COULD A STEALTH MAKEOVER SAVE THE A-10? HOW TO DRAG THE WARTHOG INTO THE FUTURE

[rebewranger]

COULD A STEALTH MAKEOVER SAVE THE A-10? HOW TO DRAG THE WARTHOG INTO THE FUTURE
Alex Hollings | May 26, 2022

As the legendary A-10 Warthog looks down the barrel of an uncertain future, could the United States field a stealth iteration of this air support titan for use in the contested airspaces of the 21st century?
 
That’s a question I’ve been asked, in various forms, a number of times over the past few months — and the premise certainly has its fans.

In fact, everyone’s favorite conceptual aviation artist Rodrigo Avella even has a series of next-generation A-10 graphics he’s dubbed the A-14 Wild Wolf that really bring the concept to life, and he was kind enough to let us feature some of them in this story. Make sure to check out the rest of the incredible artwork on his website!

 
Make no mistake about it, the Warthog has earned every bit of its hero-worship throughout the past twenty years of combat operations. Yet, unfortunately, as awesome as the phrase “Stealth Warthog” would be to see emblazoned across a new development program, the way the A-10 engages the enemy runs counter to how stealth aircraft have to operate in order to maintain a low profile in contested airspace. But that doesn’t mean the A-10 should be sent out to pasture quite yet.

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/could-a-stealth-makeover-save-the-a-10-how-to-drag-the-warthog-into-the-future/

[DefiantMassRINO]

The A-10 Warthog is a legendary tactical support aircraft, but, it's strategic weapons that get the future spend in Air Force budgets.

The A-10 Warthog's designed strategic Cold War role was as a tank killer on the steppes of central and eastern Europe.  It fulfilled this role during the 1st Gulf War.

In the past 20 years, the aircraft's tactical role has been close air support for ground forces.

Front line army soldiers want to keep the aircraft.  Air Force brass want to retire it because it takes budget away from new shiny toys.

Could the A-10 Warthog be transferred from the Air Force's command and budget ledger to the Army's since its role has evolved from strategic deterrence to tactical support?

[Kamaji]

Stealth would be a hideously expensive "bling" to put on the warthog.  They're intended for close in air support, which means they're very likely to get hit with shots from ground troops, and those shots will mess up the pretty stealth coverings, and require constant, expensive, repairs.

[GtHawk]

Stealth would be a hideously expensive "bling" to put on the warthog.  They're intended for close in air support, which means they're very likely to get hit with shots from ground troops, and those shots will mess up the pretty stealth coverings, and require constant, expensive, repairs.

Also the A-10 as it is strikes fear into the hearts of enemies and no doubt when they know it's coming they they do their best Speedy Gonzalez impersonation. (oh my was that politically incorrect?)

[Hoodat]

The best way to save the A-10 is to cut the Air Force out of the equation.

[GtHawk]

The best way to save the A-10 is to cut the Air Force out of the equation.

Yup, It's not just sexy enough for the Air Force, give them to those most like them, the Marines along with the funding that way they can keep each other alive.