5th C-17 for RAAF?

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Watching ABC24 this morning, Defence Minister Stephen Smith did comment that in view of the recent workload of the current fleet of 4 (floods, Christchurch earthquake and operational demands) there is a need for a 5th aircraft which I gather is about to be initiated.

Did anybody else see this interview or heard similar rumblings?

[Dan Hammond]

Hi Peter,

This link may be of interest.

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/SmithSpeechtpl.cfm?CurrentId=11538

[Peter Agatsiotis]

thanks Dan, interesting release.

This possibility was briefly discussed in another thread which I tried to find but failed!

[A McLaughlin]

Already in production and will be here in August!

[Shayne G]

I remember the proposal for a 5th C-17 for the RAAF a few years ago because they needed to decide before the production of C-17's ends in 2009! It's nice to see they're in production and it's definately good to see the RAAF getting one more, I personally thought we didn't get enough. Oh how times change!

[Nigel C]

thanks Dan, interesting release.

This possibility was briefly discussed in another thread which I tried to find but failed!

That thread was the Avalon Airshow thread Peter.

[Brenden S]

Should get a couple more really. They would certainly get used.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Thanks Nigel, that's what I thought but damned if I could find it and i recall yourself and Andrew discussing this; must have skipped a page or two!

[Nigel C]

Have a squiz at page 8 ;)

[damien b]

Speaking to some of the 36 Sqn guys at the airshow, more C-17s are required but space to park them at RAAF Amberley is the biggest problem. With 4 home its already a bit crowded.

[A McLaughlin]

SWith 4 home its already a bit crowded.

...not to mention space for the five KC-30s when they finally get here too!
:eek:

[Brenden S]

Have a detachment at RAAF Richmond would solve the problem, or the RAAF will just have to expand the apron.

[Sean W]

Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Australia – C-17 GLOBEMASTER III Aircraft
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2011 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $300 million.
Full PDF here:
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2011/Australia_11-10.pdf

[A McLaughlin]

...for an estimated cost of $300 million.

Cheaper than the $300 million to $500 million allocated in the DCP for the two extra C-130Js.

[Sean W]

Smith confirms C-17 purchase
http://ipswich-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/raaf-base-amberley-near-ipswich-will-become-home-to-another-c-17-says-defence-minister-stephen-smith

[Peter Agatsiotis]

talking about C-17's (6 USAF this week through Richmond), the 5th for the RAAF must be close to being delivered.

[A McLaughlin]

Is due to be handed over at Long Beach any day now, and should be in Oz sometime in October.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Thanks Andrew. (I also thought I heard mumblings of a 6th, can't remember from whom or where as it was a while ago)!)

[A McLaughlin]

A sixth is on the cards, but there's a bit of horse trading to be done within Defence yet before it is realised.

[Brenden S]

They may as well go get another 4 of them. We will eventually need them, and then they can retire some of the H herc's

[Jaryd stock]

If they have ten then they will be able to finally fly our own instead of USAF's C-17 at our airshows....

[A McLaughlin]

The Hs will stay in service until 2016, and will be replaced in the tac transport role by whatever they get to replace the Caribou as well. Decision due very soon...

I doubt we'd ever get 10 C-17s, 6-7 seems to be the optimal number. If the program comes good, I can see us getting A400Ms in the 2020s to replace the C-130Js though...

Re the airshows comment - it's nothing to do with how many airframes we have. Our C-17 crews are too inexperienced (all <500 hours) and are too flat out doing real work to have time to work up an airshow routine.

[Jaryd stock]

Our new C-17 will be handed over to the RAAF tomorrow US time, Defence minister Stephen Smith who will be there for AUSMIN talks will be there for the ceremony.

[Stuart Trevena]

Hi Everyone,
The 5th C17 was delivered to the RAAF today at Amberley.
The Aust Govt. Also announced it will place an order for a 6th C17 which will be delivered in the first half of 2012.

Stuart

[Bob C]

Hi Stuart

Balus.info reported A41-210 arriving as ASY551 at RAAF Amberley on Monday, 19 September.

Cheers

Bob

[Jaryd stock]

Has Amberly got room for all these new aircraft ? Is there plans or has upgrading begun..?

[Jethro H]

Now the pigs have gone there is room. The C17s have been kept on the southern apron. The KC-30A's with the Super Hornets will be taking up space too.

[Jethro H]

Just looking at the current Google maps, and the base shows 4 C17s (one on runway) and the pigs all wrapped up ready for disposal next to 2 Bous and a Canberra.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111939175602508023947.00047ab780f7bf6cd864e&ll=-19.228177,153.720703&spn=19.829371,28.125&z=5&source=embed

[A McLaughlin]

There is not enough parking spaces at the northern end for six C-17s and five KC-30s, although it's unlikely all six C-17s will ever be at home at once.

There are plans in hand to extend this ramp space and to build a new hangar, once the engineering studies for flood remediation works has been completed.

[Jarden S]

There is a story in the AA on the sixth C-17:
http://australianaviation.com.au/2011/09/sixth-c-17-for-the-raaf/

[Jethro H]

According to the RAAF this week, the Minister stated that Defence has sent a "Letter of Request" to the US about the possible purchase of Number 6.

[A McLaughlin]

The LOR is a formality. It's a formal process where the LOR has to go through US government approval processes etc, after which an acquisition contract is signed.

An LOR would not be sent unless both parties already knew there was an aircraft available and that the money will be made available for it.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

The latest C-17, A41-210, made its first visit to Richmond yesterday afternoon.