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License renewed? Air Force says it needs A-10 a bit longer, thanks
Last week, the joint commander in charge of operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria reported that Syrian Arab Coalition fighters had beaten back the group, taking the town of Al-Hawl and 250 square kilometers of territory around it in an offensive supported from the air by US Air Force A-10s and AC-130s flying from a Turkish air base. Now, the Air Force is apparently reconsidering the timeline it has set for retiring the A-10, as the demand for the venerable assault plane's… (arstechnica.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I was initial cadre into the A-10 from the F-4. The F-4 was a multi-role fighter as the F35 aspires to be. Neither the F-4 or the R-35 have the appropriate speed envelop to be successful in the CAS role. The F-16 could not do it either. The Russians built the Frog Foot, SU35 now the SU39 (copy of the A-9 which failed to make the cut). The Russian military doesn't like the Frog Foot any better than the Air Force likes the A-10 and for the same reasons...........not high tech enough! But, the Russians have realized that no other aircraft in the inventory can do the job as well thus they have continued to upgrade the aircraft and build more. The A-10 is not appreciated by the Air Force brass but, to troops putting their lives on the line, it is an answer to their prayers. Their is no aircraft on the drawing boards to replace the A-10. The Army would love to have sole responsibility for this role. The Air Force would gladly give it to them but, they don't want to lose the money this role represents and there you have it. Money is needed for flash and not for effectiveness. You might talk to your congressman but, they are more interested in how to get more money for pet projects and reelections as we all know.
F-35 not R-35
Mmmm, new spars, new engines, referb hydraulics & update flight controls, update avionics, a few gussits and an acre of sheet metal, I'd guess you could referb all the A-10s they have for the price of a couple 35s. Who would complain about a missing 35 or two?
I think we are looking at warfare in somebody's desert for the next 30 years. If the air force planners ever come to that realization then another a-10 run of 300 new aircraft is called for. I do not know if the existing airframes can be re-manufactured to create a zero-time condition cheaper than simply constructing a new generation of what we all know is the premier shit-kicker ground support aircraft ever built, at least one flying as an American aircraft. The Russians have build formidable ground support aircraft, but warthog is fearless, flawless, and we don't have enough of them,.
The A10 is second to none, is the CAS role, provided we continue to maintain air superiority in it's Theatre of Operation. If we ever lose that, they wouldn't last a week. It would be like shooting ducks in a barrel! While we do have control of the skies, we should continue to use the A-10 to it's full effect.
Hi:
As one involved in AVIATION SINCE 1971 AND building the 700+ A-10s at FAIRCHILD, I believe it has been a very valuable resource for the U.S. Military and with its simple design, should be affordable to operate and maintain. Recommend rather than spending $$$$ to replace this workhorse, the AF invest in a new round of manufacturing more A-10s. They are relatively inexpensive and durable + save many of our fighters, especially in the middle east battlegrounds. Do not replace something that is inexpensive, proven to do the job, well designed and has previous production.America needs to start thinking smartly about how we spend our money, especially when nearing 20 trillion national debt. Please listen and think seriously before acting. Thanks
As one involved in AVIATION SINCE 1971 AND building the 700+ A-10s at FAIRCHILD, I believe it has been a very valuable resource for the U.S. Military and with its simple design, should be affordable to operate and maintain. Recommend rather than spending $$$$ to replace this workhorse, the AF invest in a new round of manufacturing more A-10s. They are relatively inexpensive and durable + save many of our fighters, especially in the middle east battlegrounds. Do not replace something that is inexpensive, proven to do the job, well designed and has previous production.America needs to start thinking smartly about how we spend our money, especially when nearing 20 trillion national debt. Please listen and think seriously before acting. Thanks
If only they hadn't had the tooling for these broken up years ago.
Penny wise. Pound foolish.
Penny wise. Pound foolish.
Probably cheaper to retool than to buy one F-35....