Plan Jericho: RAAF 10-year transformation plan launched by Air Marshal Geoff Brown

THE RAAF has unveiled an ambitious plan to become one of the most technologically advanced air forces in the world over the next ten years.

The Air Force of our future ... a mock-up of the F-35A Lightning II aircraft (commonly known as the Joint Strike Fighter) on display at Defence Establishment Fairbairn.

THE RAAF has unveiled its plan to become one of the most technologically-advanced air forces in the world.

“We cannot be complacent by thinking that simply having the next generation of aircraft technology will create an advanced air force,” the Air Force chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown said in a statement.

“The E-7A Wedgetail is already in service, and the F-35A Lightning II, P-8A Poseidon and EA-18G Growler are only a few years away.

But full potential could only be reached through operating them in a fully networked force, including the army and navy, RAAF chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown said.

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News_Image_File: Transforming the RAAF ... Air Marshall Geoff Brown shows the Duke of Cambridge the cockpit of a Super Hornet. Picture: Tara Croser

“These aircraft will bring more data and situation awareness than ever before. We need to be able to share this information across aircraft platforms through networking, and enable good decisions without being overwhelmed by the high volumes of data.

“We need to work across Defence, to create integration with Army and Navy’s technologies to deliver the best possible options for Government from these advanced aircraft.

“We need to transform ourselves into a truly integrated, networked force that can realise the potential of this technology, and maintain our position as masters of the air domain,” he said.

Air Marshal Brown was launching what’s called Plan Jericho in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Internal Airshow later this week.

Plan Jericho is described as 10-year blueprint for transforming the RAAF into one of the world’s most technologically-advanced air forces, able to participate in closely-orchestrated joint operations.