Posted on 11/21/2007 4:33:45 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
SPANGDAHLEM, Germany – Tracking and pursuing enemy forces on the ground should be easier for A-10 pilots with the 81st Fighter Squadron when they go downrange early next year.
By the time they deploy, leaders hope the unit’s 18 aircraft will be outfitted with new targeting systems. Three already have been installed with six more on the way.
The technology allows pilots to deploy laser-guided munitions, pursue moving targets at night with infrared imaging and stabilize points on the ground while maneuvering. The information is routed from a targeting pod attached under the wing to a monitor in the one-man cockpit. Ground forces also have access to the images coming from the plane.
“It’s like a super-powered binocular,” said 1st Lt. Stephen Bowen, who will be deploying for the first time with the unit. It is still unknown where the squadron will be sent.
But Bowen and the other pilots are learning to use the new systems with caution.
It’s apparently easy to get caught up watching the tracking screen, jokingly referred to as the “drool cup.” So pilots are learning to strike a balance between using the targeting system and their tried-and-true technique of simply looking out the window.
Watching the monitor too much can be dangerous because “it’s like looking through a soda straw,” Bowen said. “It’s a very limited field of vision … In some cases, it’s better not to use it at all.”
The unit just got back to Spangdahlem after a seven-week training mission at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. There they worked with the new targeting technology and participated in two close-air support exercises with the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines, and British forces.
The scenarios allowed the unit the rare opportunity “to integrate with all the different assets,” said Maj. Mark Lambertsen, the unit’s second in command.
Built to operate near the front lines, the A-10 can fly at low air speeds and altitude. It can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23 mm. Pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system.
Close-air support missions are expected to be the unit’s primary focus downrange, Lambertsen said.
“The toughest part is keeping track of all the moving parts to make sure everyone’s de-conflicted and to maintain situational awareness,” he said.
The key to close-air support is “finding the fine line between trying to support them with air power and to do things fast without messing up,” Lambertsen said. “We can’t afford any mistakes.”
Awesome video.
The chorus in the AC/DC music "Thunder" at the beginning of the video sounds a lot like the 30mm on continuous. Probably why it was chosen.
This reminds me when the air force built a fighter plane with no cannon because ‘missiles’ are all you need. Now their bright idea is ‘stealth’ is all you need. These paper pushers are as dumb as a door nail.
I thought “Party Mix” was two DUs and one HE. Repeat as necessary.
Center of gravity issues. The new engines are heavier and there is no place forward of the COG to put ballast. Their working on trimming the engine weight but the ideas I’ve read would mean the engines would then cost as much as the original aircraft.
The picture does appear to have a 2,1,2,1 pattern. When I watched the loading of ammunition in person, all the rounds were DU (or at least they all looked the same,) but the aircraft was headed for target practice out of Davis-Monthan not real combat.
By the way, even though they told me the DU rounds were "safe," I never touched them or the gatling barrels. Can't be too "safe!" I was planning children at the time and didn't want them to come out glowing.
Maybe that's why they changed the engine pylons in the last upgrade. Could be they went to a lighter metal like titanium to offset the increased weight of the possible new engines. Just guessing here.
LOL. That is so so so so wrong! LOL
I was rolling on that one, too. Had to think about it for a minute though. Hope there aren’t any hogdrivers in the thread. They might take offense.
Ah, "de-conflicted", my favorite military speak non-word. Man I used to hate hearing that.
Almost looks like stall speed for a normal craft...
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Everybit as exceptional a craft as America is a nation!!! Thanks...
Speaking of the F-35 VTOL, has anyone seen the Die Hard,Live Free movie?
There is an episode of the F-35 absolutely demolishing a freeway superstructure, granted its Hollywood special effects but clearly was intimidatingly awesome in the very least, go rent or buy the movie to at least see that episode.
Just so it’s LCD, flat screen and High Def!!! Hey mom! Their turnin our enemies into Swiss Cheeze on TV!!! Yes, Son, they’re learnin a hole new respect for American Exceptionalism!!!
We fired our guns and they began ta runnin, there isn't quite as many as there was awhile ago... We fired once more and they began ta runnin, they ran through the places where a rabbit couldn't go...
Off we go, into the wild blue yonder... Those planes are NOT symbolism over substance... NO SIR!!!
Those are excellent pics... Thanks and happy great American style Thanksgiving Holiday to you Stonewall.
Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitude.
Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.
And a very Happy Thanksgiving to you, SierraWasp.
Beautiful... God bless!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
