32 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION
Super Hornet has opened up a whole
new world of operational capabilities
and possibilities for the RAAF.
“Really, it has proven to be a
prescient decision to go with the Super
Hornet,” AVM Roberton explained.
“I think there are three areas where
it has prepared us well. One, it has
exposed us to a whole new level of
security operations and operating
mindset that we needed to get to, not
just for F-35, but all of our other fifth-
gen platforms that are coming on.”
These platforms include the
EA-18G Growler, the P-8A Poseidon,
E-7A Wedgetail, MQ-4C Triton, and
the Gulfstream/L-3 MC-55 (G-550)
SIGINT aircraft, as well as the
RAN’s Hobart class DDG air warfare
destroyers, Canberra class LHD
amphibious assault ships, SEA 5000
Future Frigates, and Army’s new
LAND 400 armoured vehicles.
But it also includes the advanced
communications suites being installed
on transport aircraft such as the
C-130J, C-17 and KC-30 as well.
“The second thing is, the straight
tactical employment and the
operational outcomes that you get,”
AVM Roberton added.
“Super Hornet is a genuine
4.5-generation aircraft, and you fly
it differently. You can leverage its
strengths like the sensor suite, to
improve the rest of the force. It’s not
just the classic Hornets and other
fourth-generation fighters which
benefit, but the Army and Navy joint
capabilities as well. It truly makes
them a lot better.
“And the third area is just in the
infrastructure and mindset for the
broader Defence organisation. We
would not have been as prepared and,
I would argue that many of my peers
from other nations are being surprised
as they step into fifth-generation
capabilities, just what a big leap that
is.
“It’s not just buildings and
infrastructure, but it’s also the
operational mindset, tasking, IT
systems, even the workforce itself. You
need a different shaped workforce
to support and maintain a fifth-
generation capability than you did for
an older P-3 or F-111 type workforce.”
3SQN will start to take delivery
of aircraft at Luke AFB in Arizona
in early 2018 alongside the RAAF’s
first two F-35As (A35-001 and -002),
which wear 2OCU livery. The first
3SQN jet (A35-003) flew for the first
time in late November, and it will be
followed by seven more jets in 2018.
Rather than stand up the ‘new’
3SQN as a complete unit with all
its personnel but no aircraft, AVM
Roberton explained that the build-up
of the new unit will be a gradual one.“As part of the transition plan
they have been absorbed into the
consolidated classic Hornet 77SQN for
now,” he said. “Then as we need them,
we will bring technical, aviation and
support people across to 3SQN in the
US as we start building it back up.
“Currently, we have six pilots and
25 maintenance people training at
Luke. And we have others who will not
go to the US for training, but instead
will start looking after the facilities
and readying 3SQN, Air Combat
Group and the wider Air Force for
when the first F-35s turn up in about
12 months.”
As RAAF F-35 deliveries continue
in the first half of 2018, they will
continue to go into the 61st Fighter
Squadron which is Australia’s partner
unit at the F-35 training centre at
Luke.
“Later in the year around the‘The
situational
awareness
is quite
amazing.’
SQNLDR David Bell, the RAAF’s
second F-35A pilot, conducts a
preflight walk-around of his jet
at Luke AFB.DEFENCEAn F-35A of the USAF’s 61st FS flies in company
with a RAAF F-35A. The RAAF is an integral element
of the 61st FS, with RAAF pilots holding key flight
commander and weapons officer positions in the
squadron.USAF VIA DEFENCE