To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Wasn't there an announcement a few years ago that the A-10 was being phased out? At the time I thought that was an incredibly stupid decision by the AF. What happened?
8 posted on
10/08/2006 6:37:05 AM PDT by
saganite
(Billions and billions and billions-------and that's just the NASA budget!)
To: saganite
The USAF actually seriously looked at phasing out the A-10 but after the Desert Storm experience and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq they are getting major upgrades to keep them going as long as possible.
To: saganite
Wasn't there an announcement a few years ago that the A-10 was being phased out? At the time I thought that was an incredibly stupid decision by the AF. What happened? 9-11, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The grunts love 'em, the bad guys hate 'em. Upgrading them is cheaper than buying something new, which isn't available right now anyway.
17 posted on
10/08/2006 7:01:48 AM PDT by
El Gato
To: saganite
The A-10 was going to be retired but the USAF reconsidered after seeing its performance knocking out Iraqi tanks. The other jets (F-16s most notably) couldn't do the mission. They can't take hits like the A-10 can.
The A-10 is undergoing an upgrade to the 'C' model now: New A-10C ensures Warthog's long life
19 posted on
10/08/2006 7:22:19 AM PDT by
Excuse_My_Bellicosity
("A litany of complaints is not a plan." - GW Bush, referring to DNC's lack of a platform on ANYTHING)
To: saganite
The AF Brass at the Pentagon were going to sell the A-10 Warthog to the Forest Service as a Water Bomber just before Desert Storm, saganite.
The A-10's more than proved their value and worth as a Tank Buster, but now the Brass wants to again get rid of the Hog. Simply because it isn't sexy, sleek or supersonic, even though the pilots, knuckle-busters, bubble and spark chasers love the plane.
The decision is still in Limbo,because there will always be a threat in Soviet sold armor to Middle East countries.
Push comes to shove. Give the A-10s to the Marine Corp and their MAFs and MAUs.
Jack.
41 posted on
10/08/2006 1:04:26 PM PDT by
Jack Deth
(Knight Errant and Disemboweler of the WFTD Thread)
To: saganite
Every time the AF talks about eliminating the A-10 the Army starts talking about having it's own fixed wing assets. That usually shuts 'em up.
55 posted on
10/09/2006 2:28:52 PM PDT by
Uriah_lost
(M.I.E. Mainer In Exile I'll come back when the Massholes go home.)
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