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.

 

[Kirkhill]

In defence of @YZT 's position that the future is catching up to the A-10

France tests MQ-9 Reaper for drone intercept role

France’s Air and Space Force has successfully carried out its first anti-drone missile test from an MQ-9 Reaper, using a Hellfire missile to engage an aerial drone target. The test took place on April 2 at the military range on

defence-blog.com

Hellfires from Reapers.

Given that the APKWS II was developed as the low cost alternative to the Hellfire for the AH-64, and uses the same guidance system, I think it is safe to assume that the Hellfires on the Reaper could be swapped out for 4 or 7 packs of the APKWS II.

Further to:

Hunting Drones From Sloppy Airstrips Is General Atomics' Future Vision For Mojave

Pushed forward to very rough fields, Mojave could also escort helicopters, strike targets, provide surveillance and networking, and even transport cargo.

www.twz.com

I can't reproduce the pictures on the article. While I agree that this is the direction of travel, that it will be lest costly to put new UAVs in the air than new A-10s, I don't think that GAA is on the right track with its STOL aircraft in muddy jungle strips. I have visions of White City in Burma and the Malayan Emergency before the general application of Helicopters.

I think for the role that GAA is discussing AI Shield has a better solution: the tail sitter, with or without RATO.

Shield AI Develops X-BAT Vertical Takeoff Drone

Shield AI unveiled last week its development of a new X-BAT aircraft that may be the most unconventional concept of the new breed of fighter-like Unmanned Comba

insideunmannedsystems.com