Air Force A-10s are still needed and the Russia-Ukraine war proves it

[rebewranger]

Air Force A-10s are still needed and the Russia-Ukraine war proves it
Opinion by Brian Boeding - Yesterday 10:00 AM
 

Our military-industrial complex recently convinced an aviation expert at The Aviationist to take a swing at the A-10 once again. Instead of relying on that author’s poorly researched piece, let’s take a more thorough look into battlefield realities.

 As the Russians are learning now, war is costly and unpredictable. This is why all diplomatic, informational, and economic means should be exhausted before resorting to military force. They are also discovering that how people fight is one of the most important ingredients to winning in warfare. The more complex the systems that a Goliath combatant uses, the simpler David’s defenses to those systems often become.
 
Not all weapons are equally important in war. Their importance is unrelated to their cost. Simple tools are undeniably more important in combat than more expensive weapons. Camouflage, concealment, deception, and dispersal still matter. Whether hiding combat jets, trucks or armor, these basics always apply. Hiding air bases from hypersonic weapons is impossible, therefore maintaining the Air Force’s austere field capability with either the A-10 or a future replacement attack aircraft shouldn’t be underestimated.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/air-force-a-10s-are-still-needed-and-the-russia-ukraine-war-proves-it/ar-AAYPElV?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=d61c1f5a7f62422d8a5075d8375bb788

[PeteS in CA]

That the A-10 is still valuable and viable for CAS in an environment with MANPADS has been demonstrated in Iraq and Afghanistan and Iraq, when used intelligently and skillfully. Russian losses of Su-25 Frogfoots in Ukraine has demonstrated the need for intelligence and skill in the use of subsonic CAS aircraft. And while fighter and EW escort would be needed for wider GP usage, that would be true of any bomber.

USAF, USN, and USMC aircraft fleets have long included aircraft designed to be able to operate from more rudimentary environments - A-10, C-130 variants, AV-8B, F-35. This is a capability that should continue.

The Ukrainian war is demonstrating that, while the Russian army has some modern tanks - the T-90 and T-14 - it still is heavily reliant on upgraded T-72s, which were contemporaries of the original A-10A (and the Russians are, apparently, bringing some 1960s-design T-62s out of reserve stocks). IOW, even the A-10's 30 mm Gatling gun is relevant against Russian tank forces, as well as against less well armored infantry vehicles.

[sneakypete]

I don't know diddly-squat about the newer USAF tactical fighter-bombers,but I DO know it any troop support aircraft can do a better job of supporting troops on the ground or hitting targets hard to get at than the old "Warthog",they will be some truly spectacular aircraft as well as something special in this world!

I know the USAF and the US Navy/USMC brass are all about something new,something sexy,and something fast,but there ARE numerous times when something with the ability to fly low and slow when the pilot needs to do so in order to hit difficult to see or access targets,as well as to provide VERY close air support to troops surrounded on the ground and being in danger of being over ran by a vastly superior number of enemy troops.

When it comes to that,the old Wart Hog just can't be beaten,period. Helicopter gun ships just fly too slow and just can't carry the heavy load of bombs the old Wart Hog can carry (cluster bombs are MY personal all time favorite bombs!),not to mention Napalm bombs.
Ain't NOTHING gets the enemy high-stepping quicker than seeing a big,clumsy Napalm bomb come tumbling down through the air.When it comes to that,the old Wart Hog just can't be beaten,period. Helicopter gun ships just fly too slow and just can't carry the heavy load of bombs the old Wart Hog can carry (cluster bombs are MY personal all time favorite bombs!),not to mention Napalm bombs.

Ain't NOTHING gets the enemy high-stepping quicker than seeing a big,clumsy Napalm bomb come tumbling down through the air.

We used to ask for them by requesting "crispy critters". HEY! Fun is where you find it!

Jet fighter bombers can carry that load,but they are just too fast to provide accurate bombing runs for troops being overran. When in that position you are grateful for ANY type of air support you can get because ANY of it will help repel attacking enemy ground forces,but it's when the Wart Hogs start showing up that the troops on the ground REALLY begin to cheer.

Trust me on this one. There were VERY good reasons for ALL Wart Hog pilots having permanent invitations to our NCO clubs. Yeah,I know they are all officers,but ask any you might know if they ever turned down an invitation to party at a SF NCO Club.