FED: Questions raised over F 111 fleet = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-1999
FED: Questions raised over F 111 fleet = 2

But ADF public affairs spokesman Mark Quilligan and Australian Defence Association
executive director Michael O'Connor defended the aircraft.

Squadron leader Quilligan downplayed the problem.

"It's a cracking problem. It's a problem which I guess could potentially lead to more
serious problems with the engine but it won't because we have identified the issue and we are
taking necessary steps to resolve the matter," he said.

Mr O'Connor said the RAAF was now the only airforce in the world operating F-111s.

"It is a capability we have and it is not one I think we should get rid of too quickly,
particularly when there is no obvious replacement available," he said.

The RAAF aircraft are expected to remain in service until as late as 2020. All are based
with the strike-reconnaissance group at RAAF Amberley, outside Brisbane.

Of the RAAF's 35 aircraft, 14 are the newer G-models acquired from the USAF in 1995, four
are the RF111 reconnaissance variant while the rest are the older C-models.

The problem was found in a C-model engine but all aircraft were grounded to ensure the
problem did not extend across the fleet.

AAP msl/it/br

KEYWORD: BOMBER D/L 2 CANBERRA

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