Australian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

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I guess it is one of those options like when you buy a car except it seems from the article it is not really an option but then it is not included in the flyaway price.

The not so funny part of the article is that if you read into the implications of it is that if this helmet technology doesn't work as advertised, then a lot of people are truly screwed. The worrying part is that this whole wiz bang thing might not actually work because of the technology hurdles involved. The question is what is plan B?

common Brumby, are you an F-35 detractor or what? :)
 

Brumby

Major
that's why in the first moment I thought your account had been hacked :)

back to the story I posted (
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isn't it just some accounting issue, I mean Australia might have ordered more helmets than airplanes, right? so a separate invoice would have to be issued for helmets anyway ...

Thanks for bringing up this news as I did not picked it up in the local newswire.

Jokes aside, the cost of the helmet is not an issue in my view but rather how integrated and dependent the pilot is on the helmet to fly the plane. Note a couple of repeats from the article "This helmet is necessary for the fighter to fly, and incorporates some of the most advanced sensing and display technology in the world." and "Unlike pretty much every tactical fighter produced in recent memory, the F-35 does not feature a heads-up display (HUD) in the plane itself, but leaves that function entirely to the helmet. This means that the plane is far more difficult to fly effectively (basically impossible) without the helmet,"

It is a great tool if and when it works but because it is breaking new grounds things do not always go smoothly and in the manner planned. In my view it is potentially the archilles heel because if the helmet doesn't perform or is sensitive to failure than the stuff up is pretty significant. I don't have too much faith in untested new technology because they tend to screw you up in strange ways. Effectively if the $780,000 helmet fails to perform, the $120 million F-35 is dead weight.
 

SamuraiBlue

Captain
About the sub selection process, there is one thing that JMSDF can provide that no others can including ASC (which would be the least capable) which is training on a real sub. JMSDF operates 19 subs at this moment including two subs dedicated for training so RAN can send 10~15 sailors at a time for training on those boats including the Soryu class.
That is more then anything money can buy to build a sub fleet.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
"This helmet is necessary for the fighter to fly, and incorporates some of the most advanced sensing and display technology in the world." and "Unlike pretty much every tactical fighter produced in recent memory, the F-35 does not feature a heads-up display (HUD) in the plane itself, but leaves that function entirely to the helmet. This means that the plane is far more difficult to fly effectively (basically impossible) without the helmet,".
Hmmm...as I understand it, the helmet is not complete yet.

And yet something over 100 F-35s are currently flying.

Hmmm.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
...there is one thing that JMSDF can provide that no others can...which is training on a real sub. JMSDF

That is more then anything money can buy to build a sub fleet.

Yes...the fact that the Soryu class exists and has been proven is why I think the Soryu has a huge leg up...and it seems to me that the process has been developed to facilitate the Soryu.

The Soryu has the size and range. The Soryu has the quieting technology. The Soryu incorporates the AIP technology. The Soryu has the weapons load.

And...as you say, most importantly...it is an operating sub with seven units launched in the last seven years and five (soon to be six) of them commissioned and operating with the JMSDF.

In addition, it is a functioning, operating assembly/production process, into which the RAN subs can be incorporated. All of that is invaluable.
 
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Brumby

Major
Hmmm...as I understand it, the helmet is not complete yet.

And yet something over 100 F-35s are currently flying.

Hmmm.

The article probably exaggerated the part of being unable to fly without it but in my view there is some truth at least that the helmet is an integral part of the design in providing situational awareness for the pilot. If it doesn't work as planned, it would probably mean a substantial feature of which time and money had been spent will not be harvested.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
The article probably exaggerated the part of being unable to fly without it but in my view there is some truth at least that the helmet is an integral part of the design in providing situational awareness for the pilot. If it doesn't work as planned, it would probably mean a substantial feature of which time and money had been spent will not be harvested.

I concur completely Mr. Brumby, and your common sense does lead you to some conclusions at times the seem to be obvious, but if I had waited until I could afford to be married, I wouldn't be, if I had waited until I could afford children, I would be childless, if I had waited until I could afford one???, I wouldn't have a Firebird, GSXR-1000, or have ever flown an airplane??? So sometimes you launch on Faith Brother, the Lord will Provide, and He does.
Given the present state of world affairs, the bad people are gaining an upper hand, the good guys better keep their guard up, and the steel sharp, cause bad people cheat, a lot, and you can't take their word when they say???? we mean you no harm?????

Now on the helmet/hud display, that is plumb stoopid? You plug a portable HUD into the helmet plug, allows you to fly the aircraft and rudimentary targeting without the helmet. System redundancy is "always" a smart move, "always!", but smart people never remember that??? Heh! Heh!
No doubt the article does exaggerate, and there are a thousand hit pieces on this poor little ThunderHogge II, just as there was on her big sister??? very sad that people make a good living discounting the work of people who are trying to provide the means to keep us both Free and Secure? but the ole devil never sleeps, does he??
 
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