Model Forum / General / Models / January 2006

My understanding, andd this is a request for additional data from those who
know more, is that the later upgraddes and retoolings, by the Aussies made
it a much better plane for their needs.  They were able to use it in a way
the USAF never did.  Granted, my info comes from a former RAAF guy, but he
was space command.

Rich

F-111 is ideal at what it does, keeps the neighbours honest....

It's the only aircraft in the region that has it's capabilities and some of
them are very hard to counter/stop.

F-15E was considered as a possible temporary solution but decided against
because bringing them into RAAF service would have been almost as costly as
bringing in a brand new aircraft. Cost wasn't justifiable for such a
temporary measure, even though we did a similar thing by leasing Phantoms
while the RAAF waited for the F-111 problems to be ironed out.

Replacing the F-111 capabilities (those that are specifically needed) is
argued to be something that could be met by some long range cruise missiles
and evolving UAV technology. Not quite there yet but in a few years that may
not sound so silly.