Page 66 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

66 AIRPOWER
NOVEMBER 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
Rogue Ambush was held in Darwin between June 15 and July 2 and, besides the F-35As, almost 30 RAAF air- craft and 300 personnel participated - including KC-30A multi-role tanker transports, E-7A Wedgetail airborne ear- ly warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, Hawk Mk.127 lead-in fighter trainers and F/A-18A/B Hornets. The exer- cise also marked the first time 2 OCU has deployed air- craft domestically since transitioning to the F-35A in 2020.
Prior to Rogue Ambush, Exercise Arnhem Thunder was undertaken in the Northern Territory between 17 May and 15 June, with participants including the F-35As of 3 Sqn, the first operational fighter squadron to transition to the 5th generation aircraft. Arnhem Thunder was the first major domestic deployment of F-35As and also the largest domes- tic air combat exercise for the year. Dur-
AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITY
No in-depth analysis of Australia’s F-35 program would be complete without a look at how an Australian Industry Capability (AIC) has grown around the enterprise. Lockheed Martin figures suggest that, at last count, Australian companies have won contracts worth a total of $2.7 billion.
In the early days of the program, industry primes like BAE Systems and smaller en- terprises such as Marand Engineering, to- gether with numerous others, were focussed on aircraft production – supplying parts to the assembly line at Fort Worth and thence into Lockheed Martin’s global supply chain.
While this work is still going on – with only 700 of a pro- jected final total of around 3,100 F-35s now completed – the exponentially-increasing global fleet (and flying rate) is now seeing attention turn towards sustainment.
“We have a significant role in leading the Australian in- dustry team in sustaining the F-35 both for the RAAF and laying the foundation in Australia for industry to partici- pate in Asia-Pacific regional support,” detailed Lockheed Martin Australia Aeronautics Lead, Andy Doyle. “Another key set of achievements this year has been the establish- ment of an airframe depot at Williamtown, through our subcontractor BAE Systems.”
The first RAAF aircraft was inducted into the BAE Systems facility in February for modifications. In terms of potential work, it is perhaps worth noting that Japan, Singapore and the Republic of Korea have committed to the F-35 and there is also the poten- tial to support US aircraft forward-de-
ployed in the region.
From a powerplant perspective, TAE
Aerospace announced in July that it has achieved Initial Depot Capability (IDC) requirements for the repair of the Pratt & Whiney F135 engine’s fan and power mod-
ules. The work is being undertaken at TAE’s F135 Mainte- nance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) facility near Amberley. The MRO&U is the first operational F135 depot in the Asia-Pacific region and had previously achieved qualification from the engine manufacturer to perform fan module repairs in 2020.
Finally, despite the impact of COVID-19, Defence says the F-35 program is on track to achieve the FOC milestone as planned. “The project is delivering to the 2014 govern- ment-approved budget and schedule for the acquisition of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, reaching IOC in December 2020. While the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the complexity of delivery of the F-35A program, a mature ca- pability is expected on schedule by end of 2023,” a Defence spokesperson said.
“The F-35A – along with the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler – will ensure Australia maintains its po- tent and lethal air combat edge.” ■
ing the exercise period, two F-35As took off from Darwin with a full weapons load (internal and external), marking the first time the so-called ‘beast mode’ has been demonstrated in Australia.
“This design feature allows F-35s to be
adapted to suit the threat environment and
operational requirements,” commented
3 Sqn Commanding Officer, Wing Com-
mander Matthew Harper, during the exer-
cise. “This mode would most likely be used environments where rapid employment of
oritised over maximising the F-35A’s stealth capabilities.”
More than 50 inert GBU-12 laser-guided munitions were reportedly dropped on the Delamere Air Weapons Range and during the exercise period, one jet was de- ployed to Tindal, representing the first visit to the future F-35A operating base.
Most recently 3 Sqn conducted the first ever RAAF F-35A international deployment when it participated in Exercise Red Flag Alaska held at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson in Anchorage in August.
ABOVE: Fully loaded with inert GBU-12 laser guided ordnance for the first time, an F-35A is pictured enroute to the Delamere Air Weapons Range during Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21
“THE FIRST FOUR F-35A PILOTS TO COMPLETE THEIR OPERATIONAL CONVERSION COURSE WITH NO.2 OCU AT WILLIAMTOWN GRADUATED IN EARLY JULY”
in less contested ordnance is pri-
DEFENCE