Posted on 05/27/2017 6:25:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In 1991, I attended the public memorial for the airmen of Spirit 3 which was based at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
I thought this was already decided and a done deal. A10’s will continue to fly until 2027. The plane is getting new wings and has been under constant development for decades according Grumman.
The A10 cannot be replaced in certain roles and air power is moving back in the direction of FAC(A) and SCAR (strike coordinated armed reconnaissance). The only aircraft that even comes close is the OV10x but it’s experimental, limited, and lacks the firepower or survivability of the A10.
“unaffordable extra”
Close-air support is an “extra”?
Sure - if you’re a pencil-pushing desk-jocky...
Especially effective against the large ISIS convoys.
“...survivability...”
Can you say “Titanium Hull”? It’s in there...
I would think the next announcement is that the aircraft gets transferred to the Marines and Army, each getting a variant.
The Marines get very low (tree branches in the oil cooler/intake low) and press the attack repeatedly. It’s Marine aviation’s primary mission, and they integrate & practice constantly with the ground troops, Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).
Back in time, I have watched the AF jets trying to lay in napalm at low altitude and slow. The pilot did it, but I could see him in the cockpit and he was working hard to keep the plane in the air and at the same time do the drop.
Navy and the Marines flew the Corsair. The Marines liked it better than the Navy, I believe. Was a bear to manage on/off the carrier.
It is a 30 mm Gatling Gun with wings with a bullet proof titanium tub for the pilot to sit in so he can look back and laugh at the shredded metal and man burger it creates.
The Air Force is already working on this; swarms of drones controlled by manned aircraft in the area, or remotely, much like Reapers and Global Hawks.
On a related note, the USAF is also developing the “arsenal plane” concept. Behind the battle lines, a specially equipped C-17 or B-52 will launch scores of stand-off weapons, which will be guided to target by F-22s, F-35s, or modified legacy fighters.
And air-to-air lasers are on the horizon, too.
My Dad was there and said you could pick up spent .50 cal cases from the Corsairs which were still uncomfortably warm to the touch.
Just when I think I can’t like DJT anymore, he surprises me again. Warthogs-go ugly, early.
Someone who worked in Aerospace claimed he knew of A-10’s in Vietnam that lost an engine (blown off) and still returned to base.
I imagine with drones to assist, they would be even more survivable. Someone attacking the A-10 would provide targets for the drones.
Contrary to the rumor mill, the Corsairs were not kicked off of the carriers due to ops issues, but due to the frequent changes which caused inventory problems. Note that there were really only two variants of the Hellcat (-3 & -5).
The A10 really is a masterpiece and speaks volumes to the skill of designers at Republic. They thought of everything.
Ive learned so much about this aircraft in 6 months of arguing with people on YouTube about the A10 and the CAS role. I had no idea Grumman was still in development. I have a strong feeling we will be seeing a replacement from them for this plane.
Most CAS is done by aircraft other than the A10 but seeing where we are going, it’s likely going to be scaled back in fleet numbers and used much more in limited roles. Combat air rescue, FAC(A), SCAR, CAS.
If anyone is interested I highly recommend reading up on Forward air Controllers and their missions in Vietnam. Also, SCAR is also worth reading up on. Seems that no matter how much tech pushes forward, military aviation continues to have to go back to older tactics.
Here’s a great vid on FAC in Vietnam
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JbytgZacouY&feature=youtu.be
These guys were some of the bravest and most balls out pilots Ive ever heard of. So much respect for them. An interesting note about A10 pilots, over half of their pilots maintain FAC qualifications, something unheard of outside their squadrons. Not sure about the marines.
And speaking of the marines, i really wish there were more documentaries on their exploits in WWII, especially when it comes to CAS. They used the the Grumman Avenger heavily in this role and it was a monster of a single engine plane that could take a serious beating. I always saw it as a torpedo bomber but the marines used it heavily in ground attack.
how do the marines do it ?
90 days of living in the dirt with other grunts makes a flyboy appreciate ground pounders
P47 was a beast. Have you seen the short film the US Military made at the end of WWII about the Thunderbolt?
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