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Author Topic: USAF ground attack aircraft  (Read 477 times)

Offline fdiron

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USAF ground attack aircraft
« on: July 05, 2002, 12:34:46 PM »
Whats the USAF going to use for a ground attack aircraft once the A-10s are pulled out of service?  Is the F-16 going to be used more in a bomber role?  It seems to me that the USAF needs to have a low cost, low speed ground-attack aircraft (similar to an updated version of the A-10) for future conflicts.  I dont think the U.S. would fare to well losing F22s to small arms ground fire.
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Offline RRAM

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Re: USAF ground attack aircraft
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2002, 12:54:46 PM »
wasn't the JSF going to get this role?.
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Offline JoeDirt

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« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2002, 01:03:36 PM »
F-15's dudes! havnt you seen that 2 seater? it can carry a toejam load of cluster bombs and GBU's.
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Offline texace

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« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2002, 01:28:52 PM »
My guess would be the F-15E, but those are getting old as well. If the A-10 were to be pulled, I'm sure the F-15E wouldn't be far behind. My guess would be the JSF or the F-16...seeing as those are going to be our primary fighter craft in the upcoming years...
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Offline AKDejaVu

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« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2002, 02:37:29 PM »
Helos can take on much of the roll in a hilly environment and most fighters can take it in a desert environment.

AKDejaVu
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Offline Moose1

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« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2002, 05:02:17 PM »
I think they're going to use the F-16 for the close air support role.  An F-15E isn't really a CAS aircraft, it's more of a precision strike/interdictor.

I'm surprised they aren't keeping the A-10 around considering how well it did in the Gulf.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Warthog come back on the scene again, quickly, if we do end up invading Iraq.
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Offline Hangtime

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« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2002, 03:00:29 AM »
Last Warthog rolled out over 25 years ago. They were all in NG and mothballs when the Gulf war started. They sent 'em in because they were havin probs w/ believing the Apache could handle the role.

Nothin left in the inventory that can take the punishment in the close air role the A-10 can. And no contractors that want to make such a cheap succesful flyable and rugged low-tech plane.

The air support role has gone hi-tech, lotsa standoff weapons in play now.. it's become unfashionable to dive a plane into hostile radar controlled AA these days.

F16's w/the single engine and almost non-existant armor would not be a real good plane to stick into a hot battlefield... and it'll prolly be with fancy missiles and smart bombs.. (no eyeball to eyeball gun passes) The heli's can do a pretty good job w/ the stand off weapons like hellfire... but nothin flyin can slap depleated uranium slugs into tanks with the panache of a Warthog. I pity those F16 drivers toting dumb gravity bombs and tasked with eyeball attacks against armor in a hot BZ. I'll bet they'll wish they were flyin the Warthogs.
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Offline Animal

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« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2002, 03:23:24 AM »
That 30mm will be missed by everyone.
(except the Iraquis)
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Offline Tumor

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« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2002, 04:54:25 AM »
F-16s almost got the job once, but the USA(rmy) played a major role in keeping them in service.  Actually, for a time the Army was going to GET them and fly them themselves, but it never happened (JMHO but that was probably the best idea yet).  

Hang.. they weren't mothballed.  Hoever Desert Storm stalled that from happening for... oh about 11 years so far.  The F-16 was all set up to take over CAS.  The Army screamed to high heaven about it and won.

Remember, the USAF is run by a bunch of Generals, most of which don't know all that much about CAS or care too.  And pretty much none of them have one singular iota of a clue what ground combat is.  They got this goofy idea that CAS can be coordinated with F-16's from 20k feet... ahhh, no.  Likely they'll think the same thing when the JSF hits the air, ... ahhh, maybe.  Trust me on this, F-16's have a hard enough time hitting stationary targets that they have coordinates for, I'd hate to be in a ground unit about to get over-run knowing all I had for support was a couple F-16's... egad.
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Offline Maverick

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« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2002, 01:46:13 PM »
Tumor,

There are quite a few A10's in mothballs in DM airbase in Tucson AZ. where the majority of the stored a/c are kept. He's right about the Guard having most of the hogs. The regular Air Force types didn't like the hog as it wasn't "zoomie" enough and didn't have the nice electronics. They lost sight of the fact that the Air Force has multiple roles to fill and a single concept airframe won't get it done all the time.  :(
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Offline AKIron

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« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2002, 02:10:12 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Hangtime
Last Warthog rolled out over 25 years ago.


Hell, compared to the B52 it's still in diapers. Though I guess that due to it's role the A10's airframe may see considerably more stress.
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Offline superpug1

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« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2002, 04:14:26 PM »
I didnt know they were gonna pull the plug on the worthog.  Whenthey do we should give a moment of silince. as fo thr B-52 I hope it lasts another 50 years.
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Offline GRUNHERZ

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« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2002, 05:14:12 PM »
Actualy there isn't a single original build part on any USAF B52 in service now. Not one, at least thats what I heard one of the B52 people say.
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Offline BenDover

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« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2002, 05:45:36 PM »
what's wrong with the a10?
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Offline lord dolf vader

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« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2002, 09:18:02 PM »
nothing is wrong with it. it got put in the airforce by decree of some post ww2 rule on what service maintaines what type of aircraft.

it should have been in the army who love the plane from the first but rules are rules especially in the military.
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