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Posted on 03/15/2015 5:15:56 PM PDT by EveningStar
After more than four decades in service, the A-10 Warthog is due for a replacement. So says the U.S. Air Combat Command.
What's more, ACC says it's already "thinking about" fielding such a replacement. But what might that replacement be?
Last week, we got a clue. As reported by Reuters, the Air Force has recently begun evaluating Textron's Scorpion fighter jet as a potential 21st-century replacement for the 20th-century Warthog.
(Excerpt) Read more at fool.com ...
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No...payload, and gun issues. Not to mention survivability.
Just keep the A -10
The A-10 is not really a 40 year old aircraft, most of those flying are barely older than 30 years, with brand new wings, giving them very long lives if the politicians would let them fly.
Curious who will chuckle their way to the bank with this purchase order in hand.
If it works don’t fix it, but to a politician that doesn’t fix their bank account.
My limited experience in defense contracting is that politics and cronyism count for a lot. Sometimes technical capability and cost are lower on the decision scale.
For a plane designed in the 40s, the A1 Skyraider had impressive performance.
I bet a newer version would do great.
A ping to Hulka, FR’s very own Hog Driver. Any thoughts on this story?
But does it offer pilot protection and the ability to take punishment and still fly home?
Is it capable of doing everything the A-10 can do bit better?
If not, don’t bother talking any further. If so, I’m all ears.
Considering we were already in the age of the jet fighter during the Vietnam war, the stories I’ve read about how vital a role it played in direct support of ground troops under fire are astonishing.
Check the engine inlet location. Far more vulnerable to ground fire.
Also, I doubt the Scorpion has the payload capacity of an A-10.
How many Air Force Generals does it take to operate the Industrial Military Complex?..
IF it works DON’T FIX IT...
Looks like it would make a nice advanced trainer. And perhaps a front line aircraft for third world markets.
It looks fragile and faggoty. Keep the A-10. Update the electronics and night hammering capabilities if needed.
They should look at Burt Rutan’s vision of what to replace the A-10 with.
Scaled Composites ARES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_ARES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG9LlHcX8lg
If you take a close look at the tactical aircraft world you will discover that the AF, in that operational arena, is based on a 15-year replacement cycle, the 1991 cycle didn’t happen because of the “peace dividend”.
The problem with the A-10 is nearly 40 years old and doesn’t look like a proper AF fighter. Image is all important.
How does the Army view the A-10? Those in the dust and dirt love it. But, then it represents the air power that keeps them alive.
BTW - the shortest serving AF Chief of Staff, Michael J. Dugan - 78 days, lost his job, in part, when he tried to convince Gen Norman Schwarzkopf that the AF was only going to offer F-16s in the CAS role instead of the A-10s that Schwarzkopf wanted.
Second BTW - this will be the third time that the AF has tired to use the A-10 as a funding source for a “modern” fighter program.
It's not about what is best for the military - it is about the best deal for the politicians and their financial backers.
The sweetheart contracts, pay-offs, under-the-table money and kickbacks will be much bigger on an entirely new weapons system.
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