A-10 Thunderbolt (photo essay)

nationalreview.com ^ | 3/2/2015 | Unknown

[rktman]

Even as the Pentagon plans for warfare on distant battlefields, it is engaged in a budget battle to retire the Air Force’s venerable A-10 Thunderbolt. But the “Warthog” has many supporters in the military and on Capitol Hill, and the fight to keep the aircraft flying continues. Here's a look.

[rktman]

I kinda like these ugly birds. A LOT!

[Morpheus2009]

Why not call it the other name? WARTHOG!!!

[elhombrelibre]

It’s the best CAS platform out there.

[martin_fierro]

[al_c]

Here’s my essay about the A-10 … “Badass!”

[TADSLOS]

Absolutely.

[jdege]

I’d be perfectly happy to see the A-10 retired, if the Air Force was fielding a replacement.

And by replacement, I mean something dedicated to ground support. Not a high-altitude fast-mover with a ground support pod hanging from a hardpoint.

[DaxtonBrown]

11 million $ versus $85 million for the F35. One third the operating cost. We don’t need stealth fighters against backward Islamic goathumpers.

[Telepathic Intruder]

I don't think they're ugly at all. That Gatling cannon is awesome. It fires 65 30mm rounds per second, with enough ammo to fire for 20. A few seconds is enough to take out just about anything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvg7qrIiDTM

[Yo-Yo]

We’ve already spent over $1.3 billion re-winging the A-10.

[lurk]

This platform is a design-to-function success. Therefore, it must be discontinued.

[tanknetter]

Thats not a good way of looking at it. The $11million represents a sunk cost, made in the 1970s and early 80s.

The current A-10 fleet (with the new wings) can easily go for another 30 years. At a much lower operational per aircraft cost than an F-35. I like the F-35, and think there’s a role and a need for it, but not as an A-10 replacement.

[rjsimmon]

What a magnificent airframe.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping

[kvanbrunt2]

iv’e never been in the military but i would want these planes flying above me always.

[boycott]

Some great pics.

[UCANSEE2]

More reason to keep them.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The Iranian Navy won a battle over the U.S. Navy in a war game by using “swarming” tactics. I’d stand in line to see the movie, “The Whole Iranian Navy vs. One A-10”.

[SMARTY]

THAT is a thing of beauty!

I feel safer already. :)

[LibWhacker]

Thanks for posting. I LOVE the A-10! I shouldn’t because I’m a huge fan of speed and/or power, and tend to ignore everything else. But I do love the thing. It just makes me smile.