Posted on 07/23/2017 5:50:21 PM PDT by Carbonsteel
One of the aircraft now preparing for a live-fly experiment to be the Air Forces’ new Light Attack aircraft may soon be sent to perform missions in a live combat scenario as part of the evaluation process, senior service leaders said.
The emerging OA-X Light Attack aircraft is envisioned as a low-cost, commercially-built, combat-capable plane able to perform a wide range of missions in a less challenging or more permissive environment where the US Air Force already has air supremacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at scout.com ...
Are we planning to strand our army at Dunkirk?
As long as their tests result in valid assessments in comparisons with the A10.
Seems like a Stinger might be less of a threat. Not much of a heat signature!
Looks a bit P51-ish!
If they’re going to do that, why not bring back the A-1 Sky Raider?
Another interesting light attack craft is the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano. It looks like a Stuka with straightened wings and a bubble canopy!
I have to wonder if any of the program managers of these new light attack aircraft have been tested (pass the written test or get discharged) on the lessons learned over the last 50 plus years when it comes to irregular warfare aircraft.
The original studies conducted in Vietnam in the mid 1960s showed that our TAC air showed up late, with the wrong munitions load, couldn’t stay in the fight long enough to learn where the targets were and as a result frequently hit the wrong target. Since Sept 11, 2001 these same faults are still found in the bulk of our TAC Air platforms. The exceptions being the A-10 and AC-130 platforms.
Looking at the PR photos:
Only one aircraft acknowledges the extremely heavy workload imposed by danger close CAS - it has two seats so one crew member can attempt to fight the fight while the other keeps from flying into the ground.
No aircraft has any depth to its munitions lead-out. They don’t approach the number of hard points the A-10 has. What good are they if their load out kills our ground troops because they are too leathal? What good will they be if after three passes (20 minutes of firing passes) they are “Winchester” and have to leave to rearm?
And finally, please don’t think the AF tribes will build any of these new aircraft in anything approaching the necessary numbers to support multiple theaters of irregular warfare combat. Since the 1980s repeated documented AF studies showed the minimum number of AC-130s to support approved OPLANS to be 60 plus with irregular combat employments coming on top of that. We never got above 30 from 1980 until well after 2010.
BTW - has the AF even abandoned its professional position that we would never fight another Vietnam style war? That false idea was taught at Squadron Officer’s School in the 1970s in spite of the numbers of Vietnam style conflicts on going then and now.
It will cost less but will not be as durable... Pick one- cheap or durable/effective?
Give em both the Army/Marines. Let the AF fly high and fast and big....
The jet jockeys in the Air Force probably aren’t going to want it. Give it to the Army.
That’s a Piper Enforcer, which is very much like an updated P-51.
I think the Turcano is pretty cool, but is it made in Brazil? I definitely think we should have an American made aircraft.
Both the Super Tucano and the Texan/Wolverine are two seaters. As is the Scorpion.
They don’t approach the number of hard points the A-10 has.
What part of 'light' are you having trouble with? But if you want hard points, look at the AirTractor. That's about all it has to recommend it.
I agree. I just find it funny that there are aircraft that emerged from the WWII-era that are still viable airframes for military use today.
As I understand, the design of the A-10 had input from all sorts of CAS pilots. Including Stuka pilots. They asked them what traits the ideal CAS craft would possess and did their utmost to deliver just that craft.
Isn’t this role perfectly suited to the OV10 Bronco? There is an awesome, combat proven plane already in use against ISIS in the middle east and I think Philippines. What would it take to put some some of those back in service?
(Showing my age?)
That one looks like it would be fun to fly!
Your post brings up excellent truths. Here’s what the UAE is using right now. I’m over here now helping out with some other things but I looked them over and they have some nice features. Cheers,
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2013-11-22/uae-special-ops-aircraft-come-out-shadows
Not your age. Just your knowledge! I don’t think I’m familiar with the Dragonfly.
See my post 17’s link for the two seater Air Tractor.
Let’s just say I watched a lot of A37s take off from Tan Son Nhut about 47 years ago.
...when I wasn’t busy with other things.
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