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2015-01-21 Home Front: Politix

A-10 'Warthog' Sends ISIS Fleeing - Air Force Wants to Scrap

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2015-01-21 16:12|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top

#1 Of course they do.

They want more jets for their jet jockies and don't give a damn if it helps the grunts or not.

Posted by DarthVader 2015-01-21 17:53|| 2015-01-21 17:53|| Front Page Top

#2 The plane is not as fast and lacks the graceful lines of other fighter jets. But the Warthog, as pilots call it due to the snout-like nose, is extremely low maintenance, flies low, can practically hover over a battlefield, land almost anywhere and packs a 20-foot-long, 2.5-ton, seven-barrel Gatling gun that can fire more than 1,100 rounds of 30-mm. bullets. And a titanium shell that wraps around the bottom of its cockpit makes it difficult to shoot down.

Whoah now, that sounds treasonous. Getting pretty close to a capital T there Darth.

Posted by swksvolFF 2015-01-21 18:13|| 2015-01-21 18:13|| Front Page Top

#3 Eh... I've already committed treason (according to the liberals) by doubting Obama, calling for smaller government and private healthcare, calling for the resignation of most of the government and a new vote, questioning the wisdom of the so-called illuminated "experts" by bringing up facts instead of propaganda.

Posted by DarthVader 2015-01-21 18:26|| 2015-01-21 18:26|| Front Page Top

#4 *Question:
Will the STOL/VTOL version F-35 leave a nice heat signiture where the center turbine is? I heard a deal that the Harriers were not only particularly vulnerable, but had a lower survivability rate on account of heat missiles striking the middle of the aircraft. (Yes I know the additional turbine is takeoff/landing not in flight)

Second, as CAS, doesn't adding the pylons and weapons negate the stealthyness of the airframe and defeat the purpose? Also, gun runs - F-35 25mm with 120 rounds (wiki) vs. A-10 30mm with 1100 rounds.

I just learned that there is a version of the A-10 which is used to fly into hail storms.

The F-35 may end up being a decent plane, but to say it will replace the A-10 in CAS is like saying a Volt is going to haul my boat to the lake. Its using a trash bag to replace a broken window. Especially if the 35 has pilot visibility issues and 2-3 seconds of ammo.

Posted by swksvolFF 2015-01-21 18:43|| 2015-01-21 18:43|| Front Page Top

#5 Whether the F-35 can assume the CAS mission can be debated by the experts. What CANNOT be debated is the obvious attempt to ditch the A-10 prior to fielding of a replacement platform, F-35 or whatever.

Building a fuc*ing tactical capabilities gap is not smart snooker, it's pure politics !

Posted by Besoeker 2015-01-21 19:00|| 2015-01-21 19:00|| Front Page Top

#6 To have an AF General throw that word out for criticizing his opinion is disturbing.

Posted by swksvolFF 2015-01-21 19:45|| 2015-01-21 19:45|| Front Page Top

#7 The questions to be asked:
1 How combat effective is the aircraft?
2 Compared to the alternative, what is the cost per sortie?
3 Does it make the enemy shake in it's boots?
I'm pretty sure we all know the answers. Fly on you magnificent bastards.

Posted by Past Master of the Obvious 2015-01-21 21:20|| 2015-01-21 21:20|| Front Page Top

#8 Here's an ignorant, but serious, question. Why can't the Air Force simply give this plane up to another organization? Seems the Marines would love it, but maybe even a dedicated State ANG unit, or even private/contract outfits? They're custom repaired now anyways, so why not get them out of the USAF/DOD procurement racket?

Posted by Ebberese Dribble3663 2015-01-21 21:54|| 2015-01-21 21:54|| Front Page Top

#9 Why don't they just use F-35s now? Isn't it one of the roles they've been assigned? Or are they busy preparing the battlespace for the next boondoggle?

Posted by gorb 2015-01-21 21:57|| 2015-01-21 21:57|| Front Page Top

#10 By ditching the A-10, that is.

Posted by gorb 2015-01-21 21:57|| 2015-01-21 21:57|| Front Page Top

#11 Money is the root of all evil. No money in it for the manufacturers who pressure the brass for business.

In other words, in a FEW military manufacturing sectors, money is more important than our troops.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2015-01-21 23:16|| 2015-01-21 23:16|| Front Page Top

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