And close also means a far smaller CEP, much less chance the bad stuff lands on us or neighbors. Takes big balls. Remember, all of us on the ground are facing death, so having a pilot right there down with us means we have a guy up there willing to face the same crazy danger we are.
Means he’s accurate and he cares enough to take the same risks we are. With Marines, we expect nothing less.
You afraid to take this risks? Maybe there’s an opening with the airlines.
CEP is an issue. For sure.
With the A-10 gun, for example, the mil dispersion is small (smaller than an Apache) and that means accuracy at increased ranges.
Dropping free-fall ordnance is best at lower altitudes, but we don’t drop much of that now. And if do so we must remain fairly high (relatively speaking) because of frag.
Free-fall munitions are actually more accurate with increased dive angle, and for high angle attacks you must fly higher.
For gun attacks and free-fall munitions think flashlight on the ground. . .low angle and the beam spreads out, is elongated CEP, whereas a higher angle delivery means a concentrated beam and more accurate.
We mostly drop JDAMS and SDBs, with some LGBs. Altitude is not a factor for accuracy when delivering those type of ordnance.
“Means he’s accurate and he cares enough to take the same risks we are. With Marines, we expect nothing less.”
Taking a risk just because does not add to the mission. Ever. If you can perform the mission accurately and do so while avoiding threat envelopes, the smart thing is to do so. Kind of like troops on the ground using cover and/or concealment. . .you don’t uncessarily stand-up and whack away. . .you mitigate the odds against you and as long as you can do the mission, hide behind a tree or stay outside small arms range. . .same-same.
No one has earned a MOH flying A/A, but many pilots have while flying the A/G mission. Most aircraft losses in combat are due to AAA, meaning most were flying the A/G (CAS) mission. Most POWS in Vietnam were USAF, flying A/G missions.
“You afraid to take this risks? Maybe there’s an opening with the airlines.”
Insults? Really? C’on. I expect a honorable exchange of viewpoints from a former Marine, not dishonable personal attacks.