America’s Toughest, Ugliest Warplane Is Going Back Into Battle
For more than 30 years, the A-10 Thunderbolt IIbetter known as the Warthog because its so uglyhas performed a crucial role: attacking hostile targets that threaten troops on the ground, a task called close air support. The plane, designed for the Cold War, is old. Its slow. And its about as sophisticated as a hammer. But it is heavily armored and wickedly armed, making it a ruthlessly effective weapon. And that is why, despite ongoing efforts by Defense Department brass to kill it, the Warthog is headed back into battle to help in the fight against ISIS.
An undisclosed number of Warthogs, part of the Blacksnakes 163rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron based at Fort Wayne, Indiana, have been deployed to Middle Eastern airbases to provide air cover to troops fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
That makes the A-10 something of a zombieit refuses to die. The Air Force wants to scuttle the 238 A-10s still in service, a move that would save $3.7 billion over five yearsand make way for more sophisticated planes like the new F-35 Lightning II. But given the crucial role it plays providing close air support, something particularly helpful against enemies in a place like Iraq, the A-10 has many staunch defenders, including Senator John McCain.
Close air support is a vital job that, when properly executed, can mean the difference between life and death for soldiers. Its highly dangerous, because it requires flying at altitudes low enough to discern friend from foe, leaving the plane particularly vulnerable to ground-based anti-aircraft fire. The A-10, little more than a flying tank, is perfectly suited to the task and beloved by pilots and troops alike.
Its a game-changer, Gen. John F. Campbell, the Armys vice chief of staff, toldThe Washington Post earlier this year. Its ugly. Its loud, but when it comes in and you hear that pffffff [of the cannon], it just makes a difference. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called it the ugliest, most beautiful aircraft on the planet.
What makes the planes continued relevance so impressive is the fact it was designed more than 40 years ago, and a new one hasnt been built since 1984.
--------------------------
To read the rest:
Americas Toughest, Ugliest Warplane Is Going Back Into Battle
Tags
Who is online
55 visitors
This is an amazing illustration of how our military's procurement programs are completely unrelated the the nation's actual needs.
It seemsobviousthat close ground support is going to be a major priority for the Air Force for the next few decades. Thehighestpriority, probably.
So here's the Air Force wanting to kill off their only dedicated aircraft, in favor of the ill-starred and incredibly expensive F-35.
Ummm.... That's completely bass-ackwards!Nothingcan do the A-10's job, but the F-16 and F-15Ecando the F-35' job.
For ground troops, the Warhog is sent from heaven.
Now if they would add a ''spooky'' or two, another infantryman's angel. Also known as ''Puff the Magic Dragon''. The AC130U Gunship first deployed during Vietnam.
3 cheers for the airplane maintenance mechanics who have maintained our fleet of the Warthogs, since 1984! Good job, guys!
Just because something is older, it can still work. Obviously, this does, so why not make a few of them, rather than waste so much money on whistles and bells?
Been there, done that....
And I agree completely!
That is indeed the question! Perhaps because they aren't as sexy as F-35s for Top Gun wannabes?
Tough little beastie that cantake as well as it gives. Considering it's success and usefulness, perhaps scrap the f-35 in favor of another 238 of these, and some more f-16's.
The Warthog causes countless pants to be shat in when this airplane comes a-visitin'. A friend I met while stationed in Turkey was a munitions guy (A b.b. stacker) who worked A-10s and had a shirt with picture of an A-10 in profile and the words, 'You Can Run, But Why Die Tired?'.
I've seen one of the more famous Warthogs-came back from a mission in Desert Stormmissing one engine and enemy fire damage including 19 inches missing off one wing. The factory techs said there was no way this could possibly have continued flying and made a safe landing.....and yet it did.
Good point!
I love this plane and absolutely love hearing it in action.
Mr Spikegary,
She was designed to continue flying with an entire half of one wing missing.
In desert storm, A-10's destroyed more tanks than the next four antitank systems combined.
One of the sayings of ground commanders in teaching tactics to the younger officers was "Go Ugly, Early" in reference to calling in the A-10's
A-10's are usually the first called by ground commanders when needing ground support.
The Airforce is absolutely insane if they plan on retiring this aircraft. Particularly for one that isn't even operational yet and may never be fully operational.
Nothing quite as insane as planning to throw away the best tool for the job...
The affaire demonstrates that "best tool for the job" now means something other than it used to. Now it means "the aircraft that brings the most glamour and budget".
That would be the Islamic State ...
Who's "you" ?
So ... ISIL has nothing to do with the topic of US weapons which have been used in the middle east ? Who elected you to make such asinine claims ?
I love messing around with flight simulators. As I've gotten older, I can really only handle the simpler and arcadey console versions though. What I do vividly remember is that the A-10Warthog was by far the easiest of any miltary plane I ever tried. There was a Janes simulator in the works; but alas, sadly, it never happened.
:~|