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Government

USAF issues RfI for A/OA-10A re-winging

2015-09-21

The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a request for information (RfI) to industry for the re-winging of an undisclosed number of Fairchild-Republic A/OA-10A Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft.

The RfI, which was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website on 17 September, is to gather comments and potential sources for production of new wing assemblies for the A/OA-10A to support operational requirements through 2021.

Despite the air force's stated aim to retire the aircraft to free up resources for the introduction into service of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), it continues to award contracts under the A-10 Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support (TLPS) programme to keep the aircraft viable through to 2028 and beyond.

Posted by:Sven the pelter

#12 Any bets the re-wing will cost more per airf4ame than the A/C cost new. Plus take longer to develop than birds did originally. Don't get me wrong I think we need them in inventory. If the Air Force doesn't want them transfer them to the Army or the Marines. To hell with the Key West Agreement. IMO they should of re-winged the F-16 too.

Posted by: Cheaderhead 2015-09-21 22:41

#11 We need CAS with a Human in the air.
This way, higher cannot always pull the plug at the wrong time.

Posted by: newc 2015-09-21 20:06

#10 It takes roughly the same number of people to fly a drone sortie as a manned aircraft sortie. The only difference is that one or two of them are on the ground somewhere instead of on the plane.

Posted by: rammer 2015-09-21 13:58

#9 Question: How many GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) 500lb bombs and 30mm rounds can a drone take off with ?

Oh, none? Well then, forget it.

Posted by: Besoeker 2015-09-21 13:37

#8 I asked him what would fill the CAS role. His answer "drones".

I have a hard time believing a drone could react to a fluid situation in the way a pilot could. It would probably have to swing around again until all the players were standing still, then hopefully it could tell the Christians from the gay vegetarian pirates.

Posted by: gorb 2015-09-21 13:24

#7 Phil_b, my son is a captain in the Air Force (not a pilot). He and I disagree on the fate of the Warthog. His claim is that the AF can't afford it as well as the other shiny toys they want. I asked him what would fill the CAS role. His answer "drones".

Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2015-09-21 11:26

#6 Produce a drone version. One day in the not to distant future rather more than precision strikes will be required.

Posted by: phil_b 2015-09-21 07:03

#5 "find someone that knows what we really need in the air and understands aviation well enough to deliver an aircraft that can meet a mission requirement and fly at the same time."

In the mean time, I would like to keep the A-10 and F-22, at least until the graft machine has re-focused on mission.

Until then, tango on.

Posted by: newc 2015-09-21 01:51

#4 Now that all of the key constituencies and special interests have bled the F-35 program dry of money. Maybe they should cancel the damn thing, after all most of the technology on that beast/turkey is now over ten years old, which in aviation might as well be a 100.

Methinks they should fire the flag officer who is overseeing that abortion and find someone that knows what we really need in the air and understands aviation well enough to deliver an aircraft that can meet a mission requirement and fly at the same time.

Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2015-09-21 01:47

#3 It is a masterful and fear inducing weapon, this plane. CAS demands it.

Posted by: newc 2015-09-21 01:34

#2 Some of these RFI's may pertain to making the Hog more STOL-capable.

Posted by: JosephMendiola 2015-09-21 01:15

#1 Praise those whom are turning weapons into Plough Shares!
For never having to use them is the way to Peace,

when you make enough.

Posted by: newc 2015-09-21 01:05

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