The A-10 was a great plane for ground attack but it is now very vulnerable to being shot down. I know it has a titanium tub surrounding the pilot and also protecting the engines but that is not enough to do much good any more.
For the newer surface to air missiles it is a sitting duck.
“Darn good plane. And I don’t care what anyone else says, I think it’s a beautiful design.”
The people who came back in one with bullet holes and pieces of wings missing from it think that it’s fantastically gorgeous.
It’s also extremely popular as a model or remote-control plane, especially in large scale.
Still, it’s getting increasingly vulnerable to more and more accessible MANPADs...but I spoke to a few pilots at an air show, and they told me that you do NOT want to stand above ground (much less holding and aiming a weapon) when they are in the air above...and under battle conditions, they work in (at least) pairs...
Being involved with the A-10 doesn’t result in lucrative post-military employment. It will be killed in favor of programs that do offer post-military employment.
Sound of grey_whiskers in mourning...
(whimper)
NO cheers, unfortunately.
A-10s are just too effective against jihadists in the field.
Mac Daddy in de White Hut doan li’ dat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp_KUc3suWE