Now THIS is the fight of the century

[Saxman]

The USAF will be pitting the A-10 Thunderbolt II against the F-35 Lightning II in a series of exercises replicating the conditions both aircraft would face on the battlefield, in an attempt to prove the validity of its decision to replace the A-10 with the Joint Strike Fighter.

Any bets on how badly the USAF brass are going to be embarrassed in THIS face-off?

[Serenity]

My left nut says the F-35 is beyond complete and utter failure.

My right nut says the AF covers it up by saying it's a GREAT option, and will serve with distinction.

[GScholz]

The question is: What battlefield? If they simulate any sort of modern air defense assets in that test the F-35 will win just by surviving when the A-10 doesn't have a chance. Better to get a couple of bombs and a few 25mm rounds on target than having to burden the ground troops even more by asking them to rescue a downed A-10 pilot.

[Serenity]

The question is: What battlefield? If they simulate any sort of modern air defense assets in that test the F-35 will win just by surviving when the A-10 doesn't have a chance. Better to get a couple of bombs and a few 25mm rounds on target than having to burden the ground troops even more by asking them to rescue a downed A-10 pilot.

Well, is it not safe to assume that the air defense assets have already been hit by the countless Growlers, Raptors, and other SEAD assets?

[GScholz]

Most, but not all. If anything, Kosovo proved that. I hope the Army participates in this test. I'd be most interested in what they have to say. They're after all the people who will rely on this aircraft in the CAS role.

[branch37]

My left nut says the F-35 is beyond complete and utter failure.

My right nut says the AF covers it up by saying it's a GREAT option, and will serve with distinction.

You are more than likely correct.

[Brooke]

These sorts of things are usually not done unless the outcome is known beforehand.  An exception would be if the A-10 has enough political clout on its side for the contest not to be rigged in favor of the F-35.  However, considering how much money has been put into the F-35, how much money is still to be put into the F-35, how government works (i.e., "Help us out, and there is a high-paying job waiting for you after you leave the Pentagon or Congress" is known to all), how many careers would be ruined if the F-35 program were to be terminated, and I give it much higher odds that the F-35 "wins".  For example, if you consider that the conditions will be such that a non-stealthy aircraft is often shot down before delivering ord, you know that the F-35 will win.

[GScholz]

For example, if you consider that the conditions will be such that a non-stealthy aircraft is often shot down before delivering ord, you know that the F-35 will win.

Those are the real life conditions in a potential future war with a major regional or global power. The A-10 works fine as a COIN platform, but the current low intensity wars in the ME is not the kind of war the US armed forces are preparing to fight.

[pipz]

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXQ2lO3ieBA

[wil3ur]

http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/08/f-35-loses-dogfight-to-red-baron/

[NatCigg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXQ2lO3ieBA

good 11 minutes. 

[Serenity]

Those are the real life conditions in a potential future war with a major regional or global power. The A-10 works fine as a COIN platform, but the current low intensity wars in the ME is not the kind of war the US armed forces are preparing to fight.

Again, you're assuming the A-10 would try to be a day-one lone wolf. In a conflict with a major nation, the A-10 is NOT going in until SEAD has already slammed the area, the F-22s and B-2s have already done their thing, and even then the A-10 WILL likely have a Growler or some other suppression asset with it to cover it while it does it's thing.

[Brooke]

Those are the real life conditions in a potential future war with a major regional or global power. The A-10 works fine as a COIN platform, but the current low intensity wars in the ME is not the kind of war the US armed forces are preparing to fight.

Of course.  But I'm sure that people debating whether or not the A-10 is useful to keep debate also that stealth is a necessary component of the role they have in mind.

An analogy I'm thinking of is more like this.  "We think the F-35 is a fine replacement for the C-130."  "What?  Are you insane?"  "Well, let's have a test to see which aircraft under real-life conditions delivers more cargo.  Our real-life condition by the way is that an aircraft without stealth will be shot down every time."  "But the C-130 is used in conditions that don't require stealth, and there, the F-35 is a horrible replacement."  "Yes, but those are not the real-life conditions of our test."

[Serenity]

Of course.  But I'm sure that people debating whether or not the A-10 is useful to keep debate also that stealth is a necessary component of the role they have in mind.

An analogy I'm thinking of is more like this.  "We think the F-35 is a fine replacement for the C-130."  "What?  Are you insane?"  "Well, let's have a test to see which aircraft under real-life conditions delivers more cargo.  Our real-life condition by the way is that an aircraft without stealth will be shot down every time."  "But the C-130 is used in conditions that don't require stealth, and there, the F-35 is a horrible replacement."  "Yes, but those are not the real-life conditions of our test."

My thoughts exactly.

[Ramesis]

A-10 vs F-35?
Sounds like the odds are stacked...
It would be like a an F8k Crusader against
a A-28... the Crusader will beat the 28 and
the A-10 would beat the 35
That is if it would be strictly a gun fight...
no aims
Ramsis