The A-10 Warthog Debate: A Fate Worse Than Death

[cbx]

It's sad how broken procurement is. I don't doubt that the A10 is expensive to keep flying, but to shelve it with something that isn't even operational yet is a bit stupid.

Something like a super tucano isn't that cool, but it's practical.

The targeting system on the f35 is amazing, but let's be real, do you really want that thing flying under a few thousand feet? If they are citing costs, how the hell will flight time be cheaper on the f35? Just the fuel usage.....

This thinking of the same plane being tip of the spear, bomb truck, superiority, and CAS machine is retarded.

Everyone prepares as we're going to get in a peer to peer shooting war. Not going to happen. MAD, nuclear or not insures that not happening. We better have thousands of planes, ships and many more thousands of warriors to sacrifice.

So given that, I say yes. Investment in the future is smart. It's what keeps us safe and prosperous. But, since the modern era doesn't seem to really support a shooting war with a peer, let's be realistic and buy/build a cheap CAS platform. One that doesn't have to super cruise and could a good part of the day on a fuel load.

Let the Pentagon keep throwing money endless money at the JSF. Keep them happy. Go buy some A29's, fly them cheap or licence and build then here. Just move the A10 pilots over....... Win.

Sorry for my rant, I know a few guys over at hill field, (they do A10 and various other plane over haul) and some of the stories just blow my mind.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I can beer-belch like an A10, but that is as close as I get to familiarity, but it seems to me that since the 1950s we have been trying to use missiles to replace guns and it keeps coming back to bite us. I get the argument for drones for this mission. I get that pilotless drones are the next thing and we want to keep pilots safe. You want to talk about economics, a 30mm round on target has the be about the cheapest FU that you smack someone with. Can't jam it, hack it and have fun carrying enough armor to stop it. Small diameter bombs vs. large caliber bullet?

Unfortunately, it seems that there is a lot of killing that is going to be done in the ME

[skydivr]

Kudos to the AF officer - the Army thanks you...

[wildcard600]

The F-35 made it obsolete. So we dont need them anymore.







*rolleyes*

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

The F-35 made it obsolete. So we dont need them anymore.







*rolleyes*

Low speed, that b!tch can HOVER!!!

[WillBrink]

Although not mentioned here or in the article, but I had thought a major reason for wanting to scrap the A-10 was the Apache and it's various iterations was supposed to be the primary CAS, tank killer, etc. Was it not the Apache that was supposed to take over A-10s primary role as low and slow with plenty of death dealing?

[wildcard600]

Although not mentioned here or in the article, but I had thought a major reason for wanting to scrap the A-10 was the Apache and it's various iterations was supposed to be the primary CAS, tank killer, etc. Was it not the Apache that was supposed to take over A-10s primary role as low and slow with plenty of death dealing?

i thought they essentially shut down Apache development programs and cut future offensive helicopter designs completely back in the early 2000's ?

[williejc]

The author sounds like he's writing out of the side of his mouth so that he can score points with the right people on an already made decision. Will the A-10's replacement also be able to perform stable slow speed maneuvers?

[WillBrink]

i thought they essentially shut down Apache development programs and cut future offensive helicopter designs completely back in the early 2000's ?

I don't know, but if so, why? I had thought attack helos were the new tanks of the battlefield. No drone can replace the many roles of an Apache, at least not yet. Anyone have an answer to that one?

[C-grunt]

We had a lot of A10 support during the invasion of Iraq. Nothing comes close to what that thing does. Whenever they were around we all felt much safer out in injun territory.