Derek 2.0

Their intended requirement hasn’t been “downgraded” and still stands as: F-35A x 72 replacing their legacy Hornets. F/A-18F x 24 that replaced their F-111.……and these Hornets will likely be replaced by the F-35B after the 72 F-35As have been delivered EA-18 x 12 aircraft that are a new unique capability to the RAAF…..there is the option of upgrading 12 of the 24 above Super Hornets to a near standard.

Those are Growlers, a new capability for the RAAF and not a replacement for legacy Hornets, but the F-111.

No, 72 F-35A in several tranches, with an additional purchase once planned (of F-35A) to replace the Super Hornets……of course, said additional tranche will now likely see the purchase of the F-35B.

No they're not, that was a proposal by the previous Government…..

It varies by accounting method and what is included. The death spiral eh……did you look at your second graph?

Actually no…….the RAAF aircraft (AU-2) pictured is real.

A further update from the Land of Oz: and And so will begin the RAAF’s transition from legacy Hornet’s (of the same vintage as ours) to the F-35A…. As to the price: Nice looking livery:

The LGR was only one part of the failure that is Bill C-68.……With this new planned legislation, many of the errors, that have no measurable effect on public safety, will be reversed……..but there is still plenty of work to do.

I agree fully with the incremental proposals, coupled with several measures to strengthening the licensing process. This passage is poorly worded…….What this portion covers is rolling the current Authorization to transport (ATT) into a RPAL holders licence, instead of having both a licence and a permit……the licence is now both. This is basically in effect already……the vast majority of applicants do take a course so as to help pass the required test……very few people are able to challenge the test without the course or prior firearms knowledge. Again this is in essence already in effect…..most convicted felons are unable to obtain a license and have lifetime bans……I suppose this just puts it into stone. Now with both this and the safety course requirements, I am to assume (fore I haven’t seen the entire legislation) this will close a few avenues incorporated in to the current Firearms Act that allow First Nations applicants to side step these requirements with a letter of reference from their Band council…..if my assumption is correct, this could also help reduce suicides with legal firearms…….. .....and the CZ-858.......As they should, fore the RCMP should never have leveraged a loophole within the act that allows them to reclassify firearms based on the most flimsy of grounds……..And the two separate cases that brought these guns to the forefront should have been addressed directly and not allowed to spiral out of control by the RCMP. The other thing not mentioned in the article is diminishing the powers of the Provincial Chief Firearms Officers that have created a hodgepodge of inane rules across the country……In particular, the CFO in Ontario that has been taken to court (and lost) numerous times, only to continue with his abusive behaviour. As a related side note, after talking with my own riding association President after lunch, the CPC’s head office has been inundated with donations since the announcement……..and I expect, once the results of the High River gun grab inquiry are released, either several further amendments or stand alone private members bills put forth in the Fall session.

The Australians, like the British, have their own domestic roadblocks firmly entrenched, but overall there is a bipartisan understanding between the political parties that have a chance to form Government, on how best to address their respective defence needs and not turn major programs into a conjured political hot-potato.

Indeed, operability will steadily decrease as the Hornet fleet continues to age.

And the United Kingdom, the Dutch and on Thursday Australia

It’s all but complete, but it defiantly negatively effected availability during the last decade.

Without a doubt......at most, Between the two combat squadrons and the conversion squadron, you have 50-60 aircraft operational at any one time.

70-75% of 48 aircraft at anyone time.....

I already answered that for you, the F-35B is currently conducting training, at squadron level, to convert former Hornet pilots and maintainers to the F-35B……I fail to see the problem in comprehension. You did and I answered several months ago…….deployable means exactly that…….The aircraft is replacing former Marine Hornet strike-fighter squadrons, that when required, are combat ready.

It most certainly is, and further compounded with bastard fleets.

And the new proposed changes: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gun-owners-may-face-less-red-tape-new-responsibilities-under-proposed-law-1.2715612 Here's hoping.... I've been saying for a long time that the ATT is redundant........ And so they should.......If Grandpa's renewal get’s lost in the mail, there’s no reason the RCMP needs to kick in the doors for paper criminals. And so they should……Firearms are a federal responsibility, there is no need for Provincial fiefdoms. Good, but as it stands, very few people are actually able to challenge and pass the safety course without the course material unless they have prior knowledge of firearms. No brainier. The elected Government, not the RCMP write the laws. I of course await to see further details of the legislation, and to hear if it will combined with several other private members bills, but overall many gun owners will get most of what they want and I fully expect the remainder to be an electoral carrot.

Exactly......Any conversion between types, for an entire squadron, will take time…..and not to be forgotten, the non-commissioned maintainers that actually run the squadron.

As mentioned, conduct the conversion of Hornet pilots to the F-35B currently…….They will be deployable, like the Hornets they replaced, next year……..

Actually the bulk of the transitioning Marine Hornets are A/Bs, a testament to the center barrel upgrade and disbanding of several active squadrons (VMAF-332 & VMAF-134) and reshuffling the deck…….And why the F-35B (and some F-35Cs) will replace Hornets and Prowlers prior to that Harriers…....... The West Coast squadron is slated to rotate to Japan once deemed deployable.

I wouldn’t call the ongoing conversion of a squadrons worth of Hornets pilots nothing……perhaps you have differing standards and a focused opinion on how the Marines conduct both flight and conversion training?

And of course the irony is not lost with their derailment of the alleged and in question derailment.

Another milestone, so now both coasts have an active Marine squadron assigned that has turned in their legacy Hornets (of the same vintage as ours) for F-35Bs and will become deployable next year……….The Great Santini would be proud….. Also, I’ve come to understand that the F-35C will began sea trials in the next few months aboard the Nimitz….What’s not certain is if the CARQUALS will take place up here in the Pacific Northwest……..

As I said, one persons “derail” is another persons “wider” and more “encompassing” discussion………As mentioned, clearly a subjective point of view………… If said members feel my contributions and discourse (with other members) clutters and obstructs their ability to discuss the F-35 in a manner that they feel more comfortable and confined……..I see no other alternative for them, then to follow the direction of the moderator: Ignore & report