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Deepcrush wrote:I just don't think you can replace the A-10 in CAS. There simply isn't a better aircraft anywhere in the world for the job. Her weapons give her the ability to engage anything that comes her way and her insane armor and ECM pod protect her from counter attack.

Plus it has a better loiter time and a lower IR signature than the F-16.

Again you guys need to read 'Warthog' to really appreciate this aircraft.
http://www.amazon.com/Warthog-Flying-10 ... 422&sr=1-1

GrahamKennedy wrote:I wouldn't like to bet my CAS ability on the idea that SAMs aren't getting any better anytime in the next few decades.

Job security for the Wild Weasel bunch.

Honestly, they'll never build a plane better suited for CAS than the A-10. The only thing that can loiter better is a chopper. Trying to replace the Warthog is simply another symptom of the "It's not broke, so let's break it" mentality.

So, to sum the previous discussion up, the USAF wants to replace the A-10, an aircraft that performs spectacularly at its role, with a plane that can't stay in position as well, that has a poorer armament, that would perform the role worse, and is loaded full of highly expensive high-tech gadgets that are mostly unecessary. Correct?

I can't say that it has poorer armament; the big deal with the A-10's armament is endurance. Its tankbuster cannon carries enough ammo to remain viable for a long time; anti-tank missiles are, very obviously, one and done. I wouldn't call the gadgetry unnecessary, either; every advancement in that plane is there to make flying and shooting safer, easier, and more accurate. However, there are things which the A-10 can do which no other plane can... and if you already have the premier craft at performing that role, why plan on replacing it with an aircraft that wasn't built for that role, and which is at best an unknown as far as performance?

Rochey wrote:So, to sum the previous discussion up, the USAF wants to replace the A-10, an aircraft that performs spectacularly at its role, with a plane that can't stay in position as well, that has a poorer armament, that would perform the role worse, and is loaded full of highly expensive high-tech gadgets that are mostly unecessary. Correct?

They need to take a lesson from the C-130. That aircraft will still be rolling of the production line for the next 100 years!

The have added more equipment to update it's capabilities. The A-10 needs improvement on its engines. They are rather weak and more modern fans with more thrust would be just as efficient.

Mikey wrote:I wouldn't call the gadgetry unnecessary, either; every advancement in that plane is there to make flying and shooting safer, easier, and more accurate.

The biggest ticket bit of gadgetry is largely useless though. The biggest concern the A-10 has is ground fire and IR SAMs, not radar guided ones. All that expense going into making the F-35 stealthy is largely useless in a CAS role.

Capt. Jethro wrote:They need to take a lesson from the C-130. That aircraft will still be rolling of the production line for the next 100 years!

And the AC-130 just kicks all kind of ass. It doesn't get any better than an airplane with a howitzer. 8)

The original

B-25? I am not great on aircraft. I prefer ships

The H model. Had a 75mm howitzer installed in the nose. Used to great effect in the Pacific theater.

Tyyr wrote:The H model. Had a 75mm howitzer installed in the nose. Used to great effect in the Pacific theater.

My favorite model of the B-25.

I had forgotten how many crazy variants there were of the B-25.

Mikey wrote:I can't say that it has poorer armament; the big deal with the A-10's armament is endurance. Its tankbuster cannon carries enough ammo to remain viable for a long time; anti-tank missiles are, very obviously, one and done. I wouldn't call the gadgetry unnecessary, either; every advancement in that plane is there to make flying and shooting safer, easier, and more accurate. However, there are things which the A-10 can do which no other plane can... and if you already have the premier craft at performing that role, why plan on replacing it with an aircraft that wasn't built for that role, and which is at best an unknown as far as performance?

Because the Air Force doesn't want anything that is:

A. Subsonic
B. Intended to support the Army

The only reason the A-10 exists is because the Army was threatening to make their own CAS bird and fly it. They had some support but in order to keep their fixed wing monopoly over the gro-pos they got the A-10.

And they've been trying to ditch it ever since.