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Revealed: US Air Force Is Planning to Build a Super A-10 Warthog
The Air Force is beginning to work on how fast, lethal, durable and capable a new “A-10”-like aircraft would need to be in order to provide U.S. military ground troops with effective close-air support for decades to come. Translation: The Air Force is admitting the F-35 won't get the job done. (nationalinterest.org) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Thank heavens the Air Force is finally getting its act together.
I'd say that's bit of an optimistic stretch. Read Cade foster's comment.
About time they did something to replace that awesome workhog!
The F-35 can never adequately replace the A-10. It's not slow enough nor maneuverable enough to provide the kind of loiter and targeting CAS needs. The A-10s received wingbox replacements not too many years ago to extend the airframe service life. Except for upgrading avionics, threat assessment and communication gear, it would be hard to argue a replacement. Plus, there are something over 100 A-10s in desert storage. Cheapest and most effective plan would be to upgrade them all and put them into service.
Honey what took you so long?
We've (GE's) been trying to sell them uprated engines for years, but AF wouldn't bite. 40% more thrust and 10% less fuel burn, that would make a Super Warthog.
Swapping engines is not that easy. You have to beef up the entire airframe to handle the increased thrust loads and redo the avionics, etc. You are essentially rebuilding the entire aircraft. it is usually cheaper to just start from scratch.
Regarding engines, Jimmy Doolittle famously said many years ago, (paraphrasing): The problem with the military is that it builds airplanes around engines then they add all sorts of crap to the aircraft and make it useless for its function. He thought it was best to determine the function, determine the needed load, people, fuel, armament and other components then you'd have a good idea what size aircraft and engine(s) are needed.needed , It is best