When the Norks and Chicoms come roaring across the 38th Parallel, we’re gonna need every airframe available. Real life “Independence Day.”
The muslim brotherhood probably advised 0bama to retire the Warthog.
The Air Force has been opposed to the A-10 since about 1975.
The Warthog is an awesome machine. I’d hate to be in it’s way. It can take a beating and keep going.
He'll probably have the AF investigate whether a 757 can be made into a super-Warthog.
They can call it the Sweathog.
As much as I don’t like John McCain’s general policies, he fought to have this plane kept active. So I’ll give him that.
Anything to make muslins itch and cry is all right by me.
Too bad Trump’s budget guru doesnt feel the same way about the 350 ship Navy Trump promised us.
what had been a time of tight budgets.
We were borrowing and spending money at record rates during those years. Obama just refused fund the military.
It is one of only a couple of things the Federal Government *should* be doing.
Not to mention the Democrats prevented actual budgets from ever being implemented, just “ongoing resolution” ignoring their responsibility under the Constitution.
Despite all it’s armor etc., the A-10 is an easy target in anything other than third world opposition and probably a lot of even them.
Sort of the same for the Spectre. It packs a real punch but can only operate in certain areas.
Long live the Warthog!
I envision the future of the A-10 as being the leader of a drone “wing” team. That is, the drones, either generic or specialized, tag along, and the A-10 pilot can designate a particular drone to attack an assigned target.
Once directed at a target, it would use a combination of its own targeting, the A-10 pilot modifying its directions, and remote drone pilots as they operate right now.
And while this is going on, the A-10 pilot can also do his own mischief.
Change the law that relegates fixed wing aircraft to the Air Force. Let the US Army fly them and they will suddenly become the greatest thing since sliced bread.
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...
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.
Just when I think I can’t like DJT anymore, he surprises me again. Warthogs-go ugly, early.