/201...ralia_12-27.pdf Yes, I'd say thats relevant. Devo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IXGR1 Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 This may be relevant:http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/201...ralia_12-27.pdf Gentlemen..... Start your Growlers ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrierpilot Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 The RAAF are hoping to operate their "Growlers" with two ALQ-99 jammer pods per aircraft has the request is for 34 pods with all the stuff to go with them. So it will be 24 pods in use at any one time with 10 spares - unless one or two jets carry four pods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Regrettably, it seems the conversion got the green light. Interested to know what's changed since the justification to buy 24 Super Hornets (cover the F-111 to JSF 'gap') to now (no F-111 & JSF buys put off further) that suddenly frees up 12 'vital' Super Hornets to be converted from fighter/attack to EW/EA? What, nothing? Maybe RAAF didn't 'need' Super Hornet in the first place? Anyway, good modelling subject, not so good defence decision (IMO). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Not regrettable at all GMK. It makes perfect sense to build in extra capability to the a/c at time of manufacture, rather than pay many billions more for the conversions in the future. This is a case of our tax dollars being spent wisely Nothing about the justification to buy Super Hornets to replace the ageing and crapped out pig fleet has changed, if anything it has been confirmed as the right decision at the right time given the delays in the JSF programme coupled with the ever escalating costs of keeping the poor old pigs in the air. We have 24 very capable attack machines, 12 now have the added capability they can be used in the ECM role, as well, if required. A wise defence decision if you ask me, especially as we are buying "off the shelf" for once rather than trying to tinker with everything i.e. Seasprite and Tiger to name 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) In almost any other circumstances I'd agree, but this comes down to timing. There's no mention of the need for this in the 2009 Defence Capability Plan (the document that outlines how the money for acquisitions is to be spent, on what and when). As such, given the recent cuts - that money is already curtailed - adding an unscheduled expense means the money has to come from somewhere. Quite different from using an annual underspend to fund another C-17, for example. I'd also agree if the conversions 'added' capability. They won't: they'll replace the strike with an EA capability. Look at the USN, they don't use theirs as fighters - it even lost the 'F' in the name. This isn't just an equipment question: the specialised tactics, training and other requirements to make this new gear work means that an 'EA' squadron would have to be EA specialists. So, where are the additional 12 Super Hornets to cover the gap left by converting the 'F+'? That's right, RAAF don't 'need' them, just like RAAF didn't 'need' 24 Super Hornets in the first place, nor the 'G'. The logic just isn't there. What is not being bought - that the need (not contingency) for which was identified before 2012 - in order to fund this unforecast expense? It'd be akin to a family saving for years for an extra bedroom renovation (needed) and deciding to by a luxury car on impulse as it looked like a good deal (capriciousness). It'd be interesting to see who actually wanted to buy this. Imagine if new gear that was actually needed had to be put off or cancelled? Unwise doesn't even begin to cover it. That said, have to agree on the 'Australianisation' of MOTS/COTS... Edited August 19, 2012 by GMK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Neu- Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) In almost any other circumstances I'd agree, but this comes down to timing. There's no mention of the need for this in the 2009 Defence Capability Plan (the document that outlines how the money for acquisitions is to be spent, on what and when). As such, given the recent cuts - that money is already curtailed - adding an unscheduled expense means the money has to come from somewhere. Quite different from using an annual underspend to fund another C-17, for example. What is not being bought - that the need (not contingency) for which was identified before 2012 - in order to fund this unforecast expense? It'd be akin to a family saving for years for an extra bedroom renovation (needed) and deciding to by a luxury car on impulse as it looked like a good deal (capriciousness). It'd be interesting to see who actually wanted to buy this. Imagine if new gear that was actually needed had to be put off or cancelled? Unwise doesn't even begin to cover it. That said, have to agree on the 'Australianisation' of MOTS/COTS... I would disagree about the timing. Basically the F/A-18E/F line is coming to an end. Production numbers are being wound down and I believe the last long lead items have been ordered. The last few lots will be significantly higher in costs. So there really isn't a better time to buy Shornets/growlers. If you're looking for a dedicated jammer for the next 20 years, basically this will be it. The F-35 is not currently planned to get a dedicated EW version (they will operate as their EW organically), so the RAAF will be able to tack onto most of the upgrades the USN version will be getting. Edited August 19, 2012 by -Neu- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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