Page 55 - AAPT March 2019

Feature Story

The Australian contingent and
participating aircraft.
Photos David Cotton

and be successful. In a lot of cases, scenarios that increase in difficulty the $17 billion AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B
we have a large role as an integrated as the weeks go on. This allows the program – which is aimed at replacing
quarterback. Our ability to continue to integrated force to learn how best to the ageing F-18A/B Classic Hornets
fuse and pass information to the entire capitalise on the strengths and protect that have been in service with the RAAF
package makes every aircraft more the weaknesses of each platform in very since 1985.
survivable.” specific mission sets. Ten nations are currently flying F-35s,
As part of the first week of exercises, The evolving nature of the exercises including the US, UK, Italy, Norway,
F-35s flew as part of a large force in a has demonstrated the capability of the Israel and Japan. More than 340
counter-air mission against more than F-35 to operate and survive in complex, F-35s are operating today with partner
60 “aggressor” aircraft, which leveraged high-intensity combat situations, nations, more than 700 pilots and 6,500
advanced electronic attack capabilities seemingly addressing capability maintainers have been trained, and the
to blind the Blue Force fleet of fourth- concerns about the aircraft, raised F-35 fleet has surpassed more than
generation aircraft to both air and throughout the history of the world's 170,000 cumulative flight hours.
surface-based threats. largest defence project. Courtesy Defence Connect
The F-35’s unique blend of low- “Even in this extremely challenging
observable stealth technologies, environment, the F-35 didn’t have
combined with the airframe performance many difficulties doing its job. That’s
and “sensor fusion” enabled the pilots a testament to the pilot’s training and
to reshape both the battlespace and the the capabilities of the jet,” said Colonel
battles themselves: “With stealth, the Joshua Wood, US Air Force 388th
F-35 can get closer to threats than many Operations Group commander.
other aircraft can. Combined with the For Australia, the success of the
performance of the fused sensors on fifth-generation fighter aircraft comes
the F-35, we can significantly contribute as a vote of confidence in the Royal
to the majority of the missions,” LTCOL Australian Air Force’s future fighter
Morris added. fleet. Over the coming years, Australia Security personnel from participating
Red Flag is not a rolling campaign, will purchase 72 of the advanced fifth- nations walk through a hangar at Nellis Air
the exercises are made up of different generation fighter aircraft as part of Force Base, Nevada, USA.

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