Raaf

[LeL]

"We See, We Strike" introducing the Rhino from the fighting first

[Zaggy]

New jets, new avionics and etc is all good by me... Shame that the RAAF wasnt consulted over the jets (ie, the RAAF hadn't even modelled the jet in respect to how it would integrate with the rest of RAAF's assests when they were announced) and the capabilities that are lost in comparision to the F-111 (ie, high speed, payload, range)...

Still, something new to take pictures of! :)

[LeL]

I know, we did get spoilt by the F-111 with its speed, range and payload. but the other aircraft that were considered did not have Harpoon systems. F-111C was the pride of keeping Austalia safe, now we have strike force that can handle hard ACM with Jamming (EA-18G Growlers are comming aswell). We do have the best fighter pilots in the asia-pacific regeon.

[Specter1075]

The -111 is an awesome bird, but I have a soft spot for the Super Bug too. I doubt its likely, but I'd love to see Canada pick up a few. Is Australia the only country that put in orders for the new -18, or were there others too?

[LeL]

As far as I'm aware of Australia is the only country that has ordered the F-18F and G, other countries are waiting for the F-35.

[Specter1075]

Well, good for you guys then. While I don’t think in the cold analytical ways that governments do (or should), I like the Super Bug more than the F-35 anyway.

[LeL]

If only the US DoD had not gone ahead with Super Hornet maybe the F-14E Super Tomcat would have looked real nice in aussie colours.

[Richard_H]

We do have the best fighter pilots in the asia-pacific regeon.

How do ya know that?:mad:

[Zaggy]

Because in the regular Multi-national AirEx's (Pitch Black, Cope Thunder, Red Flag), RAAF kicks a LOT of ass...

Personally, I dont like definitives like 'the best' (what can I say, too much discrete maths and boolean logic); I'd be more inclined to say RAAF has some of the better pilots in the Region (if not world).

[Cali]

Everyone knows that Antarctica has the best pilots in the world.

[Zaggy]

Yep... And what country technically controls the largest percentage of Antartica? Australia! On that point, tehnically, the USA 'invaded' parts of Australia, when they first set up one of their Antartic research stations, which happened to be in Australian territory. But it seems all the territorial issues are 'relaxed' when it comes to pure research, and will probably stay that way, unless countries start trying to mine the area...

[Vega]

Aussies ;). Australia doesn't "control" any territory in Antarctica. Antarctica has no government and belongs to no country. Various countries claim areas of it but, while some have mutually recognized each other's claims, no other countries recognize such claims. I could "claim" half of Antarctica as personally mine. Does that mean anything? No.

[Redstormer]

Akehurts Modern Introduction to International Law (7th Revised Edition - page 149-150)

In fact by International Law Antarctica is seen as Terra Nullius. It can be found in the 1959 Antarctica Treaty. Before 1959 several states had laid claims to various areas of Antarctica, but the area claimed by one state sometimes overlapped with an area claimed by another state and none of the areas was subject by effective control by the states concerned. The 1959 treaty has been ratified by all states actively interested in Antarctica.

The treaty provides for freedom of movement and scientific exploration throughout Antarctica; the parties agree to coopreate with one another and not to use Antarcita for military purposes.

Article IV provides:
No act or activities taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in Antartica or creat any right of sovereignty in Antartica. No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica shall be asserted while the present Treaty is in force.

Meanwhile, Antarctica has been placed under an international treaty regime aiming at te protection of its recources and enviroment. With other areas beyond national jurisdiction, such as the high seas, the deep sea-bed and outer space, Antarctica is now viewed as belonging to the 'international commons' governed by the ambigious principle of the 'common heritage of mankind'.

[Zaggy]

Well, Australia still has a Territory called 'Australian Antartic Territory'... The territory was claimed by the British in the 1840's sometime, with borders being defined and control passing to Australia during the 1930's... Last I heard, the claim was still recognised by a number of countries and has never been officially challenged... Now while the 1959 treaty defines Antartica as Terra Nullis under international law, it does not (as far as I understood) negate Australia's claim to the Territories. This also probably why Australia issues Stamps and etc for the AAT since 1957, showing its claim to the Territories...

[LeL]

wonder if the Antarctic penguins will purchase some F-22's and MiG-35's....

[Zaggy]

Nah, the US Government (despite previous promises to the contrary) wont sell the F-22 to anyone; even Penguins... UNLESS they're AMERICAN Penguins.

Personally, I still see the decision NOT to sell the F-22 to Allies, as one of the BIGGEST mistakes the US Government/Defence Industry has made since i) Terminating the F-14D program (both new builds and remanufactures) and ii) trying to force the F-111B on the USN. Like Im sure I'm going to awaken more 'patriotic' cries that 'America shouldn't be sharing anything' and 'the F-22 is AMERICAN for America!' etc (to which i will have to point out the high degree of foreign technologies being implemented and the foreign owned compnaies taking part in the program, etc). Sales to Allies (such as the supposedly PROMISED sales to Israel, the Japanese SDF and even RAAF (longshot admittedly)) WOULD have obviously prolonged production (allowing future USAF purchases and/or slower rate purchases), reduced unit cost and reduced future maintenance expenses... Not to mention the increased income to Lockheed across the fleet life from Allied operators, from upgrades and contracted maintenance, etc...

Madness from an economic and fleet support perspective...

Now, back to the Penguins - you think the Penguins would go the MiG-35 or one of the Super-Flanker variants? I suggest the Flanker variants due to the increased range. While most map projections distort the true size of the Antartic continent, its still a BIG place, where range counts. The Penguins would need a pretty serious infrastructure investment too, to keep the jets 'un-frozen'; something like the warmed up drive-thru's at Elmendorf AFB (or is it Keflavik - or both?)?

What a brutal place to have to operate... ;) But I guess if you're a penguin, you'd be used to all but the worst of it!