Posted on 11/20/2017 6:31:49 AM PST by w1n1
Back in the 80s our Soviet enemies called her “The Devil’s Cross” due to her shape in the air and devastating firepower.
I always loved knowing we had Warthogs in support instead of Cobras. When the Warthogs came in, you could stand up to watch. Cobras? No, stay on the ground and pray as they were equal opportunity killers.
Not to be persnickety, but AFAIK no encounters between the USSR army and our A-10s ever took place.
I believe the "Devil's Cross" thing happened in one of Tom Clancy's novels, perhaps Red Storm Rising.
Still, it's understandable, given the high degree of realism of Mr. Clancy's novels, and his vivid writing style.
BRRAARRT!
Done.
Next.
5.56mm
The name shows the beauty versus the function.
Th official name is “Thunderbolt”. They meant it to be pretty, not nasty and mean (which are good things in battle).
The nickname because of the weapon sound and the general meanness and nastiness became the “Warthog”.
Sturdy, ugly, and mean. Just right to put the fear of the Almighty into goat-humping Jihadis and soak up what little punishment they can dish out.
For later.
L
Tag, you’re it.
Direct link, without the blogpimp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHgSuLZCWj8
Thank you.
I couldn't get the one up there to work.
I was assigned to the 23rd TFW Flying Tigers when they transitioned to the A-10 from the A-7. I respect the airplane and the people who fly and maintain it. Given a choice the AF would keep it, but the manning levels in the AF are at their lowest since the AF was created in 1947. There's not enough money to support all the projects.
Then the Army should be given the opportunity to pick it up as an Army-sponsored weapons system ...
Nothing new here, in WWII the P47 was the ultimate tank buster with that big air cooled engine and armor. What do they promote the susceptible to engine damage from ground fire, P51.
60 rounds seems like a lot for three guys. Why not a 3-5 round selector system to change from full auto like many assault rifes have. Probably sounds stupid, eh? But I’ve heard the pilots have to really watch their time on the cannon or they will run out of ammo and have to rearm.
That would be one option. I don't see it happening, though. There's a lot that would have to be changed in order to make this work.
The A-10 is single mission, but it is a mission with high demand and no good substitutes. We have air superiority options - a variety of aircraft. We have pre-planned target power projection options - various aircraft plus land-attack missiles. Until they can replace the A-10 for its close air support mission, and helicopters do not count, we need to make sure the A-10 is funded.
Friends (including a very close relative) who have been supported by an A-10 say there is no alternative that is anywhere near as capable. Those of us who are safe at home because of our men with boots on the ground have a moral obligation to fund a platform as capable as the A-10. It only has one mission, but it’s the mission that counts for Marines and soldiers in the sand and the mud.
The people in the video never had a clue it was approaching. One second you’re in conversation, the next, pink mist
The first few violators caught and sent to prison would preempt that behavior. And instead of actually donating, they just might be pretending that they did so to get the favors. Since the politician would have no way to confirm it, why would he risk prison?
Friends (including a very close relative) who have been supported by an A-10 say there is no alternative that is anywhere near as capable. Those of us who are safe at home because of our men with boots on the ground have a moral obligation to fund a platform as capable as the A-10. It only has one mission, but it’s the mission that counts for Marines and soldiers in the sand and the mud.
I agree. I think the A-10 is very valuable in the type of conflicts that we're engaged in. There's no doubt that it does a great job at supporting ground troops. I think Congress needs to figure out how to fund it.
Sometimes I wonder if threatening to kill that A-10 is just a ploy to justify higher taxes. It seems to come up every year about the time they're working on the budget. They never threaten to cut Congressional pay, farm subsidies, or Welfare. Just popular defense programs and Social Security.
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