Is a GAU-8 platform a no-brainer?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Raleigh
Is a GAU-8 platform a no-brainer?
Considering the a-10 is close to retirement and drones are everywhere, is it feasible or even likely that the Air Force will build an uav around the GAu8?
Other platforms can deliver a wide variety of ordinance but it seems like the gun gets all the attention on the a-10.
Of course it was designed to kill tanks, but seemed to be praised for practically everything.
Of course it would be a large UAV but there's nothing new there and it seems like you could probably get all or more of the a-10 functionality if you built around the canon.
Could easily be missing something and looking forward to your thoughts!
Other platforms can deliver a wide variety of ordinance but it seems like the gun gets all the attention on the a-10.
Of course it was designed to kill tanks, but seemed to be praised for practically everything.
Of course it would be a large UAV but there's nothing new there and it seems like you could probably get all or more of the a-10 functionality if you built around the canon.
Could easily be missing something and looking forward to your thoughts!
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Everett, WA
Since the Air Force likes 'zoom-zoom' - and has long hated the A-10 since it was pretty much the opposite of 'zoom-zoom' - maybe the Army can take up the mantle.
A stealthy version of the A-10 would be highly desirable to the Army - so much better if it's unmanned.
A stealthy version of the A-10 would be highly desirable to the Army - so much better if it's unmanned.
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
Tdracer it’s been tried many times over the life of the A-10. It’s a fixed wing combat system, the USAF will not give that up no matter how much they hate the plane. They will NOT give the Army combat planes. There’s a law to that effect regarding which service does which missions with what devices.
Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 5,682
Likes: 3,347
From: Everett, WA
Tdracer it’s been tried many times over the life of the A-10. It’s a fixed wing combat system, the USAF will not give that up no matter how much they hate the plane. They will NOT give the Army combat planes. There’s a law to that effect regarding which service does which missions with what devices.
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 780
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From: Seattle
I don't see why not. Drones more closely resemble helicopters than fixed wing craft. And the Army already has those.
In my opinion, a lot of mistakes have been made by inter-service rivalries. At times, re-enforced by legislation. Bomarc CIM-10 was one example. Engineered to fit through loopholes so as to give the Air Force a SAM capability (at the time, the bailiwick of the Army). It turned out to be a marginal design. Really useful only to waylay the Arrow CF-105 program.
In my opinion, a lot of mistakes have been made by inter-service rivalries. At times, re-enforced by legislation. Bomarc CIM-10 was one example. Engineered to fit through loopholes so as to give the Air Force a SAM capability (at the time, the bailiwick of the Army). It turned out to be a marginal design. Really useful only to waylay the Arrow CF-105 program.
