Air Force

Australia's Air Force must give the government a plan of action for their future to cope with a new style of war, particularly post September 11, and the increasing demands made by Government.

Australia's Air Force is facing the most costly dilemma in its history. It is about to scrap 71 fighters and 33 long range bombers, and has four years to decide what will be in the air in the middle of the 21st Century.

The biggest problem facing the RAAF is hanging on to its best people. The RAAF has just under 13 500 men and women who work as pilots, research scientists, engineers and skilled tradespeople. The skills and intelligence they display is also required in higher paid activities such as IT and computing on many levels.

The realities of 'command and control', combat and weapon systems. This episode reveals the RAAF's ability to keep largely outdated aircrafts flying. It explores the multi-billion dollar choices that confront the RAAF. They have to decide what will replace its jets and bombers. It might be the stealth bombers like the F22 Raptor, or unmanned aircraft like the Global Hawk.

In the last decade wars have erupted in Central Asia, the Middle East and Central Europe. With each new eruption the technology becomes cheaper, more intelligent and more destructive. Despite the growth in intelligent destruction Australia is still one of the safest places on earth, and there is no military threat predicted in the foreseeable future.