The A-10 warthog

[blackford76]

The A-10 is one of the very few machines that has a soul. I am still on this Earth because of the A-10, and the incredible men who drive them.

[Sharpienads]

The A-10 is better suited to CAS to protect our guys on the ground. The F-35 on the other hand has been a tremendous waste of money.

But, but, it carries less than 200 rounds of who gives a f*ck if you only have 200 rounds. That's about a second pull of the trigger. Using the F-35 for CAS is dumb.

The A-10 would smash everything in sight, the F-35 would turn the lights out and shut down enemy defenses. I can say this, there is no way they will reopen the A-10 line. Most of the airframe tooling probably doesn't exsist anymore. The airplane will unfortunately be retired eventually. The airplane is extremely effective against a third world nation but wouldn't last long against someone with modern air defenses. The Sniper and LITENING pod brought it about as far as it can go. The AF wants to move in the direction of Cyber fighting with up linked data. The A-10 doesn't fit that role. Sad, but it's been a tried and true warrior.

You are unfortunately mostly right, I think the A-10 has gone about as far as it will go. But it is one very capable platform. However, one of the keys for effective CAS is air superiority, so the whole "doesn't do well" against modern air defenses isn't really an argument. It doesn't do well against a lot of stuff, old and new, but that's why we SEAD, DEAD, EA/EW, OCA, DCA, etc. That applies for any air frame that's doing a CAS role. The F-35 is going to lose it's stealth capability as soon as they strap a bomb on the outside of it, which is why they never will, which is why it sucks for CAS. That and because it only carries 185 rounds and because the type of people who fly the F-35 don't generally think of CAS as sexy. You (maybe not you specifically, but people in general) would be surprised how many decisions in the AF are based on what a douche bag fighter pilot thinks is sexy and what isn't.

Obviously, I don't want the A-10 to go away. From a controller standpoint, there's usually nothing better.

[Singlestack]

Part of me wishes the Army would take over the CAS role for themselves again, and increase the Army budget and cut the AF budgets accordingly. Let the Af handle the traditional air superiority, nuke, and transport roles. I have a feeling if the A-10 were an Army platform, it wouldn't be going away anytime soon.

[Gman]

How long can an F-35 loiter over a combat area?

[jerrymrc]

How long can an F-35 loiter over a combat area?

Compared to the F-35A, which has a range of about 1,200 nautical miles, the A-10 out flies its potential successor by about twice the distance, reaching a distance of 2,240nm. That additional range allows the A-10 to loiter above areas of battlefield activity further from its takeoff origin without the need to refuel.

[RMAC757]

But, but, it carries less than 200 rounds of who gives a f*ck if you only have 200 rounds. That's about a second pull of the trigger. Using the F-35 for CAS is dumb.



You are unfortunately mostly right, I think the A-10 has gone about as far as it will go. But it is one very capable platform. However, one of the keys for effective CAS is air superiority, so the whole "doesn't do well" against modern air defenses isn't really an argument. It doesn't do well against a lot of stuff, old and new, but that's why we SEAD, DEAD, EA/EW, OCA, DCA, etc. That applies for any air frame that's doing a CAS role. The F-35 is going to lose it's stealth capability as soon as they strap a bomb on the outside of it, which is why they never will, which is why it sucks for CAS. That and because it only carries 185 rounds and because the type of people who fly the F-35 don't generally think of CAS as sexy. You (maybe not you specifically, but people in general) would be surprised how many decisions in the AF are based on what a douche bag fighter pilot thinks is sexy and what isn't.

Obviously, I don't want the A-10 to go away. From a controller standpoint, there's usually nothing better.

I was referring more to light weight, battlefield born AA platforms like the Stella. The pro-Russian separatists in the Ukraine have proved this time and time again against the Ukranian Airforce. ISIS has our own Singers now for god sakes and has whipped quite a few Iraqi aircraft. Modern Air defenses are just too good...just ask the SU-25. That removes a lot of the flexibility we've had in Iraq and Afganistan where the "Hog" operated with impunity. I agree with you. We operate under a separate doctrine of Air Supremacy. Taking on a SEAD mission would have to be primary in any case. I think the AF should've grabbed some Growlers, it's an excellent platform for suppressing enemy air defenses and "shutting things down". Don't get wrong. I absolutely love this jet .....it's probably my favorite aircraft. It has such a menacing beauty and that straight wing just looks like it can turn on a dime. I think the F-35 program makes the Osprey seem like a good deal. In Stealth mode carrying 2X-2000lbs is a little underwhelming. I can't stand the fact that they continued this program when they knew the flyaway cost was skyrocketing in 2010. It's a technological marvel when it comes to the "magic", but it's not great at anything combat wise other than its electronic capability. Imagine if we actually upgraded our Vipers to Block 61's ( the UAE actually has better Vipers than us....much better ) or the F-16V's with the AESA radar which is a game changer for that plane. It would've been way cheaper and we could've not made compromises with one airframe. We could've replaced our 30-40 year old Eagle fleet with F-15k's or the " F-15SE Silent Eagles". Sorry for the long rant....I'm a bit of Aviation junky. You'd think I get enough at work.

[flogger]

A-10 pilot with damaged aircraft.

[RMAC757]

A-10 pilot with damaged aircraft.

She earned he name "Killer Chick" after this

[HoneyBadger]

I think a lot of people don't understand and/or underestimate the electronic warfare package on the F-35. The A-10 is an awesome plane... it's why I joined the AF. But as our combat roles are changing, the F-35 offers some very powerful and unique advantages.... At a price that is borderline blasphemous.

[clublights]

I think a lot of people don't understand and/or underestimate the electronic warfare package on the F-35. The A-10 is an awesome plane... it's why I joined the AF. But as our combat roles are changing, the F-35 offers some very powerful and unique advantages.... At a price that is borderline blasphemous.

oh I get all the whiz bang of the electronics package of the F-35 and while it will be amazing it don't mean jack against a Haji with a DShK that an A-10 would shake off and not only make it home just fine but likely continue the mission long after the F-35 is limping home.