Image Gallery: March 2006
New heavy lift capability for Air Force
03 March 2006
The
Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, announced
plans for a new heavy airlift capability during
a visit to RAAF Base Richmond on 3 March 2006.
"I am pleased to announce that the Australian
Government will acquire up to four new Boeing
C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated
equipment to provide the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) with a heavy airlift capability,"
Dr Nelson said.
"The Government has selected the C-17 by for
its ability to meet the needs of the ADF over
the next 30 years."
This is the only aircraft currently in production
which has a proven capability to meet ADF operational
commitments, in Australia, the region and globally.
The C-17 has four times the carrying capacity
of the RAAF C-130 Hercules. The C-17 aircraft
has the load capacity and range that will allow
the ADF to rapidly deploy troops, combat vehicles,
heavy equipment and helicopters.
This includes the M1A1 Abrams tank, as well
as Black Hawk, Seahawk, and Chinook helicopters.
Each C-17 has the capacity to transport five
Bushmaster Infantry Vehicles, or three Tiger
helicopters.
The fleet of up to four aircraft will give Australia
a new Responsive Global AirLift (RGA) capability,
significantly enhancing the ADF’s ability to
support national and international operations,
and major disaster rescue and relief efforts.
As the C-17 aircraft is currently in production,
it is possible for the first aircraft to be
delivered later this year with the balance of
the fleet to be delivered by mid 2008.
This will give the ADF the Responsive Global
Airlift operating capability it needs within
a short time-frame. Acquisition of the C-17
will also provide significant opportunity for
our aerospace industry with Boeing proposing
an Australian Industry Capability program valued
at $345m over the life of the aircraft.
| 20060303raaf8143036_0017 The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, answers questions from the media about the new heavy airlift capability for Air Force. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8143036_0021 The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, and Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, field questions about the new heavy lift aircraft. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8143036_0028 The Member for Macquarie, Mr Kerry Bartlett MP, with the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, and Captain Jason Mills. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8143036_0032 The Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, Mr Kerry Bartlett MP, the Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson, United States Air Force pilot Jason Mills and the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, inside the loading ramp of a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8143036_0062 The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, with the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, after a tour inside the C-17 aircraft. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8143036_0080 The Commander Air Lift Group, Air Commodore Glen Steed, Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston, Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson, Wing Commander Linda Corbould, Mr Kerry Bartlett MP and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8184483_0044 Dr Brendan Nelson addresses the aircrew of Number 36 Squadron who will receive the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8184483_0068 Lieutenant Chelsea Kellso, pilot based in Hawaii shows Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, Chief of Air Force, and Dr Brendan Nelson the flight deck of the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060303raaf8184483_0093 Wing Commander Linda Corbould of the Heavy Air Lift Capability Development Group introduces the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, to Warrant Officer John Maddigan, the loadmaster selected to be part of the first aircrew team on the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 03 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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