A-10 Warthog

[ytz]

You keep assuming that cost is driving the decision. It's not. Resources are more than just cost.

And the reason the F-15EX is preferred by the NORAD commander is the massive range and speed. Just four based can over CONUS.

 

[ytz]

Unless they already overmatch any likely near-peer enough that the near-peers are all seriously worried that the 90% is more than sufficient to allow the 10% to chew their mechanized forces to pieces.

I assure you that nobody in the USAF thinks actual near-peer is this easy. Jingoism is not a substitute for military competence.

 

[Brad Sallows]

I assure you that nobody in the USAF thinks actual near-peer is this easy. Jingoism is not a substitute for military competence.

The US obviously divides its total platforms among various types (F, B, A, C, etc). Which near-peer forces the US is likely to fight are of a size that would put pressure on the US to downsize the As?

 

[ytz]

The US obviously divides its total platforms among various types (F, B, A, C, etc). Which near-peer forces the US is likely to fight are of a size that would put pressure on the US to downsize the As?

Not sure what that has to do with anything. Feel free to explain.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Not sure what that has to do with anything. Feel free to explain.

A-10s aren't a "10% handicap". They're part of a mix. Eventually they will be fully retired. There will still be a mix.

 

[ytz]

A-10s aren't a "10% handicap". They're part of a mix. Eventually they will be fully retired. There will still be a mix.

Given the nature of near-peer threats the higher the percentage of aircraft that can't be used in that fight in any substantial capacity, the harder what's left has to work. That's absolutely a handicap. And while the GWOT was on, nobody cared about that percentage. Not so anymore.

Sure the A-10 will eventually be replaced. But it's highly unlikely to be a slow tank busting aircraft built around a gigantic autocannon. Nor is the percentage for a dedicated CAS platform that would be parked for most of a near-peer fight likely to be anywhere close to what it is today. Especially given that there will 4th gen platforms (F-15EX) that can bring most of the requisite capability and still do other things that make them useful against the pacing threat.