A-10s out of retirement (again)?
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A-10s out of retirement (again)?
Is this the right aircraft for the job, given the threat environment?
I guess the A-10 can absorb a bit more battle damage and has better loitering capabilities than the Russian Frogfoot.
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2015/10/20/in...isis-in-syria/
I guess the A-10 can absorb a bit more battle damage and has better loitering capabilities than the Russian Frogfoot.
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2015/10/20/in...isis-in-syria/
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Originally Posted by Boy_From_Brazil
A-10s out of retirement (again)?
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I can't remember where I read it within the last week but the USAF have currently now planned a fly off with the A-10 vs the F-35 in 2018 too see if the new kid on the block can do what the older gen can do...
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Any role for a wing of Hunter FGA9s?? 
I'm with Herod ... A-10 in a straight fight, but that would never be allowed.
I'm with Herod ... A-10 in a straight fight, but that would never be allowed.
Which mafia in the USAF that writes the parameters of said fly off will have a large say in the future of the A-10. Do I have to fight my way in in a high threat environment then switch gears for CAS...
You can see where that can go.
You can see where that can go.
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Back in the days of the NFZ over Bosnia (1990s), I was chatting to a Lt Col from an air national guard unit which was flying operations from Aviano - they had recently turned in their A-10s and were now using ground attack F-16s. The Col's main concern was that the F-16 was much more complicated to operate and the part timers were having difficulty in maintaining their currency for combat (most of the pilots were ex-military but were now airline pilots with a hobby). I was left with the impression that they would prefer their A-10s back.
depends on tbe scenario
If the guys on the ground have got a decent selection of man carried SAMs then the A10 will have a hard time.
That's not the same as saying that "the F35 will be able to press home an A10esque attack when faced with SAMs". It can't, it doesn't have that gun.
The best A10 upgrade would be a stealthy A10. The F35 isn't one of those... Unfortunately the bean counters won't pay for a stealthy A10, which is odd because so far they're happy to fork out for a very expensive aircraft that's possibly too multi role for its own good.
These days a stealthy airframe must be a doddle to design and build, especially if it doesn't have to go very fast or carry an expensive array of avionics. Look what Lockheed managed to do for $30million in the 1970s!!!!
That's not the same as saying that "the F35 will be able to press home an A10esque attack when faced with SAMs". It can't, it doesn't have that gun.
The best A10 upgrade would be a stealthy A10. The F35 isn't one of those... Unfortunately the bean counters won't pay for a stealthy A10, which is odd because so far they're happy to fork out for a very expensive aircraft that's possibly too multi role for its own good.
These days a stealthy airframe must be a doddle to design and build, especially if it doesn't have to go very fast or carry an expensive array of avionics. Look what Lockheed managed to do for $30million in the 1970s!!!!
Has there been any recent operational experience to inform this, there has always been clear air superiority hasn't there? Danger is it becomes hurricane versus stuka. Just a pax but have an aversion to 5g tungsten fragments and I don't see a flying battleship coming anytime soon!
Last edited by Mr Optimistic; 23rd Oct 2015 at 07:03.
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