The Hog That Saves the Grunts ...... A-10 Warthogs to be retired.

New York Times | 05/27/03 | Robert Coram

[tom h]

OK -- I'll post the photos. She's ugly but she sure is fun to ride:

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Ongoing discussion: grunts

[x1stcav]

It seems like deja vu all over again.

Some of you flyers help my memory here. Wasn't it in the late 60's or early 70's that the Army proposed its own close air support fixed wing based on an updated P51 airframe with turbo power?

Didn't the AF go crazy and was the A10 a result?

[pointsal]

Better stick with the proven tech of the A-10

[Gnarly]

I believe that there was some consideration of using a beefed-up P-51 with turboprop. You may also recall that the 1st Cav experimented with UV-1 Mohawks w/guns in RVN. The Air Force went nuts.

[Severa]

My husband's favorite plane *s*

On a (somewhat) related note, the USS Constellation was due to be decommed within a year. Given her role in this latest war, does anyone know if that is still on schedule?

[aculeus]

Already posted!



http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/918314/posts?q=1&&page=101

[Rodsomnia]

They got bigger projects to blow money on like the "Osprey" aka "flying flaming coffin" The A10 is just too cheap and effecient to justify it's existance it has no pork appeal inspite of it's name.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The last A-10 was delivered in March of 1984. Fairchild Republic closed the plant in Farmingdale where the A-10s were built in 1987 and laid off 3500 employees. That site is now being cleaned up by the EPA.

[SJSAMPLE]

The A-10 is an incredible and reliable aircraft. However, after 15 years in the Artillery and FO fields, I have to admit: The A-10 relies inordinately upon the good graces of other aircraft and services to survive. Before the A-10 begins its interdiction role (the majority of its work, not CAS), there is a very high level of assurance that all threats have been eliminated. ADA and SAM units are extensively targeted before the A-10 makes it's first flight. That's just the nature of a slow and highly targetable aircraft like the A-10.

There will come a day when we need to target armor in theaters where there hasn't been a visible presence. As in the past, F-16 and F-18 aircraft will perform that role. They get their faster and they don't have the dangerous limitations of the A-10.

In GWI, it was Apache's that cleared the ADA/SAM path for attacking coalition aircraft. The A-10 did not routinely operate in areas of active SAM/ADA. In addition, the lack of targeting equipment (FLIR, Radar) kept the A-10 in the interdiction role more than Close Air Support. The A-10 has to fly low (and slow) to properly identify and engage targets, and this is where it's most vulnerable.

I'm not calling for a retirement of the A-10, RIGHT NOW. But there is definitely a need for an attack aircraft with greater performance and electronics. Hopefully, the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) will possess the required capabilities.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Green A-10s and gray A-10s fly over my house at the Lake of the Ozarks two or three times a week. Why all the training is this is a dead bird ?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The Marine Corps didn't and still doesn't want or need the A-10.

[OriginalV]

As a member of the AF, I haven't heard any of this.

But if it is true, I think it is a MAJOR mistake.

But then again, the Air Force tried before the first Gulf War to mothball these magnificent machines.

So as much as it disgusts me, it doesn't surprise me.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

7 August 2003

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Take another hit on your crack pipe.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The Army is not allowed to operate fixed wing combat aircraft: Key West Agreement 1948. The Marine Corps does not want nor does it need the A-10.

[muslims=borg]

I don't understand why they would want to mothball this beautiful plane. I reckon the American taxpayer has gotten more than their money's worth out of this plane and the B-52. I watch them all the time at the practice range at Warren Grove. BUUUUUUUUUURP....

[joesnuffy]

Helicopter gunships and A-10s ought to go to the Army...anything that is necessary for ground support...should be under Army C&C imo Why have to laise with Airdale's?

[John Valentine]

It's time to amend the Key West Agreement. The Army nees the A-10; the Air Force doesn't.

The solution is obvious.

[VOA]

Wasn't it in the late 60's or early 70's that the Army proposed its own close air
support fixed wing based on an updated P51 airframe with turbo power?

That's the Piper Enforcer (PA-48).
I remember it because of that hughmongous exhaust vent on the fuselage.

See it (and some text) at this URL on the Wright-Patterson AFB Museum site:
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/annex/an2.htm

And for other Mustang fanatics (plane AND car):
www.mustangsmustangs.com