Defence: Aircraft Weapons

Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 10 July 2002:

With reference to the weapons carried by the F-111s:

1. What weapons (missiles or bombs) are deployable on the F-111 but not on the F/A-18.
2. For each of these weapons, can a description be provided of its capability, purpose and cost.
3. Is the AGM-142 a weapon that can be deployed on the F-111 but not on the F/A-18.
4. What is the total stock of weapons (not individually) that can be deployed on the F-111 but not on the F/A-18.

Senator Hill - The answers to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. The AGM-84 Harpoon and GBU-24 are the only weapons or missiles that can be deployed on the F-111 but not on the F/A-18.
2. Unit cost of weapons is classified. The capability and purpose of these weapons/missiles are as follows:
   1. For the AGM-84 Harpoon:
      1. The AGM-84 is a medium range, over the horizon anti-ship, sea skimming cruise missile employing a radar homing seeker. The missile has a 222kg high explosive blast penetration warhead.
      2. The missile provides the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Navy with a potent anti-ship missile capability with the capacity to attack ships from in excess of 60nm.
   2. For the GBU-24:
      1. The GBU-24 is an unpowered, low-level laser guided weapon. GBU-24 uses the Paveway III laser guidance kit and can be assembled with either the Mk-84 or BLU-109 2,000lb bomb.
      2. The bomb provides the RAAF with a precision strike capability to attack high value, fixed and mobile targets from ranges in excess of 10nm.
3. The AGM-142 cannot be deployed on the F-111. The RAAF is currently undertaking flight clearance and release activities and once completed will enable the weapon to be deployed on F-111. There are no plans to clear the weapon for release on the F/A-18.
4. Australian weapon stock numbers are classified.

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