The A-10 needs to be retired. The loiter time is about 2 hours. Reapers can do 24 hours at 1/4 the cost per flight hour. During the rescue, an A-10 was almost shot down, had to ditch in the Gulf. Nice thing about the Reaper is never having to worry about retrieving the pilot from the drink or some godforsaken mountain range. Reapers were credited with zapping any Iranian who came too close, within 2 miles - presumably portable mortar range. Supposedly 64 fighters were involved over 2 days, but at 90 minutes a pop, that’s just 2 fighters overhead at any time. It was the Reapers doing the heavy lifting. Fighters were in anti-SAM mode and maybe also on the prowl for enemy fighters held in reserve that might materialize.
There are a lot of a-10s in storage with low hours on the airframe.
Good points. I respectfully disagree based on comments from my “boots on the ground” friends. But again you make cogent points.
Reapers carry a limited supply of missiles. The a-10 has that nearly inexhaustible and cheap lead to sling. Perfect for hosting a party of pulverization.
Well, the older ones may be needed to be refurbished and given to marines and army or other arms of our military services.
Then a newer, more advanced one needs to be developed. Big enough for the cannon, though. Longer loiter time, better armor. Ability to control local drones loitering with them.
Maybe add 4 .50 cal machine guns, with lots of hardpoints(though they have a lot of them).
Not sure the Super Tucano is a good substitute. Maybe for certain types of missions... Would rather see an updated big baby p-47....if one wants a prop job.
IMHO
“The A-10 needs to be retired. The loiter time is about 2 hours. Reapers can do 24 hours at 1/4 the cost…”
And yet the brass, who perpetually want to retire the A-10, call up the A-10, often late in the operation, for all kinds of missions that only the A-10 can do.
Yea, but do the Reapers have a 30 MM cannon firing 6000 RPM?