Australia's F-35 back up plan

RAAF releases jet fighter back-up plan
3:42 PM May 14

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced a fall-back plan if the $16 billion Joint Strike Fighter is late in delivery.

The Air Force has released a plan to cover the gap if the replacement fighter is not available from 2012.

Air Marshall Angus Houston still sees the Joint Strike Fighter as the best replacement for the F-111 bomber, to be retired in 2010, and the F-18 Hornet, due to retire from 2012.

But he has outlined a fall-back plan if the yet-to-be-built Strike Fighter is not ready by 2012.

Instead, the Air Marshall says the central fuselage of up to 43 Hornets can be replaced so they can keep flying beyond 2015.

He says Orion long-range patrol planes can also be equipped with missiles.

Air Marshall Houston says this would give the Air Force more strike power than it has now.
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how bad an idea is this, they should find someother jet that could be purchased new, instead of the F-35... aus didn't put in that much money for R & D any way. i thi nk thae P3C orion should already be equipped with missiles anyhow...
well thats my 2 cents.

www.optusnet.com.au...

"He says Orion long-range patrol planes can also be equipped with missiles."

They would only be fitted with sidewinders, and as P3 turn badly, they would be of no benefit!

"they should find someother jet that could be purchased new, instead of the F-35..."

Australia has a choice, Rafale or Eurofighter! Australia plans to procure 100 JSF, which translates to 30 Eurofighter or 50 Rafale! Australia could go for F15 or F18e/f, but neither would offer anything far greater than the f18 they currently operate!