Count me in.

Are you guys serious ?  It's not a real ferkin' petition !

I just wanted to start a debate about what fixed (or rotary) wing capability the RAN/RAAF should have on the LHD's.

 

Talk about a tough crowd.....

the fact that they bought the ship that has a ski jump should be a hint......

Does it have a ski jump or is it capable of having a ski jump ?  If it does then you are right - it is a strong indicator as it would (i guess) reduce desk space for choppers and therefore need to be a real requirement.

It does HAVE a ski jump.

 

 The origional mockups have no ski jump. However the LHD will definately have a skijump. It would have cost more to remove the skijump and another variation to the design. The 7ths helo spot would have basically have been useless (Who ever operates 7 helos spots on one ship enough to make a big difference). Why sacrifice fixed wing aircraft operations for it???!!

 

 The most sensable thing about the BPE LHD aquisition is the readoption of the skijump.

 

 I will be drafting up a letter to my local pollies that clearly state my support for F-35B's.

 

 I think the Canberra class will make a fine light carrier. Big lifts, well positioned the the extremes. A Weapons lift, a large hanger, good visibility from the tower, ample parking space on deck. Big enought to operate a dozen or more F-35's and a few helicopters. Ample space for additional crew (flight etc), and weapons. The F-35 makes a more convincing argument than Harriers. Its supersonic, it has steathy charateristics, has a useful internal payload, advanced radar and targeting systems, shares most parts with the f-35a.  Doesn't send hot exhaust gases onto the deck.. They have really sorted alot of the harrier issues out with the f-35B. The F-35 doesn't have to be as manourverable as other aircraft because of the network systems and sensors. This works even more into the F-35B's favour where its reduced manouvorability over the F-35A and C is largely irrelevant.

 

 Australia will have two very useable light carriers. They can perform strike and recon missions with ease and offer more capabilities than Australia really needs at this moment. Australia can support its missions with strong, fixed wing aircraft support. With two carriers, australia will always have one avalible at short notice.

 

 It also goes a long way to plugging the F-111 gap, the loss of the Melbourne and the lack of the sydney upgrade. Not to mention the F-35 being able to take off from rough and ready runways say on small islands or in the mountains of PNG, if it ever was required. It also makes Australia a prime target for regional service contracts.

 

 Australia with the F-35b will finally have a complete force. Not to mention the sheer attractiveness of the ADF when Australias two new carriers and destroyers pull into sydney harbour in 2015 and start flying F-35's off them in a bit of a airshow.

 

 

 

Count me as a NEGATIVE.

 

Don't need them, probably wouldn't ever use them and the training for a small bunch of  STOVL chaps isn't worth the money or effort.

 

The fact that the Phibs will be loaded down with MRH-90, Chook and Tiger on any OS deployment would no doubt leave very little room if any for a few jets.

 

I seriously doubt we would be dumb enough to steam within 12nm of Beijing and decide to throw missiles their way, nor do I believe a few jungle militia in Fiji would require F-35B CAPS. Any other combined force would have our phibs being escorted by UK/USA carrier groups or our own AEGIS tubs.