Ok maggots, who wants to be the first to meet Allah?
Posted on 01/21/2015 12:39:22 PM PST by McGruff
With a roaring engine, 30-mm. cannon and nose painted like a toothsome, snarling beast, the A-10 Thunderbolt sends ISIS fighters scattering like cockroaches on the Iraqi desert plains, but the legendary fighter plane pilots call the "Warthog" may be fighting for its own life.
The venerable plane, first built for destroying Soviet tanks, has been on the chopping block since the sequester of 2011 mandated steep cuts in the Pentagon budget. Although the planes haven't been built in more than 30 years, the Defense Department believes it can save maintenance costs by phasing them out. Air Force brass believes newer, faster aircraft like the F-16, F-15E, and, eventually, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter can do a better job of the Warthog’s mission of providing close air support to soldiers on the ground. But supporters say Islamic State fighters are finding out the hard way what they have said all along.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Ok maggots, who wants to be the first to meet Allah?
It’s the right tool for the job. Has there been any convincing testimony or information otherwise?
What else produces a “Highway of Death” in an armored tank advance?
Evidently some of Obola’s sponsors are demanding a contract to build a new aircraft that won’t meet the specs after sinking billions into it.
I’m rather baffled why the plane is so effective. You would think since it’s slower, ground to air hand held missiles could easily destroy it.
The plane is not apparently the choice of going into areas where you ICBMs, but at low altitudes I would think it comes up on the target in a nano second and people scatter...
anyone have any video of it in action?
The Air Force hates the A-10 because it is not a sexy, expensive, go-fast, stealth fighter. Transfer the A-10 along with the air crews and support personnel to the Army.
Sell or give these A10 planes to Israel, to fight Hezzbollah and Hamass.
I love the warthog but believe it is time for the next version of this aircraft. Something with a more modular main weapon, more modern and rugged terrain suited avionics, reduced radar signature, better integration with ground forces, etc. Perhaps a long range, high duration ground observation and intelligence gathering configuration.
Of course the F-35 go fast Air Force Generals will never go with the concept of mission specific aircraft.
I’m surprised Obamadullah hasn’t ordered the nose paint removed because it scares Islamists.
Obola would rather give them to ISIL, his favorite terrorist organization.
It wouldn’t be effective in against an enemy that has good anti-aircraft coverage.
We aren’t going to be fighting the Soviets in tank battles in Europe, but we WILL be fighting a lot of small forces, like ISIS.
it would seem that the ability to fly-low, take hits and survive, and spray large quantities of lead over wherever they are would be a huge advantage.
Using the F-35 for such tasks, as planned, on groups like ISIS is like using a samurai sword to cut wood.
They fly out of Ft Wood and Whiteman and do simulated bombing runs on the bridges over the local rivers. You can always tell when a hog goes over.
“I’m rather baffled why the plane is so effective. You would think since it’s slower, ground to air hand held missiles could easily destroy it.”
According to the article, the titanium underbelly of the warthogs rendered the hand held missiles ineffective.
The Army is barred from operating fixed wing aircraft since 1947.
I think cutting the Wart is the stupidest thing they could do. That thing put the republican guard of Iraq into the junk yard of the desert.
It is so effective because it’s cannon is awesome and it is about impossible to shoot down. A10s have landed with an entire wing blown off.
Cheap. Proven. Effective. So oof course the Pentagon wants to scrap it.
What has been done can be undone.
The reason the Air Force has to eliminate the A-10 is because of devastating budget cuts to the military.
Sequestration, which does not end until 2023, forces the DoD to "pay for" almost 50% of all budget cuts. Entitlements (including unearned welfare) are exempt from cuts.
This equates to over $600 Billion in cuts over the next 8 years, and come on top of previous cuts (that were supposed to be over 10 years) of $487 Billion in 2012 and $330 Billion in 2010 - all on the backs of the military.
The % of GDP spent on our military is near historic lows. It is now approaching 2.8% of GDP for FY15.
Meanwhile, China and Russia have re-armed in recent years.
When these cuts were enacted, acted like they didn't care.
Wars these days are "come as you are." The P-51 went from napkin drawing to flying prototype in a little over 100 days. Today, it takes years to develop weapon systems. We have given pink slips to men and women in uniform who are deployed to combat zones. Thousands of DoD doctors, nurses, and medical professional have left in disgust.
Thousands of Civilian Medical Staffers Leave Defense Amid Furloughs
The Air Force didn't even have enough Operations and Maintenance money to fly its aircraft in 2013-2014 and grounded 11 combat wings.
Budget cuts leave Air Force pilots twisting in the wind
We went from 42 ready Army Combat Brigades to 2.
Sequestration Cuts Leave Army With Only 2 Brigades Ready To Fight: CSA Odierno
The military has not fully recovered from these cuts, and even worse cuts are now looming.
God help us if a real war breaks out.
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.